ROB HALFORD On ROCK HALL Induction: 'This Is Not Just For JUDAS PRIEST; This Is For Heavy Metal Music'

JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford says that he is "so grateful and honored to be" finally getting inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

PRIEST will receive the Musical Excellence Award at the fall 2022 event, which will honor Eminem, Dolly Parton, DURAN DURAN, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, EURYTHMICS and Carly Simon in the Performers category.

In an interview with Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame museum president and CEO Greg Harris, Halford stated about the honor (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The fact that we have some more heavy metal in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, that's something that us metal maniacs have been longing for and we still long for. We know at some point our wish list of our other friends will maybe have the opportunity to get into the hallowed Halls. But this is not just for JUDAS PRIEST — this is for heavy metal music.

"Heavy metal music is such an important part of the culture and fabric of the United States — so much so that you get a band like PRIEST on 'The Simpsons'. That's the reach that this band has — we'll come into your home at any moment. And that's the great love affair that we've had with America since we first set foot on the shores in the mid-to-late '70s. We keep coming back because we love the United States and we love rock and roll in America. And the fact that we're still here speaks volumes for endurance and believing in yourself and having the great love and support of your fans that have kept us alive and strong and proud in JUDAS PRIEST and for heavy metal.

"So, yes — it's many things rolled into one for this beautiful opportunity, and we're so grateful and honored to be, at long last, in the heavy metal Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame."

The award for Musical Excellence — which was originally titled the "Sidemen" category when it debuted — is given to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.

Back in 2010, when the Sidemen category was renamed the award for Musical Excellence, Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Foundation president Joel Peresman told The Plain Dealer the category "gives us flexibility to dive into some things and recognize some people who might not ordinarily get recognized."

JUDAS PRIEST is the second band to receive the award for Musical Excellence; the E STREET BAND was the first. Last year, late OZZY OSBOURNE and QUIET RIOT guitarist Randy Rhoads was one of the recipients of the Musical Excellence Award.

The induction ceremony will be held on November 5, 2022 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. It will air at a later date on HBO and stream on HBO Max. There will also be a radio simulcast on SiriusXM's Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Radio channel 310.

According to the Hall Of Fame, the JUDAS PRIEST members that will get inducted include current members Halford, Ian Hill (bass),Glenn Tipton (guitar) and Scott Travis (drums),along with former members K.K. Downing (guitar),Les Binks (drums) and late drummer Dave Holland.

JUDAS PRIEST was previously on the ballot for Rock Hall induction in 2020, but failed to receive enough votes to make that year's class.

Having been eligible for induction since 1999, PRIEST was also on the ballot for the 2018 class of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, but was ultimately left out of the inductee list.

To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.

Even though artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single, iconic hard rock and metal bands like IRON MAIDEN and MOTÖRHEAD have yet to be recognized by the institution, which inducted GUNS N' ROSES in that group's first year of eligibility.

The Rock Hall didn't induct BLACK SABBATH until 2006, and METALLICA followed three years later.

Eligible for induction since 1999, KISS didn't get its first nomination until 2009, and was finally inducted in 2014.

DEEP PURPLE was eligible for the Rock Hall since 1993 but didn't get inducted until 2016.