Gene Simmons berates Rock Hall for 'disgusting' Iron Maiden snub
He's not happy
KISS bassist Gene Simmons has criticised the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for not including Iron Maiden and Rage Against The Machine in the class of 2021.
Despite making the shortlist for the first time in 16 years of eligibility, Iron Maiden failed to receive enough votes to be inducted into the Rock Hall this year.
Foo Fighters, Tina Turner, Todd Rundgren, Carole King, The Go-Go’s and Jay-Z are all set to be inducted in Cleveland on 30th October, while Rage Against The Machine and New York Dolls were among the acts who missed out.
Reacting to Iron Maiden not being inducted, Gene Simmons, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with KISS in 2014, tweeted: “RR Hall of Fame is a sham not to include Maiden. Disgusting!”
He added: “Sadly, Rage Against The Machine shut out of RR Hall of Fame. The Hall should be ashamed of themselves…”
Back in April, KISS’s Paul Stanley also called on Iron Maiden to be inducted, writing: “Regardless of whether it matters to them, Maiden not being in the @rockhall of Fame is INSANITY.
“Regardless of who is writing in or not, the Committee must induct them. They have helped spawn an entire genre of music. What else do you need to do?? @IronMaiden.”
Yesterday, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame President and CEO Greg Harris refuted Dee Snider’s accusation that the Cleveland institution doesn’t ‘respect’ heavy metal artists.
Harris said: "It's an interesting one, because we do (respect metal music). We celebrate all forms of rock and roll. They were nominated, and we've nominated (Iron) Maiden. Judas Priest have been nominated. We put Def Leppard in.
“Those that are 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, and let's get it out to the voting body. Incredible bands, no doubt — truly worthy of nomination, truly worthy of consideration.
“This ballot had sixteen artists on it… They just can't all go in. So, this year these are the six. And we're excited to see what next year brings."
Despite the furore, Iron Maiden are unlikely to care about their omission one iota.
Bruce Dickinson famously lambasted the Rock Hall in 2018, saying: “I actually think the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is an utter and complete load of bollocks, to be honest with you.”
“It’s run by a bunch of sanctimonious bloody Americans who wouldn’t know rock ‘n’ roll if it hit them in the face. They need to stop taking Prozac and start drinking f---ing beer.”
Reacting to the news reports surrounding his comments, Bruce told the Jerusalem Post the following month: "I was so annoyed with that coverage because they took my statement out of context to make it seem like I was upset that we weren't in the Hall Of Fame.
"I'm really happy we're not there and I would never want to be there. If we're ever inducted, I will refuse — they won't bloody be having my corpse in there.”
Iron Maiden’s sole constant member Steve Harris has previously said he “won’t lose any sleep” if the band are never inducted.
Rock stars without their masks and make-up, including KISS:
Slipknot’s Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan unmasked
Slipknot percussionist #6 Shawn Crahan unveiled his new silver clown mask to the world when the Iowan masked metallers premiered fearsome single 'Unsainted' in May 2019. Outside of the day job banging things with Slipknot, the unmasked Shawn Crahan is an acclaimed film director and photographer.
Slipknot’s Mick Thomson unmasked
Slipknot guitarist #7 Mick Thomson's metallic hockey mask is so perfectly formidable it has remained relatively unchanged for years. On the right is an Mick Thomson without his mask traversing the streets of New York in 2019 ahead of Slipknot's appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Buckethead unmasked
The highly enigmatic guitarist, who wears a KFC bucket on his head, revealed his real identity on self-released 2013 album 'Pike 13'. It poignantly depicts a younger Buckethead – real name Brian Carroll – without his mask on and hugging his late dad.
Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg unmasked
Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg and his proper horrorshow burlap mask. On the right is the devilishly handsome Jay Weinberg without his mask. Weinberg joined Slipknot in 2014 replacing the departing Joey Jordison, who sadly passed away in 2021.
Slipknot’s Sid Wilson unmasked
Slipknot turntablist #0 Sid Wilson's mask dramatically changed in 2019 from his more traditional skull and gas masks to an almost Palpatine -esque deformed human mask with black robes. On the right is Sid Wilson without his mask at the premiere of Slipknot: Day Of The Gusano in Beverly Hills.
Limp Bizkit’s Wes Borland unmasked and without makeup
Chameleon-like Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland is constantly coming up with brilliant new looks for the band's live shows. Fusing a mask with crudely painted make-up, this brilliantly disturbing guise is like a cross between Salvador Dali, The Joker and a demented aristocrat. Here is Wes Borland without his mask and makeup at a photoshoot in 2017.
Slipknot’s Corey Taylor unmasked
Slipknot singer #8 Corey Taylor's guise evolved into a sinister translucent mask in 2019. As the frontman of Stone Sour - and arguably the most famous member of Slipknot to boot - unless you've been living under a rock for the past two decades, you'll be well aware of what Corey Taylor looks like without his mask.
Ghost’s Tobias Forge (aka Papa Emeritus) unmasked
Flanked by his band of Nameless Ghouls, Tobias Forge has adopted a number of papal guises over the years; from the various incarnations of Papa Emeritus through to Cardinal Copia and Papa Emeritus IV. On the right is Tobias Forge without his mask at the Grammy Awards in 2019.
GWAR’s Blothar unmasked
Following the untimely death of singer Oderus Urungus (aka Dave Brockie) in 2014, GWAR recruited Blothar - aka Michael Bishop – as their new frontman who comes complete with a pigface goblin guise. On the right is Blothar without his mask and outlandish costume speaking at a TED Talk in 2015.
Slipknot’s Alessandro Venturella unmasked
Slipknot bassist Alessandro "Alex" Venturella's mask changed from a hessian fabric mask into patterned copper mask in 2019. The genial-looking chap on the right is Alessandro Venturella without his mask.
KISS’s Paul Stanley unmasked and without makeup
Alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley has been a member of KISS since their inception in 1973 and his alter ego The Starchild has remained a constant all this time.
Slipknot’s Jim Root unmasked
Slipknot guitarist #4 Jim Root has worn a Jester mask for the entirety of his career with only minor changes in its design. Why change perfection?! Jim Root is immediately identifiable even without his mask thanks to his luscious, voluminous beard.
Behemoth’s Nergal unmasked and without makeup
One of the standout Main Stage acts at Download Festival 2019, Polish blackened death metallers Behemoth – led by the fearsome lead vocalist Nergal – have always adorned striking make-up on stage creating an enigmatic aura. On the right is Adam Nergal Darski without makeup at an album signing session.
Ex-Slipknot percussionist Chris Fehn unmasked
Before he exited Slipknot in somewhat acrimonious circumstances in April 2019, #3 Chris Fehn wore a distinctive Liar Mask – aka the Pinocchio Mask. On the right is the Chris Fehn without his mask at the premiere of Shawn Clown Crahan's movie 'Officer Downe' in 2016.
KISS’s Gene Simmons unmasked and without makeup
On stage and wearing his trademark makeup, Gene Simmons adopts The Demon persona.
KISS’s Eric Singer unmasked and without makeup
Following the death of the late-great Eric Carr in 1991, new drummer Eric Singer didn't adopt his The Fox persona; instead he resurrected original drummer Peter Criss' The Catman guise.
KISS’s Tommy Thayer unmasked and without makeup
Joining KISS permanently in 2002, Tommy Thayer jumped straight into Ace Frehley's platform heels and took on his The Spaceman makeup design.
Ghost Nameless Ghoul unmasked
In March 2017, a Swedish musician called Martin Persner shared a video claiming he was formerly a Nameless Ghoul in Ghost called Omega. He left the band in July 2016 after a seven-year stint.