Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson has commented on the renowned Canadian progressive rock band’s recent nomination to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
Rush, who have been eligible for induction since 1998, were nominated along with fourteen other bands, including Deep Purple, Heart and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.
Speaking with NorthJersey.com, Lifeson said: “I’m really happy for the Rush fans who feel that it is really important, and I hope we’re inducted for their sake.”
However, he added that for him, the nomination was no big deal: “Personally it never really mattered to me, but at the same time it’s nice to be nominated.”
Lifeson added that the band had received more meaningful accolades, such as the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, which is the highest honor bestowed on artists by the Canadian government: “The acknowledgement we got from the Canadian government, and by extension Canadians, is very dear to us,” he said. “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is more a popularity contest.”
Five of the fifteen groups nominated will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at a ceremony in L.A. next year. The inductees will be selected by a panel of 600 artists, music historians and members of the industry. The results will be announced in mid-December.
The 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place in Los Angeles at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on Thursday, April 18, 2013.
The current list of nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013 are:
• The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
• Chic
• Deep Purple
• Heart
• Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
• Albert King
• Kraftwerk
• The Marvelettes
• The Meters
• Randy Newman
• N.W.A
• Procol Harum
• Public Enemy
• Rush
• Donna Summer