# Rush nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 4, 2012, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676 "2012-10-04T11:50:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/41 "2012-10-04T21:47:19Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > And in case any disco-hating rock fans doubt that Chic had real players, let’s remember that Led Zeppelin picked Tony Thompson to play drums with them, at a few special events. That’s because Tony was about the only guy who could hit as hard as Bonzo and still groove it 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/42 "2012-10-04T23:29:41Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > Rush, Kraftwerk and Public Enemy absolutely deserve to be in there. Which means they probably won’t make it. > > While I don’t like Kiss at all (I’m over 12 years old), they really should be in, as well. Of my own favorites, Husker Du and The Replacements ought to get nominated, though I don’t see a chance in hell of that happening. The Replacements were pretty much the epitome of rock-n-roll during their career.🙂 Still no nomination for Warren Zevon. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/43 "2012-10-05T01:11:24Z")
I never cared for Rush but they should be in it. The fact that they aren’t speaks volumes about Jann Wenner’s pettiness. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/44 "2012-10-05T01:36:49Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Unfortunately, the voters are mostly critics whose tastes are far removed from my own. Critics tend to HATE both heavy metal and prog rock, which means that there’s no way Deep Purple, Rush AND Procol Harum could be elected. My guess is, critics will hold their noses and elect ONE of those groups. Probably Deep Purple. I know why they hate prog (which means that I won’t be expecting to see either Yes or King Crimson as nominees anytime soon), but why TF would they also hate metal? Isn’t that hewing more closely to the “3 chords and the truth” manifesto that critics so often will proclaim their alleigance to? ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/45 "2012-10-05T06:32:19Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Alex’s last year was better, “They’ll continue their policy of ignoring us and we’ll continue our policy of not caring.” I’m kind of curious if the nomination is some sort of trap to make Rush look ridiculous, kinda like: Alex: Yay, we’re honored. RRHoF: Ooops, sorry, guys, you didn’t get in…guess you shouldn’t have dissed us last year! Guess you’re not up to our exacting standards yet. ---
**Author:** ![Hookit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/71e660/32.png) [@Hookit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hookit)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/46 "2012-10-05T11:26:20Z")
I’ve not got any issue with Hip Hop,but I just find the critical acclaim for Public Enemy to be utterly ridiculous.This whole acclaim is based upon silly anti-establishment posturing and nothing more.I don’t see why a group so reliant upon sampling other peoples work would be taken so seriously.A less talented version of The Clash(which isn’t saying much considering how grossly overrated they are).They are almost certain to get in,though. > [@astorian](#): > > And in case any disco-hating rock fans doubt that Chic had real players, let’s remember that Led Zeppelin picked Tony Thompson to play drums with them, at a few special events. Not sure why Tony Thompson would need validation from Led Zeppelin.Anybody who isn’t a complete and utter moron realizes that,in regards to actual musicianship,Chic were as good as any during the late 70’s.This was blatantly obvious even at that time. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/47 "2012-10-05T14:01:35Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > I’m kind of curious if the nomination is some sort of trap to make Rush look ridiculous… So, what - they go up on stage and the Mean Girls dump a bucket of pig’s blood on them as they accept their RRHoF award? Then, each of their bizarre psychic powers manifest - figuring out what Geddy’s, Alex’s and Neil’s powers are would be a silly-fun exercise - and they take out the remaining geezer rock royalty at the Waldorf? Carrie/2112 - the new movie! ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/48 "2012-10-05T14:13:50Z")
> [@Hookit](#): > > Not sure why Tony Thompson would need validation from Led Zeppelin.Anybody who isn’t a complete and utter moron realizes that,in regards to actual musicianship,Chic were as good as any during the late 70’s.This was blatantly obvious even at that time. Maybe it was obvious to you, but among rock fans of my generation, it was taken for granted that most disco groups weren’t real musicians. People who felt that way MIGHT reconsider if they knew how highly esteemed Thompson was in rock circles. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/49 "2012-10-05T14:15:18Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > So, what - they go up on stage and the Mean Girls dump a bucket of pig’s blood on them as they accept their RRHoF award? Then, each of their bizarre psychic powers manifest - figuring out what Geddy’s, Alex’s and Neil’s powers are would be a silly-fun exercise - and they take out the remaining geezer rock royalty at the Waldorf? > > Carrie/2112 - the new movie! Anticipating that, maybe Rush could come out on stage and announce “We’re going to perform\*\*\* Caress of Steel \*\*\*in its entirety.” ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/50 "2012-10-05T14:56:52Z")
> [@Hookit](#): > > I’ve not got any issue with Hip Hop,but I just find the critical acclaim for Public Enemy to be utterly ridiculous.This whole acclaim is based upon silly anti-establishment posturing and nothing more.I don’t see why a group so reliant upon sampling other peoples work would be taken so seriously.A less talented version of The Clash(which isn’t saying much considering how grossly overrated they are).They are almost certain to get in,though. That POV about Public Enemy and The Clash - that both are low-talent poseurs, basically - is something you are welcome to have, but you would have to agree that it is not the prevailing POV about either. I personally disagree - PE innovated on their approach to production, political lyrics, how they branded themselves - hugely influential. And Chuck D has a voice that is its own phenomenon. (too funny, as I think about it: a great comparison for **Chuck D in terms of “having a voice that is so good for what it is trying to do that it should be regarded as its own important contribution to the genre,” is Roy Orbison**.) And The Clash - they have an arc that is wonderful and innovative - straight-up punk to their White Album variety of London Calling. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/51 "2012-10-05T17:01:08Z")
