Snakes & Arrows Live CD and Video

Snakes & Arrows Live was released as a 2CD set on April 15th. Recorded over two nights in Rotterdam during the 2007 leg of the tour, the album captures the entire concert set.

"With this one, we recorded both nights and there are songs on there from both nights -- so it gives you a bit more comfort. You're a bit more relaxed about it knowing if you screw it up at night one, you can nail it on night two. All in all I think we played very well those two nights." - Geddy Lee, Jam!Showbiz, April 14, 2008

The video was released November 24th, and debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Music Video chart, selling 25,000 units the first week.  Snakes & Arrows Live is RUSH's first concert film to be released on Blu-Ray, as well as a 3 DVD set.  Click here for the Snakes & Arrows Live news archive.

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - December 2008 "December In Death Valley"

Neil Peart has updated his website with the latest installment of "News Weather & Sports". Titled "December In Death Valley", Neil shares with us his motorcycle trip he took through the California desert on December 4th. In one point of his narrative, Neil discusses the ghost town of Amboy, which is pictured on the Snakes & Arrows desert road image.

'Leaving the park at Twentynine Palms, I continued north on the road to the ghost town of Amboy, and Roy’s Motel, which appeared in Ghost Rider. In fact, unknown to most people, Amboy also appears on the booklet cover of the Snakes and Arrows CD, and lately, on the new concert DVD, plus at the beginning of the "What’s That Smell?" film that played before "Far Cry" during our concerts this past summer. I watched it every night from my "waiting-chair" behind Geddy’s ampline (er, rotisseries), before the second set, and it always gave me a smile. Back in 2006, when Hugh Syme and I were trading ideas for that Snakes and Arrows cover, we discussed a surreal desert highway scene. As a reference, I sent him one of my Ghost Rider photographs, taken on a stretch of old Route 66, looking west toward the cluster of crumbling buildings at Amboy, with the unmistakable Amboy Crater in the distance. Hugh ended up "building" the scene on that original photo, which had been taken in 1998 (as a slide, in those days). Like the Monument Valley ten-years-apart photo that appeared in a story earlier this year, "South by Southwest," I decided to pause for a ten-year anniversary shot of Route 66 and Amboy.'

Another interesting point are his comments regarding an abandoned song titled "Telescope Peak" written in the time of Vapor Trails.

'In the glimmer along the peaks, I saw a dusting of white around the highest summit, Telescope Peak, where I hoped to hike the following day. Telescope Peak was an important place in Ghost Rider—and in my life, really. In October 1999, when I had been rambling aimlessly around the West for the better part of a year, trying to find some way to face the world again, I hiked to that 11,049-foot summit. The next day, I rode on to Los Angeles, where I met Carrie, and my whole life changed completely (and needless to say, positively). An irresistible metaphor seemed to arise there—that I had climbed to the highest point in Death Valley from the lowest, then descended to travel onward and find Life again. In the book Ghost Rider I had used Telescope Peak as an important symbol, and had written some lyrics called "Telescope Peak," too, around the refrain of "the last lonely day." Those lyrics hadn’t found a musical home with my collaborators, Alex and Geddy, during the songwriting sessions for our Vapor Trails album in 2001, but fair enough—those guys shared enough of my grief, in life and in art. In any case, the best lines from "Telescope Peak" were recycled into other songs, like "Ghost Rider" and "How It Is," so nothing was lost...Early next morning I rode about sixty miles across the valley and up Emigrant Canyon Road, aiming for a hike in the Panamint Mountains. I was still thinking of going for the "big one," Telescope Peak, as I wanted to close that circle of more than nine years ago—revisit the place that had also inspired another line in "Telescope Peak" that ended up in "Ghost Rider:" "From the lowest low to the highest high."'

For the complete entry visit NeilPeart.net.

