Last night, industrial legends Nine Inch Nails were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, much to the elation of black-clad misfits everywhere. Now, Trent Reznor’s acceptance speech has made its way online, which you can read and watch below.
NIN’s induction opened with a speech from none other than Iggy Pop, who said, “The controversial and brilliant French novelist Michel Houellebecq, when asked the secret of his success, said, ‘It’s easy: Just tell the truth.’ Listening to Nine Inch Nails feels like hearing the truth, so it get you a little bit closer to God. It is my honor to assist in inducting Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”
Reznor then appeared, thanking Iggy and saying the following:
“Hello, everyone. What a disorienting, strange year we find ourselves in. As I’ve been wrapping my head around Nine Inch Nails being welcomed into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I think I was most looking forward to the ceremony itself, where hopefully the whole camp, past and present, was going to get together and have a moment. And…we’re all stuck in our little boxes, staring at our screens.
“Even now, music’s always been the thing that keeps me going, and as an artist, I think the most significant accomplishment or feeling is realizing that something you’ve created from a fragile and intimate place has reached out, resonated, and affected someone else, possibly changing how they see the world. So as whatever being in a ‘Hall of Fame’ means, thank you for the recognition.
“That said, this has been far from a singular endeavor, and I first want to introduce my fellow inductees — Atticus Ross, Robin Finck, Alessandro Cortini, Ilan Rubin, Danny Lohner, and Chris Vrenna. I love these guys and they’ve all been an integral and essential part of why we’re here. Additionally, there’s been a number of key players over the years I’d like to recognize and thank, including Charlie Clouser, James Woolley, Rich Patrick, Josh Freese, Justin Meldal Johnsen, Jerome Dillon, Aaron North, Jeff Ward, and Jeordie White [White is better known to metalheads as Twiggy Ramirez. -Ed].
“Throughout the years, I’ve benefited from a strong collection of people around me that have offered everything from encouragement to guidance to a kick in the ass when needed. These include Jimmy Iovine, John SIlva, Marc Geiger, Ross Rosen, Alan Moulder, Rick Rubin, Zia Modabber, Bill Harper, David Fincher, Jerome Crooks, Steve Barnett, Jim Guerinot, and John Malm. You’re all appreciated and this is for you too. Special thank you to my wife Mariqueen and the kids, you keep me humble and everything worthwhile.
“And for the Nine Inch Nails fans out there — you guys are the best. We’ve wound up in some weird places together, and you’re an intense bunch that can drive me out of my mind, but you’re the best. This journey’s far from over if I have any say in it, so let’s stop fuckin’ around pattin’ ourselves on the back and get to it. Hope to see you all in the flesh soon. Thank you.”
Watch the entire speech below:
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Words by Chris Krovatin
