Why Rush Needs to Be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
While eventual inclusion to the institution should be but an eventual formality for a band of their stature, it's still more of a reflection of the dedication of fans. And fans deserve to be rewarded as well. Rush fans have been kicked in the face and have prayed for a place, like the Rock Hall as opposed to heaven's unearthly estate.
According to the RIAA, Rush's sales statistics place them fourth behind The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Aerosmith for the most consecutive gold or platinum albums by a rock band. Rush also ranks 78th in U.S. album sales with 25 million units. Rush's total worldwide album sales are at over 40 million units. That is proven performance and dedication from a band that seems indifferent about being nominated into Rock's highest echelon.
Rush's Alex Lifeson has said, "I couldn't care less, look who's up for induction, it's a joke". It's seldom important what a rock star has to say and in this case it's not at all important. Does Rush think it's a joke that most of their idols, musicians they grew up listening to and emulating are in?
Rock bands owe it to their fans to suck it up and proclaim their right and admiration for a mecca which devotes its focus on the evolution of a diverse art form.
What it boils down to is the fact that The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is not for the inductees, it's really for the fans. The zit faced, CD buying, concert going, merchandise freaks who pay these musicians allowing them to continue creating their art.
Did any idiot think The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was going to be perfect? Are we ever going to agree on all the inductees' worthiness to be in the Hall? No. It's rock and roll people! It comes from dirty, dusty, heart pounding, perverse, piss off your parents, jangly, mind bending fury. And it's wrapped in an equally complex assortment of musicians, promoters, management and media.
Rush needs to be a little more gracious with it's attitudes towards nomination and stop whining along side some of the other inductees like the Sex Pistols who in a serial killer style hand written note discussed why they would not attend their own induction. It's sort of like a father not attending his child's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese because he was against chain restaurants. Grow up! Life and real events are bigger than rock stars and their ever expanding egos.
In the July 2008 issue of Rolling Stone Magazine interview, Lifeson commented about Rush fans "It's a big issue for them". What? Is Rush too old and too cool for this honor. Maybe they're just not hungry enough. Hey Rush, think back to the early seventies when your futures as musicians were in question and a cool song called "Working Man" received overwhelming airplay in Cleveland revving up a blue collar town and getting your band noticed. I bet you guys were hungry back then. You're allowed to get old; you're just not allowed to think old.
This hall of fame was built for the fans, which certainly a band like Rush has paid their dues and more importantly their fans have paid their dues and earned a place to relive a portion of their lives through some of the music and culture that has shaped it.
Published by Iago
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2 Comments
Post a CommentThe point is that the RnR HOF is so incredibly flawed that it loses it's meaning. Few musicians who understand the influence and contributions of the artists included and left out have any respect for it. It isn't some official Rock and Roll institution voted on by a wide range of respected experts in the field. It is an exclusive club for friends of Rolling Stone magazine. That is why Rush and so many other bands, even ones that have been inducted just don't give a rat's behind.
Whether Rush is rebellious enough for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or even cool enough is not mine to say. I can say this- they have had many hits played on the radio, they sold plenty of records, sold out many concerts and have a loyal and ecstatic fan base. My reason why is because I am a fan and I think this is one of the most talented trios in rock and roll history. In addition, when the term "Canadian rock" is mentioned, one usually thinks of Rush or the Guess Who. Anyways, we hope to see you in the R&RHoF soon, Geddy, Alex and Neil.