Rob Halford has shared his reaction to Judas Priest‘s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in an interview with Billboard.
“It’s a very, very important institution for recognizing various people that have been in music since music began, right from the beginning of rock ‘n’ roll,” Halford says. “To be part of that is, like, wow…”
After being nominated twice before, Priest will finally be inducted as part of the Rock Hall’s 2022 class, with the Musical Excellence Award. Halford and company’s exclusion from the Hall has long been a sore spot for metal fans, who’ve criticized the institution for not properly recognizing heavy music.
“Glory hallelujah, there’s another metal band in now,” Halford says. “That’s the blessing we’ve all been waiting for.”
Halford adds that being inducted with the Musical Excellence Award, as opposed to in the more publicized Performers category, is “a really sweet addition.”
“They really look at you beyond the simple band that you are,” Halford says. “They really dig deep as to this album and that album this song and that song. I think that really supports what we’ve always tried to do.”
Halford is also hoping to see any former Priest members who wish to attend at the ceremony — “They have every right to be a part of the event,” he says — but has one main goal for induction night.
“All I want is a self(ie) with Dolly Parton,” he laughs.
The 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place November 5 in Los Angeles. Parton is among the inductees in the Performer category, along with Pat Benatar, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Lionel Richie and Carly Simon.
Meanwhile, a video of Halford sharing his excitement about Priest’s impending induction has been posted on the Rock Hall’s YouTube channel.
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