Rush News

Rush.com: Holland pre-sale

Rush.com has just sent the following:
Rush play the Ziggodome in Amsterdam on June 2, 2013.

Pre-sale for tickets goes on sale July 1 at 10am local time.

Tour Package:
http://www.livenation.co.uk/vip/artist/rush-tickets

Tickets:
http://www.ticketmaster.nl/event/100279?CL_ORIGIN=ORIGIN2

General on-sale is July 2nd.

Rush cover feature in the July 2012 issue of Aardschok

Rush is featured on the cover of the July issue of Holland's Aardschok magazine as well as an accompanying feature story and album review, giving Clockwork Angels a 9 out of 10.  For more info click here.  - Thanks to Jan Tiemens for the headsup!

The Favourite Albums Of Rush's Geddy Lee - The Quietus

The Quietus has posted an extensive new feature where Geddy Lee discusses his 13 favorite albums.
"Mick Middles speaks to Rush bassist and singer Geddy Lee about his favourite albums of all times...  Geddy Lee's Baker's Dozen is intriguing rather than surprising. Of course, the inclusion of adventuresome power trios like Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience might seem obvious and strongly reflect the blues rock of their formative years. Nevertheless, it seems a long road from there to Radiohead and Bjork."
- Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!

Rush: Truly Canadian - Ottawa Citizen

Sunday is Canada Day, and RUSH is the subject of a new piece in the Ottawa Citizen titled "Truly Canadian" with the subtitle "If you’re Canadian, it’s likely you own a Rush album. The world’s most polite band is good in a different kind of way. Just like us.". Check it out here.

Billy Corgan is a Rush Fanboy - Fuse

Fuse has posted a new video "Billy Corgan is a Rush Fanboy", where Billy talks about why he's such a Rush fanboy and why the band has been dismissed by the "critical class." - Thanks to Steve Pavlopoulos for the headsup!

Rush Gold Records Update

Moving Pictures Goes Platinum, 1981
With the recent release of Clockwork Angels which sold over 100,000 copies in the US the first week, one might wonder if this album might be the next studio album to be awarded a Gold Record by the RIAA.  To achieve Gold Record status, an album must sell 500,000 units, a combination of cd, vinyl, digital and cassette sales, so by now Clockwork Angels must be close to 1/4 of the way to Gold, right?

The last Rush studio album to go gold is Test For Echo.  For the record, here are the current SoundScan numbers for "sales to date" of the last five Rush albums.
  • Counterparts: 788,983
  • Test For Echo: 504,504
  • Vapor Trails: 358,382
  • Feedback: 173,386
  • Snakes & Arrows: 323,842
As you can see, while it is common for each studio album to see a great many copies the first couple of weeks of its release, history has shown that they do not stay on the charts for long.

Geddy Lee cover feature in the August, 2012 issue of Bass Player - Now Online

UPDATE: Once again with thanks to John at Cygnus-X1.net, the article is now available here.

Geddy Lee is featured on the cover of the August, 2012 issue of Bass Player magazine.  Included is the feature story "Full Steam Ahead" as well as a second article "Inside Geddy's Gear" with Geddy's bass tech John "Skully" McIntosh. - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Excerpt from Neil Peart's "Raindance Over the Rockies: Across The Mountains By Bicycle"

Nearly six years ago I first shared excerpts from three of Neil Peart's privately distributed books published prior to the release of The Masked Rider.  Those three books were Riding The Golden Lion; Pedals Over The Pyrenees: Or Spain And Spokes And Trains; and The African Drum.

Today I'm happy to share with you an excerpt from one more of the two remaining unpublished books: Raindance Over the Rockies: Across The Mountains By Bicycle.  In "Raindance" Neil shares the adventures of his bicycle trip from Calgary to Vancouver during the summer of 1988.

This except is the first two pages of the 21 page book, provided by a generous Rush fan for your reading pleasure.  Enjoy!

Geddy Lee's 5 favourite bassists of all time - MusicRadar.com

In between speaking to Billy Corgan about the state of the music world today and much more, legendary Rush frontman Geddy Lee took the time out to talk bass with MusicRadar.com. In no particular order, the Rush legend picks 5 of the best. - MusicRadar.com, June 26, 2012

Orange Amps Geddy Lee Giveaway

Orange Amps is holding a contest where you can win an AD200B and 410 Cab SIGNED by Geddy LeeClick here to enter. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Roadrunner Video: "Rush - Geddy Lee on Singing Neil's Lyrics"

Roadrunner Records UK has posted a new video with Geddy lee where he discusses singing Neil's lyrics. - Thanks to B-man for the headsup!

