Iron Maiden Won't Cancel Australian Shows For Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction

Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden are bringing their epic Run For Your Lives tour to Australia in November, but some of the dates clash with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. However, the band’s manager, Rod Smallwood, has revealed that the shows are taking priority.

Earlier this week, it was announced that the British heavy metal outfit would finally be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame after years of campaigning from their fans. They receive the honour alongside Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Luther Vandross, Oasis, Phil Collins, Sade, and Wu-Tang Clan.

Another 10 members of the music industry will also be inducted, in the categories of Early Influences, Musical Excellence, and the coveted Ahmet Ertegun Award. Those inductees include Queen Latifah, Fela Kuti, Rick Rubin, Ed Sullivan, and more.

This year’s induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, 14 November, in Los Angeles. However, Iron Maiden are scheduled to be in Australia. In fact, they’ll be halfway through their tour of Australia and New Zealand when the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place.

On Friday, 13 November, Iron Maiden are set to perform at Melbourne’s AAMI Park, and on Sunday, 15 November, they’ll be on stage at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium. So, even if they wanted to, there’s not enough time to travel to Los Angeles and back – there’s no way to have the tour dates and rock up to the ceremony.

But, according to Iron Maiden’s manager Rod Smallwood, the shows won’t be affected.

“As the most observant have already noticed, the band will be on tour in Australia around the November date of the Induction ceremony for the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in Los Angeles,” Smallwood told Billboard. “In accepting, Iron Maiden made it very clear to the R&R HoF that the fans always come first and that the shows will, of course, go on.”

Smallwood added, “We would like to assure all our fans in Australasia that the Australian and New Zealand dates will remain unaffected, and we look forward to bringing the Run For Your Lives Tour to them on the penultimate stop of our 50th anniversary celebrations.”

Iron Maiden are celebrating their 50th anniversary in Australia and New Zealand in November.

The shows begin at Auckland’s Spark Arena on Saturday, 7 and Sunday, 8 November, followed by dates at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre (Wednesday, 11 November), the above-mentioned Melbourne and Sydney outdoor stadium shows, and two nights at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre (Wednesday, 18 and Thursday, 19 November).

For the tour, Maiden will be accompanied by special guests Megadeth, who are likely to perform their final-ever dates in Australia while they’re here. Tickets are available via the TEG Dainty website.