Gene Simmons slams Rock Hall for inducting hip-hop acts ahead of Iron Maiden
He argues hip-hop "doesn't belong" in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Last updated 12th Feb 2026
KISS bassist Gene Simmons has criticised the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for inducting hip-hop acts ahead of rock bands like Iron Maiden.
Iron Maiden, of course, are firmly against ever being honoured by the Rock Hall with Bruce Dickinson stating in 2018: "I'm really happy we're not there and I would never want to be there. If we're ever inducted, I will refuse — they won't bloody be having my corpse in there.
"Rock and roll music does not belong in a mausoleum in Cleveland. It's a living, breathing thing, and if you put it in a museum, then it's dead. It's worse than horrible, it's vulgar."
Despite Maiden’s outspoken loathing of the US institution, numerous artists have questioned their glaring omission including Alice Cooper, Tom Morello and now Gene Simmons.
Questioning hip-hop’s inclusion in the Rock Hall, Simmons said: “The fact that, for instance, Iron Maiden is not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, when they can sell out stadiums and Grandmaster Flash is, right?
“Ice Cube and I had a back and forth about this. He’s a bright guy and I respect what he’s done. It’s not my music. I don’t come from the ghetto. It doesn’t speak my language.”
Simmons continued to the LegendsNLeaders podcast: “I said in print many times: Hip-hop does not belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Nor does opera, symphonies, orchestras. How come the New York Philharmonic doesn’t get in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? Because it’s called the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!”
“But (Ice Cube) shot back and said, ‘No, it’s the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.’ Okay, fine. So Ice Cube and Grandmaster Flash and all these guys are in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I just want to know when Led Zeppelin is going to be in the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. ‘Oh, you can’t do that.’ Oh, really? Music has labels because it describes an approach. Hip-hop and rap is a spoken word art. There are some melodies but, by and large, it’s a verbal thing.”
“It just doesn’t speak to me,” he concluded. “The genius of being able to put music and words and arrange it is much more complex.”
In the wake of the interview, Simmons has been criticised for his "I don't come from the ghetto" comment.
Responding to the backlash, Simmons told People: "I stand by my words. Let's cut to the chase. The word 'ghetto,' it originated with Jews. It was borrowed by African Americans in particular and respectfully, not in a bad way.
“Ghetto is a Jewish term ... How could you be, when rock is Black music? It's just a different Black music than hip-hop, which is also Black music.”
“Rock 'n' roll owes everything to Black music, statement of fact, period. All the major forms of American music owe their roots to Black music."
KISS were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. Iron Maiden have been nominated twice in the past five years but have failed to get in both times – seemingly much to the relief of the band.
Rock stars who rejected awards and honours, including Iron Maiden:
David Bowie - Knighthood (2003), CBE (2000)
The Thin White Duke snubbed two honours from The Queen – first a CBE at the turn of the millennium and then a Knighthood in 2003. "I would never have any intention of accepting anything like that," Bowie said of becoming a 'Sir.' Asked to comment on Mick Jagger, who accepted a Knighthood the previous year, Bowie said: "I seriously don't know what (the Knighthood is) for. It's not what I spent my life working for. It's not my place to make a judgment on Jagger, it's his decision. But it's just not for me."
Iron Maiden – Vodafone Live Music Award (2008)
Back in August 2008, Iron Maiden asked to be removed from the Vodafone Live Music Awards shortlist after being nominated for the Best Live Return award. The legendary heavy metal band rightfully questioned whether they were eligible for the gong as they had never stopped touring. Iron Maiden called the nomination "very flattering" but added: "We are not quite sure where we are returning from." Manchester indie band James were added to the shortlist instead.
Axl Rose – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2012)
When Guns N' Roses made the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2012, Axl Rose issued a letter declining his honour and confirming he won't be attending the ceremony. "I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorised nor may anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me or speak on my behalf," Rose wrote. "Neither former members, label representatives nor the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame should imply whether directly, indirectly or by omission that I am included in any purported induction of Guns N' Roses." The Rock Hall refused Axl Rose's request, saying in response: "We are looking forward to still inducting Guns N' Roses this weekend and will proceed forward with our original plan whether Axl is present or not.
