The Metal Hall of Fame
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Former name | Metal Hall of History (2017–2019) |
|---|---|
| Established | 2017 |
| Type | Honorary |
| Director | Pat Gesualdo[1] |
| Website | Official Website |
The Metal Hall of Fame was established in 2017 to honor and preserve the legacy of iconic musicians and industry figures who have shaped hard rock and heavy metal music. It also serves as a non-profit organization with proceeds from the event supporting free music programs for children with special needs.[2]
Since its inception in 2017 the honorary induction gala has been held during January in Anaheim, California. As of 2026 there have been 73 individuals inducted and 21 bands.
The event was founded by Pat Gesualdo (who is a studio/touring drummer) in 2017 and was originally named the Metal Hall of History before it was renamed to the Metal Hall of Fame in 2019. Gesualdo claimed he started the event out of love for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music.[3] The committee consists of music executives, artists, and innovators. In 2025 Wendy Dio and David Ellefson joined the committee.[4]
In a 2024 interview Gesualdo commented on the selection process, stating, "The process of being Inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame starts directly with the fans. It's all about them. Fans from all over the world vote on their favorite artists at the Metal Hall of Fame website, who can vote all year long. The votes are then compiled by the Metal Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, and nominees are then voted on by the board, and then inducted."[3]
In 2023, the Hall of Fame began the "Metal Across America" Tour, featuring pop up exhibits featuring memorabilia from bands like Iron Maiden and Kiss.[5]
It is not a Hall of Fame in the traditional sense as there is no building dedicated to the honoraries, it serves more as a mixture of Hall of Fame and an award show. However, in 2024 Gesualdo claimed that the committee were working on making the Hall of Fame a physical location.[3]
