TORONTO — Veteran Canadian rock band Rush will be honoured at this year’s Juno Awards with the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award, it was announced Thursday.
“We are proud, honoured and humbled to be in the company of all Canadians who find it within their hearts to help those in need,” read a statement from the Toronto-based band, which consists of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart.
The annual award recognizes Canadian artists who have “positively enhanced the social fabric” of the country, according to the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS).
“We are proud to be recognizing Rush’s noble legacy with this award,” said Allan Reid, president & CEO of CARAS and The JUNO Awards.
“The group’s dedication to countless charities and organizations over the course of their career is truly remarkable. Their tenacity and spirit serves as an inspiration to all of us, and we salute them for all of their exceptional work.”
Rush has sold more than 40 million records worldwide since forming in 1968 and has earned nine Juno Awards. The band was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
The members of Rush have supported many good causes during their career, including the Toronto Food Bank, United Way, Doctors Without Borders, Canadian Red Cross and amFAR. The band donated $100,000 to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg and $100,000 to Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation.
Rush has also supported Little Kids Rock, a national non-profit organization that works to restore music education programs in U.S. schools.
The award will be presented to Rush on March 14 in Hamilton, Ont.
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