David Phillips' "From The Riser, A Drummer's Perspective II" with foreword by Neil Peart now available

David Phillips is proud to launch his latest book, From The Riser: A Drummer’s Perspective II, a follow up to the critically acclaimed A Drummer’s Perspective.

The beautifully designed, From The Riser is a photographic celebration of many of today’s greatest drummers and percussionists. It unashamedly captures the energy, emotion and elegance of the world’s best, playing with the world’s greatest bands.

The book features two hundred and seventy previously unseen photographs taken exclusively by the author. It includes over one hundred and thirty legendary drummers including Neil Peart (Rush), Gary Wallis (Pink Floyd), Graham Broad (Roger Waters), Deen Castronovo (Journey), Gavin Harrison (King Crimson), Ginger Baker (Cream), Ian Paice (Deep Purple), Marco Minnemann (Joe Satriani), Martin Axenrot (Opeth), Craig Blundell (Steven Wilson) Mike Mangini (Dream Theater), Stewart Copeland (The Police), Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa), Todd Sucherman (Styx) and many more. Included alongside the many striking images is a record of Phillips’ cherished collection of backstage passes, set lists and other memorabilia.

Rush’s Neil Peart, who penned the foreword for the book says ‘not many photographers have captured that performance art as well as David …. One accomplishment is simply collecting photographs .... but the greater gift is delivering such iconic images.’

Phillips is an intuitive, talented, self-taught photographer who, as a drummer himself, demonstrates a natural affinity with his subjects particularly when working in a live environment. Capturing portraits of drummers has become second nature to him and his work in Artists Relations provides extraordinary contact with an incredible range of musicians and bands.

This ambitious book, with over one hundred and eighty pages, is a lavish tribute to drumming and drummers, which reflects Phillip’s intuitive knowledge and deep respect of all things percussion. It is a complete compendium, packed with expressive, jaw-dropping photos. To get shots like this you have to understand drummers, drums and playing live.

From The Riser: A Drummer’s Perspective II retails for £29.99 ($39.99,€35.50) and is only available to purchase from the Author’s website http://www.music-images.co.uk/

"Subdivisions" covered by Allegaeon on "Proponent for Sentience"

Colorado death-metal band Allegaeon have covered "Subdivisions" for their new album Proponent for Sentience set for release on September 23, 2016.  Check out the track below; click here to order. - Thanks to Paul Jacobi for the headsup!

Don Henley Remarks on Rush's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Don Henley has come out in the past as not being a fan of Rush, but in a recent interview with the Montreal Gazette he talks about Rush's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the fans in attendance, and Alex Lifeson's acceptance speech in particular:

DH: "Yeah, the Rush fans - I encountered them when I inducted Randy Newman into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Rush was being inducted the same night. They were a drunken, rowdy bunch. (Laughs) They shouted down Oprah Winfrey! It was funny. But Rush, they were very charming. Which one was it who got up and did a whole acceptance speech just using the words “blah blah blah”?

MG: That was Alex Lifeson.

DH: It was brilliant. It was fucking brilliant. Because you knew what he was saying, because of his inflection and his hand movements and stuff like that. It just brought the house down. I’ll never forget that. But I was lucky that night, because I got to go on first before their audience got toasted. So they were fairly quiet while I was on. I left after my bit was done, but I understand it got pretty ugly. Anyway …

- Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson Receive Key to the City at Lee-Lifeson Art Park Opening in Toronto

On Saturday, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson receive the Key to the City of Toronto at the Lee-Lifeson Art Park opening in Toronto.  Video coverage is below.  Here's some detail from Billboard.com:

“We’re obviously thrilled and amazed that someone would want to do something like this and put our names on it, and we’re really happy for the community that there’s some investment arts and leisure for this neighbourhood,” said Lee.
“This park will still be here weeks after we're gone,” quipped Lifeson.

The mothers of both musicians were in attendance, shielded from the elements under the tented stage.

The ceremony for The Lee-Lifeson Art Park began with a performance by Jacob Moon of “Subdivisions,” the rooftop cover he did in 2008 that is now approaching a half-million views on YouTube.  George Stroumboulopoulos then interviewed Lee and Lifeson, asking about the park dedication, as well as the album 2112 (they sat on 2112 stools), and what they have been doing since their final tour, R40, ended in 2015.

