Rob Halford has shared the email he received from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame confirming Judas Priest didn’t make cut.
Despite comfortably being within the Top 5 of the fan vote, last Thursday it was announced Judas Priest won’t be inducted in April 2018 with Bon Jovi, Dire Straits, The Moody Blues, Nina Simone and The Cars taking the five places.
Appearing on the Phoenix, Arizona radio station 100.7 KSLX hours after the snub, Rob read the email he received from the Hall of Fame.
“Thank you for embracing your nomination for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. While you didn’t garner enough votes for induction this year, you were part of a very select group of Hall of Fame nominees.
“Artists are frequently on the ballot multiple times before they are inducted. For example, Black Sabbath were nominated eight times before their induction, Patti Smith seven times, Solomon Burke nine times, and both the Beastie Boys and the Yardbirds were on the ballot three times before their respective inductions.”
The email continued: “If you are touring or simply traveling nearby, please visit our museum in Cleveland, Ohio. Our six floors of exhibitions tell the remarkable history of rock and roll and how it changed the world. You're part of that story and we'd love to share it with you. Again, congratulations on your nomination.
“My best, Greg Harris, President and CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.”
Host Paul ‘Neanderpaul’ Marshall joked in response: “So they basically sent you an invite. You got a Groupon from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”
Although disappointed with the snub, Rob maintained he was hopeful Judas Priest would be honoured at some point in the future.
“Personally, I would love (to be inducted),” Rob said. “As I’ve said before, I think we deserve it. We’ve put our 10,000 hours in and more, and beyond that we just feel that heavy metal music deserves more space on the shelf of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. We were thrilled and honoured to even be nominated.”