Judas Priest is finally being enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After they missed out on the original induction class, they’re being recognized with the Musical Excellence Award. Other artists who’re heading in include Eminem, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, Eurythmics, and Carly Simon. The award for Musical Excellence was originally given the horrific name, “sidemen” category when it debuted, is given to artists, musicians, songwriters, and producers whose originality and influence in creating music have had a dramatic impact.
Judas Priest is the second band to receive the award for Musical Excellence; the E Street Band of Bruce Springsteen fame was the first. The members of Judas Priest going in include Rob Halford, Ian Hill, Glenn Tipton, Scott Travis, with former members K.K. Downing, Les Binks, and Dave Holland. That notably doesn’t include Richie Faulkner, who has been with Judas Priest for over ten years and three albums now.
Here’s what Halford had to say about it:
Wow, this is so exciting — at last. At last, you know? And, glory hallelujah, there’s another metal band in the Hall Of Fame! That’s the blessing we’ve all been waiting for.
The induction ceremony happens on November 5th, 2022 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California.
A Little Reaction To Faulkner And Ripper Owens Being Snubbed And The Whole Process
As always with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they’re snubbing key members of the band with this induction. No, they can’t induct everyone that’s ever been in the band. But not including someone like Richie Faulkner or Ripper Owens seems completely misguided. His presence in Judas Priest arguably kept their career going past a dark point in the band when K.K. Downing left just before the Epitaph World Tour. Ripper Owens sang on two albums and guided the band through one of the worst periods in metal history. It shows that the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame only pays attention to certain sections of the band’s career and not their whole catalog. Similarly, when Iron Maiden was up for induction (that they would have declined), they didn’t include Blaze Bayley, who was a key member of the band for two albums.
It follows a trend set with Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and other rock/metal bands that go into the hall without key members of the band. I’m sure Richie Faulkner won’t complain about it too much, but it still sucks to see.
The other elephant in the room is that Judas Priest is getting what amounts to a pity invite because the Rock Hall of Fame has no idea to categorize or enshrine metal bands. Places like the Metal Hall of Fame give more respect and love to the bands that we all love that should 100% be in a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Through all of that, it’s a happy day that Judas Priest is finally getting their shine from the Hall.
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