Rush will enter Hall Of Fame

Fame at last: Rush

Rush will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame next year, it’s been confirmed.

The Canadian giants are to receive the honour alongside Heart, Public Enemy, Randy Newman, Donna Summer and Albert King.

But Deep Purple and Procol Harum, who were also shortlisted for the class of 2013, won’t be added.

The list of those who’d made the cut was announced by bassist Flea of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, who entered the Hall earlier this year.

Rush frontman Geddy Lee tells Rolling Stone: “I was surprised we got in first time out there. It us so long to even get on the ballot, and there were other groups like Deep Purple and Procol Harum, who I respect greatly and I assumed would be voted in as well.

“It’s something that I had absolutely nothing to do with and had no control over, so I never thought much about it. But I appreciated how much it meant to our fan base. It really did mean a lot to them. It was a cause they championed and I appreciate their feelings – but beyond that, I really did not concern myself with it.

“I’m not saying I’m not proud to be inducted, because that would be wrong. I think it’s a terrific honour and we’ll show up smiling.”

Lee hasn’t confirmed whether his band will perform at the induction, although he says: “I assume we will – I think it’s a tradition.”

Of Deep Purple being left out he says: “I am disappointed. Heart and Rush wold not sound the way we sound without Purple.”

Rush comfortably won the public ballot, a new addition to the Hall Of Fame’s procedure – although it only added up to one of over 600 votes by a panel of music industry representatives.

Ann Wilson of Heart says of their induction: “Some people have an idea of what the shape of rock’n'roll is supposed to look like – we’re not really it. That’s why I think it’s taken quite a while. We’re always traveling and out there doing it. It can start to feel like you’re a tree falling in the forest, but nobody notices. So this kind of acknowledgement is really sweet.”

The induction ceremony takes place on April 18 at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.