Geddy Lee and Billy Corgan on concept albums, jamming, singing and more - Musicradar

UPDATE: Today Musicradar.com posted part 2 of their interview with Geddy Lee and Billy Corgan; this segment is "Geddy Lee and Billy Corgan on concept albums, jamming, singing and more". - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Today Musicradar.com posted an extensive interview with Geddy Lee and Billy Corgan: "Geddy Lee and Billy Corgan talk albums vs singles".
"That both groups, Rush and The Smashing Pumpkins, have hit creative highs while rejecting the notion that 'the hit single is king' was the starting point for a discussion MusicRadar recently had with Lee and Corgan in which the two talked about how they navigate through the murky waters of the music business and rise to the challenges of what Corgan calls the 'iPod era.'" - MusicRadar.com, June 21, 2012

Rush on the cover of "Fireworks", June 2012

UPDATE: Thanks to John at Cygnus-X1.net, the article is now available here.

Rush is featured on the cover of the June issue of the UK's Fireworks magazine (#52).  The issue includes a 2-page spread on the band and Clockwork Angels. For more information click here.

Geddy Lee Receives Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

According to the CBC, Geddy Lee was one of over 600 distinguished Ontario residents to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal last Monday (June 18th) in Toronto.  The special medal was created to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne.

The commemorative medals were presented to distinguished Ontario residents who have already been invested with the Order of Canada and Order of Ontario. All living Order of Canada and Order of Ontario recipients were invited.  For more information visit CBC.ca. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Neil Peart To Participate In Drummer's Reality Camp In Los Angeles June 27 to 30

As previously announced, today the Pasadena Sun reported that Neil Peart will participate in the Drummer's Reality Camp at the Los Angeles Music Academy College of Music in Pasadena from June 27 to 30.  Also participating in the camp are legendary session drummer Jim Keltner, Doane Perry of Jethro Tull, Uli Frost and drumming instructors from the LA Music Academy. - For more info visit Pasadena Sun, June 24, 2012.

Neil Peart With Jim Ladd On Sirius XM Now Online

Neil Peart appeared on Jim Ladd's show on SiriusXM Deep Tracks channel 27 on the evening of June 13th.  The interview is now online and can be heard here. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headusp!

Rush Feature in Rolling Stone's July 5th issue

Last week, RollingStone.com posted two Q&A's with Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson. The author merged them together for "Inside Rush's New Sci-Fi Rock Opera: The prog gods return with heavy concept album, monster fall tour" which appears in the print edition of the July 5-19 issue of the magazine. - Thanks to Stephen H for the scans!

Engineer Rich Chycki On Recording Clockwork Angels

On Tuesday Rich Chycki updated his website and shared a few interesting thoughts regarding the recording of Clockwork Angels.  Here's a portion of his update, visit his website for more:

It feels like it’s been a time of all things ‘Rush’ over the past while. As you all know by now, we spent most of the late fall and early winter 2011 recording Clockwork Angels at Revolution Studios in Toronto, Canada. I had selected that room for its cavernous but controlled drum room and I was pleased with the recorded results, as was Neil. The clockwork stage kit is one of the best kits I’ve ever had the pleasure of recording.

The making of this album was a further development of technique and technology and also a return to some old ways. In my work with some of Rush’s older masters like Moving Pictures, I learned that at that time much of the processing for guitars was committed to tape — a good example being the solo in Limelight, which is a stellar performance wrapped in lush sonics. Alex and I applied much of the same methodology for Clockwork, where a song like Carnies for example, with complex modulations, panning, eq and echo were committed as a premix during the recording phase for simplicity and reproducibility down the road. And Alex did some amazing solos in preproduction that were again, tweaked with vintage and modern technology during the recording phase so they would sit well within the production guidelines that the band had set.

Geddy’s recording was also expanded to include some additional vintage gear, if you recall the Fairchild I tweeted while we were in the studio ;-) . The rest of Mr. Lee’s secret sonic recipe will have to stay secret.
- Thanks to B-man for the headsup!

