GeddyRulz

When I used to buy the live CD's, I'd listen to them ONCE (if that), and shelve them. I only bought them to keep my collection complete. And now, since I'm all about the MP3's, I don't even buy the live albums.

I wouldn't say I'm "missing out" on them, though. I obviously hate live albums.

As RUSH hater, LA Times critic Randall Roberts, said.the voting is a mess because the fans chose RUSH, not "real" people like critics. He once again got in a dig by saying Lee's voice alone should have been enough to disqualify them. So true, Rush may have gotten in because of fans and not some group of 5 guys in a back room. But isn't that what all these awards are about-a way to let fans have a connection to the bands they love? For critics to dismiss that side of it and try to make this RRHOF nonsense serious(nothing against the Supremes but they are in the hall and never wrote a song), is an insult to fans.

Good post. As Billy Corgan said: "At the end of the day, rock is a people's game, and the people have consistently and overwhelmingly voted for this band." True! The winners can't always be decided by "five guys in a back room"; the people should be allowed to speak. And they do, and have!

And as NPR pointed out yesterday, the whole nominating process is completely secretive and NON-transparent; they don't want the public to know how they make their decisions. One former member of the Nominating Committee blew the whistle on the committee and its decision-making practices: he said that one year the committee was upset that the first draft of potential nominees were all "small name acts" and no artist would draw people into buying tickets to their money-making induction dinner. In that case, money in their pockets was more important than musical merit in deciding who to nominate. ("We need a big name act!") Another year, Wenner inducted Grandmaster Flash instead of the Dave Clark Five, on the technicality that some Dave Clark Five votes came in after a "deadline." In truth, Wenner had said to the committee "we can't go another year without inducting a rap act." So he was predisposed to inducting Grandmaster Flash, is what it came down to.

Oh yeah, and about that comment that Geddy's voice alone should disqualify them: I bet that music critic never said the same thing about Bob Dylan, Neil Young, or Michael Stipe (R.E.M.), none of whom have good voices!

I was originally planning on going. A couple years ago, when we watched Beyond the Lighted Stage together, my wife said "we should go if they're inducted." Ged bless her, she's not even that big of a Rush fan, she just knows how important they are to me.

But I'm an Eastcoaster, and the ceremony is in L.A. this year, dagnabbit! NYC or even Cleveland, no problem, but L.A., I'm running into boku bucks. Airfare, hotel, taxis, event tickets...

Revised plan: "splurge" on adding HBO to our DirecTV package. Watch and DVR the ceremony on TV. Then discontinue HBO.

We rule man

Does this mean we are part of the "In" crowd now?

Maybe. Geek Culture has become more widespread and accepted, so maybe the IN CROWD has come to us. ; )

Not too stoked about the hall nod at all, part of me wishes that Janny and the rest of the self appointed dopes on the nomination comittee contimued to snub our heros from the North because now we have to deal with the fact that we have warped into the "mainstream", not sure which is worse!

Getting into the Hall doesn't immediately throw you into "mainstream" status; only your music can do that.

When Patti Smith was inducted, did she become "mainstream"? How about the Sex Pistols? Laura Nyro was inducted and I still don't know who the hell she is, so how mainstream could she be?

I could tear this guy's article to pieces, but I'll settle for making just two comments:

1. Rush's fanbase didn't get them into the Hall. Collectively, our "votes" counted as just ONE VOTE, among the 600+ people who also get a vote. It would've still been possible for us to lose, 600-to-1. We didn't vote Rush in, the 600+ voters, collectively, did.

2. Rush's name will only have an asterix next to it in the mind of this author. Likewise, the use of the asterix in baseball is mostly the same (the only exception being Roger Maris's home run record). The asterix in the record books only exists, if at all, in the mind of the fan. Barry Bonds, for example, may have an asterix next to his record(s), in some minds, because of perceived steroid use. The 1919 Reds, for another example, may have an asterix next to their World Series win, in some minds, because their competitor in that WS intentionally took a dive. To say that Rush's name in the RNRHOF will forever have an asterix next to it? That's a subjective observation, not an objective and empirical one. It's in the author's head, and - so far as I know - no place else.

This writer and his article are another example of how music critics are as full of shit as anyone. The thing is, they think they can affect what people listen to, through their writing. Rush is proof they can't always succeed in that endeavor, because the mainstream music press has always trashed Rush and yet Rush has been enormously successful anyway. Remember what Billy Corgan said: "At the end of the day, rock is a people's game, and the people have consistently and overwhelming voted for this band." That's why they're in the Hall of Fame, despite what dipshit critics think of them.

I agree Sebastian Bach is embarrassing. He's a nice enough guy, just a little too "low brow," if you will. Rush are much more intellectual and sophisticated than that guy, and deserve someone who can match their level of sophistication. (Anyone remember the kid in front of the concert hall on the BTLS bonus disc? You know, the young doofus who said the F word constantly? Who wanted THAT guy representing all Rush fans?? I like to think we, and the band, are smarter and more high-brow than these people.)