“We may do house calls — maybe,” joked Lifeson.

“It’s been an adjustment this past year,” he added, seriously. “We’ve been following up on some interests that we both have. We’re learning to get used to the idea and it’s taken a while, but I feel confident about a lot of things and music is definitely still one of them. And I’m sure that we’ll do something in the future. You can’t just stop playing and writing music.”

Said Lee, “I play almost every day that I’m around the house. I’ve been traveling a lot with my wife. We’re very big into seeing the world and taking advantage of this break in my career, whatever it may be, but I love playing and I play a lot and sooner or later the right thing will happen.”

The two members of Rush — solidified as a trio with drummer Neil Peart — have always lived in Toronto, where they raised families. Lifeson started the band in Willowdale in 1971, with Lee joining that May.  Peart joined in 1974, finalizing a lineup that has remained intact all these years.

“Our friendship started very close to here and our musical life together began very close to here,” said Lee, 63, recalling “the first night he [Lifeson] got me high in the park.” (“Quiet, our moms are here,” said Lifeson, also 63).

One of their first gigs, which cost 50 cents to get in, was also around the corner at St. Gabe’s (Saint Gabriel’s Parish), put on with their long-time manager Ray Danniels, who was at the park dedication.

Asked by Stroumboulopoulos what it means to them that the park is an “art” park, Lee said, “Art is the thing that elevates you out of whatever situation you’re in. Art is constant for that. Art is the thing that you pour your heart into, that whatever you’re doing, whatever aspect of life, whatever situation you find yourself in, art elevates it. It heals. It’s given us everything in our lives, so to be associated with that kind of thought and that kind of concept is amazing, fantastic.”

The idea for the 7000 sq. metre art park originated with Councillor John Fillon in 2012, who also came onstage to say a few words.

“We wanted to name the park after them, not because they’re rock stars, not just because they’ve sold many, many millions of albums and sell out concerts around the world and have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but also because they are such extraordinary musicians, and this park is about creativity and encouraging the creative spirit, encouraging people to just work on their craft and become great and do something great,” Fillon said. “So it is wonderful to have the park named after such inspiring musicians.”

Mayor John Tory then gave the pair the Key to the City.

Below is Geddy and Alex's interview with George Stroumboulopoulos:

Rush Referenced in Forza Horizon 3

Xbox's "Forza Horizon 3" racing game is scheduled for release on September 27th, but some copies have already shipped.  One of the driveable cars featured in the game is the 1948 Ferrari 166MM Barchetta, the car that inspired Rush's "Red Barchetta".  As seen in this screen shot, the game confirms "Ferrari's Barchetta ('small boat') been the subject of a famous classic rock song" and that "the roar of the V12 and its visually stunning shape will make practically any historic Ferrari fan long for, as the song goes, a better vanished time."  You can purchase the game here. - Thanks to Craig Heslop for the headsup!

Neil Peart's "Far And Wide: Bring That Horizon To Me!" Now Available

"Far And Wide: Bring That Horizon To Me!", the new 312 page hardcover book written by Neil Peart about the R40 tour, is now officially available, with a release date of September 13.  If you haven't already be sure to order your copy now.

 "Thirty-five concerts. 17,000 motorcycle miles. Three months. One lifetime.

"In May 2015, the veteran Canadian rock trio RUSH embarked on their fortieth anniversary tour, 'R40'. For the band and their fans, 'R40' was a celebration and, perhaps, a farewell. But for Neil Peart, each tour is more than just a string of concerts, it's an opportunity to explore backroads near and far on his BMW motorcycle. So if this was to be the last tour and the last great adventure, he decided it would have to be the best one, onstage and off.

"This third volume in Peart's illustrated travel series shares all-new tales that transport the reader across North America and through memories of fifty years of playing drums. From the scenic grandeur of the American West to a peaceful lake in Quebec's Laurentian Mountains to the mean streets of Midtown Los Angeles, each story is shared in an intimate narrative voice that has won the hearts of many readers.

"Richly illustrated, thoughtful, and ever-engaging, Far and Wide is an elegant scrapbook of people and places, music and laughter, from a fascinating road — and a remarkable life."