"Hope: Live For The Art Of Peace" - Nominated for a Grammy

A live version of "Hope", subtitled "Live For The Art Of Peace", was included on the Songs For Tibet - The Art Of Peace benefit album released August 12, 2008.  This version was nominated for the Best Rock Instrumental Performance Grammy in 2009 (their sixth nomination). The winner was "Peaches In Regalia" by Dweezil Zappa, from Zappa Plays Zappa.

"'This album will focus people's attention on the importance of Tibet, the gifts of its culture, and the crisis the Tibetan people are facing today,' said one of the album's organizers, Michael Wohl. The album is due for global release on iTunes on August 5, three days before the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. It will then be available through other outlets the following week, the statement said. Wohl, from the Art of Peace Foundation, said the timing of the release was deliberate. 'We wanted to express our support for the Tibetan people and their message of peace through music, a fundamental means of expression, at a time when the eyes of the world are on China.'" - AFP News, July 22, 2008

Orchestra Jazz Rush - Available Light on "Wave Mechanics Union"

"Available Light", performed by progressive jazz group Wave Mechanics Union, is one of eleven classic tracks available on Second Season.  Released October 1, the album offers a full-scale jazz band supporting vocalist Lydia McAdams.  The group has recorded striking new arrangements of songs from progressive rock giants Yes, Rush, Pink Floyd, Queen, King Crimson, The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Police, and more. The brainchild of composers Ryan Fraley and Ralph Johnson, along with vocalist McAdams, the project seeks to honor the sometimes complicated sounds of progressive rock with jazz treatments.  Visit progjazz.com for more information.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2

The complete Moving Pictures master tracks are now available for download for the video game Rock Band as of Sept. 23rd. The full album is $10.99 (880 Microsoft Points) or $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) per track individually. These are the first "original versions" of "Tom Sawyer" and "Limelight"; previous Rock Band versions were covers.

The Rock Band website has posted a video interview where Geddy and Alex discuss the making of Moving Pictures. This is the second part of the previously posted video interview where they discuss finding the lost "Working Man 'alternate solo'" and the making of their debut album.

In addition to the Moving Pictures tracks, on July 8th, the master track of "Closer To The Heart" and the "Working Man (Vault Edition)", were made available for download; on July 22 the "Working Man (Vault Edition)" was made available for download on iTunes:

"The version features a never before heard guitar solo that Alex Lifeson did during the original recordings back in the 70’s. The song was re-mixed by Rich Chycki who is known for his work on R30 and Snakes & Arrows. A great addition to the Rush song library!" - Rush.com, July 21, 2008

Rock Band 2, the followup to last years smash hit, was released Sept. 15th. Included in the track list is "The Trees" by Rush, another "vault edition" (this one reported by to be the audio track from the live promo video recorded in 1978).

"Featuring a track list with more than 100 on-disc and downloadable tracks from some of the most hallowed bands of the rock pantheon, Rock Band 2 challenges rockers to master lead guitar, bass guitar, drums and vocals...Compatible with ALL past and future downloadable content - even tracks you downloaded for Rock Band back in 2007 - so you can play a never-ending, face-melting set."

Alex Lifeson's New Year's Eve At The Ritz

The final remaining lawsuit between Alex Lifeson's son, Justin, and the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, has been settled. The claim which had been reinstated by an appeals court back in May seeking damages from the Ritz-Cartlon and its manager, has now been dismissed as the two parties have settled confidentially out of court. The same article also gives the terms of the settlement between Alex Lifeson and Deputy Standford back in March of this year:

"In a separate lawsuit filed in Collier Circuit Court, Stanford sued Alex Zivojinovich in July 2005, citing permanent and progressive injuries that included neurological and dental damage that required implants. She and her attorney, Paul Finizio of Fort Lauderdale, went through mediation with Zivojinovich and attorney Paul Weekley, but reached a 'total impasse' in February. In March, court records show, they settled and Zivojinovich paid her $75,000 for her injuries. Stanford’s signed 'release of claims' says the settlement is the 'compromise of a doubtful and disputed claim and that the payment is not to be construed as an admission of liability on the part of Zivojinovich.' Although it wasn’t sealed in the court file, the three-page release says the terms are confidential and not to be disclosed to the public or media without consent of the parties involved. Finizio declined comment, citing the confidentiality clause."

