METALLICA INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK N’ ROLL HALL OF FAME
Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 at 3:14pm by Axl Rosenberg
I know we give Metallica a lot of shit around here, but somewhere along the way people assumed that we HATE Metallica. And that’s not the case – we just hate what Metallica have become. Once upon a time, they made three (or four or five, depending on your POV) of what are inarguably the greatest metal albums EVER, so even if they bit the big one sometime in the 90s, seeing them get some recognition for the gods they once were is never a bad thing (Unless it’s that MTV Icon thing. That was just bullshit.).
SO. Metallica have officially been inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame. This is a fairly meaningless honor in the grand scheme of things, but, still, it’ll be nice to see a metal band get some love from such a middle of the road institution. By my count, they’re the third metal band ever inducted – after Sabbath and Van Halen – but hopefully not the last.
The ceremony will take place on April 4 in Cleveland. I’m assuming it will be televised, as other recent induction ceremonies have been.
More to follow…
-AR
I figured they were first ballot entrants.Agreed about everything from the 80’s.Important shit.Kudos to them.Hopefully in the coming years we will see other pivotal bands make their way in.
fuck off fags…. fucking faggots
Who cares. It is the Rock n Roll hall not metall hall. Fuck off rockstars. Rock and Roll is for old farts that think they’re cool, just like Harley motorbikes. It’s all a bunch of suits nowadays. What was the Meatmen’s song ‘1 down 3 to go’? It was about the Beatles. Now it’s ‘2 down 2 to go’. We are making progress!
Sabbath and Metallica are the only metal bands to be inducted in the RnR HOF so far. Van Halen is a hard rock act, not a metal one. You guys should know this.
Why are they all smiling in the picture? Metallica doesn’t smile…
@Slender
That’s what you’re talking about!
Meh… now seriously speaking: when’s Iron Maiden time???
Sabbath I can see being inducted, but Metallica doesn’t really fit with the “Rock & Roll” part of it. This is why Iron Maiden should not go in the hall of fame, but Judas Priest could make it in.
i’m looking forward to Avril Lavigne’s encore performance of “Fuel” at the induction ceremony. who knows, maybe she’ll even be accompanied by Fall Out Boy this time.
I agree completely. It’s an absolute shame Metallica went the route they did in the 90’s, but they are the band that got me into metal and they remain my favorite band to this day. Kill Em’ All, RTL, MOP, and Justice were fucking astonishing and amazing records. The Black Album was pretty fucking awesome too by any standards. They put metal on the map and they fucking deserve it.
according to the metallica website, Jason Newsted will also be inducted. That’s cool.
Oh man James hair was so fucking cool back then…..
Regardless of what Metallica has become or not become, and no matter whether one has come to despise them and their music, what is inarguable is their impact on metal. They do belong in the Hall. It would be like keeping a hitter out of the Baseball Hall of Fame because his last five years were mediocre, if in the previous 15 he had 8 batting titles or hit 600 home runs (I’m assuming no steroids, btw).
@TedTedPoleyPoley
I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if that actually happened. I wonder what god awful bands they will have perform Metallica? I bet Avenged Sevenfold will perform something. just watch!
Metallica has always been the band that they wanted to be, and to me thats great. Not so many bands around give a shit what their fans says. St.Anger and LOAD are in many ways much better albums than death magnetic (I’m not saying is a bad album).
Great for Metallica they changed the ways of metal in the eighties and influenced so many bands today, and will keep doing it, that this is a small recognition for all they have done in musical terms.
sweet, that means korn is next!
This is unquestionably deserved by Metallica. I’ve given them a lot of shit for the direction they took in the wake of the Black Album’s success but there’s no question this is more than just a little overdue. I’ll believe the HOF gives 2 shits about metal when influential artists like Death, Morbid Angel or Venom make it in.
Laugh if you want, but when I saw the video for “One” when I was younger, it changed my whole perspective on music. It’s still on my weekly playlist.
@Mrpuemo
So you actually like “St.Anger”? Not trying to be a dick or anything, but I’ve rarely heard that album defended at all. I mean, it honestly sounds like Lars had a skillet for his snare drum the entire record. You dig that?
“Who cares. It is the Rock n Roll hall not metall hall. Fuck off rockstars. Rock and Roll is for old farts that think they’re cool, just like Harley motorbikes. It’s all a bunch of suits nowadays. What was the Meatmen’s song ‘1 down 3 to go’? It was about the Beatles. Now it’s ‘2 down 2 to go’. We are making progress!”
Wow…. you’re quite a piece of work bud. Hope they get the white jacket back on you.
I don’t have a problem with this. Some people can agree that their new stuff isn’t their best (depending on your personal taste), but no one can deny that their early works ARE great; one cannot erase the coolness of some of the classic tracks they have produced. Plus their live performances in the old days were worth the watch. For THAT I don’t mind that they get in on the Hall of Fame. Metallica have indeed made their mark in history.
