DEVO fans unite! Today is your day: Akron, Ohio, birthplace of the band, has declared April 1 as Devo Day to help promote the futurist group forward in their well-deserved bid to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. If you want to show your love for Devo, you can have your say online too, via a public vote through April 30.
Devo are on the ballot alongside The Go-Go’s, Todd Rundgren, New York Dolls, Iron Maiden, Tina Turner, Foo Fighters, Rage Against the Machine and others.
In honour of Devo Day, Akron created an interactive storefront window and recruited Jack Black, Fred Armisen, Tony Hawk, and the Goodyear Blimp to play a role in the promo. 50 energy dome sculptures, modeled after the group’s iconic red headwear, are set to appear at random spots around town too.
“The City of Akron has an unbelievable sense of pride, especially when it involves the success of our people,” according to Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan. “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.”
Devo has been relatively quiet over the years with lead singer Mark Mothersbaugh focusing on film and TV score gigs. Hopefully they will get back on the road yet, despite the passing of bandmate Bob Casale due to heart failure.
“It’s like putting on your high school cheerleading outfit and going out and doing the songs again,” Mothersbaugh told Rolling Stone last year, before the news broke of their Hall of Fame nomination.