Sex Pistols – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2006)
Sex Pistols were named among the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2006 alongside Black Sabbath, Blondie, Miles Davis and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Despite their honour, John Lydon issued a scathing rejection letter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Sex Pistols' official website. "Next to the Sex Pistols, rock and roll and that hall of fame is a piss stain. Your museum. Urine in wine. We're not coming," Lydon wrote. He continued: "We're not your monkey and so what? Fame at $25,000 if we paid for a table, or $15000 to squeak up in the gallery, goes to a non-profit organisation selling us a load of old famous. Congratulations. If you voted for us, hope you noted your reasons. You're anonymous as judges, but you're still music industry people. We're not coming. You're not paying attention."
Brian Eno – CBE (2007)
Legendary musician, solo artist and producer Brian Eno turned down the chance to become a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2007. He didn't issue a statement explaining his reasons.
John Lennon - Returned MBE (1969)
In October 1965, all four members of The Beatles were honoured with MBEs by The Queen at Buckingham Palace. Four years later, John Lennon took his MBE medal from his Aunt Mimi's bungalow in Bournemouth and returned it to Buckingham Palace in protest at the British government supporting the Nigerian government in a civil war, which saw the unrecognised state of Biafra become embroiled in a bloody conflict. Lennon's letter to The Queen read: "Your Majesty, I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against 'Cold Turkey' slipping down the charts. With love. John Lennon of Bag"
Ozzy Osbourne – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1999)
Nominated for a third consecutive year, Ozzy Osbourne demanded that Black Sabbath were removed from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame shortlist in 1999. "Just take our name off the list. Save the ink. Forget about us," Ozzy blasted. "The nomination is meaningless because it's not voted on by the fans. It's voted on by the supposed elite for the industry and the media, who've never bought an album or concert ticket in their lives, so their vote is irrelevant to me. Let's face it, Black Sabbath has never been media darlings. We're a people's band and that suits us just fine." Despite the diatribe, Black Sabbath were induced into the Rock Hall in 2006 and Ozzy attended the ceremony alongside Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward.
Keith Richards – ‘Refused CBE’
Although Keef himself hasn't corroborated it, numerous news outlets around the globe have reported that the legendary Rolling Stones guitarist turned down a CBE from the Queen. It's easy to believe, however, as Richards publicly lambasted his band mate Mick Jagger after he was knighted. Confirming he went "bezerk", Richards told Uncut: "I thought it was ludicrous to take one of those gongs from the establishment when they did their very best to throw us in jail and kill us at one time."
Avenged Sevenfold – The Grammys (2018)
Although Avenged Sevenfold said they were "honoured" to make the shortlist for Best Rock Song at The Grammys in 2018 for 'The Stage', they boycotted the ceremony as the category was removed from the telecast part of the show. "Unfortunately, they have taken 'Best Rock Song' off the telecast this year, so we won't be attending. Maybe next time," they tweeted. In an angry text to US radio presenter Eddie Trunk, singer M. Shadows blasted: "Rock Song of the year can't get two minutes? … And they put us in some side venue no one gives a f--- about? F--- that, waste of time and money." Ultimately it didn't matter anyway as Foo Fighters' 'Run' was named Best Rock Song.
George Harrison - OBE (2000)
Already an MBE, late Beatles legend George Harrison turned down an OBE three years after Paul McCartney received the higher honour of a knighthood. Harrison's friend Roy Connolly said in 2013: "Whoever it was who decided to offer him the OBE and not the knighthood was extraordinarily insensitive. George would have felt insulted and with very good reason."
Paul Weller - CBE (2007)
The Jam frontman turned esteemed solo star turned down a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) in the Queen's New Year Honours list in 2007. A spokesperson for Paul Weller said at the time: "Paul was surprised and flattered, but it wasn't really for him."
Dolly Parton – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2022)
Country legend Dolly Parton was named among the typically eclectic 17 acts on the shortlist for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in February 2022. A month later she issued a statement rejecting the nomination and saying she does not "feel that I have earned (the) right" to be included on the list. She also explained that she does not "want votes to be split because of me" so she must "respectfully bow out." Parton later made a U-turn about her decision and she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November 2022.
John Lydon – 'CBE and OBE'
Speaking to NME in 2015, Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd. singer John Lydon claimed he has batted off attempts by the monarchy to honour him. He said: "Oh, they're trying to give me an OBE or an MBE or whatever that is. Nope, not interested."