The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame annual classes always elicits passionate reactions, but we here at Notinhalloffame.com have been open on our belief that they are trending in the right direction. Gene Simmons, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, and founding member of KISS slammed the Class of 2021, citing the snubs of nominees, Rage Against the Machine and Iron Maiden.

Sadly, Rage Against The Machine shut out of RR Hall of Fame. The Hall should be ashamed of themselves….

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) May 13, 2021

Simmons has been critical about the Hall before, first regarding the long wait that his band endured, and then when they did get in, that they only inducted the original four members. RATM member, Tom Morello, was KISS’s inductor, and is a member of the Rock Hall committee, who pushed hard for KISS’s induction.

In the over the top decade of the 70’s KISS were among the flashiest and you could not turn around without seeing their painted faces everywhere. Opinions on whether this theatrical band should be in the Hall are very strong on both the pro and con. Their fervent supporters will point to their massive record sales, vibrant concerts and thirty years plus of longevity as vital reasons for their cause. Their detractors will point to their lack music’s lack of depth and that they were little more than a gimmick band. Fact is; both camps are right. Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons will never be confused for John Lennon & Paul McCartney or Keith Richards & Mick Jagger but to their millions of fans their music is pure escapism and their definition of what Rock music is all about. And while yes, their kabuki style make up was a gimmick…well, it was one hell of a gimmick!