L-R: Dave Murray, Janick Gers, Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson, Nicko McBrain, Adrian Smith – posed, group shot at end of concert, front of stage with audience in arena visible behind. Spain, November 2, 2003 (Photo by Mick Hutson/Redferns)

Any time there are awards, there are conversely snubs. However, KISS frontman Paul Stanley recently said that the Iron Maiden snub is one of the biggest Rock & Roll Hall of Fame snubs since his own.

“Insanity” is in fact the word Stanley used when describing the news that Iron Maiden was behind in the current voting for the 2021 class.

Regardless of whether it matters to them, Maiden not being in the @rockhall of Fame is INSANITY. Regardless of who is writing in or not, the Committee must induct them. They have helped spawn an entire genre of music. What else do you need to do?? @IronMaiden https://t.co/gGKmYYpbWE

— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) April 22, 2021

“Regardless of whether it matters to them, Maiden not being in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is INSANITY,” Stanley tweeted Thursday morning. 

Unfortunately, Stanley knows all too well the unfair nature of this particular establishment. His group was eligible for nomination in 1999 and inducted 15 years later. However, when they finally did become members they further battled with the committee who refused to induct non-original members of KISS. The group had refused to play at the induction ceremony in protest of the Hall’s decision to leave out past members.

“The only consistencies are inconsistencies and the rules clearly are there are no rules because the criteria for how and who gets in is purely based upon a personal like or dislike. And when I feel we’re being treated unfairly, I have issues with that.” Stanley told Billboard in a 2014 interview, following the news the Hall would not budge on their qualifications.

It’s no wonder the subject might be a little sore for this Starchild and regardless of his experience, Iron Maiden has been massively influential in the music industry.

“Regardless of who is writing in or not, the Committee must induct them,” Stanley continued. “They have helped spawn an entire genre of music. What else do you need to do??”

Maiden themselves are also known opponents of the Rock Hall. Vocalist Bruce Dickinson revealed their true feelings to a crowd in 2018.

“I actually think the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is an utter and complete load of bollocks, to be honest with you,” said Dickerson. “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.”

Currently Iron Maiden is in fourth place in fan voting, ahead of the Foo Fighters and Rage Against the Machine, but behind Tina Turner, Fela Kuti and the Go-Go’s

The group has been eligible since 2005 and saw their first nomination in 2020.