Right, butt, what’s occurring here then? The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – that mystical American institution that somehow decides who isn’t rock ‘n’ roll enough – has only gone and nominated Mariah Carey this year, while Iron Maiden and Motörhead are still stuck outside the gates like punters queuing for the loos at Download. 🤦♂️
Now, no shade on Mariah – she’s got the pipes, she’s shifted more Christmas singles than Greggs has sausage rolls – but rock ‘n’ roll? REALLY? Meanwhile, the band that gave us “Run to the Hills” (and basically every metalhead’s first air-guitar moment) and Lemmy, who is the human embodiment of rock, are left waiting. Again.
This isn’t the first time the Hall’s been caught out – remember when Dolly Parton had to politely say “er, mun, I’m not really rock?” and they shoved her in anyway? Proper job, that. 🙃
Fans of Maiden and Motörhead are fuming online, with cries of “The Hall of Fame’s a joke!” echoing louder than a Steelhouse hill chant of “Alan!” 🏴 And honestly, they’ve got a point. If Lemmy’s not in there, is it really a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame or just a pop karaoke shrine with a fancy gift shop?
So, who’s up for starting our own Welsh Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in a pub backroom somewhere? First inductees: Lemmy, Bruce Dickinson, Kelly Jones, and whoever invented the festival pint carrier. 🍻😈
What do you reckon, mun – should Maiden and Motörhead tell the Hall to shove it, or keep fighting for their spot? 🤘
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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