Iron Maiden was for the first time nominated potential induction in Rock and Roll’s Hall of Fame. However, the band has mixed feelings about the whole ordeal. If they were to obtain a spot in the nominees, they’d be running against Foo Fighters, Tina Turner, New York Dolls, Rage Against the Machine, and more.
Ex-bandmate Stratton was interviewed on TotalRock’s “Neil Jones Rock Show.” “The first reaction, I’ve gotta be honest with you, is that I thought, ‘It’s not going include me.’ Funny enough, I got a message on the Lionheart group message from [the person] who does all our graphics, the artwork, and he said to me, ‘Have you looked online? You’ve been nominated with the band,'” said Stratton.
Stratton had left the band after a short time. Once he exited, he was quickly replaced by Adrain Smith. And the band went on without him, reuniting in 2016 as well.
“I’ve never had a lot of luck with Maiden,” claimed Stratton, “and certain things that have gone on over the years, like the gold discs from the first album… I never actually got what I was due. I think I got two [or] three gold discs, and there should have been about 20. And I never actually get anything.”
Stratton made his contact with Harris crystal clear during the interview. He said they mostly only talk about the West Ham United soccer team.
“It was only down to Steve Harris texting me about the re-release [of the first album], which was the 40th anniversary, that the office actually sent me a copy of the of the 40th anniversary picture disc,” he continued. “So, I was happy about that. But this was a bit of a shock, because to include me and the other two, Clive and Paul, it’s quite a nice gesture, from my point of view — very exciting, in my point of view.”
Stratton commented on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s decision to leave Bayley out, “I noticed that afterwards because I went on Facebook … and when I saw that, I thought, ‘Well, that’s got to be down to the organizers of this event.’ But when I found out it involves certain years, they have to draw a line somewhere, don’t they? They make the rules, so I don’t know.”
Even if Iron Maiden does secure an entry, Stratton doesn’t think the band will participate in the ceremony.
“I’d be surprised if we get involved with it, if we do get inducted, because after a couple of [disparaging] things that Bruce had said [about the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in the past], I’m a little bit thinking, well, are [the organizers] gonna look at them quotes, and are they gonna punish us [for what Bruce had said]? I don’t know. I’m just very excited to be actually nominated,” he settled.
In 2018 Dickinson spoke out on his strong disliking of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“I actually think the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is an utter and complete load of bollocks, to be honest with you,” said the singer. “It’s run by a bunch of sanctimonious bloody Americans who wouldn’t know rock’ n’ roll if it hit them in the face. They need to stop taking Prozac and start drinking fucking beer.”
“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’ n’ 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.”
