"It’s an honor, and any time somebody wants to honor you, you should be gracious. But it’s never been something that’s been super-important to us. Awards are outside of you. We’re aware that it means so much to the fans, and since it does, it has to mean something to me. I almost feel like they’re vindicated more than we are.In a new interview with NorthJersey.com, Alex Lifeson comments on Rush's nomination for induction into the Rock Hall of Fame:
"It’s hard to put into words what it means to us that our fans have been so passionate. It makes us want to play all the better. They’ve invested so much — we try very hard to make the shows worth it for them." - Geddy Lee
"I'm really happy for the Rush fans who feel that it is really important, and I hope we're inducted for their sake. Personally it never really mattered to me, but at the same time it's nice to be nominated. The acknowledgement we got from the Canadian government, and by extension Canadians, is very dear to us. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is more a popularity contest." - Alex LifesonIt's official, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced 15 artists nominated for induction into in 2013, including RUSH! Rush has been eligible for induction since 1999, 25 years after the release of their first record in the US, but this is their first nomination.
"Nominees for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2013 have been announced. Rush, Deep Purple, Heart, Procol Harum, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Randy Newman are among the names being submitted to voters for next year's induction honors. Also on the list are Donna Summer, Chic, Joan Jett, Albert King, Kraftwerk, The Meters, N.W.A. and Public Enemy. Other than Heart, Joan Jett and Chic, this is the first time any of the other artists has been nominated. In order to be eligible for induction, an artist had to release their first record at least 25 years prior. The ballots will now be sent out to members of the music industry with the results announced in early December. The 28th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held in at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on April 18th, 2013." RockHall.comThe band has already issued the following statement on Rush.com:
“We are honored to be among the nominees for this year’s Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame. We are especially thrilled for the many, many dedicated RUSH fans to whom this nomination is so very important.” – Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil PeartBeing nominated is just the first step, however. We won't know until April if they will be among the 2013 inductees, but you can help. The Rock Hall has also announced "for the first time ever, fans get to vote alongside the artists, historians and music industry insiders of the Rock Hall voting body. From now until December 5th, you can vote for the nominees you'd like to see inducted. Pick up to five acts – the top five vote-getters will comprise a 'fan's ballot' that will count as one of the more than 600 ballots that determine the Class of 2013. The results will be announced in mid-December." Click here to vote.
With cumulative worldwide sales of over 35 million, Rush were inducted into the Juno Awards Hall of Fame in 1994, received the esteemed Order of Canada in 1997, were given their own star on the Canadian Walk of Fame on May 27th, 1999 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on June 25th, 2010. This is their first nomination for the US Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
- Thanks to Squintyt4e for the headsup!
UPDATE/RELATED NEWS:
- Rush Finally Nominated For Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame - Prog.com, October 8, 2012
- Rock Hall Nominations: Who, Why And How Likely Are They To Be Inducted? - NPR.org, October 7, 2012
- Rush vindicated: A Rock Hall of Fame berth for Canadian rock band - Los Angeles Times
- Rush finally receive Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination - Examiner.com
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominates 15 Acts Including Deep Purple, Rush, Kraftwerk, Public Enemy and N.W.A - The Hollywood Reporter
- Rush, Deep Purple, Heart Nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - GuitarWorld.com
Check out this recent interview with Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen that was posted on the CBC Q YouTube Channel.
ReplyDeleteThe interview was conducted back in June 2010 in which the audio version was posted and now they have put up the video one.
Listen to the part from Scot from 21:32 to the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ePUrxOqsI8
It would be cool if Rush were inducted and then didn't show up for the ceremony, which is what Joni Mitchell did. Then again, if they did show up they would blow every other band that was there off the stage.
ReplyDeleteAnd once again they've been snubbed. Really, the HOF looks sillier and sillier every year. It's one thing to not be inducted, but to not even make the nomination list?
