As he’s made crystal clear over the last few days, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s latest member, Steve Miller, was irked by events and circumstances surrounding his induction. Miller chastised the Rock Hall’s committee for “failing to respect artists” after allegedly being told he would have to pay $10,000 for additional tickets to the gala. He also took issue with the lack of female inductees.
The Black Keys, who were tasked with introducing Miller at Friday night’s ceremony, were also irked — but for entirely different reasons. In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Dan Auerbach said “the whole process was unpleasant … and honestly, the most unpleasant part was being around him.”
Auerbach said Miller had never heard of The Black Keys, “and he made no effort to even [laughs uncomfortably] — he didn’t even figure out who we were.” He continued, “I don’t live in New York City. This is like three days out of my life flying from Nashville and leaving my kids at home.”
The Black Keys frontman said he regrets accepting the invitation to induct Miller, adding, “It’s unfortunate. Of course there are problems in the music industry. Of course. But we were there, unpaid, on our own free will, to come celebrate his achievements and spread the joy of rock & roll. To inspire kids to pick up guitars. To play music. And it felt like we were doing the opposite.”
Auerbach also noted the hypocrisy of Miller’s comments about the lack of women in the Hall of Fame. “He called the whole thing ‘a boys’ club.’ The Steve Miller band has had 35 members and no women. It was just very disappointing.”
“We were so disappointed that as soon as we got offstage, we left while he was playing,” Auerbach continued. “We left immediately. We walked right outside and left the fucking building. I went back home and picked up my guitar. ”
Watch Miller’s post-induction backstage rant:
