JUDAS PRIEST's ROB HALFORD On ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME: 'We Will Make It There Eventually'

Rob Halford says that he believes JUDAS PRIEST will eventually be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Even though artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single, iconic hard rock and metal bands like IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST and MOTÖRHEAD have yet to be recognized by the institution, which inducted GUNS N' ROSES in that group's first year of eligibility.

Having been eligible for induction since 1999, JUDAS PRIEST was on the ballot for this year's class of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, but ultimately didn't clinch the nomination.

"It was a thrill to be nominated," Halford told Fox News. "We appreciate and understand what it represents to go into that great institution… It sends a wonderful signal to people. And the fact that we didn't make it? It was a bit disappointing. And we feel heavy metal should be represented more in the Hall Of Fame. But I think we will make it there eventually. We will. Next time around, fingers crossed, we'll make it to the hallowed halls and they'll find a spot on the shelf to put JUDAS PRIEST."

Rock Hall rules state that artists become eligible a quarter century after their first records were released, but the Hall also claims that other "criteria include the influence and significance of the artists' contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock 'n' roll," which is, of course, open to interpretation.

Eligible for induction since 1999, KISS didn't get its first nomination until 2009, and was finally inducted in 2014.

DEEP PURPLE was eligible for the Rock Hall since 1993 but didn't get inducted until 2016.

JUDAS PRIEST's new album, "Firepower", was released on March 9 via Epic.

The North American leg of the "Firepower" tour kicked off on March 13 in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania and will wrap on May 1 in San Antonio, Texas.