![]() ![]() "(We) see hip hop take its rightful place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and some people out there are thinking: 'Well, there goes the musical neighbourhood,"' said the group's cerebral leader. ![]() Lee inducted them wearing the uniform of his pizza deliveryman character Mookie from his classic film "Do the Right Thing," which prominently featured Public Enemy's classic "Fight the Power," while Calypso legend Harry Belafonte called the group "one of the most influential artists in the world."Ĭhuck D - who gave bandmate Flavor Flav the "wrap it up" sign several times during a rambling if occasionally hilarious acceptance rant that included an off-colour remark about producer Hank Shocklee's mother - provided a thoughtful speech, one which included an unlikely shout-out to Rush (whose "Tom Sawyer" the group sampled in an ensuing performance) and also anticipated arguments against the inclusion of hip-hop acts in a Hall of Fame nominally devoted to rock. The evening's other high point came with the induction of aforementioned rap trailblazers Public Enemy, the politically provocative New York outfit whose incendiary tunes changed rap music forever. For not only supporting and encouraging our musical progress over the years, but for the insistence of their voices, which has most certainly led us to this evening. "We have to thank the most passionate, incredible fanbase around the globe," he said, after his band joined a select group of Canuck acts in the Hall that also includes Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and the Band. Ultimately, though, Lee did pay his respects right back to those relentless fans, while that same worshipful lot whooped in the aisles. In fact, guitarist Alex Lifeson didn't see fit to say any actual words at all - instead, he just trilled the word "blah" over and over again in different tones and inflections while his bandmates chortled. Look at you people, all of you people, right here! And their legacy is that of a band that stayed true to themselves no matter how uncool they may have seemed to anyone."ĭespite all the hoopla, Rush actually gave the most concise speech of any of the evening's honourees. "Their influence is undeniable and their devoted fanbase is only rivalled by the Grateful Dead. The crowd was so heavily tilted in Rush's favour, Public Enemy's Chuck D said backstage that he and director Spike Lee joked that it felt like the hip-hop outfit was playing a road game. Indeed, Rush fans were everywhere around the Nokia Theatre prior to the ceremony - fans in Rush-branded baseball jerseys, bandannas, leather jackets and tour T-shirts as tattered as a pair of Peart's drumsticks after a marathon gig. All the gala's honourees were introduced to an enthusiastic reception, but the audience reached a bona fide tizzy with only three simple words spoken off the top by the show's host: "And from Toronto." An eruption of applause followed, and when the cameras caught the trio smiling at their table, the applause grew louder still. So they were both a sentimental pick and the overwhelming audience favourite. Rush had long been considered the Cleveland-based rock shrine's most egregious snub, having been eligible for induction since 1998 but passed over year after year in favour of acts including Madonna, Donovan, the Hollies, Blondie and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. ![]()
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