Alex Lifeson Talks To Classic Rock Revisited

Alex Lifeson discusses Clockwork Angels in a new interview with Classic Rock Revisited.  Alex discusses the album cover, putting together the drum pattern for "The Anarchist", switching instruments with Geddy on "The Wreckers", the upcoming tour setlist and the longevity of the band. - Thanks to Brad P for the headsup!
“Hugh Syme is a very clever and able designer,” says Lifeson. “He works very closely with Neil on all of the artwork. He has done some really dramatic artwork for this record. It made me smile; I got it.”

“The drum pattern on that song is one that I put together and Neil connected with it. I think I come from a different place than Neil does and sometimes he will find what I do as an interesting approach that he would have never thought of himself. It gave him a launching point.” 

Rush Bringing String Ensemble on Tour - Billboard.com

After being rumored at for months, its official, Rush is going to be touring with a small orchestra on the Clockwork Angels tour.  Alex shared the news today with Billboard.com:
"Our intention is to take strings out on the road," guitarist Alex Lifeson tells Billboard.com. Orchestrations, arranged by David Campbell, feature on several of "Clockwork Angels' " tracks, and Lifeson says Rush will employ a small string ensemble, likely eight to 10 pieces, to recreate those pieces and to be added to some of Rush's older material. "It's just something different for us, and I can't wait to hear what it sounds like."

Lifeson says Campbell will be writing arrangements for the tour, which kicks off Sept. 7 in Manchester, N.H., and will likely appear at some of the shows as well. "Certainly in the beginning he'll be out for a bit," the guitarist says. "I think his intention is to use these musicians he's been working with for a long time, who he trusts, and once they're settled in he doesn't have to be around all the time and he can come out whenever he feels like it."

Lifeson says the production is "still in a planning stage" but promises that "it's a while new show. It's new staging, new lighting, everything is new and fresh about it. I would say that it's an evolutionary extension of what the (2010-11) Time Machine Tour was, but we are definitely freshening it up and bringing and there'll be a lot of new video stuff going on." And, of course, Lifeson and his mates expect to dedicate a considerable amount of stage time to "Clockwork Angels," a concept album that will be followed by a novel co-written by drummer/lyricist Neil Peart and Kevin J. Anderson.

"The set list is quite fluid these days," Lifeson reports. "We're dropping and replacing songs constantly, and that's the way it always goes before we get into rehearsals. There's a great deal of pressure on us now to do the whole record, which we don't anticipate. I think our intention is probably to prepare the whole thing; whether we'll do it or not we're still not sure, especially on the first leg of the tour. There's still a lot of older stuff we want to do, and we've got some great songs lined up from the past. We'd be loathe to drop them to add more of 'Clockwork Angels,' at least on the first leg. It's always nice to switch up on the second leg and make it a little different."
- Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!

Q&A: Rush's Alex Lifeson on Choosing Their Tour Setlist, Hall of Fame Prospects - RollingStone

Alex Lifeson is featured in a new story at RollingStone.com: Q&A: Rush's Alex Lifeson on Choosing Their Tour Setlist, Hall of Fame Prospects.   Alex talks to the Rolling Stone about the new record, the upcoming tour, playing move of the new album live, the Vapor Trails remaster, and his feelings about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Rush In The Studio With Jeff Woods - Video Now Online

Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee dropped by Toronto's Q107 for a live interview with Jeff Woods this past Monday night.  The interview can be seen here.

- Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Permanent Waves Photoshoot of Paula Turnbull - Unused Photo

An unused photo of model Paula Turnbull from the Permanent Waves album cover photoshoot, taken by Fin Costello, has just surfaced. The pose is similar to the photo which eventually was used on the Permanent Waves album cover.

Turnbull "reprised" her role on the cover of Exit Stage Left:
"Paula Turnbull became a noted model in Europe - enough that when I brought her back, she was appalled to know that I didn't have a trailer for her." - Hugh Syme, Chemistry
- Thanks to Tony Riviere for the headsup!

"Rush As Food" Event, Benefiting Andrew MacNaughtan's Art Gives Hope

"The Best Music in the World like you've never tasted it before".

