Entertainment

Photo: Contributed - www.myspace.com/officialrush

Many rock ‘n roll fans across the country are celebrating the news that the Canadian rock trio, Rush, have been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Joining Rush as first-time nominees are fellow  rock groups Procol Harum and Deep Purple, Public Enemy, and N.W.A.  Yes, rap music has made its way onto the ballot for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and why not, with so many other genres also represented by the 15 artists vying for their place in the “sacred hall”.  Funk, disco, mowtown and blues are all well represented on this year’s ballot.

With so many fans world-wide there is no doubt in many Canadian minds that Rush deserves this long awaited honour and no one I know was more excited about the news than Kelowna’s own afternoon drive announcer from K963 Kelowna’s Classic Rock, Darlene Check. 

“To me, Rush is the best band in the world. Three guys that sound like thirty.  Their music soaks into your bones and takes you from tender to bad ass all in one riff,” Check said in an email interview, where she also admitted some mixed feelings about the nomination. 

“The nomination is bitter sweet. They should have been inducted the first year they were eligible which was ‘98.  Not sure which committee member pulled their head out of the glue bag, but it’s time to honour the three wise men.  On the other hand, it was kind of cool not having Rush grouped in with others.  To a real Rush fan, they will always be an awesome underground Prog Rock band.  It just so happens this little trio is celebrated by millions of fans around the world!”

With 15 artists all vying for their place in the “great hall” Rush will have their work cut out for them when the final inductees are chosen on April 18^th in Los Angeles but there will be many Canadian rockers pulling for them the whole way.

Full list of 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees:

• 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