For a running history of the case, click here.

Neil Peart, Parts Manager

The story is well known by Rush fans: before joining Rush, a young Neil Peart sought fame and fortune in the music scene of London, before becoming disillusioned and returning home to work as parts manager for his father's Tractor Parts dealership. This was less than a year before he answered an ad for a local band looking for a drummer in the summer of '74.

Ed at Rushisaband has unearthed a rare find: the December 1973 newsletter for Dalziel Equipment Ltd., the equipment dealership of which his father was co-owner. Pictured in the newsletter are a young Neil Peart, as well as his father, Glen. What is ironic is that Neil's bio reads:

"After an 18 month stay in London, England, Neil decided to come home and seek his fame and fortune..." They had no idea...

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - July 2008 "Independence Day"

Neil Peart has updated his website with the July 2008 installment of "News, Weather & Sports": "Independence Day". Neil writes about performing in Atlantic City, traveling up through New England, and includes a lengthy and hilarious interlude on helmet safety. The report opens with a short tirade on the injustice of comp tickets which are denied most hard core fans (and in this case those given to a casino's "big losers"), and at the same time Neil shows he's not as out of touch with his fans as some may think.

Rush Cover Feature In August's "Classic Rock"

Rush is the featured artist on the August issue of the UK's Classic Rock magazine. The cover headline reads Rush. Surviving tragedy. Defying fashion. Rock's uncoolest band take on the world. Again. The seven page feature was written around the Vegas show and tells of Rush being true to their convictions and the devotion of their fans. Scans of the article are available here, thanks to Niels for providing them!

Rush Tour #8 Among Rock and Pop Tours

Rolling Stone has published its Midyear Music Biz Report Card, showing Rush coming in at #8 among the year's rock and pop tours with $18.3 million in earnings, not too shabby for a second leg tour (last year Rush came in 6th with $21 million in earnings as reported by USA Today). The Top 10 Rock and Pop Tours for 2008 are: 1. Bon Jovi ($56.3 million), 2. Bruce Springsteen ($40.8 million), 3. Van Halen ($36.8 million), 4. Kanye West ($31.6 million), 5. Jay-Z/Mary J. Blige ($30.7 million), 6. Spice Girls ($23.3 million), 7. The Police ($23.3 million), 8. Rush ($18.3 million), 9. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers ($17.8 million), 10. Hannah Montana ($17.1 million) - RollingStone.com, July 29, 2008

Rush On Colbert Report/Playing Rock Band

On Wednesday July 16th, Rush appeared on The Colbert Report. The complete episode is available on Colbert's website. Before taking the stage, however, Rush answered the challenge and performed "Tom Sawyer" as part of the video game Rock Band. How did it go? After playing the song, Geddy quips "I'm joining another band..."

"...The Canadian band Rush, which hasn’t performed on U.S. television in more than three decades, will play their classic 'Tom Sawyer' on the Comedy Central show Wednesday (11:30 p.m. EST). The Geddy Lee-led trio, which is currently on tour, hasn’t played on U.S. television since 1975..." - Associated Press, July 15, 2008

Working Man (Vault Edition) Single

Originally released for Rock Band on July 8th, today Rush has released the "Working Man" (Vault addition) on iTunes!

"The version features a never before heard guitar solo that Alex Lifeson did during the original recordings back in the 70’s. The song was re-mixed by Rich Chycki who is known for his work on R30 and Snakes & Arrows. A great addition to the Rush song library!" - Rush.com, July 21, 2008

Rush's Old Stage Costumes Unearthed

"Ever wondered where Rush's fondly remembered satin kimono costumes (pictured below) ended up? Be honest now – you have, haven't you? Well, now it can be revealed. Jap (sic) band Onmyo-Za have Geddy, Alex and Neil's old duds in their possession and are wearing them with plide! (Alright, so we know these sorta outfits are de rigeur in Japan's Visual Kei scene, but give us a break, will ya?!) Onmyo-Za have been described as a Japanese thrash-pop answer to Nightwish, and you can check them out playing their fine opus Kasha No Wadachi here." - ClassicRockMagazine.com, July 21, 2008 -Thanks to Brian Sullivan for the headsup!

