RUSH Guitarist: 'It's Nice To Be Nominated' For ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME Induction

RUSH is among 15 finalists for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's Class Of 2013. The Canadian rock trio has been eligible for the honor since 1999, 25 years after the release of the band's self-titled debut album.

"I'm really happy for the RUSH fans who feel that it is really important, and I hope we're inducted for their sake," RUSH guitarist Alex Lifeson tells NorthJersey.com. "Personally it never really mattered to me, but at the same time it's nice to be nominated."

According to Lifeson, the Rock Hall induction would pale in comparison 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."

For the first time, the public gets to vote alongside the artists, historians and music industry insiders of the Rock Hall voting body. From now until December 5, fans can vote on RollingStone.com for the nominees they'd like to see inducted. The top five acts will comprise a "fan's ballot" that will count as one of the more than 600 ballots that determine the Class Of 2013. The results will be announced in mid-December.

The April 18, 2013 event is set for Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, marking the first time the ceremony will be held in the city since 1993. HBO will tape the show for broadcast at a later date.

In an official statement, RUSH said: "We are honored to be among the nominees for this year's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. We are especially thrilled for the many, many dedicated fans to whom this nomination is so very important."

Artists are considered for inclusion in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first recording.

In a June 2012 interview with RollingStone.com, RUSHLifeson was asked if he and his bandmates would show up at the ceremony if they were eventually chosen to be inducted into the Rock Hall, Lifeson said, "I think we'd consider it at the time and just see where we're at. I mean, you don't want to be rude, and we're Canadians, and we find it very difficult to be rude as much as we'd really like to. [laughs] So we'd probably have to look at that one, if it ever came. I know there must be pressure from their end. We keep going on and getting more popular…"

He continued, "Look, there are a lot of other bands that should be in there before we should be in there... If the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame doesn't want us in there, that's fine. I don't care. It really, really doesn't matter at the end of the day. It's probably better left the way it is. There's more controversy for them and for us."