In the lead up to Rush's upcoming show at the Prudential Center in Newark this Saturday, The Record spoke with Alex Lifeson via phone for an interview to discuss the Clockwork Angels album, the tour and Rush's recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination:

... "I'm really happy for the Rush fans who feel that it is really important, and I hope we're inducted for their sake," guitarist Alex Lifeson said by phone from a tour stop in Philadelphia. The band plays Saturday in Newark. "Personally it never really mattered to me, but at the same time it's nice to be nominated." Lifeson said induction into the Rock Hall in Cleveland would not compare to the band's having received one of the prestigious Governor General's Performing Arts Awards for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in March, the highest honor bestowed on artists by the Canadian government. "The acknowledgement we got from the Canadian government, and by extension Canadians, is very dear to us," Lifeson said. "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is more a popularity contest." ...

This is the first interview where a band member has commented on the nomination. You can read the entire article at this location. On a related note, Beverly RushGirl Wintjes recently appeared on PRI's The World in the run-up to this past weekend's RushCon in Toronto to discuss Rush's nomination from a fan's perspective. You can listen to the interview online at this location. For complete coverage on Rush's Rock Hall nomination check out this post.

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[Rush Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination news updates]
[It's official! Rush FINALLY nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!!]
[Rush finally nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!?]

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