Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain recently shared his thoughts on the band’s nomination for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame’s class of 2026. He discussed the significance of this recognition in an interview with Rock Of Nations.
McBrain reflected on the band’s journey and previous nominations. He also addressed the voting process for the prestigious honor.
“I mean, it has been a long road. Many nominations — I’m not sure how many this is; maybe the third or fourth one, perhaps,” McBrain said.
The drummer acknowledged the evolving nature of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. He expressed appreciation for the recognition.
“Yeah, in the greater scheme of things, it’s not really a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame anymore, but it’s still a wonderful accolade to be given finally to hopefully — the guys may go, ‘Yeah, we’re gonna induct them,'” he continued. “But at the end of the day, it’s really something that the whole of the band have talked about over the years, and it’s not something that’s voted for by your fans, although they do open it up to its fans to be voted in.”
McBrain also commented on the voting process and its authenticity.
“At the end of the day, it’s the board that decide. And so that kind of puts a bit of a question mark about the authenticity of fans voting you in,” he said. “But, yeah, it’s still, in my book, something that’s a great accolade to even be considered again.”
McBrain’s uncertainty about the number of nominations reflects the band’s persistent journey toward Rock Hall recognition. This journey has spanned multiple years and attempts.
Revolver Magazine reported that this marks Iron Maiden’s third nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Previous nominations occurred in 2021 and 2023. The band has been eligible for inclusion since 2004, meeting the 25-year requirement after their first commercial recording.
Louder Sound noted that Iron Maiden was passed over both times in their previous nominations. This highlights the competitive nature of the selection process. The Rock Hall has faced criticism for overlooking potential nominees, particularly those from heavier music genres.
This year’s nomination carries additional significance. YouTube coverage indicated that Iron Maiden stands alone as the sole metal act on the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ballot among 17 nominated performers. This unique position underscores both the band’s exceptional status in metal music and the genre’s continued underrepresentation in Rock Hall selections.
The voting process McBrain referenced involves over 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals who ultimately decide the inductees. Fan voting does contribute to the selection process in a limited capacity.
