Posted on 11/29/2005 7:03:51 PM PST by My Favorite Headache
Treated like a fly by night outfit
The rock and roll hall's shame
J. Kelly Nestruck, National Post Published: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 Rush was given the brush-off by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame again yesterday, exasperating fans who have been petitioning for the Canadian rock giants' inclusion for six years. Yesterday, the Cleveland-based institution announced the induction of Black Sabbath, Blondie, The Sex Pistols, Lynyrd Skynyrd and even jazzman Miles Davis, but Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart once again felt the caress of steel as the Hall of Fame's door slammed in their faces.
Since Rush became eligible for induction in 1999, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has repeatedly denied the band that wrote the classic rock megahit Tom Sawyer even a nomination. In response, Rush-heads have created at least two online petitions and numerous Web sites pleading their case -- but they are getting tired of the constant rejection.
"2006 inductees include Skynrd [sic] and The Sex Pistols??" Illinois fan Mike Beard wrote on one petition yesterday. "It is getting to the point where I do not care if [Rush] gets in or not. With all of the mediocre artists in the HOF, it just doesn't seem like the induction is as prestigious as it once was!!!"
As of yesterday, the Rush Hall of Fame Campaign Petition at www.petitiononline.com had collected 21,936 e-signatures. According to the petition's writer, one Suzanne Bonney, Rush is worthy because:
- With 22 consecutive gold records, they are fourth behind The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Kiss in all-time gold record acquisitions for a band;
- They inspired such bands as Metallica, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, The Tragically Hip, Smashing Pumpkins, Primus and Queensryche; and
- "Rush consists entirely of men your children can look up to. No scandals, no embarrassing National Enquirer moments, nothing like that. Just really good music from generally decent human beings."
Other Rush fans, however, embrace the band's status as perennial hall of fame bridesmaids. "Actually, I think the lack of respect Rush has received for 30 years makes them that more endearing," wrote Andrew Tuttle, petitioner number 21,933 from Tualatin, Ore. "[P]erhaps it's a disgrace if they are ever inducted into the RRHF."
Still, some like petitioner Mark Stulz will keep fighting -- even if it takes until 2112. "It must be done for music's sake," Stulz wrote.
© National Post 2005
I have every scrap of music Rush has ever recorded and have seen something like 10 tours, but to be fair it seems the author forgot about Lifeson's run-in with the police in Florida.
Main reason their not in is the hatred of them by critics and the perception of their fan base as being nerdy, I suspect.
You're either trolling or you've confused them with another band :-)
I still have a few of his no boundry ties...does he still make those?...or should I say his wife??
This makes no sense...Even if Rush did not make it this year why is Miles Davis, a jazz musician in the Rock and Roll Hall of fame?
Also, musically speaking, Rush should be in the Hall before Black Sabbath...
BTW, I visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and it is AWESOME!
But I disagree with the author, The Sex Pistol should be in the Hall...
Other than Metallica, this is not an impressive list...Not a great point by the author.
My point would be that they are an FM Rock Station standard group and will always have quite a few songs in any Classic Rock countdown...
Nevermind the fact that the case is still going on...at-least the civil portion of it.
As a drummer wannabe for years, Neil Pert(sp?) was my hero... But now that I am seasoned, I look back and think it ashame that they did not go in another direction with their words.
Dude, you don't even know how many "Campaign Petitions" there are for this Hall of Fame, as if being in it meant diddly! I recall one off the top of my head, but have seen many others: the Ventures, and why not. Miles Davis? Why not Gerry Mulligan or Dave Brubeck or Chet Baker? The later was as good a junkie as the best 60s rock'n'rollers. Ah, but they're all politically incorrect crackers, aren't they?! I have said it before, and will say it again, these Halls of Fame are some secular monuments of the Holy Religion of Celebrity Worship. All of them (HoFs), except the ones for broccoli and other vegetables, tiddly winks champions, and such.
Um, do you even remotely understand the lyrics to that song?
In concert they are very tight but their problem with live performances is that it sounds just like the record without much deviation or ad libbing. But the quality of the music is way up there, especially for Rock.
Lemme see if I can add to the list of bands they have influenced...TOOL,Megadeth,Coheed and Cambria,Porcupine Tree,Dream Theater,Living Color,Skid Row,Audioslave,The Mars Volta,Pixies,Mr.Big,Pantera,Slayer,Dillenger Escape Plan,Tim McGraw(yes that one),Van Halen,Sammy Hagar,The Tea Party,Our Lady Peace,Candlebox,Fates Warning,Nine Inch Nails,Foo Fighters,Nirvana,Winger,Steve Vai,Zebra,Extreme,Simple Plan,Vertical Horizon,Lamb of God,Slipknot,U2,Tran Siberian Orchestra,Triumph,SAGA and the list goes on and on and on and on.
There is unrest in the forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas
The trouble with the maples
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade
There is trouble in the forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the maples scream 'Oppression!'
And the oaks just shake their heads
So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights
'The oaks are just too greedy
We will make them give us light'
Now there's no more oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe and saw
Oh, their music is awesome for a three man band. But it is their words...I'm tellin ya...
Obviously he doesn't, if he thinks the lyrics to The Trees is socialism. It's ABOUT socialism, but not favorable to it by any means. Lyricist Neil Peart characterizes his views as small-L libertarian.
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