I agree Billy Corgan was very articulate in the film (his comments were some of my favorites) and he'd be a good choice... but his repeated use as a spokesperson for Rush is getting a little overcooked now. He was the guy who introduced them at the Hollywood Walk of Fame thing, and sometimes in interviews he now talks about Rush more than he talks about his own band(s). It might be time for a fresh face... but if they use Billy again, I'm fine with it.

I will be eating my crow with some bernaise sauce and the pig will be flying at 75 feet altitude. I had to read, then re-read, then re-re-read the news. Then, I reacted in a way I did not expect.

 

I cried.

 

Tears of joy.

Rolling Stone.com reprinted this post, in an article about fan reaction to the induction announcement. LOL!

I've changed my opinion about the Hall since this afternoon.

Like many of you, I was thinking the nominating committee snubbed us all these years. Now I'm just thinking they're looney and very willy-nilly about their nom choices. Stil no Moody Blues, Jethro Tull, Kiss, Yes, Brian Epstein (non-performer category), Carly Simon, etc. Meanwhile, they give noms over the past few years to Laura Nyro (?), Madonna, ABBA, rap and disco artists, etc.

They haven't been snubbing us the past twelve years. They're just schizophrenic with their choices: all over the place, and from all different sub-genres of popular music, It's almost a crap shoot who gets the noms each year. Like the outgoing president of the Hall said, getting in isn't a sprint; it can take awhile, and he knew Rush would get there eventually. Considering all this, we should be happy and honored we got in THIS YEAR, before more "deserving" artists, and didn't have to wait another twelve!

I feel very strongly they are going to play Headlong Flight. It is an incredibly rocking tune that sounds like classic Rush, with insane chops from all 3 of them. The lyrics are kind of appropriate for the occasion. And last but not least it will be Rush's way of telling the RRHOF "we're not done yet" this is our latest". It would be so boring if they do Tom Sawer and Spirit of Radio. I think doing a new tune would show the world how relevant they still are

You make a great argument for Headlong Flight. Excellent points.

I definitely feel that Tom Sawyer should be shelved.

tom sawyer, spirit of radio, yyz

 

This would be my guess. But what would really be fitting would be Wish Them Well!

 

Good call!

Very good call! Nice!

I was thinking "La Villa." Give 'em something amazing that's NOT played on the radio, something to make the uninitiated go "Holy shit, those boys ARE good!"

Why was it unlikely that both Rush and DP get in the same year? They were the top 2 choices on the ballot IMO.

Two classic rock artists, similar music, both bands snubbed for the nomination for so long, both finally getting the nom this year, and... BOTH GETTING INDUCTED, TOO?

Unlikely. They like to space these artists out a bit. A little rock, a little pop, a little hip-hop, etc. As it is, it seems odd that Rush and Heart both got in in the same year; they also have similar music.

More complete post-announcement interview with Geddy:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/geddy-lee-on-rushs-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-induction-well-show-up-smiling-20121211

I for one am TOTALLY stoked! Yeah!!!!!

Sorry, cynics. Sorry, "I don't WANT them in the Hall" Rush fans!

Randy Newman but No Deep Purple. Makes sense

Future Rock Legends was saying it would be unlikely that Rush and Deep Purple would BOTH be inducted the same year. No Deep Purple? Maybe it's because Rush bumped them!

From RiaB:

12/11@2:13PM: Well, it's after 2PM [EST] so the press event has already started or will start soon. According to this Future Rock Legends Twitter post, we won't get any kind of press release until 2:30PM, but hopefully we'll get some word from other sources (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) before then. All the rumors/buzz I've been hearing this morning is indicating that Rush definitely got in, but nothing official yet. Stay tuned ...

Alex, Geddy, and Neil are way too classy to dis the RRHOF if they do indeed get in. Sure it would be cool if they did, but that's not the way that they carry themselves.

I've been saying the same for years. The guys have WAY too much dignity, class, sophistication, and integrity to give the Hall the middle finger and say "screw you!" (Still, there are a gaggle of Rush fans who want to see that.)

I'd like to see "the only band to decline RRHOF induction" added to Rush's resume!

 

They wouldn't be the only band. In 2006, the Sex Pistols were inducted but refused to attend the ceremony. They sent a letter, calling the RNRHOF "a piss stain." And I think I came across an article earlier today wherein Axl Rose told the Hall "don't induct me, I won't come."

 

This is from a Guitar World interview from this year (though I don't know if it was before or after Rush got nominated), and it isn't the first time Alex has made these types of comments about the RRHOF:

 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: I mean, everybody knows you guys should be in by now. Does it bother you that you’re not? Do you care?

