AKRON, Ohio — The city of Akron has declared April 1 “Devo Day” through a proclamation by Mayor Dan Horrigan.
The move kicks off a month-long celebration intended to spur enough “Fan Votes” to ensure the alternative rock band’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
What You Need To Know
- DEVO Day will be followed by a month-long celebration to spur “Fan Votes” to ensure the alternative rock band’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
- The Akron-based band was nominated along with 16 other acts for induction into the rock hall at a ceremony in Cleveland this fall
- The city will place 50 “Energy Dome” sculptures around town with QR codes enabling fans to vote
- A “Devotional” video will feature Mayor Dan Horrigan along with comedians Jack Black and Fred Armisen
The band was nominated along with 16 other acts for induction into the rock hall at a ceremony in Cleveland this fall.
Fans can vote daily for their favorite five inductees at rock hall website or at the rock museum in Cleveland. The fan ballot will be included with the other ballots to select the 2021 Inductees.
DEVO was formed in Akron in 1973 by Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh, Gerald and Bob Casales and Alan Myers.
“They produced a sound that was fresh to the world, a wild amalgam of sharp-edged punk rock guitar angst, Kraftwerk-inspired synthesized modernity, jagged motoric rhythms, and detached spoken word vocalizations,” the rock hall wrote in its nomination announcement.
Throughout April, Akronites will be prompted to vote through 50 Energy Dome Sculptures that will randomly appear around town bearing QR codes that can be used to vote. The energy dome is a red helmet often worn by the band during concerts and in airports.
Fans will be able to interact with life-sized cutouts of the band members in downtown Akron, and at a DEVO display in a storefront at the Bowery on Main Street.
The mayor will also be featured in a DEVOtional video along with comedians Jack Black and Fred Armisen, and other entertainers.
The Goodyear blimp will also factor into the celebration, while fan-based images will be featured on social media sites using the hashtag #DEVOTE.
“The city of Akron has an unbelievable sense of pride, especially when it involves the success of our people,” Horrigan said in a release. “We are, and will continue to be, immensely proud to be the home of Devo and will be rallying this great community to help them achieve the recognition they deserve.”
To receive a rock hall nomination, a band or artist must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years before the nomination year. DEVO’s first studio album “Q: Are We Not Man? A: We Are DEVO!, produced by Brian Eno, was released in 1978, the same year the band appeared on Saturday Night Live. More information about DEVO is available on the band’s website.
