Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover has said that the band is ambivalent about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, citing the many years the institution has snubbed the iconic English band.
Speaking on the radio show Noize in the Attic, the musician said the group is "up in the air" about whether they would accept the Hall of Fame's recognition and just might "forget it."
"We're kind of ambivalent about the Hall of Fame; we don't care about it that much," said the bassist. "If they do induct us, then they're at least 20 years too late as far as I'm concerned," he continued.
The institution's rule is that 25 years must have passed since the release of the first record of a musician or group before they become eligible. Deep Purple released their first album, "Shades of Deep Purple," in 1968, making them entitled to a nomination for 21 years now.
"They should have done it when Jon Lord [their founding and long-time keyboardist who died in 2012] was still alive when it probably would have had a bit more meaning," Glover said.
The band has been nominated for induction twice, in 2013 and this year, but didn't get the induction in either time. Glover said the problem is that Deep Purple isn't "fashionable" enough.
"One of the jurors was heard to say, 'You know, Deep Purple, they're just one-hit wonders.' How can you deal with that kind of Philistinism, you know," said the bassist, who joined the band a year after its founding.
Amid the constant turning down by the Hall of Fame itself, there has been clamor in recent years from their fellow musicians for their induction. In 2012, Geddy Lee of Rush said, "To be frank, I am disappointed that Deep Purple is not included."
The following year, Kiss front man showed disappoint over Deep Purple's non-induction, saying," I think it's a crime that Deep Purple is not in."
In April this year, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich said, "I got two words to say, 'Deep Purple.' That's all I have to say: Deep Purple. Seriously, people, 'Deep Purple,' two simple words in the English language."
