Alex Lifeson in concert, 2007*

It was a long time coming but as many of you out there already know, Canadian power rock trio Rush have finally made the short list of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And as many of you out there also know – after so many years of being looked over – the guys in the band really couldn’t care less.

Although all of the bandmembers from Rush definitely appreciate what the honor represents for their jubilant fans, they we’re never holding their breath for recognition in what they see simply as “a popularity contest.”

"I'm really happy for the Rush fans who feel that it is really important, and I hope we're inducted for their sake," said guitarist Alex Lifeson during an interview with NorthJersey.com. "Personally it never really mattered to me, but at the same time it's nice to be nominated."

This pretty much echoes a similar statement made by drummer Neil Peart back in 2010: “You know who it matters to? The fans. It would matter a lot to the fans for us to have that validation. It doesn’t matter to me. I’ve got the respect and success we’ve had and the opportunity to do exactly what we wanted for 35 years. Do we need them to make us feel better? No – not at all.”

The band had been eligible for the honor since 1998 as artists can only be considered for induction 25 years after their first record or EP.

Being a native Canadian himself – along with singer and bassist Geddy Lee – Lifeson said that the induction into the Rock Hall would not mean nearly as much as the multiple honors they have received from their home country, such as the prestigious Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Artistic Achievement – pretty much the highest honor that can be awarded to an artist by the Canadian

"The acknowledgement we got from the Canadian government, and by extension Canadians, is very dear to us," said Lifeson. "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is more a popularity contest."

Regardless of how the maybe soon to be hall of fame guitarist feels, you can catch the 28th Annual Rock and roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony when it takes place at LA LIVE’s Nokia Theatre on Thursday, April 18, 2013.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons