Letter to the Los Angles Times writers Randall Roberts and Randy Lewis

Friends ... I'm sure you've received plenty of criticism over your thoughts about Rush and the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame, but I wanted share with you my two cents. For me, the crux of the issue comes down to the question over what qualifies a band for inclusion into the Hall of Fame. I think that's where we all get lost. The suggestions you made in your video make sense -- you guys aren't the first to criticize Geddy Lee's voice. And Canada's favourite rock trio has been knocked for being pretentious and for writing complicated melodies and lyrics that many view as inaccessible. However, one thing I've never heard is somebody complaining that Rush music is difficult to dance to -- that's like criticizing Picasso because he's a terrible piano player. I don't care if Rush gets inducted into the Hall of Fame, but it seems to me Rush might qualify for reasons that you didn't talk about. Rush has influenced rock music and musicians in ways that are unique and far reaching. Rush fans adore them for some of the reasons you complained about in your video. The band has always created music that was challenging and intricate -- and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart has similarly challenged listeners with cerebral themes and lyrics not usually found in rock music. These are among the reasons Rush fans adore them. Because of all of this -- or despite it -- musicians from many genres cite Rush as an important influence. For decades, when fans or critics make their lists of musicians known for their talent, popularity and innovation, all three Rush members make the cut. I'm a Rush nut, and even I was stunned at the number of rock stars who worship Peart's drumming, Lee's skill as a bass player and the guitar work of Alex Lifeson. The recent documentary "Beyond The Lighted Stage" didn't just celebrate Rush's popularity, but it also helped put the reasons for the success of Rush into perspective. Perhaps this year offers the best proof that Rush is more important than you appreciate. Even though Rush has sold-out their concerts for decades, its current tour is no exception. Fans are flocking in the thousands to Rush shows across North America. And this is no nostalgia-based, greatest-hits tour many of Rush's contemporaries have undertaken in recent years. Rush's latest record, this summer's Clockwork Angels, is just as relevant as any Rush album released in the previous decade, or material released in the 1990s, the 1980s or the 1970s. For a band whose debut album was released in 1974, Rush is recording and touring in 2012 with remarkable success. This isn't just rare -- it's unheard of. Many Rush fans are silver-haired fans who remember when songs like Closer to the Heart or Spirit of the Radio were on the charts, but the appreciation for Rush continues to deepen. Young fans are still attracted to the unique sound of Rush and discover nuggets from its catalog that includes 19 studio albums over four decades. Last week at a Rush concert in Saskatoon, I sat beside two teenaged Rush shirt-wearing brothers, one of whom bragged about being able to play the 1975 Rush song Fly By Night “almost all the way though" on the guitar. If inclusion into the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame were based on issues surrounding popularity, influence, musicianship, relevance and longevity, then they ought to have been inducted years ago. If Rush is ignored for reasons you talk about and the Hall of Fame doesn't the like the complicated music and Geddy Lee's voice, then that's okay by me. Cheers, Andrew Matte Regina, Sask. CANADA