Neil Peart's "Traveling Music: Playing Back the Soundtrack to My Life and Times"

Travelling Music: Neil Peart's third publicly published book, Traveling Music: Playing Back the Soundtrack to My Life and Times, is now available in both paperback and hardback editions.

Neil Peart decided to drive his BMW Z-8 automobile from L.A. to Big Bend National Park, in Southwest Texas. As he sped along "between the gas-gulping SUVs and asthmatic Japanese compacts clumping in the left lane, and the roaring, straining semis in the right," he acted as his own DJ, lining up the CDs chronologically and according to his possible moods.

"Not only did the music I listened to accompany my journey, but it also took me on sidetrips, through memory and fractals of associations, threads reaching back through my whole life in ways I had forgotten, or had never suspected...Sifting through those decades and those memories, I realized that I wasn’t interested in recounting the facts of my life in purely autobiographical terms, but rather...in trying to unweave the fabric of my life and times. As one who was never much interested in looking back, because always too busy moving forward, I found that once I opened those doors to the past, I became fascinated with the times and their effect on me. The songs and the stories I had taken for granted suddenly had a resonance that had clearly echoed down the corridors of my entire life, and I felt a thrill of recognition, and the sense of a kind of adventure. A travel story, but not so much about places, but about music and memories."

Contents Under Pressure

Contents Under Pressure, the new retrospective book covering the complete 30 year history of RUSH is now available.  Written by Martin Popoff, the 236 page book is full color with 270 photos. - Aug. 9th, 2004

"Contents Under Pressure celebrates the 30th anniversary of Canada's beloved Rush, the hard-hitting, progressive rock band known for such classics as "Working Man," "Closer to the Heart," "The Spirit of Radio," "Tom Sawyer," "New World Man," "Roll the Bones" and "Ghost Rider." In original interviews with Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart, author Martin Popoff considers each of Rush's albums and tours. He elicits fresh insights on the writing and recording process, as well as musings on the grinds and glories of touring. Along the way, Popoff examines, with the band, nearly every song in the band's vast catalogue. This book also features 270 photos by official band photographer Andrew MacNaughtan and others - candid, rare, and of utmost quality, they help make Contents Under Pressure an essential piece of Rush history."

Feedback

Feedback, Rush's EP containing eight cover songs from the 60's, was released June 29th. For additional information including comments from the band regarding the release, click here.

"We always talked about throwing a cover or two into the encore just for fun. When we put this 30th anniversary tour together, we realized that we didn't have enough time to do a proper studio album. A friend of mine suggested, 'Well, maybe you guys should dip into your past. Play some songs you used to play when you were in your formative years. Just record them quickly for fun, not overthink it, and just put out a little EP to celebrate where you were as opposed to where you are.' We thought it might be a way to juice us before the tour, so that's what we did. We tried not to get too trendy with it and really go back and play songs that we really did play in early versions of our band. We recorded about eight of them and did them live off the floor in a very short period of time for us - three weeks. It was really a lot of fun." - Geddy Lee, The Columbus Dispatch, June 2, 2004

"We talked about maybe doing a couple cover songs making them available on our website but once we got into it, we fell in love with the idea. We were having so much fun that we expanded it to 8 songs and if we'd had the time, we could easily have done 12 or 13 songs and made a full album." - Alex Lifeson, Epiphone.com, July 29, 2004

Toronto Rocks DVD

Rush performed for approximately 450,000 people as part of the "Molson Canadian Rocks For Toronto" concert, a benefit for Toronto's SARS-depressed economy held on July 30th, 2003, in Toronto's Downsview Park. Three songs from Rush's set are included on the Toronto Rocks DVD, released June 29th, 2004. The all day concert was cut to 2:40 for DVD which contains six songs by the Stones, and between one to three songs from the remaining performers. Each performer was sent a tape of their performance, and allowed to choose their favorites: Rush chose "Limelight", "Freewill" and "The Spirit of Radio" (with an instrumental intro of The Stones' "Paint It, Black"). Included in the bonus footage is Peart's meeting the Stones' Charlie Watts and discussing drums. A two disk set in Canada, the DVD will be released as a single disk elsewhere by cutting out some of the lesser known Canadian talent. All artists agreed to dontate all DVD sales revenue to several charities, especially those related to the SARS outbreak (benefitting hospitality and health workers). For additional information click here. - June 29, 2004

Power Windows website mentioned on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim!