> [@Hookit](#): > > I’ve not got any issue with Hip Hop,but I just find the critical acclaim for Public Enemy to be utterly ridiculous.This whole acclaim is based upon silly anti-establishment posturing and nothing more.I don’t see why a group so reliant upon sampling other peoples work would be taken so seriously. Sounds to me like you _do_ have an issue with hip hop, as 99% of it could be described as being reliant upon samples of other peoples [sic] work. Aside from that, it was hardly only the lyrics that made PE acclaimed (lots of critics, in fact, thought Chuck D was full of shit and loved them despite the fact) - the music and the way they used samples was totally different than any other hip hop of the time. Dense, discordant and chaotic wasn’t the template for earlier acts. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/52 "2012-10-05T19:23:50Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > And The Clash - they have an arc that is wonderful and innovative - straight-up punk to their White Album variety of London Calling. ^100% correct.^ 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a87d85/32.png) [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/53 "2012-10-05T22:04:08Z")
I got a laugh from Dennis Miller today as he discussed Rush getting nominated: > [@](#): > > I thought Hannity would get the nod, but I guess it was Limbaugh’s turn. ---
**Author:** ![Beastly\_Rotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/54 "2012-10-06T04:31:06Z")
> [@Hookit](#): > > I don’t see why a group so reliant upon sampling other peoples work would be taken so seriously. Listen to some DJ Shadow sometime, his work is constructed of _nothing but_ samples. [And it’s fucking brilliant.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32X-ieCav-M) ---
**Author:** ![Hookit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/71e660/32.png) [@Hookit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hookit)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/55 "2012-10-06T12:07:30Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > That POV about Public Enemy and The Clash - that both are low-talent poseurs, basically - is something you are welcome to have, but you would have to agree that it is not the prevailing POV about either. I know it isn’t,and I know why it isn’t.Both groups were critical darlings of their day,and you cannot overlook the anti-establishment front that put up, because it was the most significant aspect of their appeal.And while sampling may be creative within hip-hop,it can hardly be compared to actual musicians who actually try compose their own work,as opposed to blatantly ripping off the work of others.And the production was carried out by an entire team,with only one member of the group being involved. Innovation is such a grossly overrated and overused term in music,and it certainly doesn’t apply to The Clash.There was a group around during that time called Wire,who were far more creative and far better musically than The Clash.They were more talent than image,though,so I gather they didn’t receive too great exposure. > [@astorian](#): > > Maybe it was obvious to you, but among rock fans of my generation, it was taken for granted that most disco groups weren’t real musicians. > > People who felt that way MIGHT reconsider if they knew how highly esteemed Thompson was in rock circles. Then,like I said,they were morons.With the exception of Bootsy Collins and Chris Squire,I’d rate Bernard Edwards higher than any rock bass player of that era. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/56 "2012-10-06T12:38:46Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > And The Clash - they have an arc that is wonderful and innovative - straight-up punk to their White Album variety of London Calling. Heh. For years I thought of Strummer and Jones as the Lennon and McCartney of punk (respectively), but I still never made the White Album connection. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/57 "2012-10-06T12:46:03Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Why on earth would that fat, arrogant, loud mouth get nominated to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Oh wait… you mean the band… nevermind. I HOPED I’d be the one who posted something like this, but Nooooo. +1 ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/58 "2012-10-06T16:06:57Z")
> [@Hookit](#): > > I know it isn’t,and I know why it isn’t.Both groups were critical darlings of their day,and you cannot overlook the anti-establishment front that put up, because it was the most significant aspect of their appeal.And while sampling may be creative within hip-hop,it can hardly be compared to actual musicians who actually try compose their own work,as opposed to blatantly ripping off the work of others.And the production was carried out by an entire team,with only one member of the group being involved. Are you a musician? I am, and I think there’s a huge difference between MC Hammer sampling Rick James and the urgent, chaotic sound collages put out by the Bomb Squad. Whatever tools they are using, they are creating. > [@](#): > > Innovation is such a grossly overrated and overused term in music,and it certainly doesn’t apply to The Clash.There was a group around during that time called Wire,who were far more creative and far better musically than The Clash.They were more talent than image,though,so I gather they didn’t receive too great exposure. > > Then,like I said,they were morons.With the exception of Bootsy Collins and Chris Squire,I’d rate Bernard Edwards higher than any rock bass player of that era. Wire are wonderful, but The Clash stand up - very durable songs still getting played and having an influence. I don’t like The Doors, but I don’t begrudge them their influence and durability. Spittin’ into the wind, my friend. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/59 "2012-10-06T16:15:05Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > From Wiki: Over the course of their career, Rush has come to release 24 gold records and 14 platinum records (3 of which have gone multi-platinum), placing them within the top 3 for the most consecutive gold albums by a rock band. > > Releasing albums and touring, and _still selling out concert halls_, for 38 years. > > If they don’t belong, what exactly _is_ the criteria? This. I don’t understand why they just don’t induct everyone. What’s the point of ‘competition’? Either they affected the course of musical history or they didn’t. Full Stop. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676/60 "2012-10-06T16:30:55Z")
I think the problem with Rush is that their success has been spread relatively thin. At no time, even in their heyday of the early 80s, have they been close to being the biggest band around. And they’re not influential at all. They have followed trends rather than starting them. They started off as Led Zeppelin copyists, then shadowed the likes of Yes and Genesis, then morphed into a sort of heavy rock version of the Police, and in the 90s went all grungy, about two years after grunge happened. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/636676.md?page=4)