"In celebration of perhaps the greatest rock band ever and their amazing new album Clockwork Angels, Matt Kantor, Chef of Secret Pickle, Hidden Kitchen and an arguably somewhat crazy individual, will be interpreting and deconstructing the music of Rush into a nine-course dinner. And we'll be doing it in Rush's hometown of Toronto Ontario. Coming July 18 and July 17 or 19, 2012. Dinner to be held at The Cookbook Store in Yorkville. One night only. We'll be pouring some really cool wines and beers as well. $150 all inclusive with proceeds to go to late Rush photographer Andrew MacNaughtan's Art Gives Hope."  For more information visit RushAsFood.ca.

- Thanks to Quinn Bradley for the headsup!

Rush Sighting In The Movie "That's My Boy" - Hitting Theaters Tonight

That's My Boy, the new comedy starring Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, hits theaters tonight!

During the opening credits, "Limelight" is heard, and Sandlers' car, a beat up Pontiac Fiero, has a large Starman emblazoned on the hood. This can be seen in the film's the restricted redband trailer.

"Clockwork Angels" Desktop Wallpaper Update

I'm pleased to announce I have added to my collection of wallpaper images from Clockwork Angles, and I now have a complete set of Clockwork Angels Desktop Wallpaper, combining all possible images from the fan pack edition, standard cd edition, and digipack.  (I say all "possible" images, as a few images were not reproduceable as wallpaper).  A couple of images were merged/manipulated into wallpapers, but for the most part they are straight reproductions of what you see in the cd booklet(s).  There are now 20 images for use as Desktop Wallpaper.  Enjoy!

Billy Corgan Talks Clockwork Angels With Rush - FMQB

"To mark the release of Clockwork Angels, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson connected with Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins for a lengthy conversation about the new album...In the interview Lee and Lifeson discuss making music, Neil Peart's lyrical prowess, the development of Clockwork Angels as a story, Rush's disdain for the "c word" (concept), their influence on other musicians, why an album still matters and much more."  For more visit FMQB.com, June 12, 2012

Rush’s Geddy Lee Explains Extended Birth of New ‘Clockwork Angels’ Album - UltimateClassicRock.com

Roadrunner records has posted a new video interview with Geddy Lee where he discusses various aspects of the album.  The video is included in the new story "Rush’s Geddy Lee Explains Extended Birth of New ‘Clockwork Angels’ Album" at UltimateClassicRock.com

Neil Peart On Rush's New Lp And Being A 'Bleeding Heart Libertarian' - RollingStone

Neil Peart is featured in a new story at RollingStone.com: "Q&A: Neil Peart On Rush's New Lp And Being A 'Bleeding Heart Libertarian'".  Neil talks about the songwriting process, the myth of the Seven Cities of Gold, Daphne Du Maurier's Jamaica Inn, preparing for the upcoming tour, and more. - Thanks to John @ Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

"Clockwork Angels" Released Today

Today marks the official release of Clockwork Angels, RUSH's 20th studio album, their first in five years.  The album is available on CD, Vinyl and iTunes, in audiophile 96kHz/24bit format from HDTracks, as a special edition Classic Rock Fan Pack, and will be the subject of a novelization by Kevin J. Anderson with Neil Peart coming this fall.
  • Click here for our Clockwork Angels linernotes and lyrics page (just click on the song titles for the lyrics).  This page also includes the Clockwork Angels "album news archive" which has a complete breakdown of the history of the album thus far from Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart and producer Nick Raskulinecz "In Their Own Words".
  • Click here for the Clockwork Angels Transcript Archive, a ever-expanding collection of interviews and stories covering the new album.
  • Click here for a complete set of Clockwork Angels Desktop Wallpaper.
  • Click here for a ongoing list of album reviews from around the globe.

Rush 'the fruit of a long-term relationship' says Geddy Lee - CBCNews

Geddy Lee appeared on CBC's The National with Peter Mansbridge on Sunday June 10th to discuss Clockwork Angels.  The full video interview is here.
"Nearly four decades after forming in Toronto, pioneering prog-rock band Rush soldiers on, continuing to engage fans around the globe with powerful albums and virtuoso musicianship.

"The trio's 20th studio album, the steam-punk inspired concept album Clockwork Angels, debuts Tuesday and a world tour begins in July.

"Bassist-singer Geddy Lee sat down with Peter Mansbridge on The National and discussed the band's enduring appeal.

"'What does Rush mean to me? To me it's this little group of experimenters. We're this group of guys who want to see what we can do. It's the simplest way I can put it,' Lee told CBC News.

"As other groups that started out in the same era began breaking up, Lee said he and his bandmates — guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart — became intrigued with the idea of staying together.