Sunday night, May 23rd, Adult Swim ran a rerun of the "Blackwatch Plaid" episode of Harvey Birdman: Attorney At Law which contains references to Moving Pictures. The timing of this repeat episode was likely planned to coincide with the launching of the 30th Anniversary tour, much as they aired the episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force the week Rush In Rio was released! Before the episode, Adult Swim reportedly applauded the completeness of this website's listings of their Rush References in Pop Culture, and how it even includes the "(Caress of Swim)" comment which aired after the "Spirit Journey Formation Anniversary" episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force last October. [NOTE: If anyone captured this on tape, please, let us know!]

Rush In Rio, Music DVD of the Year

Recognizing the artist, director and producer, Rush In Rio, Rush's first live DVD, is the inaugural winner of the Juno Award for Music DVD of the Year. Submissions were judged by a panel of industry experts and voted on by the CARAS membership. Other nominees included: Avril Lavigne ("My World"), Alanis Morissette ("Feast On Scraps"), Our Lady Peace ("Our Lady Peace Live") and Simple Plan ("A Big Package For You 1999-2003").

Released Oct. 21st, 2003, the DVD was recorded and filmed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the final night of the Vapor Trails tour. This is the first Rush DVD to be released on both DVD as well as a 3CD live album. For more information visit the Rush In Rio news archive.

Alex Lifeson remembers "The Worst Gig"

In a recent article which compiles many artists' remembrances of their "worst gig", Alex Lifeson remembers:

"It was a long time ago, the first tour in fact in 1974. We were playing at a university in Baltimore. It was just before the show and we came out to sort of peak around to look at the audience before the doors opened and they came in. And we saw that the girls were dressed in little white socks and long skirts and all the guys had greaser hairdos. It turned out to be one of these '50s sock hop things. We went on and were wearing satin pants and big high boots. And we started with 'Finding My Way' from the first record. They just sort of stood there and stared at us. Then by the second song they started to rumble. By the fourth song it was 'BOOOOO.' Get out of here! Get off!' So of course we turned everything up a little bit and continued to play. Then finally the promoter said, 'Thanks guys. You're done.' But they were nasty. They were really pissed off. I'm sure if we would have kept going they would have thrown their greasy combs at us." - Alex Lifeson, Lawrence.com, February 13, 2004

"Rush rock on for a fine drop of Macallan"

"Whisky on the rocks all round this Christmas for the employees of the Edrington group, quite literally as in go 'heavy on the rocks'. Heavy rocker Neil Peart, writer/lyricist and drummer for Rush, the Canadian rock band, sent them stocking-filling goodies as a sign of appreciation for his visit to Glasgow earlier this year. The band played a sell-out concert in Glasgow a few months ago and Edrington presented a bottle of The Macallan Fine Oak 15-year-old single malt to Neil to celebrate his birthday. Neil, or 'the Professor' as he is referred to, is a fan of The Macallan and makes regular references to it in his book Ghost Rider and the more recently-released Travelling Music and thousands of RUSH fans have become devotees of the brand. The Professor was much taken with the warm gesture in Glasgow and, on his return to North America, sent a package of 'goodies' to the company, including signed CDs, pictures and other memorabilia. These have now been distributed amongst RUSH fans who work for the distiller. Whether they will now play Rush over the Tannoy in the bottling plant remains to be seen." - "Rush rock on for a fine drop of Macallan", Scotsman.com, December 27, 2004

