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
Here is a link to their words...
I do not need to go to his site. The words for trees is posted on #17... There are a lot of people who talk out both sides of their mouth.
This I'd like to hear
I know the lyrics very well. I've probably listened to that song 100 times and I never thought it was anything other than a strong criticism of idiotic socialism... what do you think that chopping trees completely to make them equal means? And considering Peart's well-documented political beliefs, I know that this interpretation is correct.
Awesome for a three-man band? It would be awesome for a 10 man band! The mere fact that they were a power trio lends even more credence that they should be in the Hall of Fame...
I'm just appalled that Skynyrd is getting in.
Bunch of whiny talentless hacks who only sounded good when no one was singing.
Still not an impressive list except for Van Halen and U2 but I don't see the connection with those two anyway...
I did not see this in the lyrics, all I saw was no more oak oppression and all trees are equal hatchet Ax and saw. I did not look at it from your view point. I will attempt to do so. I always thought of it as liberal thinking, even when I was a kid. As far as tress go, I cannot put myself into the person you describe. I thought he was preaching socialism. there are no words describing his anger of it....
I'm sorry, I looked at it again and again, and I see Atlas Shrugged befor I see Neil putting down idiotic socialism!
I can see why you thought that. Liberal Rush fans love to interpret it that way so they don't have to face the fact that Neil Peart hates socialism. But he does. In fact, it was his liner notes on the 2112 album about Ayn Rand that got me to read Atlas Shrugged. And thus I found the connection between Rush the radio host and Rush the band -- rugged individualism. He's also a pretty good prose writer.. he's written a few travel books that I loved.
But I ramble.
No, we all learned something here tonight... And for what it is worth, I never took the safety off!
"But I disagree with the author, The Sex Pistol should be in the Hall..."
If for no other reason than starting out their US tour in Texas.
It takes serious stones to do that.
Why don't you try to explain it to me.
Never mind, I saw it was pretty well explained later in the thread. Sorry about that.
Hell, the SEARCHERS invented folk rock, inspired [were ripped off by]everybody from the Byrds down through Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers [ some of whom are in the Hall], and nobody will consider them for admission. So don't feel like the Lone Ranger.
Wow so that list doesn't impress you...so maybe I should go on then? Godsmack,Alice In Chains,Kings X, Helmet,311, Radiohead...I can continue if you would like.
The ultimate Rock n' Roll hypocrits ... the music industry sells out it's history (Philly, NY, Memphis) to the highest bidder (Cleveland)! ROTFL!
You can go on if you like but the list isn't getting any more impressive...With "bands" like Slayer, Alice in Chains and SAGA the list you are enumerating is 95% awful...
I don't so I don't know where you got that from. The author of the post was complaining about Rush not being in the Hall of Fame and I agree, but I will not lose sleep over this or start a worldwide petition...
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