Iron Maiden and Motörhead and others inducted into This Day in Metal Hall

IRON MAIDEN

Formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris.

Iron Maiden have sold over 130 million copies of their albums worldwide and have obtained over 600 certifications. The Number of the Beast is among the most popular heavy metal albums of all time, having sold almost 20 million copies worldwide.

Congrats on your induction into the “This Day in Metal Hall”

MOTORHEAD

Formed in London in 1975 by bassist and lead vocalist Lemmy Kilmister, guitarist Larry Wallis and drummer Lucas Fox.

The band are often considered a precursor to the new wave of British heavy metal, which re-energised heavy metal in the late 1970s and early 1980s. As of 2016, the band has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide.

Congrats on your induction into the “This Day in Metal Hall”

VAN HALEN

Formed in Pasadena, California, in 1973.

As of March 2019, Van Halen is 20th on the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) list of best-selling artists in the United States; the band has sold 56 million albums in the States and more than 80 million worldwide, making them one of the best-selling groups of all time. As of 2007, Van Halen is one of only five rock bands with two studio albums to sell more than 10 million copies in the United States and is tied for the most multi-platinum albums by an American band.

Congrats on your induction into the “This Day in Metal Hall”

AC/DC

Formed in 1973. They were founded by rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Malcolm Young and lead guitarist Angus Young.

As of 2023, the band's RIAA US sales figures from 75 million, making AC/DC the fifth-best-selling band in US history and the tenth-best-selling artist, selling more albums than Pink Floyd and Mariah Carey. The RIAA also certified Back in Black as 25× Platinum (25 million) in US sales, which made it the fourth-best-selling album of all time in the US.

Congrats on your induction into the “This Day in Metal Hall”

KISS

Formed in New York City in 1972 by Paul Stanley (vocals, rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals, bass guitar), Ace Frehley (lead guitar, vocals), and Peter Criss(drums, vocals).

KISS is regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of all time, as well as one of the best selling bands of all time, claiming to have sold more than 75 million records worldwide, including 21 million RIAA-certified albums. KISS has also earned 30 Gold albums, the most of any band from the United States. KISS has 14 Platinum albums, three of which earned multi-Platinum.

Congrats on your induction into the “This Day in Metal Hall”

RAINBOW

Formed in London and Los Angeles in 1975 by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore.

Rainbow's early work primarily used mystical lyrics with heavy metal style, then went in a more pop-rock oriented direction following Dio's departure from the group. The band have sold over 28 million records worldwide.

Congrats on your induction into the “This Day in Metal Hall”

SAXON

Saxon are an English heavy metal band formed in Barnsley in 1975.

As leaders of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM), they had eight UK Top 40 albums during the 1980s including four UK Top 10 albums and two Top 5 albums. They had numerous hit singles on the UK Singles Chart.

Congrats on your induction into the “This Day in Metal Hall”

TWISTED SISTER

Twisted Sister was an American heavy metal band formed in 1972, originally from Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey.

The band achieved mainstream success with their third album, Stay Hungry (1984), and its single "We're Not Gonna Take It", which was their only Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Congrats on your induction into the “This Day in Metal Hall”