Musicians speak to the New York Daily News
Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian and Exodus Steve "Zetro" Souza spoke to the New York Daily News about Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominations , which were recently revealed. The musicians shared their displeasure with the institution, which this year named Lou Reed, Green Day, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Bill Withers, and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.
“ Iron Maiden can go anywhere in the world and play to over 50,000 people at a single show, and you're telling me they don't belong in the Hall of Fame? In our musical style, we don't expect accolades. But it's hard not to be disappointed ,” commented Souza.
Deep Purple 's absence from the Hall of Fame: “I think it's reasonable to say that any musician who entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame picked up a guitar to play the riff from Smoke on the Water. That song alone should be in the Hall. Just Ritchie Blackmore's riff. That intro defines what Rock n' Roll is.”
Negative comments about the institution are plentiful, with journalist Eddie Trunk generally being the most active voice of criticism. In October of this year, Ian Gillan commented in an interview that the Hall of Fame doesn't understand what Rock is .