Ted Nugent On Not Being Nominated For Hall Of Fame, ‘Disrespectful To The Gods Of This Music’

Ted Nugent gave an interview to The Real Music Observer during which he revealed what he feels about not being inducted to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame while numerous pop and hip-hop musicians have taken their spot. According to the musician, this act was disrespectful to the gods of rock and roll music.

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame recently announced the 2022 nominee list, and 17 acts have passed the first round, such as Judas Priest, Beck, Rage Against The Machine, Eminem, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, and Eurythmics. In the following months, this list will be further cut to reveal the official 2022 nominees.

The ceremony for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction is set to take place this fall in Los Angeles, and almost half of the nominees have received an invitation for the first time. Currently, the rapper Eminem is at the top of the fan ballot. However, it seems like some of the rock musicians are pretty disturbed by the fact that there are rappers inducted into the ‘Rock’ Hall.

Among those is Ted Nugent, who stated in the interview with The Real Music Observer that it’s ridiculous he didn’t qualify as he has been eligible to be inducted since 2000 as a solo musician. Moreover, he revealed his thoughts about which music acts should and shouldn’t be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and claimed that the Hall is rotten.

Nugent stated in the interview that it’s ridiculous that ABBA qualifies before Styx, and Patti qualifies before Triumph. He then questioned why the hip-hop acts Grandmaster Flash and Jay-Z are inducted. He then said prioritizing them before the true rock artists is quite disrespectful to the gods of rock and roll — Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and the others.

The controversial rock icon then added that the authenticity of the Hall of Fame has been tainted by the induction of non-rockers and anti-rockers, like Madonna. Nugent then added that he doesn’t take it personally or hate any of the artists, but it’s offensive to real rockers, artists, and rock and roll fans.

Ted Nugent told The Real Music Observer the following:

“When I criticize the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame… let’s take me out of the equation. Let’s say I don’t qualify — which is ridiculous — but let’s pretend I don’t qualify. But why ABBA before Styx? Why Patti Smith before Triumph? Why Grandmaster Flash or JAY-Z at all?

I mean, to think that they would qualify before the artists I just mentioned, and myself included, it’s just dishonest and it’s literally disrespectful to the Gods of this music — Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley and all the Gods that created this incredible soundtrack.”

He continued:

“I don’t take it personally because I don’t need it. And quite honestly, the authenticity of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame has been so tainted by the inclusion of not just non-rockers but anti-rockers. Madonna? Really? So I find it offensive on that level.

I go back to the people thinking I hated Grandmaster Flash. I don’t hate anybody… I don’t take this stuff personally but I find it offensive to real rockers, to real rock artists, and to real rock and roll fans… And I hope he’s happy, I hope he’s healthy and successful. But Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? Why don’t we just go down to Chuck Berry’s grave and take a sh*t on it? That’s what that represents to me. And it’s unforgivable.”

You can watch the full interview below.