“We
were writing songs to play them live night after night, so we were aware
of making them challenging and exciting in personal terms. Over 20
years, that stands us in good stead.” Neil Peart
leg·end (l
j nd) n.
One that inspires legends
or achieves legendary fame
A story about mythical
or supernatural beings or events
star (stär)
n.
An artistic performer
or athlete whose leading role or superior performance is acknowledged
One who is highly celebrated
in a field or profession
Some might say that the band RUSH is the embodiment of the words
“Legend” and “Star.” With a long career that has lasted three decades,
this band is in a very select group of musicians who have been there, done
that and lived to tell about it. This power trio started out in a
small Canadian town in 1969. They began their following by playing
covers of Led Zeppelin and Cream in clubs around Sarnia, Ontario.
Not exactly the big city, but most legends come from humble beginnings.
The band originally included John Rutsey on drums, who was replaced by
Neil Peart before the recording of “Fly By Night” in 1975. Since
that time, the band has journeyed through the changing music scene virtually
intact, allowing for solo projects. Neil Peart brought new potential
to the band by adding his lyrical and vocal talents to the mix. The
band moved to Toronto and began playing hard rock/heavy metal fusions that
evoked sci-fi/futuristic images. Their first privately produced LP
was rejected by major labels but received extensive air play in Seattle.
This led to bookings in the Pacific Northwest and a record contract with
Mercury Records.
Rush were part of the founding movement of “Progressive Rock.”
Their performances showcased their musical prowess and state-of-the-art
stage presence. Their performance style, and their success, has centered
on lead singer Geddy Lee. With the personality and charisma of a
true rock star, his high, clear vocals always did (and still do) register
on the Richter scale. In addition, Neil Peart’s epic compositions
and Alex Lifeson’s meticulous guitar work come together to create the trio’s
successful sound.
Rush’s recording career can be readily divided into four phases.
The early years were purely and simply heavy metal. Then followed
the experimental years, when the trio pushed the boundaries of progressive
rock and established their reputations as virtuoso musicians. The
third phase was a reaction to the second. The group pulled back from
their all-encompassing love affair with technology and studio wizardry
and reclaimed their reputation as innovative songwriters. The fourth
phase, captured on “Different Stages,” proves Rush has found the place
between rock’n’roll simplicity and hi-tech complexity while retaining the
most attractive elements of both.
If you are lucky enough to experience one of their concerts these days,
you will not regret the price of admission. While experiencing the
most recent tour in support of “Vapor Trails,” the audience was met with
an opening number that can only be compared to a rocket launch. Geddy’s
bass solos and Alex’s guitar work are still the stuff of legend.
Their stage presence lets you know that after 30 odd years, they are very
comfortable in their own skin and with their talents. You will find
the audience playing air guitar or drums and feeling the lyrics of each
song as they get progressively more intense. The nearly three-hour
performance (with an intermission and no opening band) was punctuated with
loud shrieks from the revelers at this nostalgic “BIG ROCK SHOW.”
Not only was the music drawing the crowd in, but also the visual stimulation
of the performance was draped with alternating stark black & white
images and psychedelic colors. This classic rock trio is still going
strong and keeping pace with the pack.
   
 
Rush Is:
-
Geddy
Lee - Lead vocals, bass, keyboard
-
Alex Lifeson
- Guitar
-
Neil Peart
- Drums
Awards:
Juno Awards:
(1974) Most promising group of the year
(1977) Group of the year
(1978) Group of the year
(1991) Best Heavy Metal Album
(1991) Best album cover - "Presto"
(1992) Best Hard Rock Album
(1992) Best album cover - "Roll the Bones"
(1993) Hall of Fame
Grammys:
(1982) Runner-up in Best Rock Instrumental
"YYZ" - beat by The Police's "Behind my
Camel"
(1992) Runner-up in Best Rock Instrumental
"Where's my thing" - beat by Eric
Johnson's "Cliffs of Dover"
Other Awards:
"Lifetime Achievement" award from Musician's
Institute in Hollywood, CA on January 23, 1992.
"The Seventh Annual Musicians of the Millennium
Award" from the Harvard Lampoon.
“Canadian Music Hall of Fame” induction
in 2002
Career
Album Discography:
Rush
1974
Fly
By Night 1975
Caress
Of Steel 1975
2112
1976
All
The World's A Stage 1976
A
Farewell To Kings 1977
Archives
1977
Hemispheres
1978
Permanent
Waves 1980
Moving
Pictures 1981
Exit...
Stage Left 1981
Signals
1982
Grace
Under Pressure 1984
Power
Windows 1985
Hold
Your Fire 1987
A
Show Of Hands 1989
Presto
1989
Chronicles
1990
Roll
The Bones 1991
Counterparts
1993
Test
For Echo 1996
Retrospective
Vol. 1 1997
Retrospective
Vol. 2 1997
Different
Stages 1998
Vapor
Trails 2002
Visit
the Official Rush Website
Purchase
Rush Music.
Photos by Debbie Seagle Copyright
2002 Groove
Quest Productions - All Rights Reserved - Debbie Seagle is the Special
Features Editor for the iconoFAN Network.
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