Tom Morello is not just a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee; he actively contributes as a member of the organization’s nominating committee. His involvement with the Hall began nearly ten years ago when he confronted Jon Landau, the manager of Bruce Springsteen and a significant executive at the Hall, regarding its credibility and relevance within the music community. Morello expressed his concerns about the Hall’s standing and how it alienated younger rock musicians who did not see their favorite artists honored in its ranks.

“My argument was this,” Morello recounted in a recent discussion with Sirius XM’s Eddie Trunk. “If you’re a little league player, your dream as a young baseball player is to have such a career that you would end up in the baseball hall of fame. I said, ‘A lot of young rock and roll guitar players have no respect for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. None of their favorite bands are in it.” His passionate plea highlighted a broader issue within the rock genre, emphasizing that the Hall should be a revered institution where every aspiring musician dreams of being celebrated.

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Morello’s vision for the Hall is for it to become a prestigious destination that every rock enthusiast aspires to be part of, primarily because their musical heroes are honored there. He stressed the need for the Hall to reflect the diverse and vibrant history of rock music, which it currently lacks. Moved by Morello’s dedication, Landau invited him to join the committee, stating, “To his credit, he put me in the room,” which allowed Morello to advocate for the inclusion of deserving artists.

Tom Morello Decries Iron Maiden’s Omission from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an ‘Egregious Oversight’

Throughout the past decade, Morello has passionately supported various artists’ cases for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, including iconic names like Kiss, MC5, Randy Rhoads, and Judas Priest. However, one glaring absence continues to haunt him: the absence of Iron Maiden. Morello expressed his frustration by stating, “I will chew my leg off like a coyote in a trap if I can’t get Iron Maiden in.” He firmly believes that while many artists deserve recognition, the exclusion of Iron Maiden stands out as the most glaring oversight in the Hall’s history.

“Iron Maiden is like the gold standard of metal bands and they’re not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” Morello passionately continued. “And I know Bruce Dickinson said he doesn’t really care. Well I care as a fan. I care very, very much about it. So I’m gonna do all I can to get, [with] whatever limited influence I have, to get Iron Maiden in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.” His commitment as a fan and a musician showcases his respect for the band’s immense influence on the metal genre.

READ MORE: 5 Reasons Iron Maiden Should Be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Despite the fact that Iron Maiden has publicly expressed their disinterest in being enshrined—Dickinson famously dismissed the Hall as “an utter and complete load of bollocks”—Morello remains undeterred in his quest. He believes that such dismissive statements should not impact the band’s eligibility nor the respect they deserve within the rock community. “I’m sure there are some people who are thinking about, ‘What will the show be if one of the headliners doesn’t show up?’ But that doesn’t [come up],” he stated, emphasizing his unwavering support for Iron Maiden’s inclusion.