 

I really don’t care. I look at it like this: Last week we received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement, which is a very high honor in Canada. And we were also inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame, and all those sorts of things. So, in that sense, I’m quite satisfied with those accolades, particularly the Governor General’s Award. That puts us in the company of some of the greatest Canadian creative minds of the last 20 years, since they started this.

 

I really don’t feel the need to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because, at the end of the day, it’s just somebody’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They have a particular process, and they’re welcome to do it however they want to do it. If they feel that they want to exclude a certain genre or certain bands from their hall of fame, they’re welcome to do it. I don’t need to be in there. I have no interest in going there. I think that so long as we keep this relationship, we probably both benefit. If Rush is not in there, the controversy continues, and it keeps Rush fans very pissed-off. There’s some great bands in there that I really respect. Just recently, it was great to see the Chili Peppers get in—I love those guys. But I don’t need it. I have no interest in going, and hope that we never will.

 

If I was a Rush fan, I’d be like, “No man, don’t do it. Let’s keep this to ourselves, this little special thing.”

I'd guess this was BEFORE they were nominated.

Yeah yeah, we all know Alex has said this several times in interviews, and there's also a notorious Neil comment to the effect of "they think we're not cool enough, but that's okay, because THEY'RE not cool enough for US." Even the band's gracious public statement when accepting the nomination had an undercurrent of "we don't want this." The statement read "we know this is important TO OUR FANS." (Subtext: it's not important TO US.) So, what's your point?

Being as big on artistic integrity and as down on "glittering prizes" as the band has always been, NATURALLY they'd downplay accolades like this. There's one thing. Another: like many Rush fans, the members of the band may have adopted an emotional shield of "well, WE don't like THEM, either!" after having been snubbed so many times.

I'd like to see "the only band to decline RRHOF induction" added to Rush's resume!

They wouldn't be the only band. In 2006, the Sex Pistols were inducted but refused to attend the ceremony. They (presumably John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten) sent the Hall a handwritten letter, calling the RNRHOF "a piss stain." And I think I came across an article earlier today wherein Axl Rose told the Hall "don't induct me, I won't come."

What all of you should be upset with is Jann Wenner and the rest of the damned nominating committee, not the Hall itself.

I'm confident Rush is going to be announced in two hours as a 2013 inductee, and I think the story is clear: the nominating committee was to blame all along for keeping Rush out. Once past the nominating committee, boom, they're waved into the Hall in their first year of being nominated. Could it be any clearer that, had Rush been nominated back in their first year of eligibility (1999, I think it was), they'd have been INDUCTED in their first year, too? That damned nominating committee was the only source of red tape for Rush's inclusion, all these years.

And, had they been inducted back in 1999, we wouldn't have had ANY bitching and noise from what's become "The 'We hate the Hall' Crowd." (That crowd wouldn't exist if Rush had been waved right in, in 1999. Really, the Hall Haters were born because, by all appearances over this past decade, it looked like the Hall hated Rush, so some Rush fans reciprocated the hate back onto the Hall.) Maybe, after today or after the induction ceremony in April, you folks will see the clear message: we fans wanted Rush, the voters wanted Rush, the Hall itself wanted Rush, and their induction would've immediately happened if not for the nominating committee. So, let's give the Hall a break, and let's be happy for Rush - some elitist critics on the nominating committee may still hate them, but everyone else is giving Rush the recognition and respect they deserve.

This morning on NPR there was a discussion of the Hall and the nomination/induction process. The commentators were indicting the Hall based on the secrecy of the process, and the fact that so many influential bands have been snubbed over the years. The influential bands mentioned in the piece? Roxy Music, Donna Summer and...KISS. Not a word about RUSH in the entire report. I wonder if that's an omen...

There's an NPR reporter/blogger who's been writing for a year or two about Rush and how they deserve induction into the Hall... so it seems NPR is on Rush's side, actually. The last thing about Rush that I read on NPR's site predicted the band will be inducted this year, and gave reasons for its prediction.

I would think they dont have the balls to deny them this time...but they are just dooshey enough they might. Ill be happy if they do get in, but I will enjoy ridiuling the RRHOF for another year if they dont. win-win

 

As has been stated previously, the douchebaggery was in the nominating committee not nominating them. Now that hurdle has been overcome, and it's up to the 600+ people who vote to get them in. That's a major game changer.

Absolutely! I don't think enough fans "get" this.

The hold-up for Rush has always been getting past the small band of elitist douchebags on the nominating committee - Jann Wenner and his ilk. Now that that's past, it should be a much easier task to have the larger (and less douchey) body of people who vote for INDUCTION to wave them in.

It's going to happen. I'm ready; waiting anxiously for the announcement later today. I may even be going to L.A. for the induction ceremony in April. (My wife's idea, believe it or not. She came up with it after seeing the BTLS documentary: "if they get inducted, we should go!".)