"'We wanted to see what the fruits of a long-term relationship can do. Here's a band 38 years on and we are pushing it, to see where we can go as a band.'" - CBCNews.ca, June 11, 2012

Geddy Lee Interview on "The Bob & Tom" Show

Geddy Lee was on The Bob and Tom Show earlier today; you can hear the interview here. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Interview: producer Nick Raskulinecz on Rush's Clockwork Angels - MusicRadar.com

MusicRadar.com has posted a new interview with Clockwork Angels Nick Raskulinecz where he runs through each track of the album, including how the new intro to BU2B was recorded in a hotel room, Alex's guitar solo on the title track and The Garden were from the demos, how Geddy initiated writing The Wreckers on guitar, a quick explanation of "who" The Wreckers were, the "mistake vocals" left in Headlong Flight, and other interesting tibdits.
“Part of my responsibility as a producer – the biggest part of my job, really – is to be there for the artist and to help them see their vision through.  This album was Rush’s vision.  It wasn’t mine. I was there to make sure it was played as brilliantly as they could play it, sung as high as Geddy Lee could sing it, and have the guitar solos bring me to tears.  I feel like we achieved all of those elements. There’s so much emotion that we captured, just total from-the-gut expression. Three dudes making music – that’s Rush!” - Nick Raskulinecz, MusicRadar.com, June 11, 2011

Rush’s Geddy Lee not jaded about creativity 44 years later - Jam!Showbiz

In another interview published today by Canada's Jam!Showbiz, Geddy looks back on his 44 years with Rush, and how he doesn't feel his age:
"It’s a youthful game and you can let yourself get old with it but one of the secret rewards of being in a band or being a musician or that you’re kind of allowed to side-step the rules of your adulthood. Rock is such a teen-connected thing. We think in terms if you’re going to rock you better have some youthful energy there or it ain’t rock no more."
- Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Rush Tours New Concept Album - Toronto Star

There is a brief interview with Geddy Lee in today's Toronto Star where he discusses comparisons between Clockwork Angels and The Who's Tommy.  In addition, he briefly touches on the passing of longtime Rush photographer Andrew MacNaughtan:
"He shot us on the Monday and I guessed he passed away on Wednesday morning," said Lee, quietly. "It was a big, huge shock. I've known him since he was 15 so he was a lifelong buddy of mine, really. The last 35 years I've known him. It was a terrible blow to lose him. I just miss him and it just feels wrong that he's not here. I just can't believe he's gone frankly. It just doesn't make sense."

Planet Rock – Rush Album Special Now Online

UPDATE: The Planet Rock Clockwork Angels album special is now streaming here.

The UK's Planet Rock will be talking to Geddy Lee on Saturday 9th June at 7pm (UK time) about the new studio album "Clockwork Angels".  In this hour long interview, Darren Redick talks to Geddy about the songs and the making of their 20th studio album.

The interview can be heard on Planet Rock - on digital radio, Sky 0110, Virgin Media 924, Freesat 730 and www.planetrock.com. - Thanks to Jon Norman for the headsup!

Win A Clockwork Angels Fanpack & A Signed Drumhead from Planet Rock

The UK's Planet Rock is giving away a ton of prizes over the next few days:
"Rush release their long awaited new studio album CLOCKWORK ANGELS as a stunning, comprehensive CLASSIC ROCK MAGAZINE FANPACK on 11 June, and we are giving away an array of fantastic prizes all this week including copies of the fanpack, subscriptions to Prog Magazine, a subscription to Classic Rock Magazine and, best of all, a beautiful autographed Rush Time Machine Tour drumhead....
For complete details visit Planet Rock.

Long & McQuade's Ultimate Rush Experience Sweepstakes

Canada's Long & McQuade music stores is giving away the "Ultimate Rush Experience".  Fill out a ballot at any Long & McQuade location between June 1st and 30th for a chance to win:
  • A grand prize of a pair of tickets and meet 'n' greet passes for the Rush concert in select cities*
  • 10 runner-up prizes of the new Rush album, Clockwork Angels, and the DVD Live in Cleveland.
*Grand prizes available to be won: A pairs of tickets and meet 'n' greet passes for Rush concerts in these cities -
  • Edmonton (Sept.30/12 - Rexall Place)
  • Saskatoon (Sept.28/12 - Credit Union Centre)
  • Winnipeg (Sept.26/12 - MTS Centre)
  • Toronto (Oct.14/12 - Air Canada Centre)
Contest runs June 1 to 30, 2012. One entry per person. Transportation to and from the concert is the winner’s responsibility.

