Saturday, February 12, 2011

GRAMMY WATCH: "RUSH: BEYOND THE LIGHTED STAGE"

There are 109 categories at The Grammy Awards, and number 109 is Best Longform Music Video. That's basically where concert videos and documentaries get their nominations.  I was really glad to see that directors Sam Dunn and Scot McFayden got a nomination in that category for the documentary Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage. I just watched it for the second time (I wrote about it in July when I first got the DVD).

Longtime No Expiration readers know that I'm an absolutely huge Rush fan. But before seeing this film, I really had no idea just how influential they are among other musicians. It's funny, I usually think that inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame should be voted in based mainly on influence on other musicians.  I wasn't sure they should be voted in based on my criteria, I actually thought they were a bit too left field for the hall.  But now I've changed my mind about it. Guys from Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Rage Against The Machine, Primus, Smashing Pumpkins, Metallica, Pantera, The Foo Fighters... even Death Cab For Cutie! I was surprised not to see anyone from Pearl Jam, Living Colour and Soundgarden, I know guys from those bands are also fans.

It's interesting to see that in the past few years, rock critics have come around at least a bit to Rush. I remember a few years ago, Rolling Stone did a big piece on Rush, and that in itself was a big deal. I read that it was one of the most-read articles ever on the magazine's website. It was cool that they did it, but: sort of too little too late. While rock critics were condescending, there was a culture of fans being built around this band, and this film is a celebration of that. I'd love to see it win the Grammy. Even if it doesn't, I'd like to thank Sam Dunn and Scot McFayden for honoring something that has been so close to my heart for more of my life, and I bet a lot of other fans feel the same way.

5 comments:

Eddo said...

Great article. It is amazing how much of an influence Rush has had on so many, but they are still treated as nerds or outcasts would be treated in high school. I am glad that they know how much they are appreciated. As a huge fan, it is comforting to tknow that as well. Critics and deciders be damned, We have been awarding Rush, and they have been rewarding us with the goods. Good enough for me.

B. Ives said...

Eddo thanks for reading and commenting. You put it better than I could - WE have been awarding Rush, and they have been rewarding us. So true.

Eddo said...

Well, thanks. I liked your article so much, I sent it out to all my colleagues in the biz & my friends, both Rush fans and non-Rush fans. Keep ‘em coming!

B. Ives said...

thanks Eddo, I'm always hoping to get more people interested in reading No Expiration. I don't know when my next Rush post will be, but I hope to see them in concert next month, so maybe it will be a concert review. It doesn't look like their album will be out before the end of the year (and early '12 is also a possibility from what I heard).

Eddo said...

Very cool. I’m looking forward to that review. Early ’12 sounds right for a release. Enjoy the show! I’ll be tuning in.