Rush Wins Canada’s Governor General’s Award
Rush may be overlooked in the U.S. by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but their home country isn’t making the same mistake.
The long-time power trio has won a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, the most prestigious award in Canada, awarded for outstanding work within the arts for 20 years or more.
Each award winner receives $25,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, as well as a commemorative medallion, minted by Canada’s Royal Canadian Mint.
This isn’t the first time Rush has received honors in Canada. The band, consisting of Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart and Geddy Lee, was inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2000, they were inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Many fans (including us) have lobbied for the band’s inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The irony, of course, is that the band got its big break in the US, thanks to the city of Cleveland. Cleveland is home to the Hall of Fame.
Rush has sold over 40 million records – including 24 gold records, 14 platinum and three multi-platinum – and they’ll add to those numbers before they’re done.
The band’s upcoming album, Clockwork Angels, is said to have a release date of May 29, 2012. Clockwork Angels will be Rush’s nineteenth studio album.
Well at least they are Appreciated in their own Country. Congrats Guys.
I think it might be better for Rush to never get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They truly have done everything on their own and own terms. They should turn it down “IF” they ever get asked!
Ooooooooo I like that.
Being the cool guys they are, they will probably donate the money to charity….
Awesome! They represent what great rock is all about! Gratz!
Correction …they were inducted in the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010 , not in 2000.