Tom Morello has revealed what he believes is the single most understood aspect of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
The Rage Against The Machine guitarist has been present at multiple induction ceremonies over the years, including in 2014 when he inducted KISS and last year, when he accepted Rage’s induction alone.
In a new interview with Guitar World, he was asked about the annual event and his opinion on its ongoing relevance to the guitar music industry.
“I will say that one thing that people get wrong is that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame should be just for rock ’n’ roll bands,” he said. “That’s not what it’s for. Public Enemy is more rock ’n’ roll than 95 percent of all the hair metal bands that ever picked up an instrument, you know?”
He went on to explain what he believes are the true criteria that should qualify artists for the Hall. “It’s music that has spirit to it, like a youth spirit,” he said. “I think rock ’n’ roll should have a very, very broad sense. I think there’s room for a lot of different genres.”
He added that his current focus with respect to the Rock Hall is to get Iron Maiden inducted, something he feels is long overdue. “I have a hit list,” he said. “The last one on my extended Mount Rushmore hit list is Iron Maiden. It’s strategic. This year I’m all in on Maiden. I know they don’t care – I don’t care that they don’t care because I think it’s the place where they belong.”
The Hall of Fame itself has been careful to clarify in recent years what it believes the entry criteria should be. “Born from the collision of rhythm and blues, country and gospel, rock ‘n’ roll is a spirit that is inclusive and ever-changing,” it stated, adding that it aims to “celebrate the sound of youth culture and honor the artists whose music connects us all.”
Artists from outside the traditional definition of guitar-based rock music to be inducted in recent years include A Tribe Called Quest, Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott.
Accepting Rage’s induction last year, Morello said: “The lesson I learn from Rage fans is that music can change the world,” he continued. “Daily, I hear from fans who have been affected by our music and in turn have affected the world in significant ways. Organizers, activists, public defenders, teachers, the presidents of Chile and Finland have all spent time in our mosh pit.”
“When protest music is done right, you can hear a new world emerging in the songs, skewering the oppressors of the day and hinting that there might be more to life than what was handed to us. Can music change the world? The whole aim is to change the world or at a bare minimum, to stir up a shit load of trouble.”
“But throughout history, those who have changed the world in progressive, radical or even revolutionary ways did not have any more money, power, courage, intelligence or creativity than anyone watching tonight. The world’s changed by average, everyday ordinary people who have had enough and are willing to stand up for a country and a planet that is more humane, peaceful and just, and that, and that is what I’m here to celebrate tonight.”