ROB HALFORD Says JUDAS PRIEST Fans Are 'Furious' Over Band's Exclusion From ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

Rob Halford says that JUDAS PRIEST fans are "furious" that the band has yet to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Even though artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single, iconic hard rock and metal bands like IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST and MOTÖRHEAD have yet to be recognized by the institution, which inducted GUNS N' ROSES in that group's first year of eligibility.

Having been eligible for induction since 1999, JUDAS PRIEST was on the ballot for this year's class of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, but ultimately didn't clinch the nomination.

Asked in a new interview with The Portland Mercury if he felt "snubbed" by the Rock Hall, Halford said: "I wouldn't say snubbed. A little bit disappointed. For us it's all about getting more metal into the halls there. Our friends from METALLICA are in there. [BLACK] SABBATH is in there. You pay your dues."

He continued: "It's funny, really. We got more mileage out of not going in than if we would've got in. Our fans are furious! They're still furious. That's the love that our fans have got. We love our fans dearly. We wouldn't have gotten anywhere in life without our incredible fans that support us. Fingers crossed. Eventually, I think we'll get in there."

Rock Hall rules state that artists become eligible a quarter century after their first records were released, but the Hall also claims that other "criteria include the influence and significance of the artists' contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock 'n' roll," which is, of course, open to interpretation.

Eligible for induction since 1999, KISS didn't get its first nomination until 2009, and was finally inducted in 2014.

DEEP PURPLE was eligible for the Rock Hall since 1993 but didn't get inducted until 2016.

JUDAS PRIEST's new album, "Firepower", was released on March 9 via Epic.

The North American leg of the "Firepower" tour kicked off on March 13 in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania and will wrap on May 1 in San Antonio, Texas. Via Blabbermouth