More Rush From "The Rolling Stone"

Apparently surprised at the reaction by Rush fans to their recent article, "Rush Never Sleeps" (which appears in the July 10-24 issue), the the folks over at Rolling Stone have posted their defense on their website. When the issue hit news stands, many online Rush fans commented that while much of the article was positive, the overall tone seemed an attempt to justify why the magazine was sinking so low as to write about Rush, and that it included many negative connotations on both the band and its stereotypical "nerdy" fans.

The magazine also recently posted their "Rush: The Complete Album-by-Album Guide" and is now defending itself with a new online article titled "Rush vs. Rolling Stone: A Qualitative Analysis", where they write:

"In the 2004 edition of the Rolling Stone Album Guide, Rush's albums received an average of 2.7 stars. Technically, those ratings put them somewhere between 'fair' and 'good' in the RS canon, which, needless to say, will not satisfy the fans at RushMessageBoard.com."

Classic Rock's "Buyer's Guide To Rush"

The current issue of the UK's Classic Rock magazine includes a "Buyers Guide To Rush". The story, which is now offered on their website, sifts through Rush's catalog listing the "Essential: Classics" as Moving Pictures & 2112; albums which are "Superior" as Permanent Waves, A Farewell To Kings, Hemispheres & Signals; albums which are "Good: Worth Exploring" as Power Windows, Roll The Bones, & Snakes & Arrows; and lists Feedback as the one album to "Avoid". Journalist Neil Jeffries also succinctly breaks down their career and gives credit to each of the band members in turn:

"Rush’s continued existence is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside the enigma that is the famously fan/limelight-avoiding and well-read Peart. Yet Rush are a three-piece band of equal parts, and similar attention is long overdue for Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. Although frequently derided for his occasional choice of high-register singing, Lee has a fine, folky voice; he’s no slouch on a synth, either...Lifeson, too, is an underappreciated player, and deserves to be ranked alongside David Gilmour for his fluid soloing, and Jimmy Page for other-worldly riffs."

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - June 2008 "When The Road Ends"

Neil Peart has updated his website with the June 2008 installment of "News, Weather & Sports": "When The Road Ends". Peart begins this tale sharing the woes of traveling roads still blocked by Winter snows, comments that he has viewed the finished edit of the Snakes & Arrows Live DVD "...it looked really good, and we had played well, so it was enjoyable to view...", touches on the Red Rocks concert postponement, and other worthwhile tidbits.

Geddy Lee Donates Baseball Collection To Negro Leagues Museum

"Close to 200 baseballs, all autographed by former Negro Leagues baseball players or backers, have been donated to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum by a somewhat surprising fan ... Rush singer/bassist Geddy Lee. It’s among the largest single donations the museum has had, according to director of marketing Bob Kendrick. It also represents some history the museum didn’t previously have. 'Some of these guys have been dead for some time, and we could not get these (signatures) before no matter what their significance was in the Negro Leagues,' he said...Lee, whose band performs Saturday at Starlight, dropped by the museum last year unannounced, Kendrick said. 'I wasn’t here, but another employee walked him through the museum, and apparently he fell in love with the place,' Kendrick said. 'He already had a huge respect for the Negro Leagues, as the collection shows, and this brought it home to him.'" - Kansas City Star, June 4, 2008.

