In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile band breakups in the hard rock community due to dissention within the ranks. So, when word got out that Geddy Lee wanted to “kill” Alex Lifeson during Rush’s long overdue Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, you had to wonder if yet another legendary band was about to fall by the wayside. Of course, Lee’s tongue was planted firmly in cheek when expressing his desire to “kill” his longtime friend and bandmate of 44 years, although he and Neil Peart were likely shocked by Lifeson’s unique acceptance speech (see video below).
If the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was a serious institution, Lifeson’s speech, while funny, would likely have been seen as insulting to more than just Jann Wenner (co-founder of Rolling Stone Magazine and the HOF). But since it is largely considered a joke to those in the hard rock community, Lifeson’s speech was nothing short of perfect, and the only one that anyone even talks about. While it angered the powers that be, it certainly delighted Rush fans, especially the ones who were also fans of Andy Kaufman’s iconic “Taxi” character, Latka Gravas.
Click here to see the full list of Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame inductees. It is a veritable who’s who of not rock and roll.
While Geddy Lee may publicly state that he wanted to “kill” Alex Lifeson for his antics, in private, you have to imagine that both he and Neil Peart thought that the speech was funny and appropriate given the ridiculous wait that the band had to endure to be inducted into the misnamed – “Rock and Roll” Hall of Fame.
Leave a Reply