Rush are leading the public poll for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, after finally being nominated in the class of 2013. The band has 24.3% of all votes, with Deep Purple in second place with 17.1% and Heart in third with 12.5%.

However, no matter how many people make their opinions known, the public count will only be one voice among the 600 strong panel who’ll decide which artists make the grade.

In 2010 Rush drummer Neil Peart said, “You know who it matters to? The fans. It would matter a lot to the fans for us to have that validation. It doesn’t matter to me. I’ve got the respect and success we’ve had and the opportunity to do exactly what we wanted for 35 years. Do we need them to make us feel better? No – not at all.”

Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan recently revealed how his attitude had changed by saying, “Without being asked I was nominated for an MBE a little while ago. I saw people getting excited about it around me. It’s for the people who have supported us through the years, particularly through the bad times. So I look at it in a different way now.”

The public poll is open until December 3rd. Other artists nominated are Donna Summer, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Heart, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Albert King, Kraftwerk, the Marvelettes, Chic, Public Enemy, the Meters, Randy Newman, NWA and Procol Harum.