• Video story from KansasCity.com
• Click here for a related news item at MLB.com

Sabian's Chris Stankee Travels With Neil Peart On The RUSH Tour

"Who would think that traveling the world by tour bus with a legendary rock band could be boring? That would depend on how you travel. If you're Neil Peart, who has been on the road since 1974, and you have the option of riding your motorcycle from show to show or be cooped up on a bus there's only one thing to do. Take the scenic route, stop and smell the roses, or literally, the lilacs and turn the trip into an adventure. Now that sounds like a plan! Earlier this year Neil asked me if I would ride with him in Iowa where I grew up..." - Chris Stankee, Sabian.com, June 9, 2008

Rockers Rush Donate $100,000 To Human Rights Museum

"Iconic Canadian rock band Rush is donating $100,000 from a Winnipeg concert last weekend to the campaign to build the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in the city. The band is also selling shirts at its Canadian concert locations. The shirts read: 'My pals Rush and I support the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.' Money raised from the sale of the shirts will also go to the museum's fundraising campaign..." - CBC.ca, May 28, 2008

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - May 2008 "South By Southwest"

Neil Peart has updated his website with his latest installment of "News, Weather & Sports": "South By Southwest". In it he shares with us his experiences over the first 17 shows of the tour and over 7,000 miles of cycling. The journey begins in Puerto Rico, then north through Florida, across the South and Southwest. New to this report are a variety of added "Fun Facts", and Neil shows his sense of humor!

John Rutsey, Dead At 55

Rush's founding drummer John Rutsey passed away on May 11, 2008. John passed away peacefully in his sleep from a heart attack due to complications from his lifelong affliction with diabetes.

"RUTSEY, John Howard - It is with deep sadness that John's family announces his untimely passing due to complications from his lifelong affliction with diabetes, at age 55. Donations may be made in John's memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 7100 Woodbine Avenue, Suite 311, Markham, ON, L3R 5J2 (online: www.jdrf.ca, by phone: 905-944-4631). Online Condolences: newbiggingfh@rogers.com. Published in the National Post on 5/15/2008."

"Our memories of the early years of Rush when John was in the band are very fond to us. Those years spent in our teens dreaming of one day doing what we continue to do decades later are special. Although our paths diverged many years ago, we smile today, thinking back on those exciting times and remembering John's wonderful sense of humour and impeccable timing. He will be deeply missed by all he touched." - Alex & Geddy, Rush.com, May 16, 2008

Geddy Lee On Barnaked Ladies' "Snacktime"

The new Barenaked Ladies' children's album, Snacktime, was released May 6th and is now available. Snacktime is composed of 24 tracks; the title track includes guest appearances from multiple celebrities including Geddy Lee, Lyle Lovett, Jason Priestley, Sarah McLachlan, Gordon Lightfoot and more. Geddy is heard saying "I'm Geddy, and my favorite snack is Barbecue Potato Chips".   In addition, the final track, "Here Come The Geese", subtly quotes "Subdivisions"; when listing all the places one can find migratory geese, it includes "in the high school halls, in the shopping malls..."

Rush Winners of Readers Polls

The members of Rush have been quietly gathering up wins in various music magazine readers polls:

• Neil Peart has won best Rock Drummer and best Recorded Performance in the 2008 Modern Drummer Readers Poll.
• Alex Lifeson won Guitar Player Magazine's Readers Choice Awards for 1) "Most Ferociously Brillian Guitar Album", 2) Best Rock Guitarist, and "Best Article" for "Different Strings" (September issue).
• Geddy Lee won Bass Player Magazine's Readers Choice Awards for 1) "Best Album for Bass", 2) "Coolest Bass Line In A Song" ("Malignant Narcissism"), and 3) "Best 2007 Cover Feature" for "Northern Warrior" (August issue).

