Congrats to the Foos. As a fan, I am happy that they got in. I know not everyone will be, but they are a legit and worthy band.
There have been plenty of legit and worthy bands that have been snubbed. Let’s look at a few shall we. .
Let’s start with Iron Maiden.
Number of Years Snubbed: 17
Number of Albums: 16
Chart Performance: With little radio or television support, Iron Maiden have sold over 90 million records worldwide. And yet regardless of the lineup shifts, several of their albums have received platinum and gold albums both stateside and overseas, specifically 1982’s The Number of the Beast, 1983’s Piece of Mind, 1984’s Powerslave, 1985’s live release Live After Death, 1986’s Somewhere in Time, and 1988’s Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.
Accolades: As of October 2013, the band have played over 2,000 live shows throughout their career. In 2002, they received the Ivor Novello Award for international achievement, and in 2005, were also inducted into the Hollywood RockWalk on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA..
Nominated this year, but not in.
Next up, Soundgarden…
Number of Years Snubbed: 10
Number of Albums: 6
Chart Performance: It all goes back to Superunknown. Soundgarden‘s fourth studio album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts in 1994, sold a staggering 310,000 copies in its opening week, delivered five charting singles, and has since been certified 5x Platinum. But let’s not forget their breakthrough album, 1991’s Badmotorfinger, which was not only certified 2x Platinum but also brought them international acclaim.
Accolades: Like fellow rockers Rage Against the Machine (see above), Soundgarden also took home two Grammys for Best Metal (“Spoonman”) and Hard Rock (“Black Hole Sun”) Performance, only they had nine nominations to their name. Beyond the awards, though, the Seattle rockers changed the game for modern rock as one of the progenitors of the grunge movement and defined the ’90s with their signature blend of metal and psychedelia. They should have been shoo-ins back in 2011, but to lose their bid in 2020? It’s a crime, and an insult to the late Chris Cornell.
Can’t forget Rage Against The Machine
Number of Years Snubbed: 4
Number of Albums: 4
Chart Performance: Given their political inclinations, Rage probably could care less about the Billboard charts, but they should. Each one of their records — even their final LP of covers, 2000’s Renegades — scaled the charts, with 1996’s Evil Empire and 1999’s Battle for Los Angeles claiming No. 1. What’s more, they’ve all been certified Platinum by the RIAA; in fact, both their 1992 self-titled debut and Evil Empire went 3x Platinum.
Accolades: Same thing. Could probably give a shit about awards, too, but of course that didn’t stop them from winning two Grammys for Best Metal (“Tire Me”) and Hard Rock (“Guerilla Radio”) Performance out of six nominations. And while Cleveland has yet to show them love outside of two nominations, they have been inducted into Kerrang’s own Hall of Fame. Better yet, NME gave ’em a Heroes of the Year Award back in 2010. Again, they do not care.
But wait there’s more…
Ozzy Osbourne
Eligible since: 2006
Why he should be in: No individual has higher standing in the genre of heavy metal than Osbourne who is already in with Black Sabbath. His successful solo career, Ozzfest and fame should earn him consideration as a two-time inductee.
Why he’s not: Considering the Rock Hall can’t get some of the most important metal bands (Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, etc.) of all time in, it’s hard to imagine the Nominating Committee looking at Osbourne solo anytime soon.
Faith No More
Eligible since: 2011
Why they should be in: Faith No More stands as one of the most influential alt-metal bands of the late 1980s, receiving praise from members of Guns N’ Roses, Korn and Nirvana. The band also has one of the great frontmen in rock history in Mike Patton.
Why they’re not: Compared to an inductee and similar band like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Faith No More was never quite as mainstream.
Motorhead
Eligible since: 2003
Why they should be in: The heavy metal genre should be one of the easiest for the Rock Hall to deal with considering there’s a top tier of five essential bands. In that mix is Motorhead, the first metal act to mix in punk rock, which would influence the thrash sound of Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and others.
Why they’re not: The Nominating Committee has put both Judas Priest and Motorhead on the ballot. But, so far, no true metal band other than Black Sabbath or Metallica has been able to break through.
Alice in Chains
Eligible since: 2016
Why they should be in: There are four, clear-cut pillars of grunge rock. Nirvana and Pearl Jam were inducted into the Rock Hall on their first tries. Soundgarden was recently nominated. Alice In Chains should be next. Late frontman Layne Staley was one of the quintessential voices of that era with Alice in Chains moving beyond the grunge genre to influence a variety of hard rock and metal bands.
Why they’re not: There’s a backlog of 1990s bands trying to get into the Rock Hall and there seems to be a pecking order. Alice in Chains may not find its way onto the ballot until Soundgarden gets in.
and perhaps the biggest snub…..
Motley Crue
Eligible since: 2007
Why they should be in: Motley Crue won the Rock Hall’s 2020 “Voice Your Choice” in-museum fan vote, yet was left off last year’s ballot. You don’t have to go too far down the list of the greatest hard-rock acts that haven’t been inducted before you get to Motley Crue.
Why they not: Members of Motley Crue’s have said their off-stage antics have them blacklisted from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Whether that’s true or not, the crazy stories do overshadow what the band accomplished musically.
