In case you missed it, Iron Maiden was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But only certain members of the band. Long-time singer, Blaze Bayley was snubbed by the institution. For someone who contributed on two albums from the band and wrote multiple songs, it’s crazy to think that he wouldn’t make it in with the band. That’s where the Metal Hall of Fame comes in.

We covered the induction of: Graham Bonnet, Chris Poland, Geoff Tate, Don Dokken, and more last year. This year, the class is headlined by a trio of people integral to the success of Iron Maiden: Blaze Bayley, Paul Di’Anno, and artist Derek Riggs. Di’Anno obviously sang on their first two albums, which were required listening for anyone growing up with heavy metal in the 80’s. Bayley was on the albums The X-Factor and Virtual XI. He guided Iron Maiden through one of the most difficult periods in heavy metal’s history. Derek Riggs was the one that created Eddie, the mascot for the band. If you’ve seen any Iron Maiden images, you’ve seen Eddie.

Pat Gesualdo the President/CEO of the Metal Hall of Fame had this to say:

We are excited to induct these three artists who have helped shape the legacy of Iron Maiden. Along with the band’s massive fanbase, we’ve wanted to Induct all the members of the band for years. However, we’ve been waiting for the green light from management. Hopefully with the continued support and encouragement from fans throughout the world, we can induct all the members of Iron Maiden into the Metal Hall of Fame soon.

Pat Gesualdo

This Year’s Ceremony

Last year’s ceremony was held just before the COVID-19 pandemic took over the world. You can watch that ceremony on Amazon Prime Video. The ceremony this year is going virtual with more inductees announced shortly. You can get more information about the Metal Hall of Fame from their website or their Facebook page.

The Metal Hall of Fame isn’t just about pomp and circumstance though, check out their mission statement.

The Metal Hall of Fame holds the Annual Metal Hall of Fame Celebrity Gala. It is dedicated to forever enshrining the iconic musicians and music industry executives responsible for making hard rock and heavy metal music what it is today. Their contribution to the genre is invaluable, and they continue to inspire fans throughout the world, from generation to generation. The Metal Hall of Fame is part of the 501 (C)(3) non-profit organization D.A.D. (Drums and Disabilities). D.A.D. provides free therapy services for special needs children and adults in schools, health facilities, and community centers in over 15 countries.

So, what do you think about the induction of Di’Anno, Bayley, and Derek Riggs?

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