Neil Peart Drum Kit Sample Collection From Sonic Reality

"According to the KVR audio forum, a company called Sonic Reality recently completed a Neil Peart drum sampling session, engineered by Nick Raskulinecz. It appears the session started on March 18 in Los Angeles, and the final product is scheduled to be released by the end of 2008. The end result of this project will be a 'Neil Peart Studio Profile,' most likely a complete sample of Neil's Snakes & Arrows DW kit and his V-drum sounds -- and possibly Neil Peart loops. Sonic Reality has produced other Studio Profiles on such drummers as Cheap Trick's Bun E. Carlos and Yes/Earthworks/King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford. If you're curious about what this all means, you can basically buy professionally-recorded sampled sounds of drummers that you can use with music software on a computer -- or plug these samples into keyboards or electronic drums. Studio Profiles cost around $79.00..." - AndrewOlson.com

"Alex Lifeson's Gift" - Hughes-and-Kettner.com

Visit Hughes-and-Kettner.com to see a short video of how Zach Tabore became Hughes & Kettner's newest youngest endorsee.....thanks to Alex Lifeson!

Rush at Foo Fighters Show

"How to best sum up the Foo Fighters show on Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre? What a Rush! Literally. Rush singer-bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson surprised the crowd by showing up about an hour into the Foos’ two-hour-and-10-minute performance to play with drummer Taylor Hawkins during his drum solo and the three musicians then played the Rush instrumental YYZ. Let's just say the appearance by the Toronto prog-rockers injected some much needed energy and excitement into the proceedings and Hawkins even had a hug for Lee afterwards. 'Rush! Rush!' screamed Foos leader Dave Grohl in amazement as the two musicians walked off stage...'You've got nuts the size of grapefruits,' said Grohl to Hawkins after he played with Lee and Lifeson..." - Jam! Showbiz, March 23, 2008

New Rush Cover by the Michael Schenker Group

Last month the Michael Schenker Group released a covers album titled Doctor, Doctor: The Kulick Sessions. Included on the album is a cover of "Finding My Way", the opening track off Rush's debut album. Performing vocals on this and more of the album's tracks is ex-Skid Row vocalist Sebastian Bach; this is Bach's fourth Rush cover on record - he has performed Rush covers both as a member of Skid Row as well as on the Working Man and Subdivisions tribute albums.

Permanent Waves Ultradisc II™ 24 KT Gold CD

The Permanent Waves Ultradisc II™ 24 KT Gold CD by Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs was released January 8, 2008.  This CD comes in heavy stock cardboard gatefold which replicates the original vinyl album packaging, and is gold stamped with a number making it a true limited edition. The CD itself is in a soft cloth sleeve which slips into the gatefold along with the CD booklet and a MOFI technical data informational card. The artwork is faithful to the original album, and even includes the incorrect lyrics of "Freewill" which were eventually corrected in the original Mercury remaster.

Unfortunately, this is the to be the last MFSL reissue:

"After literally months of examination and discussions with the artists, due to the age and fragility of most of original first-generation analog masters to classic Rush titles, we?ve had to cancel plans to release the titles we had planned. They have deemed that the original masters should not be used for any future re-mastering, and we have to respect that decision. We apparently lucked out big-time with Permanent Waves as it was in pristine condition. Sorry for the bad news but we?re not feeling so hot about it ourselves. I believe another indie label is now looking into releasing some Rush titles in the future but mastered from copy tapes." - Best regards, Michael Grantham, Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs, March 2008

Mobile Fidelity's Limited Edition 24k Gold Audiophile CDs are some of the most valuable collector's items within the Audiophile market, pressed directly from the original studio master session tapes and engineered to produce the finest CD sound quality available. This is the fourth Rush album to be released in the Ultradisc II™ line; previous releases include 2112 (1993), Moving Pictures (1992), and Signals (1994), all of which are now out of print; the Permanent Waves Ultradisc II™ is sure to be highly coveted by Rush Audiophiles.

