Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen says he thinks Steve Miller's controversial comments about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame came prematurely.

Speaking with Rolling Stone, Nielsen noted that, after Miller went off on his tirade during his post-induction presser, there was no press left to cover his band.

"We went backstage to do press and there was no press because they all left," said Nielsen.

In his post-induction presser, Miller called the HOF a bunch of "gangsters and crooks."

Miller later refused to apologize for his comments, adding that he hopes he's drawn attention to the HOF.

"I don't think this will die down or go away with me," he said. "I think more and more people will speak out, eventually."