ReplyDeleteEFFFF the HOF, I say. Their shortsightedness is their loss, not ours, not Rush's. If a "Hall of Fame" inducts folks not worthy, it just lowers it's own bar and standing, invalidating the whole effort. Who makes them the arbiters? Not I!!! I don't care WHO they think belongs, it's irrelevant. I hope Rush never makes it... it just makes the RRHOF look all the more ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteThere are no good bands on that list (With the exception of the Beastie Boys), certainly none that deserve to be inducted over Rush. Its a joke folks, nothing to see so carry on. I mean Donna Summer? LL Cool J? give me a break.
ReplyDeleteTom Waits also sucks.
You know, I used to get pissed off back in the day about rush not getting into the HOF. Nowadays, I actually hope they never get in. I equate it to my whole experience with Rush as a band: some people just get it, and I'm glad I'm one of the few. I lost respect for the HOF a long time ago. Without trying to come across as too low brow... Fuck that elitist piece of shit club!
ReplyDeleteWow...hear we are again! RUSH simply doesn't fit the box. Just think about it? RUSH being inducted into this so called "badge of honor" place really in the long run doesn't justify the quality of "True Musicianship" of RUSH. I'm personally over it!
ReplyDelete"Rock on...RUSH"!
Daniel
I will be very surprised if Rush or even Yes gets into the Hall of Fame...during my lifetime at least.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lame excuse for a place that claims to honor the greats.
I hope Rush is never allowed in the RRHOF. I have always felt it's one of the cheesiest ideas ever made real. I think acceptance would actually diminish what Rush is - the ultimate indie/cult band, and a band dedicated to musicianship, not rock star status. Rush, to me, are bigger than the HOF. They don't need the affirmation.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least Joan Jett fans are happy.
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ReplyDeleteTis sad that Rush and Yes aren't in....the only reason why Genesis was inducted is because they couldnt ignore their Pop success in the 80s....They invited Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett just for the lols in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteContinue rocking Rush!
Please, we go through this every time and the same shock that Rush was not nominated. Really? I love Rush as much as anyone but let it go. I promise you the guys don't care. It won't change anything about their legacy if they are not in. The Rock Hall of Fame has no credibility anyway. Enough!!
ReplyDeletePriceless post, Eric.
ReplyDeleteso Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart will be in twice now?
ReplyDeleteI personally dont want RUSH in the Hall of *LOL*Fame they deserve better that a hall full of rappers , and WTF is up with that? rappers in RRHOF?
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ReplyDeleteI think its kind of cool that Rush has never been seriously considered for "Hall of Fame" induction. It further exemplifies their ability to transcend the status quo, the run of the mill, the typical. It would be less of an honor and more of a dishonor for and to Rush to be accepted in such a way. Rush, like a lot of us have been successful with nary a bit of acceptance or "condoning of anyone or anything in the mainstream, lets keep it that way. It would be the "Hall of Fame's" HONOR to induct Rush and one that I hope they never receive. - Dustin S. McGinnis (dustin2112)
ReplyDeleteWhile Eddie Trunk is absolutely in the right about ragging on the RRHoF for some of their inductees—and for Rush not being included among them—I take his opinions on the subject with a grain of salt, since he frequently murders whatever truth and objectivity he might have on his side by championing the induction of folks he loves, but who have no place in the Hall (UFO, really?), so...Plus, his definition of "rock and roll" is strictly distorted guitar-based music, which is incredibly narrow.
ReplyDeleteThis just in...
ReplyDeleteRush not in...
Oh well, no big surprise. They are unique enough as well as talented enough to not have to subscribe to this elitist crap.
They are in a league of their own.
Good enough for me.
Finally! It's about time. Good to see that Rush already has 30% of the votes on rockhall.com. If they didn't want to induct Rush this year, they probably shouldn't have allowed fans to vote!!! :)
ReplyDeleteGoosebumps during the Rush montage... but have to say some of the other nominees are real head scratchers.
ReplyDeleteIt's about time!!! Congrats Geddy, Alex and Neil...
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