Duran Duran and Judas Priest welcomed to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The 80s music legends and metal heroes will be inducted into the 37th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November along with Dolly Parton, Eminem and Lionel Richie
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Birmingham’s Duran Duran have announced that they are to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.The band will be inducted alongside Brummie metal legends Judas Priest.

The award is bestowed onto "artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music".

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Duran Duran and Judas Priest will be inducted alongside country superstar Dolly Parton, rapper Eminem, ‘80s duo Eurythmics, songwriter Carly Simon and Lionel Richie - among others.

The 37th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on 5 November 2022 at Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Duran Duran and Judas priest will be joining a string of other artists from Birmingham who have already been inducted in the Hall of Fame, including Black Sabbath (inducted in 2006), Steve Winwood’s Traffic (2004) and the Electric Light Orchestra (2017), including Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, Bev Bevan and Richard Tandy.

Duran Duran are coming to HalifaxDuran Duran are coming to Halifax
Duran Duran are coming to Halifax

How did Duran Duran react to the news?

Speaking from France where they are in the middle of their European tour, frontman Simon Le Bon said: “Well Crikey O’Reilly, slap my face and call me Charley! Here in the wild, beautiful world of Duran Duran, I think we’re all in a little bit of a daze about this.

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“It’s one thing to be nominated - but a totally different thing altogether to be actually voted up for induction into The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, which is to my mind the closest thing you’ll ever get to a rock and roll knighthood. This truly is a special and most valued kind of recognition for our lifetime’s dedication to new music.

"We owe a great debt of gratitude to all our fans, and everybody else who kept us in the number one slot for almost the entire duration of the RockHall 2022 Public Vote. We are humbled and truly elated by the depth of your support, and wish to share this momentous day for Duran Duran with all of you.”

Duran Duran’s bassist, John Taylor, added: “It’s quite an honour for Duran Duran to be elected into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, and not one we ever expected. We have never thought of ourselves as a Rock n’ Roll band, more of an ‘ongoing Art Project’, however, I feel a profound sense of gratitude for the acknowledgement this award represents.

"We are thrilled to see some of our contemporaries joining us this year, Annie and Dave [Eurythmics] in particular, and would like to thank each and every one of you who took the time to register and vote for us. The overwhelming support that allowed us to win the people’s vote has been incredible.”

Judas Priest trubute band Hellbent Forever perform at Rockprest 2021Judas Priest trubute band Hellbent Forever perform at Rockprest 2021
Judas Priest trubute band Hellbent Forever perform at Rockprest 2021

And how did Judas Priest take the news?

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The Black Country band, who are about to start their 50 Heavy Metal Years tour in Europe, stated: "We are thrilled and honoured to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame 2022. This is also a great moment for British Heavy Metal, Metal worldwide and our amazing fans who support us and keep flying the flag for Metal and Judas Priest!"

Hearing the news, frontman Rob Halford added: "This is such a beautiful moment not only for Priest, but for Heavy Metal here in the USA and around the world. This is just the power and the reach that the Hall Of Fame has. It’s time to celebrate! yes!"

When can we see Duran Duran live?

The band are set to appear at BST, in Hyde Park, London on 19 July 2022.

Sadly, there are no West Midlands shows booked at the moment. But they do have TWO intimate warm-up shows at Leicester’s O2 Academy, on 21-22 May 2022. This follows two shows at Birmingham’s O2 Institute back in September 2021.

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Duran Duran’s current album is Future Past which sees the ‘80s hitmakers collaborating with such artists as producer Giorgio Moroder, Blur’s Graham Coxon, Mark Ronson and David Bowie’s pianist pianist Mike Garson.

And when can we see Judas Priest again?

Judas Priest, whose hits include Breaking The Law, Take On The World and Living After Midnight, will be returning to the UK in spring 2023 for seven dates, which conclude on 14 June 2023 at Resorts World Area, Birmingham.

The band will be opening for Ozzy Osbourne as part of his rescheduled No More Tours tour.

* To find out more about the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame see: www.rockhall.com

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