Trey Anastasio Talks To GQ About Phish’s Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Nomination

After several years of eligibility, Phish earned their first Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame nomination earlier this week. GQ’s Grayson Haver Currin spoke to Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio shortly after learning about the band’s Rock Hall nomination and revealed who he wants to give the induction speech if they are voted in.

Anastasio learned of the Rock Hall nomination from his manager Patrick Jordon.

“It’s an honor and a thrill, a recognition of our whole scene, of our community,” Anastasio said. “That was the first thing we all talked about — that it’s a celebration of this community.”

The 60-year-old guitarist talked about Phish’s +41-year career and the success built largely outside of the mainstream music industry, revealing the band “didn’t make it easy” for institutions like the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and Grammys to understand Phish’s outside-the-box approach. Trey was asked about who he thinks should give the induction speech should Phish get the nod to go into the Rock Hall later this year.

“Wow. I would be honored if Ezra [Koenig, of Vampire Weekend] wanted to do it,” Anastasio said. “He is so articulate and smart and from New York and a lovely guy, and I think he gets it. It would be nice if someone could do it who wasn’t a star that was just assigned, someone who doesn’t understand Phish. With an enormous amount of respect for Anthony Kiedis, I don’t think he really liked the Talking Heads that much, not as much as I do. He inducted them, I guess, because someone asked him to. There was so much to say about them.”

Anastasio, who is currently rehearsing for an upcoming solo acoustic tour, also discussed the others joining Phish in this year’s class Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Nominees. The Black Crowes, Outkast, Joe Cocker, Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Billy Idol and Maná are also among the first-time nominees.

Rounding out the 14 nominees for induction this year include previous nominees The White Stripes, Soundgarden, Oasis, Joy Division/New-Order, Cyndi Lauper and Mariah Carey.

While he will not officially be submitting a ballot for the fan vote, Trey pondered which seven would get his vote if he participated.

“Chubby Checker, No. 1. 1958? He invented rock ’n’ roll. He’s who this building was built for,” Anastasio said. “Joy Division. Joe Cocker. That’s three. Soundgarden, probably. I’m just picking my favorites, not assigning meaning. The White Stripes. Am I supposed to vote for myself? … If I got one more, I’d pick Maná and Phish. How’d I do?”

When Grayson Haver Currin expressed disappointment about leaving off Outkast, Anastasio changed his picks.

“Oh, no! Outkast was supposed to be the first one,” Anastasio replied. “Fuckin’ A. No, that’s No. 1. Take somebody off. Take Maná off. Sorry. Outkast, Chubby Checker, Joy Division. Outkast is No. 1.”

The insightful interview also touched on Anastasio’s positive response to Kendrick Lamar’s recent Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance, which Trey called “the deepest thing I’ve ever seen at a Super Bowl.”

Anastasio provided additional praise for fellow guitarist MJ Lenderman. Anastasio spoke highly of Lenderman’s 2024 album, Manning Fireworks, and the young musician, stating:

“Tell him I love him, if you’re texting him. That won’t mean anything. That’s why I love him, because he probably hates my band. That and the song he did with Waxahatchee? [Katie Crutchfield, Waxahatchee’s founder] talks about that a lot, in a healthy way — when Tigers Blood came out, she’s like, ‘I’m not in my 20s anymore. I can’t be. I have to find a new mojo.’ And she did. But tell MJ: Thank you for ruining my living room. It’s all I listen to. My poor wife, Sue, is like ‘Are you putting Manning Fireworks on again?’ Yes, because it’s so good. I had that snide thing for a minute: ‘Wilson, can you still have fun?’”

Head to GQ to read the full interview with Trey Anastasio.