Peart's "News, Weather & Sports": "The Best February Ever"

Neil Peart has updated his website with his latest installment of "News, Weather & Sports": "The Best February Ever". In it he fills us in on how he's been spending his winter in Quebec, and discusses his cross-country skiing passion in detail. In addition, he talks about the second leg of the Snakes & Arrows tour, both the reasons behind it as well as his well known dislike of touring:

"Early in March I will have to start preparing for another series of concerts, a 'continuation' of the Snakes and Arrows tour. (The Snakes and Arrows 'surge,' I call it.) We had planned to end the tour in Europe last fall, but apparently more people want to see us, or see us again, so we were asked to do more shows. Some of them will be in places we haven’t got to for a while, like New Orleans, Oklahoma City, and Winnipeg, and that is nice, plus we plan to make a few changes to the setlist and presentation to freshen it up a little. Although the world knows by now that I’m not crazy about touring, I sure don’t discount the good fortune that we can still do it, personally and professionally — that we can play better than ever, and that people will come and see us. That’s not something I have ever taken for granted. As I have said to friends who might be having their own work difficulties, 'At least if I have to work, I’m glad I can.' And not just any old job, of course — pretty much the best job there is — but none-the-less a hard one." - NeilPeart.net, March 2008

Power Windows T-shirt Contest Winners!

The presale t-shirt contest sponsored by MusicToday is at a close. The three lucky winners of the Limited-Edition RUSH T-Shirts are Maureen Buza of Mesa, Arizona, Ashley Tucker of Hillsboro, Missouri, and Brad Utanoff of Addison, Illinois. You will receive your t-shirts in the next two to three weeks. Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to all who participated!

Alex Lifeson Signature Gibson ES-355 VOS - Now Available

The Gibson Alex Lifeson Signature ES-355 is now available from at Guitar Center for a cool $3,699 (that's discounted from the suggested retail price of $5,645.00)

"The Alex Lifeson ES-355 features a maple body, 3-piece maple neck, '57 Classic pickups with individual volume and tone controls, and a Maestro Long vibrola tailpiece. It would be the consummate prog rock machine even if it weren't the chosen axe of the Rush guitarist, but because it is, you know it's got the goods. The Vibrola is one of the least wood-invasive tremolo options, keeping the belly of this archtop guitar remarkably pristine and preserving it's natural resonance. The Alex Lifeson Signature ES-355's individual volume and tone controls for each of the '57 Classic pickups give you full reign over the wide spectrum of tones of which these faithful Alnico II replicas of the 1950s PAF humbuckers are capable.

'For 33 years, Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson has personified the consummate rock innovator a sonic adventurer capable of producing mind-blowing power chords and dizzying arpeggios alike, ultimately sculpted into huge, rich melodies and ingenious arrangements. Throughout most of Lifeson s ride to superstardom, a 1976 Gibson ES-355 has been by his side, both in the studio and on stage. With it, he has created many of Rush s breathtaking layered soundscapes, and the very same ES-355 continues to be an indispensable part of his live arsenal. This Gibson electric guitar is a painstaking recreation of the iconic instrument. It's Gibson s heartfelt tribute to a true modern master, and to the guitar he used to expand the definition of popular music." - GuitarCenter.com

R30 Makes Guitar Player's "50 Essential Guitar DVDs"

The February 2008 issue of Guitar Player includes the story "50 Essential Guitar DVDs"; included is Rush's R30:

"Sure, the footage from Exit Stage Left is classic, and you can’t beat the wild Brazilian crowd in the Rush in Rio DVD, but if you can only get one Rush DVD it has to be R30. The setlist, sound quality, and camera angles just can’t be beat. The R30 Overture that opens the show has all-instrumental snippets of “Finding My Way,” “Anthem,” “Bastille Day,” “A Passage to Bangkok,” “Cygnus X-1,” and “Hemispheres,” plus a hilarious cameo from Jerry Stiller. The lack of vocals on this medley allows Alex Lifeson’s PRS-fueled guitar tones to really stand out. He and the boys run through a whole bunch of Rush favorites including “Xanadu,” “Subdivisions,” “Red Barchetta,” and “Tom Sawyer” (with a killer Lifeson solo). The show kicks ass from start to finish and Lifeson is in fine form the entire time with his trademark arpeggios, fiery solos, and a humongous tone that fills the arena. If the gig was all you got this would still be a must have. When you factor in all the DVD extras like a bunch of live-in-the-studio performances from back in the day and soundcheck footage, this is an amazing piece of work and a great example of Lifeson working his magic." - Guitar Player, Feb. 2008

The Progressive Rock Hall of Fame 2008 Winners

The Progressive Rock Hall of Fame has announced its Hall of Fame Awards winners for 2008. Rush won "Progressive Rock Artist of the Year"; in addition, the band Porcupine Tree won "Progressive Rock Album of the Year" for Fear of a Blank Planet, an album which includes a guest performance by Alex Lifeson. For the complete list of winners, visit progressiverockhalloffame.com.

