Iron Maiden‘s Bruce Dickinson has clarified his comments about the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, saying he’s “really happy” the band have not been inducted into the institution.
Acts are eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their debut single or album. The east London heavy metal group have been qualified for inclusion since 2005 but have not yet been nominated.
Last month, Dickinson had branded the Hall Of Fame “an utter and complete load of bollocks” that is “run by a bunch of sanctimonious bloody Americans who wouldn’t know rock and roll if it hit them in the face.” However, he was unhappy with how his comments were covered by the media, saying coverage made it seem like he was “upset” the band hadn’t been recognised by the Hall Of Fame.
“I’m really happy we’re not there and I would never want to be there,” he told the Jerusalem Post. “If we’re ever inducted I will refuse – they won’t bloody be having my corpse in there.”
He continued: “Rock and roll music does not belong in a mausoleum in Cleveland. It’s a living, breathing thing, and if you put it in a museum, then it’s dead. It’s worse than horrible, it’s vulgar.”
Nominees for the 2019 inductions into the Hall Of Fame include first-timers Devo, Roxy Music, Stevie Nicks, Todd Rundgren, John Prine, and Def Leppard. The longlist also includes artists who have been nominated before, such as Radiohead, Rage Against The Machine, Janet Jackson, The Cure, Kraftwerk, MC5, Rufus & Chaka Khan, LL Cool J, and The Zombies.
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The final inductees will be confirmed in December before a ceremony – with performances from the successful acts – takes place next year.