Talk about timing!
PS: VH ain’t metal…
I’ve actually been to the hall before. There are bunch of inductees that aren’t rock n’ roll (johnny cash, grandmaster flash, etc…). They’ve influenced countless musicians and I think they’re deserving of it. Now if they could get mustaine to present the award that would be worth seeing.
‘Twould be awesome to see Black Sabbath return the favour and cover Metallica for their induction…
Though the biggest travesty is that the Stooges STILL haven’t been inducted. I’m not sure when the nominations take place, but surely Ron Asheton shouldn’t have to fucking die to get them a place?
(I also want to see Madonna covering the Stooges at their induction. Would be even more entertaining than Iggy singing Ray of Light three octaves down from the original.)
@awfrick
I don’t like so much the drums sound, but the riffs on it and the lyrics I think are their best since load.
The Rock and Roll Half of Fame doesn’t mean shit to anyone anymore…Madonna was inducted….after that true Rock/Metal fans quit paying attention to those fucks.
What is wrong with all of you people. News flash….The hall of fame is an honor for being an established recording band for at least 25 years or more. The hall was NEVER created to only honor rock bands or metal bands. I can’t believe people are so dumb about this!! Musician’s are put into the hall to be FOREVER recognized for the work they contributed to the fans and the music buisness. Yes I believe your credibilty and earning power does make a difference who gets in maybe sooner than another. Popularity plays its part to, but after all of that the music and longevity is probably the most inportant elements considered. Yea Iron Maiden and Priest were kickin ass before Metallica got a runnin start, but Judas and Maiden have not done many things Metallica has. Don’t get mad thinking it’s wrong for Metallica to get in before Priest. The bands can only control what they have done as a band. The hall people will eventually add the other notables. Also, The hall brings all music to one place. Run DMC sweated and worked there asses off just as much as metallica did. Just different music same work!! The hall of fame has done well up to this point. You people just need to accept the fact if the band in question has sustained 25 years…made credible music and know world over for the music first…These artist will be put in a lot faster. metallica has gone hard from start to now. There music has always spoken for them nothing else. Napster was about business!! If I make a song and I don’t choose to give it away It was stolen! Simple. Why are some of you still mad at them for protecting there own shyt! For that gettin into the hall of fame makes all the sense in the world. I have loved this band since 1987 for the only reason that hasn’t changed the music.
Forgive me for any grammer or written mistakes I may have made in my last post….but It’s just sad when people comment about something they obviously know little about. The hall of fame honor is huge and any real fan of music should be able to appreciate what an honor like this means. I’m 36 and I can understand why some of idiotic comments come from. My guess is they come mostly from either the grunge fans who never like Metallica anyway..or the Limp/Korn crowd who have been forced to try something new. Either way I think music is done in chapters. I’ve found something interesting about all of the changes over the years. Most of all I understand that Van Halen, Madonna ,U2, Prince or even ZZ Top, at the end of the day all have shared the world stage with there music. The Rock Hall will never deny the undeniable. Metallica going in is a celebration for metal and all who love it!
The Sex Pistols were only active for three years and produced one album and were chosen for the Hall of Fame…so I don’t think longevity is as big of a factor as sheer influence.
Iron Mayden, I’m pretty sure Metallica will play themselves. Especially since Jason will no doubt be there. This may very well be utilized as a great opportunity to jam with him again. I look forward to this ceremony and I feel confident it won’t be repeat of the Van Halen meltdown. James has already said that night will be about celebration, and I think we’ll all be pleased!
This is totally unrelated, but you have no idea how refreshing this site is compared to Blabbermouth. Well, okay, of course you do. I think I’m never going there again.
On topic, when all is said and done, I think 99% of sensible metalheads can agree that Metallica pretty much set metal’s course with Ride the Lightning. That album was arguably the first extreme metal album to be so blatantly progressive and ambitious.
That being said, let’s not forget the band that pretty much single-handedly created extreme metal: Venom. So many people bash that band without realizing that pretty much every forefather of thrash (members of Metallica), black (members of Mayhem), and death (Chuck Schuldiner) metal has cited Venom as the first. I don’t have the patience to cite my sources, but then again I have no reason to make this stuff up.
Look without newstead there is NO Metallica! The fact that bullshit bassist is being acknowledged as a key member of a band that helped change the music that we live for, after doing NOTHING other than signing a contract and playing on one album, BULLSHIT!!! They should take the place they deserve with who deserves it (Cliff included) and step out of the game honorably.
Although most folks know the rrhof is a load of shit for the most part, I think Metallica should be recognized for their huge contribution to Heavy Metal as a whole. HOWEVER…I think Trujillo should not be included as an inducted member.
Metallica – the classic band – should be inducted as James, Lars, Kirk, and cliff. I also think Jason should be included, as he did play (or so he said to have) on Justice. And of course, Jason played on the record that allowed the band to buy those wonderful houses and all those cool toys.