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There are many award shows and television specials for all types of music fans; jazz, blues, country, theater, hip hop, R&B, and pop. But, aside from the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, where else do the legends and creators of hard rock and heavy metal music go to be honored? Not since the ‘90s, only a few times has heavy metal had a place to be seen and heard on mainstream TV, aside from the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame slowly selecting a couple of these bands/artists and long overdue after their eligible.

Going on its 5th year, the Metal Hall Of Fame hosted an anniversary event in New Jersey on September 12 at the Middletown Arts Center. To accommodate the changes and restrictions during Covid-19, Metal Hall of Fame founder Pat Gesualdo, also from the D.A.D. Drums And Disabilities program which helps children and adults fight disabilities, arranged a small event and gathering for the 2021 inductees. That included a live pre-show interviews with guests, a live performance, and the video premiere of the 2021 Metal Hall Of Fame Induction Gala available to viewers throughout the world at Volume.com/metalhalloffame.

Hosted by Eddie Trunk (radio DJ, That Metal Show), and Keith Roth from Sirius XM's Ozzy’s Boneyard and Hair Nation, guests included Jay Jay French (Twisted Sister) speaking about the relevance and longevity of this music and his book Twisted Business, inductee Mark Weiss who was in the art gallery signing copies his book The Decade That Rocked, Jerry Wayne Gaskill from Kings X, album cover artist Ioannis (Fates Warning, Heaven, Quiet Riot), and Manowar and The Dictators guitarist Ross The Boss. The Dictators, with Ross The Boss, Andy Shernoff and Albert Bouchard (founding member of Blue Oyster Cult), introduced their new singer/guitar player with a special acoustic performance at the event. 

“The world premiere of the pre-recorded 2021 Metal Hall of Fame Induction Gala is a great way for all hard rock and heavy metal fans around the world to take part in our annual event,” says Metal Hall of Fame spokesperson Owen Kennedy. “Unfortunately, we had to do a recorded video gala in 2021, as a result of Covid 19 lockdown restrictions. We are excited that as of now, the annual 2022 Metal Hall of Fame Gala will be back to normal in January and held in person.”

The 2021 Metal Hall of Fame Video Inductees are:

* KISS
- Doc McGhee, manager, 1995-current
- Bill Aucoin, manager, 1973-1982 (posthumous)
- Bruce Kulick, 1984-1996
- Eric Carr, 1981-1991 (posthumous)

* Iron Maiden
- Paul Di'Anno, 1977-1981
- Blaze Bayley, 1994 -1999
- Derek Riggs (creator of "Eddie")

* Triumph
- Gil Moore
- Rik Emmett
- Mike Levine

* Stryper
- Michael Sweet
- Robert Sweet
- Oz Fox

* Mark "Weissguy" Weiss (photographer)
* Marty Friedman

Presenters - Paul Stanley, Dee Snider, Gus G, Jimmy Kay, Frank DiMino, Nigel Glockler, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Carrie Stevens, Charlie Benante, Keith Roth, Glam Rock Guy, Todd La Torre, Joey Vendetta, Roman Fernandez (accepting for Bill Aucoin), Bobby Rock, Eric Singer, Lisa Lane Kulick, Jeff Scott Soto, Sara-Jean Bartky (accepting for Eric Carr) and Chris Jericho, among others.