- Thanks to John @ Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

Neil Peart's Red Tama Drum Kit Auction

Neil Peart's Red Tama Superstar drum kit, used by Peart for Signals - Power Windows, is listed in an auction by Julien's auctions to begin June 22nd.

The kit, which was originally awarded to Jack Hess in 1987 (click here for Neil's announcement in Modern Drummer, October 1987), was later sold by Hess on August 17, 1999 for $26,100. The kit would appear on ebay without a buyer at least two other times before being sold to the current owner, Ian Coley, on May 2nd, 2003 for $14,621.12.  The kit was last seen being restored by Rob Telleria who has stated he has invested $20,000 into the restoration project; accordingly it is unknown why the auction value of the kit has been placed at only $4,000-$6,000.

For more information visit Julien'sLive.com. - Thanks to Joe Pesch and Greg Nosek for the headsup!

Decibrity Playlist: “Best of” Rush | Decibel Magazine

Decibel magazine has posted a new story online, Decibrity Playlist: “Best of” Rush:
"We may not write about these Canadians very often, but it’s undeniable that Rush has had a profound effect on legions of artists that we do cover. So to celebrate next week’s release of the ubiquitous band’s 19th (!) full-length studio album, we compiled a 'best of' Rush playlist that features tracks hand-picked by some of the many musicians who have been slappin’ da bass over the years."
- Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand.com, who provided Decibel with background info on the artists featured!

Classic Rock Fan Pack Exclusive Bonus Content

The CD booklet included in the Classic Rock fan pack includes the text "Exclusive bonus content, to unlock the hands of time visit: watchmaker.classicrockmagazine.com. This link includes web page with a six minutes video interview with Geddy Lee where he discusses recording at Henson studios, Neil's drum parts, and "The Garden". - Thanks to Ed @ RushIsABand for the headsup!

"Clockwork Angels" linernotes and lyrics page

Early receivers of the Clockwork Angels fanpack have been kind enough to share detailed photos of the album's linernotes including lyrics.  In turn, John at Cygnus-X1.net has been kind enough to transcribe them and has shared them with us.  Thanks John!

Click here for our Clockwork Angels linernotes and lyrics page (just click on the song titles for the lyrics).  This page also includes the Clockwork Angels "album news archive" which has a complete breakdown of the history of the album thus far from the members of Rush "In Their Own Words".

Toronto's Q107's "Q & A With Rush"

Toronto's Q107's is hosting an upcoming "Q & A With Rush" and you can win a spot in the studio with Rush:
"Be Part of An Intimate Q&A with Rush!  The Mighty Q presents the world album premiere of Rush’s Clockwork Angels, and you could be there when Rush stops by the Q107 World Headquarters!  To win your way into this exclusive event, enter right now! If you’re lucky, you and a pal will join Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson live at Corus Quay with host Jeff Woods for an intimate Q&A about the new album!" - Click here to enter.
- Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Neil Peart Named "Best Prog Drummer/Best Educational DVD" - Modern Drummer, July 2012 issue

The results of Modern Drummer's 2012 Readers Poll are included in their July issue, and Neil Peart won both "Best Prog Drummer" and "Best Educational DVD":
"As the old joke goes, if an entry for progressive rock drummer were in the dictionary, it would be Peart's face that you'd see. Neil's a bona fide cultural touchstone, nearly forty years into his career - but somehow he seems more active than ever. Last year saw the Rush drummer/lyricist appear on MD's December cover, release the book Far and Away: A Prize Every Time, participate in the legendary Canadian band's Time Machine tour, release the DVDs Taking Center Stage and Fire on Ice: The Making of the Hockey Theme, and anchor the first drum solo week on Letterman.
-Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Ernest Cline's "Ready Player One" Now In Paperback - RUSH inside

The paperback edition of last year's sensational Ready Player One (think Charlie And The Chocolate Factory meets The Matrix), the debut novel by Ernest Cline, hits bookstores today.

The writer of the geek-fest Fanboys, Ernest Cline is a hard core Rush fan, and among the tons of 80's references throughout the book, RUSH serves as a major plot device and is a guaranteed, well, rush, for any Rush fan.

