The Case for Rush for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In this latest and final installment of artists that shouldbe in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but are not, we examine the case for Rush.   

Of all the bands that I've reviewed before, there have been reasons why the Hall may choose to keep them out.  Some might argue the validity of those reasons, but they exist.  For Rush, however, no such reasons exist.  None.  We're only left with compelling reason after compelling reason why they should be enshrined.   

For example:

Musical Body of Work - Albums 2112, Permanent Waves, and Moving Pictures are rock and roll must-haves.  Other albums that are incredibly strong include Fly by Night, Power Windows, and Test for Echo.  Singles like Tom Sawyer, Limelight, Freewill, Subdivisions, and The Spirit of the Radio entail just a subset of their library that received substantive airplay.  The list goes on and on. 

Success - Rush has earned 24 gold records - 24!  14 are platinum.  Of all rock and roll bands, Rush ranks third in number of consecutive gold or platinum albums.  The two bands they trail?  Just a couple of bands named the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.  That's all...

Musicianship - All three members of Rush are considered by most musicians and music aficionados to be masters at their craft.  Neil Peart is arguably the best rock and roll drummer currently alive.  Alex Lifeson is a creative, gifted, and virtuoso guitarist.  And Geddy Lee is a masterful bass player, often playing bass with his hands, synthesizers with his feet, and singing during concerts.  In order to make the sound this trio does, they need to be impeccable musicians, and Rush clearly fits that description.  All three are incredible. 

Breadth of Work - Rush is not just one style - there are multiple forays into different musical directions.  They've never stood still, and have created new and unique music across their entire 43 year career.  

Longevity - Did I mention 43 years?  Incredible.  I could go on and on, however, it's not necessary. 

 Anyone with a modicum of musical aptitude knows to their very core that Rush deserves to be in the Hall, and should have been there on their first year of eligibility in  1998.  The fact that they're not in the Hall shows just what a flawed process the whole RRHOF is, and that they lack significant credibility.  While one may not like their music, one cannot discount anything that I've presented.  And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a Hall of Fame career no matter how you slice it. 

So to spite the Hall and leave this subject on a high note, I leave you with a live version of Tom Sawyer from the Snakes and Arrows tour (with a little help from Cartman and the South Park gang...):