Tiffin University's "Rush: Progressive Rock and Modern Society"

According to an article published in today's Tiffin, Ohio, Advertiser-Tribune, this fall Tiffin University students will have the opportunity to take a 15 week course of Rush titled "Rush: Progressive Rock and Modern Society":
This fall, Canadian rock band Rush is coming to town in the form of a new class to be offered at Tiffin University.

The course, "Rush: Progressive Rock and Modern Society," is to explore the musical and cultural issues of the 1970s and '80s, according to course instructor and adjunct professor Nathan Santos.

The History of John Rutsey and Rush - UltimateClassicRock.com

40 years ago this past weekend was when John Rutsey last performed with Rush.  Within days, Neil Peart would take up the drum throne.  On Friday UltimateClassicRock.com posted "The History of John Rutsey and Rush" recounting both Rush's early history, as well as how he was remembered recent years. 

"John Petrucci of Dream Theater Discusses '2112' - The Record That Changed My Life" - Guitar World

Today Guitar World posted a new story where John Petrucci of Dream Theater discusses '2112', "The Record That Changed My Life":
“If I had to pick a favorite band of all time, it would be Rush.

"As a teenager, I was already familiar with the group and its albums like Moving Pictures and Signals. But once I discovered 2112, it opened me up to this whole concept that rock music could be bigger than just a tune—that it could be used as a vehicle to tell a story or to transport you to some other world.

"The idea of a big piece like that being broken down into numbered sections like they were chapters in a book was just unbelievable to me, and it’s a technique that I continue to use to this day.

“I have so much respect for [Rush drummer] Neil Peart, especially as a lyricist. And 2112 was the first time I heard something where, lyrically, it didn’t have to just be about the typical rock and roll topics, that it could be about something more heady or esoteric, something that makes you think. That really influenced me as a lyricist.

“I was also blown away by how a three-piece band could sound so majestic and huge and play in a style that’s inherently rock and roll yet still pushes the boundaries of what they’re doing musically—this idea of being experimental, using different time signatures and not really being concerned about song length and traditional constraints. I can’t tell you how huge of an impact that had on me. 2112 basically set the course for my musical career and how I approached Dream Theater.”
- Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Geddy Lee "Family" Feature in Classic Rock's 200th Issue

Yesterday the UK's Classic Rock magazine's mammoth 200th issue hit the newsstands, and in the Family section there is a new interview with Geddy Lee.  The subheading reads "The Rush Man On Life And Love Outside The Band," and I have transcribed the article for your reading pleasure here. - Thanks to Reed Lover for sending the article!

Geddy Lee Featured in Terroni magazine #6

Geddy Lee is featured on the cover of the current issue of Terroni magazine.  Included is "A Conversation With Geddy Lee" where he talks about his 40 year obsession with fine wine, and the intro of the article does confirm Rush is in the midst of planning a 41st anniversary tour. The issue is online and can be viewed here- Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Geddy Lee Featured In "Primus, Over the Electric Grapevine"

Geddy Lee is one of a host of musicians interviewed in Primus, Over the Electric Grapevine: Insight into Primus and the World of Les Claypool, the new book by Greg Prato.  Set for release on September 16, you can preorder your copy here.
"Usually when the “alternative rock revolution” of the early 1990s is discussed, Nirvana’s Nevermind is credited as the recording that led the charge. Yet there were several earlier albums that helped pave the way, including the Pixies’ Doolittle, the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Mother’s Milk, Jane’s Addiction’s Nothing’s Shocking, and especially Primus’ 1991 album Sailing the Seas of Cheese.

"This fascinating and beautifully curated oral history tells the tale of this truly one-of-a-kind band. Compiled from nearly fifty all-new interviews conducted by journalist/author Greg Prato—including Primus members past and present and many more fellow musicians—this book is sure to appeal to longtime fans of the band, as well as admirers of the musicians interviewed for the book.

"Interviewees include: Tim Alexander, Trey Anastasio (Phish), Matthew Bellamy (Muse), Les Claypool, Stewart Copeland (The Police), Chuck D (Public Enemy), Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Larry LaLonde, Geddy Lee (Rush), Mickey Melchiondo (Ween), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Matt Stone (South Park), Tom Waits, and many more."
- Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Geddy Lee Supports "Save the Sam The Record Man Sign"

UPDATE: Last week the final resting place of the "Sam The Record Man" sign was decided when the Toronto City Council voted to have the sign moved to the roof of 277 Victoria Street, a city-owned building on the east side of Yonge-Dundas Square, and have Ryerson University pick up the bill.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2013: After closing their doors in 2007, the Sam the Record Man Yonge street location in Toronto was later purchased by adjacent Ryerson University.  Part of the purchase agreement was Ryerson's promise to eventually remount the iconic dual disk neon Sam The Record Man sign.  After backing out on that promise, a Facebook page SOS: SAVE OUR SAM the Record Man Sign was launched, and an online petition has been created.  Geddy Lee has given his support of the effort, with the following letter sent to the Toronto City Council:
"The Sam the Record Man store and sign were important fixtures in Toronto's musical landscape as well as its Civic history. Sadly, all that remains now are our memories of the store and this magnificent neon sign. Ryerson and the city of Toronto should absolutely preserve what myself and many of its citizens consider to be an important symbol of our past and of that store's contributions to our culture." -Geddy Lee
To give your support of the effort, sign the petition! - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

"Diehards" by Erin Feinberg, featuring essay by Neil Peart

After an initial small release in 2013, the photography book Diehards by Erin Feinberg has been reissued with a July 1, 2014 publication date.  Diehards turns the camera the other direction and focuses on the energy and spirit that fuels every live show—the fans.  The book includes original essays from Bruce Springsteen and Neil Peart, an excerpt of which follows:
"In London, England, on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, I took another photograph from my drums, this time at the end of the show, just before the encore...Returning to London to play with Rush in the late ‘70s had been hugely important to me, and so it remained every time—at the Hammersmith Odeon, the Wembley Arena, and this time, at the new O2 Arena. Like playing in Toronto, Montreal, or—in recent years—Los Angeles, London was a kind of 'hometown gig' to me.""
Inspired by the diverse character and culture of music fans, Feinberg spent a decade photographing audiences across all genres and from every vantage point. From the “Deadheads” out in the parking lots, to the “Kiss Army” up in the rafters; the fans screaming around the stages for U2 and Lady Gaga, to the mosh pits at the Warped Tour and Mayhem Music Festival; Feinberg captured the raw energy and emotion in more than one­ hundred stunning images of fans under the spell of the music.

“I discovered a unique bond among these enthusiasts that transcends language, ethnicity, gender, and even the very music we are celebrating—because the music defines who we are.” Says Feinberg, “Through my lens I’ve witnessed fan subcultures born of this devotion.”

A wide range of audiences are seen throughout Diehards – the fans of U2, Bruce Springsteen, Kiss, Jimmy Buffet, The Grateful Dead, Phish, Bob Dylan, Judas Priest, Metallica, Motorhead, Ozzy Osbourne, Jay Z, Public Enemy, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Led Zeppelin, Lady Gaga, Marilyn Manson, James Taylor, Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones, the Ramones, Madonna, Social Distortion, Against Me!, Green Day, Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine, the Foo Fighters, Motley Crue, Aerosmith, Rush, The Flaming Lips and many more.

For more info visit diehardsbook.com. - Thanks to Amy Franklin for the headsup!

"Presto" SACD by AudioFidelity Delayed Until July 15th

Presto, the latest AudioFidelity SACD (Super Audio CD) release by Rush, has been delayed until July 15th.  This is a limited release, preorder here.