Rush Tops Critics List Of "Bands Whose Music We'd Like To See Turned Into a Movie"

"With Across the Universe, Julie Taymor put together a film based on dozens of unrelated Beatles songs, stitching them together to tell a story. ("I Want You" as a military recruiting anthem? Genius.) But what about all those other bands with deep back catalogs full of plot possibilities? Here are our (admittedly jokey) picks for ten groups and artists whose music (entire catalogs, not just single albums) is ripe for adapting into a feature film... and how we think that movie would go down.

1. Rush - It's hard not to cheat since some of the Canadian supergroup's classic albums from the '70s tell entire stories on their own. But we'll bypass 2112 mysticism to cobble together a post-modern story of an oppressed society ("Red Sector A") ruled by evil corporations ("The Big Money") which inspires an impressionable, young kid ("Tom Sawyer") to break free of his shackles ("New World Man") through the power of music ("Spirit of Radio," "Limelight")... and a fast car ("Red Barchetta"). OK, fine, and then he goes into space ("Cygnus X-1"). Think The Matrix with singing." - For the complete list, visit FilmCritic.com

Take Guitar Lessons from Alex Lifeson!

iVideosongs.com is a new service which allows users to download teaching videos of famous guitarists, including Alex Lifeson. Each video is $9.99, and the guitarists spend time demonstrating how to play all the different parts of some of their most famous songs. The lessons are presented in chapters--introduction, verse, chorus, bridge, outro--and titles can be sorted by skill level and genre. Click here for Alex's page.

The Heart And Soul Of A Drumset, by Neil Peart

DW Drums has added a new feature on their website, "'The Heart And Soul Of A Drumset', Chapter One In A Series: 'Bass Drum Heartbeat'". In it, Neil writes about the advent of DW's new 23" bass drum, and the history of its creation. In addition, there is a video of Neil discussing the X shell and his hybrid kit.

Power Windows Website Turns 10!

Today marks the 10th birthday of the Power Windows website at 2112.net. After originally residing elsewhere for a few months in '97, we officially moved to 2112.net on Feb. 1, 1998. I had hoped to mark the occasion with a special contest or anniversary celebration of sorts, but time has eluded me, so I'll just mark it with this news entry. Thanks to everyone who has made this website possible, both the contributors and users, and a very special thanks to Blake Willis who owns and maintains 2112.net.

Tiles' "Fly Paper", With Guest Alex Lifeson

Tiles' new album Fly Paper is now available. The album includes Alex Lifeson on guitar on the track "Sacred and Mundane", and is produced by longtime Rush producer, Terry Brown. Other guest performers include Alannah Myles, Max Webster's Kim Mitchell, and Hugh Syme, who like previous Tile's releases, also created the album artwork.

"Terry had approached Alex about making a guest appearance – and played him some of our new songs. Alex liked what he heard and said he would have a chance to do 'something' before Rush began rehearsals for their 'Snakes and Arrows' tour. The window of opportunity arrived this past March – and Terry went to Alex’ studio where the two proceeded to work their magic on "Sacred and Mundane." Listening to Alex' parts for the first time was amazing – and the amount of work he put into the song was beyond what we could have hoped for. He came up with a counter-riff that literally 'became' the song; he added acoustic guitars to the refrains; played an acoustic Celtic counter-melody in the bridge; came up with a cool backwards solo in the breakdown section; and added an assortment of guitar textures and effects from start to finish. Terry and Alex spent almost 12-hours recording." - Chris Herin, guitarist, Tiles-music.com