Sabian Signature Neil Peart Paragon Cymbals

"Sabian is pleased to announce the addition of Neil Peart to its family of drummers. In association with this, Sabian is very proud to introduce Paragon, a new range of signature cymbals created in collaboration with Neil Peart, drummer with legendary rockers Rush." - Sabian.com, Jan. 1, 2004

Written for Sabian's Newsbeat Magazine (2004/2005 issue, published Jan. 2004) by Neil Peart, "A Motorbike Trip to Meductic" sees Neil Peart, the legendary drummer from Rush detail his visit to the SABIAN 'Vault' and the creation of his new Signature Neil Peart Paragon cymbals." - Sabian.com, January 20, 2004

"The Stickmen: With Guest Alex Lifeson

As previously announced, Alex Lifeson appears with Toronto band "The Stickmen" on their new release, Side Two. Formed in January of 2002, The Stickmen features founder Bernie LeBarge of The Dexters, and is the regular band at the Orbit Room on Friday nights. Alex Lifeson, co-owner of The Orbit Room, performs on one track, "Hey Bop A-Rebop". Released December 12, the cd is now available at Iridescent Music. For more information visit The Stickmen or The Orbit Room.

Rush on Rolling Stones' "Four Flicks"

The first documentary disk of the new Rolling Stones DVD Four Flicks, which covers their "Licks Tour", includes a section on the SARS benefit concert with excerpts of Geddy at the press conference, partial interviews with Alex, plus clips of Alex meeting Burton Cummings of The Guess Who and Neil being greeted by Stones drummer Charlie Watts as Geddy and Alex look on.

Released November 11th, according to RollingStones.com, "to avoid traditional distribution costs, the band granted exclusive selling rights to the Best Buy chain, where Flicks is $29.99. The European version, sold through conventional channels, costs roughly $70.

Univeral SACD Releases Cancelled

Last week High Fidelity Review.com announced plans by Universal/Mercury to release the first five Rush albums (RUSH through All The World's A Stage) on SACD (Super Audio Compact Disk offering high resolution format with superior sound).  However, these reports were apparently false. A source with Anthem records has confirmed that any such plans are way on the back burner, as Universal is no longer supporting the SACD format.

Alex Lifeson on Primus' "Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People"

Rush fans viewing the new Primus DVD, Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People, released October 7, will be treated to an interview by a strikingly familiar face.  The "Brown Album" portion of the DVD has an area called "Horrible Swill" which contains an interview of the band performed by one "Big Al", wearing black rimmed glasses and fake crooked teeth. In addition, the "Attic" area contains a "pictures" section which includes a photo of Les Claypool and Geddy Lee fishing!

Sorrow Rather Than Celebration

Alex Lifeson's 50th birthday (born August 27, 1953) was the sorrowful occasion of the passing of his father, Nenad Zivojinovich. The obituary reads "donations to the Kidney Foundation would be appreciated by the family". Fans wishing to express condolences to Alex are asked to send them via email to info@rush.com, where they will be forwarded to Alex.

Rush In September 2003 "GQ" Magazine

Rush is included in a humorous listing in the September 2003 issue of GQ magazine: page 140 includes "10 Songs Not To Make Love To":

1. "Puttin' on the Ritz" by Taco; 2. "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" by Iron Maiden; 3. "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss") by Cher; 4. ""#!*@ You Tonight" by Notorious B.I.G. featuring R. Kelly; 5. "Rockit" by Herbie Hancock; 6. "Downtown" by Petula Clark; 7. "YYZ" by Rush; 8. "Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ" by Steve Reich; 9. "Centerfield" by John Fogerty; 10. "In the Gloaming" (Traditional)

