ICYMI: James Hetfield blasted Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for snubbing Lemmy Kilmister

[NOTE: We realize it's officially written as "Motörhead," but for basic SEO reasons, we are representing the band name as "Motorhead."]

Metallica's frontman, James Hetfield, recently voiced his frustration over the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's failure to induct Lemmy Kilmister, the iconic Motorhead frontman. Describing the omission as a "travesty" and a "disrespect to rock and roll," Hetfield made it clear that he finds it incomprehensible that someone who embodied the rock and roll lifestyle like Lemmy has not yet been honored by the institution.

Speaking on The Metallica Report podcast, Hetfield shared the story behind his latest tattoo, which pays tribute to Lemmy in a unique and personal way. The ink for the tattoo was mixed with some of Lemmy’s ashes, which Hetfield had received in a small silver bullet that could be worn as a necklace. The tattoo, featuring the Iron Cross and the ace of spades, was described by Hetfield as a way for Lemmy to "still fly the bird to the world" through him.

He emphasized how deeply Lemmy had influenced his life, stating that the tattoo serves as a constant reminder of the lessons he learned from the legendary musician — both in terms of what to do and what not to do. The discussion about the tattoo led Hetfield to express his disappointment with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He pointed out that despite Lemmy's undeniable influence and contribution to rock music, Motorhead has been largely overlooked by the Hall.

Hetfield was inducted into the Hall of Fame with Metallica in 2009. "The most rock and roll lifestyle-living person on this planet is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," he stated bluntly, adding that this omission is both a shame and an insult to the genre. Indeed, it seems even non-fans of the band and the man would still recognize his impact. And let's face it: The Rock Hall has plenty of inductees who practically have nothing to do with the rock genre, whih makes such snubs even more controversial.

Why Motorhead matters

Motorhead, founded in 1975 by Lemmy Kilmister, was a pivotal force in the heavy metal scene, known for its raw, aggressive sound that combined punk rock's intensity with rock and roll's rebellious spirit. The band is perhaps best known for the iconic track "Ace of Spades," which remains a definitive anthem of the genre.

Despite their significant influence on countless bands and the heavy metal genre as a whole, Motorhead has only been nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame once, in 2020. Unfortunately, they did not make it past the nomination stage, a decision that has angered many in the rock community, and will likely unify them in a campaign to finally get them inducted.

Hetfield is not alone in his criticism. Earlier this year, Ozzy Osbourne, another legendary figure in heavy metal, also expressed his dismay at Motorhead's exclusion from the Hall. Osbourne, who will be inducted for a second time in 2024, emphasized that Lemmy and his bandmates "should definitely be in." He described Lemmy as the "ultimate metal guy," someone who lived a lifestyle that was as intense as his music.

What makes Lemmy unique

Lemmy certainly had one of the most recogniszble voices in rock. He was also an original when it came to bass playing, as former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson recently noted that Lemmy played "more like an acoustic guitar player" than a typical bass player.

Osbourne's admiration for Lemmy was evident as he lamented the loss of his friend, stating, "I really miss not having Lemmy around anymore" [yes, the grammar is off on that one, but what can we say? It's Ozzy Osbourne, baby!]

Motorhead's snubbing by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame continues to be a sore point for many in the music world. As fans and fellow musicians alike continue to push for the band's recognition, the question remains: Will the Hall eventually honor one of rock and roll's most legendary figures, or will Lemmy's legacy continue to be celebrated outside of its walls? Time will tell.