In addition, to commemorate the release of the paperback, Ernest Cline is giving away a Delorean!
"[Cline] has hidden an “Easter egg” in the text of both the hardcover and paperback editions of Ready Player One. If readers can find this hidden clue, it will lead them to the first of three increasingly difficult video game challenges. The first person to complete all three of these challenges will win the grand prize, a 1981 DeLorean automobile, complete with a Flux Capacitor! Ernest Cline will be driving this DeLorean Time Machine across the country on his book tour this June, so contestants will have a chance to see the grand prize in person at each of his book signings." - For details visit Ernest Cline's blog.

Ted Leo's Life With Rush: Closer to the Heart - Spin.com

Spin.com has posted an article "Ted Leo's Life With Rush: Closer to the Heart" by Ted Leo, an American punk rock/indie rock songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has played in the bands Citizens Arrest, Chisel, The Sin-Eaters, The Spinanes, and Ted Leo and the Pharmacists.

Ted talks about his life-long love of Rush, including scenes of his life where the music of Rush was present and how it affected him. 

- Thanks to John @ Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

Get a Sneak Peak at Clockwork Angels: The Novel, and Meet Kevin J. Anderson

Kevin J. Anderson will be at the Book Expo America in New York City this week signing a special limited edition sampler booklet of Clockwork Angels: The Novel.

The booklet includes the first three chapters of the novel (which roughly cover the song “Caravan”), the lyrics to “Caravan,” three full-color paintings by Hugh Syme, and original introductions by Neil Peart and by myself.  The Expo is at the Javitz Center in New York City, Monday–Thursday June 3-7; Kevin will be signing a limited number of the booklets at the ECW booth, #2740, from 2:30–3:30 PM on Tuesday and from 10–11 AM on Wednesday. - Thanks to John at Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

Geddy Lee Video Interview with Stormbringer

Austria's Stormbringer.at recently conducted an interview with RUSH bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee in Cologne, Germany. Over 16 minutes long, Geddy talks about the album, the tour, and confirms the band has no plans of retiring.  You can watch the video here. - Thanks to Blabbermouth.net for the headsup!

"Geddy did better when Rush fired him" - ClassicRock.com

ClassicRock.com has posted a sample from the new Classic Rock Rush Fan Pack:
"The bassist and singer was dismissed long before the Canadian outfit made their first recording. It happened even before they’d become a three-piece. The band’s new manager, Ray Danniels, who is still with them, carried out both the firing and re-hiring...He says: “That was pre-history really. We hadn’t recorded yet and were still in our embryonic stage, and Ray came along. He had no real reputation yet as a manager or anything. He was just kind of an agent working in Toronto.

“So he started directing the band and he just thought I wasn’t suitable, for whatever reasons he had. I don’t know whether it was the way I looked, or my religious background – who the fuck knew?

“Anyway, he influenced them and they went along with it, Alex Lifeson and John Rutsey, and I was out. They kicked me out.”

Rush were still laying the foundations of the band they’d become playing local drop-in centres with Lifeson, Rutsey and Lee’s brother-in-law Lindy Young on piano. After being dropped Lee formed a new outfit and joined them on the low-end live circuit.

“I started a blues band,” he says, “and I was, frankly speaking, doing better than they were. Then I got a call from John and he said, ‘Can we get together?’ Basically, ‘Can you come back? We’re sorry.’

“They had to go through whatever they went through. We tried it again and that’s really when the band started. We became this three-piece and we were really going in the same direction.”
 - Thanks to Tony Riviere for the headsup!

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - June 2012

Neil Peart has posted his first "News Weather and Sports" update since January, this one is titled "Where Words Fail, Music Speaks".

Neil talks about RUSH's receiving both the Ronnie James Dio Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement this past April 11th in Los Angeles (originally, Neil intended to not appear out of shyness ("because I’m me"), but effectively was forced to appear when Alex bowed out), and the Governor-General’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Performing Arts in Ottawa on May 4th.

Neil talks at length about both events, and of meeting Pete Townshend (including a back history of how as a teen, Neil was basically obsessed with The Who).

Neil also tells of how on April 16 at Henson Studios in Hollywood (where Clockwork Angels had been mixed), Neil recorded the drum track for the song "Instamatic" with Matt Scannell for the upcoming Vertical Horizon album.