James Hetfield Calls Lemmy’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fаme Snub a ‘Travesty’

Metallica frontman James Hetfield has strongly criticized the Rock & Roll Hall of Fаme for failing to induct Lemmy Kilmister, calling it a “travesty” that the legendary Motörhead frontman has not been honored.

On a recent episode of The Metallica Report podcast, Hetfield discussed his new tattoo, which pays tribute to Lemmy and was created using ink mixed with the Motörhead icon’s аshes.

“I had been given some of Lemmy’s аshes in a little silver bullet necklace,” Hetfield shared, describing the tattoo’s design featuring the Iron Cross and the Ace of Spades. “Lemmy can still flip the bird to the world through me. It’s a reminder of what an inspiration he has been in my life — both what to do and what not to do.”

The Metallica singer expressed his frustration over Lemmy’s omission from the Hall of Fаme. “The most rock and roll lifestyle-living person on this planet is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fаme,” Hetfield stated. “It’s a travesty, a shame. It’s kind of a disrespect to rock and roll. This tattoo is my way of paying homage to him.”

Motörhead and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fаme

Despite their influential career, Motörhead has only been nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fаme once, in 2020, but they did not secure induction.

Hetfield, who was inducted into the Hall with Metallica in 2009, is not alone in his indignation. Earlier this year, Ozzy Osbourne, who will be inducted for a second time in 2024, also expressed that Lemmy and his bandmates deserve recognition. “In my opinion, Lemmy Kilmister was the ultimate metal guy,” Osbourne said. “He lived blues, metҺ, and malt brews. And he was a dear friend of mine. I really miss not having Lemmy around anymore.”