“In my opinion, I should not be in before those bands.”
— Riki Rachtman
LOS ANGELES, California — Riki Rachtman has come out today and is officially declining being inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame.
Rachtman, 60, was born and raised in Los Angeles and was part of the prime Sunset Strip era that created much of what music fans consumed during that 80’s decade and beyond.
Rachtman was included by the Metal Hall of Fame for their 2026 inductions who noted his contributions to the industry for co-founding Cathouse and hosting MTV‘s Headbanger’s Ball from 1990-1995.
The MHoF announced the inductees back on November 25th and included; Rikki Rockett (Poison), Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns), Warren DeMartini (Ratt) and Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.) along with Rachtman.
Now it appears that Rachtman is reluctant to accept and has pulled his name from the hat.
Rachtman took to social media earlier today with a video message explaining why.
“I was extremely honored, and it is an honor…” says Rachtman of the invite and induction offer.
“But that being said, I am declining my induction into the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame” added Rachtman.
“Please understand, this is nothing against the organization. I applaud them for what they are attempting to do… but… if you were going to start your own Heavy Metal Hall of Fame, or if I was going to start my own Heavy Metal Hall of Fame, I think the first band that I would probably put in would be Metallica.
“And I looked at the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame and – or (Black) Sabbath – but I looked at the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame and Metallica… and Slayer, and Pantera, and Guns N’ Roses, and Iron Maiden, those bands are not in the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame.
“So, in my opinion, I should not be in before those bands” said Rachtman.
The event is scheduled for January 21st 2026 and will be held at ‘The Roxy‘ along with a Red Carpet outside ‘The Rainbow Bar & Grill‘ on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood California.
For more information related to the event, including Rachtman‘s video reel, please see below.
ABOUT METAL HALL OF FAME
The Metal Hall of Fame (MHOF) is a non-profit organization. Legendary entertainment executives oversee all of the Metal Hall of Fame initiatives, including, Pat Gesualdo (Founder, Metal Hall of Fame/Studio-Touring Drummer), Wendy Dio (Founder, Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund), David Ellefson (Formerly of Megadeth), (Michael Sarna Inmotion Entertainment Inc), Jimmy Kay (The Metal Voice), Munsey Ricci (Skateboard Marketing), George Johnsen (MammothVision Studio), Brian Perera, (Founder, Cleopatra Records).
The Annual Metal Hall of Fame Celebrity Gala has included historical moments throughout Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. From having Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne join with us to have former Ozzy drummer Lee Kerslake achieve his dying wish of receiving his Platinum Record Awards for the “Blizzard of Ozz,” and “Diary of A Madman” albums. Having: Metallica Induct Megaforce Records founders Jon and Marsha Zazula. Inducting Judas Priest at Wacken Open Air. Inducting Steve Vai, Triumph, Geoff Tate, and members of KISS and Iron Maiden. Inducting Anthrax at Heavy Montreal. Having Paul Stanley Induct KISS manager Doc McGhee. Having Brian May of Queen Induct Joe Satriani. These are just some of the memories that the Metal Hall of Fame has shared with Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans throughout the world.
As always, fans can vote at www.metalhalloffame.org for their favorite bands to be Inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame.
For more information, please call 973-263-0420, or visit: www.metalhalloffame.org / GET TICKETS HERE
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