Toronto SARS Benefit Concert

Rush performed for approximately 450,000 people in Toronto's Downsview Park as part of the "Molson Canadian Rocks For Toronto" concert on July 30th to benefit Toronto's SARS-depressed economy. The list of performers for the nine hour concert included The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, The Guess Who, Justin Timberlake, Sam Roberts, The Flaming Lips, Kathleen Edwards, The Isley Brothers, Sass Jordan, La Chincane, and Dan Aykroyd with Jim Belushi and the "have love will travel revue". Rush's 35 minute set of mostly hits included an instrumental cover of the Stones' "Paint It, Black" (setlist: Tom Sawyer, Limelight, Dreamline, YYZ, Freewill, Closer To The Heart (no jam), Paint It Black, The Spirit Of Radio).
In typical fashion, Rush received little media recognition for their performance, which preceded both AC/DC (55 min. set) and The Stones (70 min set), and were not even mentioned in CNN's online review of the show. Additional news coverage can be found at CBC News and Billboard.com.
"When we were first asked to play Molson Canadian Rocks For Toronto, it seemed impossible to say yes. We had been off the road for 8 months, our gear was in the warehouse, most of our crew was out on other tours, and even we were all over the place - Geddy with his family in France, Alex working in the studio mixing our Rio de Janeiro show, and me on my motorcycle in the California mountains. However, when we thought about everything Toronto meant to our lives, to our work and play, our homes and families and friends, it seemed impossible to say no!" Neil Peart, Rush.com Newsletter, July 3, 2003

Neil's Red Tama Kit Sells On Ebay

In 1986, Neil Peart replaced his red Tama drumkit which had been used since the Moving Pictures tour.  At that time, he wrote:

"Early in 1986, I started to think that it was time for a new drumkit. My red Tamas had been through four or five serious tours, and had been used in the recording of Signals, Grace Under Pressure, and Power Windows. They still sounded and looked great, but were getting a little tired, and besides, every four or five years I just like a change - perhaps a different sound and look." - Neil Peart, Modern Drummer, May 1987

The drums were soon awarded in a Modern Drummer contest to Jack Hess, who sold them twelve years later on ebay for $26,100. In the last two years, the drums have appeared on ebay more than once, and May 2nd, 2003, they were sold again on ebay for $14,621.12. Today I received an email from the buyer who wrote:
"Thought u may like to know that I have recently purchased the drum kit via ebay for an undisclosed sum, it is currently being restored to full glory in florida, before being shipped to myself in UK, where eventually I will loan it to the Birmingham or Bristol Hard rock cafe for display.. Ian Coley" Ian, the entire Rush community thanks you! - June 5, 2003

Alex Lifeson "Famous Plates"

Alex Lifeson participated in the "Famous Plates" charity event at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex in Toronto on May 14th. The event featured "gourmet delights, inspired by famous entertainers and prepared by top Canadian chefs", where the chef created a 'Signature Celebrity Dish' unique to that celebrity which was served to the patrons. It is rumored that Lifeson also performed live but no confirmation has been found. For additional information visit FamousPlates.com.

Rush #21 of Rock's Richest 50

The April 3rd issue of Rolling Stone contains the story "Rock's 50 Richest". The tallies are based on the year 2002, and Rush came in at #21, with touring net at $13.4 million. However, revenue from recording is listed as $0; shouldn't this total reflect sales of Vapor Trails?

"Rush released their first new album in six years, Vapor Trails, and followed it up with a tour that brought the Canadian power trio an $18 million guarantee. The band's devoted following helped the outing gross $27 million in sixty-two cities. But that's a lot of moving around - compare it to Billy Joel and Elton John's tour, which grossed $65 million for thirty-four shows in fourteen cities - so a good chunk of that got eaten up on the road." - RollingStone.com, Apr. 3, 2003 issue

Canadian Museum of Civilization to Honor Rush

"...the museum has received a major gift of rock memorabilia from the Toronto-based arena-rock giants to be displayed in the permanent exhibition of popular culture...guitars, drum kits and a samples of their gold and platinum records. 'It's an honour for us to be included in the national collection,' said Lifeson. 'To know that the spirit of our contribution to Canadian music will live on for years, and that it will be shared by so many, makes us very proud.'" - Jam!Showbiz, April 2, 2003