I find it fascinating that a some Canadian bands fail to make it south of the border, even though they sound a LOT like some of the US counterparts.
What is it? I can understand Rush not making it, since their sound is somewhat... different.
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I find it fascinating that a some Canadian bands fail to make it south of the border, even though they sound a LOT like some of the US counterparts.
What is it? I can understand Rush not making it, since their sound is somewhat... different.
Rush didn't make it?
40+ years of albums and touring, 14 platinum (3 double-platinum) albums, admitted into the RRHoF, multiple Grammy nominations...
They didn't make it?
:)
That was a really, really, really poor choice of words on my part: I meant that they are not in the mainstream "thoughts" as such - difficult to explain. They have obviously sold a massive TON of albums.Quote:
Originally Posted by Khieran
Let me put it this way: Rush has, according to this chart, has sold 25 million albums in the US.
That puts them at a tied 83rd on the list, together with the following groups/people:
- Mötley Crüe
- Nirvana
- ZZ Top
- Creed
- Toby Keith
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
I'd call each of these bands more mainstream and known in the US than Rush. Yes, even Nirvana, who has transitioned from rebel grunge to "dad's semi-cool music".
If you do a vox populi, will more people be able to say "oh, I know those guys, they made that X song, that Y song..." about Rush than the other bands?
That's what I meant. I'm still not sure that I'm communicating it correctly.
My main point is: They SHOULD be a lot more famous than the above bands, considering what an influence they've had on numerous other bands (including a few from the list above).
I even remember that on the year that they got into the RRHoF, people on this very board went: "WTF!?! How come they haven't been inducted ages ago?!?".
Yeah, a lot of Sloan's stuff sounds very much like Weezer. And if you really want "OMG why didn't this work in the US", there's a local alternative rock band called 54-40 (reference to American desire to expand into Canada during the 1840's). In 1986, they released this song:Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawlin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r1J0JY0bOo
It didn't chart. In 1995, Hootie and the Blowfish covered the song and it went to #13 on the US charts (#3 on the Adult charts). I get why the Hip didn't make it in the US - their songs are a series of Canadian references. But that song? Come on now!
(And yeah, I know, covers can be better than the original, or the timing could be right for a song later. Bruce Cockburn, Canadian folk-rock singer/guitarist, released Lovers In A Dangerous Time in 1984. In 1991, the Barenaked Ladies covered it on a tribute album to Cockburn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_oOc3Zj0KU
It was their breakthrough hit. I like that version much better than the original. But the Hootie version of I Go Blind is, imo, worse than the 54-40 version.)
To be fair, pretty much all Hootie & The Blowfish stuff is worse, and I'll leave it at that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Delores Mulva
Very nice Gord Downie tribute from Polyphonic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlcuNupTI38
Robert Guillaume, TV's "Benson", from prostate cancer at 89:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...edium=referral
As much as I Benson and his character in it, he stole every scene he was in in Soap, he was ROTF funny.Quote:
Originally Posted by Delores Mulva
That's because he recognized from the start that the key to the character was subversiveness:Quote:
Originally Posted by Bonlainy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w_MZcKytDs
Sports Night was cut woefully short. /mourn
He was also Rafiki in the Lion King - and Eli Vance in Half Life 2. Sad to see him go :(
Everything he was in, he was awesome. A huge loss for the world :(
Fats Domino, aged 89. :(
Man oh man. I listened to a TON of 50's and 60's Rock'n Roll while growing up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQCPrwKzdo
Aww man... hope he found his thrill!
Just think of heaven as Blueberry Hill.Quote:
Originally Posted by Khieran
I hope he found his drill!Quote:
Originally Posted by Khieran
Attachment 5547
That's just damned tragic :(
Who will look after the Robin Masters estate now?
John Hillerman, Higgins on ‘Magnum, P.I.,’ dies at 84
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIIn8tMw3pA
You may also remember him as Howard Johnson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jviz0gZks0I
Hillerman was an amazing actor.