Nickelback to be inducted into B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame, gets star on Vancouver's Granville Street

Canadian rock band Nickelbackis being inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame, gettinga star on Granville Street's StarWalk inVancouverin recognition of their international success and contribution to the province's entertainment industry.

The induction ceremonywill take place on Wednesday afternoonwith all four members of the band in attendance. Their star is placed next to those of Michael J. Fox and Sarah McLachlan on the 800 block of Granville Street, between the Orpheum and Commodore theatres.

The post-grunge rock band who hail from Hanna, Alta., andmoved to B.C.in the mid-1990s gained international recognitionwith songs such as How You Remind Meand Photograph, which were recorded in B.C. Nickelbackhassold more than 50 million albumsworldwide and beeninducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Famelast spring.

Despite their commercialaccomplishments,Nickelback has a reputation for being one of mainstream music's most "hated" acts from gettingvocalridicule for their music to being the subject of humorous memes said Bill Allman, president of the BC. Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Their polarizing reputation does not deter their selection as inductees, however, Allman said.

"For some reason I don't entirely understand, Nickelback has become everybody's favourite band to hate," Allman told CBC News.

"I've had some people say, 'Go home, Nickelback. I wouldn't listen to them.' Well, thendon't. I'm sure there's 50 million people who are happy to."

'A great, classic Canadian rock band'

Thomas Jenkins, who describedhimself a Nickelback fan, told CBC News he seenthe band live twice.

He said he alsoplans to attend their upcoming concert at Rogers Arena.

"They're a great, classic Canadian rock band," said Jenkins, who passed by the star in downtown Vancouver on Tuesday.

Other passersby said they acknowledgethe band's fame despite not being regular listeners.

Bernadette Wylie saidshe does not understand Nickelback's divisive reputation.

"I don't know if it's just banter, being Canadian, but they're not too bad," she said.

"It's always nice to embrace anyone from Canada that's iconic, but I think it's good for them to be recognized for their contributions."

Nancy Harding saidshe enjoys Nickelback's music and likes how their music can get personal, citing their autobiographical song, Photograph.

"Have they listened to their music or do they just have an opinion before they listen?" she said of the negative comments.

'They built their career in B.C.'

Allman saidNickelback built their career in B.C., and a majority of their albums were recorded in the province, particularly the hits that propelled their success.

"They built their career in B.C. clubs and bars, and then went stratospheric with those first albums," said Allman.

Nickelback joinsmore than 300 inductees whom the BCEHOFhas recognized"for their significant contribution to the province's entertainment industry and cultural landscape."

"It's a no-brainer," said Allman.

"They've been on our radar for years. They're at the top of B.C. stars for sure."