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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame CEO bucks against belief heavy metal isn't celebrated

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 5/14/21

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its class of 2021 inductees Wednesday, and some have used the exclusion of nominees Iron Maiden and Rage Against the Machine as further proof that the Hall does not properly appreciate heavy metal.

CEO and President Greg Harris opposed that belief during an Audacy interview. The question was set up by highlighting Twisted Sister's Dee Snider and his claiming the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame committee "look down on metal."

"It's an interesting one because we do [appreciate metal]," Harris said. "We celebrate all forms of rock and roll. They were nominated, and we've nominated Maiden. Judas Priest have been nominated. We put Def Leppard in. Those are that nominated, over 80 percent of them eventually do get inducted. So, it's really a question of let's keep nominating them, let's get them on the ballot, let's get it out to the voting body."

This year's inductees under the performers category are Tina Turner, Carole King, The Go-Go's, JAY-Z, Foo Fighters and Todd Rundgren.

Turner will now have two spots in the Hall, as she was previously inducted as a member of Ike and Tina Turner. Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl is also entering for a second time—the first as a member of Nirvana.

The induction ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 30 at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland. The physical museum has been in Cleveland since 1995, and induction ceremonies have alternated between Cleveland and New York City.

Watch Harris's announcement of the 2021 class below.