Steve Miller Rips the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Last night, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted its class of 2015: N.W.A., Deep Purple, Cheap Trick, Chicago, and Steve Miller. Kendrick Lamar inducted N.W.A. and there was an opening tribute to David Bowie from David Byrne, the Roots, and Kimbra. After the Black Keys gave a speech inducting Miller, the rocker took the stage to give an acceptance speech that was, in part, critical of the Rock Hall. “I encourage you to keep expanding your vision, to be more inclusive of women,” he said, addressing the institution. He also encouraged them to do more to support music education in schools. He then went backstage to air more grievances in the press room, The New York Times reports. When asked to elaborate on his criticisms, he revealed that the whole induction process is “unpleasant” and said “they need to respect the artists they say they’re honoring, which they don’t.”
“When they told me I was inducted they said, ‘You have two tickets—one for your wife and one for yourself. Want another one? It’s $10,000. Sorry, that’s the way it goes.’ What about my band? What about their wives?”
At one point, a Rock Hall publicist attempted to interrupt Miller and tell him to wrap it up. “No, we’re not going to wrap this up—I’m going to wrap you up,” he responded. “You go sit down over there and learn something.” He also held two fingers very close together and said, “This is how close this whole show came to not happening because of the way the artists are being treated.”
The Rock Hall released a statement to the Times, saying, “Rock’n’roll can ignite many opinions. It’s what makes it so great. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was honored to induct Steve Miller tonight and congratulates him.”
Miller wasn’t the only artist who took issue with the way inductees were treated. N.W.A did not perform at the ceremony. “I guess we really didn’t feel like we were supported enough to do the best show we could put on,” Ice Cube said.
After his speech, Miller performed “Fly Like an Eagle,” “Rock’n Me,” and “The Joker.” Find footage of the Black Keys’ speech, Miller’s speech, and the performances below.
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