Rock Aid Armenia Reissue: "Smoke On The Water: The Metropolis Sessions"

Originally released in 1990 on Rock-Aid Armenia, The Earthquake Album, the all star recording of "Smoke On The Water" is being reissued as Smoke On The Water: The Metropolis Sessions on November 22 (preorder the cd or (download from itunes). A benefit for the victims of the earthquake in Armenia on December 7, 1988, "Smoke on the Water" was recorded by an all star group of performers (see below) including Alex Lifeson.

"Smoke On The Water" was recorded over five sessions from July 8th to September 24th, 1989. Neil Peart had agreed to take part but was unable due to scheduling conflicts. Alex was in attendance for only the final session on September 24th:

"The one person from Rush who thankfully was able to make it was Alex Lifeson. He felt that there was enough solos on the record so he prepared some guitar lines that would underpin the song and give it some groove. You can hear his playing at the start of the guitar solos, in the Paul Rodgers verse and he's the one playing the crash chords at the end of the song. He did it all in one take. John Brough and I [Jon Dee, Founder of Rock Aid Armenia] were producing the session that day and we were duly impressed. When Alex left the room we just stared at each other and raise our eyebrows in awe." - RockAidArmenia.com

"Smoke On The Water" includes: Lead guitarists: Richie Blackmore (Deep Purple), Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), Alex Lifeson (Rush), Brian May (Queen) and Geoff Beauchamp. Vocalists: Ian Gillan (Deep Purple), Bryan Adams, Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company). Bass guitar: Chris Squire (Yes). Keyboards: Jon Lord (Deep Purple), Keith Emerson (ELP), Geoff Downes (Asia, ex-Yes). Drums: Roger Taylor (Queen).

For more information including an extensive history of the project including and photo gallery visit RockAidArmenia.com - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Neil Peart: Fire on Ice, Making of "The Hockey Theme" DVD Now Available

Neil Peart: Fire on Ice, Making of "The Hockey Theme" is now available on DVD exclusively from Drum Channel.

"Neil Peart gives a behind the scenes tour of the making of "The Hockey Theme". Canada's TSN (The Sports Network) decided to recreate the hockey theme; they wanted to use iconic Canadians to help in the revisal. The Hockey theme is recognized as Canada's second national anthem so when they decided to recreate it, they wanted to use the best, and the first person that came to mind was Rush drummer, Neil Peart. Neil also discusses a custom drum kit made by DW Drums with all of the different hockey team logos on it. Total Content: 92 minutes" - DrumChannel.com (thanks to AndyO for the heasdsup!)

"Caravan" featured in TSN hockey opening montage

Last night TSN debuted their new pre-game video montage featuring "Caravan" as the theme song. As players talk about "thinking big" as the season begins, Geddy chimes in "I can't stop thinking big...". The video concludes with Neil Peart's recording of The Hockey Theme. - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Rush's "Resist" Included On "The Rounder Records Story"

"Resist" from Rush In Rio is one of 87 tracks found on the new 4CD anthology, The Rounder Records Story, released October 12, 2010. - Thanks to Squintyt4e for the heads up!

"For forty years, Rounder Records has been on a singular mission to record the magnificent range of American roots music styles-bluegrass, New Orleans R&B, old time fiddling, singer-songwriter, blues, country, rockabilly, roots rock, Cajun and a few that cross enough boundaries to be genres of their own. The 87 songs selected for this 4CD set show the true breadth of the label's catalog, from the old time folk music of Ola Belle Reed to the Grammy sweeping triumph of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. The discs are arranged by decade, and it is fascinating to hear both the underlying consistencies and the ongoing evolution of the label's vision, while the list of musicians includes many of the defining names in roots music. Includes extensive notes by Washington Post journalist Geoff Himes." - Rounder.com

Neil Peart Discusses Coleridge's Xanadu

Today's Guardian newspaper includes the story "Bard reputation: pop stars pick their favourite poets". Neil Peart is one of those "pop stars" quoted and discusses the inspiration of Samuel Taylor Coleridge on "Xanadu" (note, these comments are very similar to those he previously wrote in Roadshow):

"In 1975 I was trying to write a song inspired by the dark mood and subtle psychology of the film Citizen Kane, which features the opening lines of Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. I looked up the poem and was overwhelmed by its imagery and emotional power. The song Xanadu was taken over by the poem in a way that has never happened since. I added the 'adventure travel' aspect to the song's story before I'd traveled further than the rock clubs of North America. I portrayed Coleridge's idea of immortality as a grim curse – Citizen Kane is the opposite: mortality as a punishment. There's a joke that goes, 'Rush is what happens when you let the drummer write the songs', which is funny, but of course I only write the lyrics. The line in the song Animate – 'daughter of a demon lover' – pays homage to these powerful lines from Kubla Khan: 'As e'er beneath a waning moon was haunted/ By woman wailing for her demon lover.' Now that's rock." - Neil Peart, The Guardian, October 7, 2010 - Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!

"Hockey Night in Canada" theme song drum kit now in HHOF

Neil Peart recorded an all new version of the "Hockey Theme" for TSN which premiered Thursday, January 12th. Click here to view the video, (click here for video featuring Neil only). The video is also available for purchase from iTunes US, while the theme is available from iTunes Canada. The master recording of "The Hockey Theme" is also available for download for only 99 cents (80 Microsoft points; 100 Wii Points) on Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation 3.

The Hockey Hal Of Fame website has announced "The drum kit used by Neil Peart, famed drummer of Canada's legendary rock group RUSH is now on display inside the TSN/RDS Zone. The drum set was used by Peart to record TSN/RDS's updated 'Hockey Night in Canada' theme song." - HHOF.com Thanks to RushIsABand.com for the headsup!

Click here for more on the recording of the Hockey Theme

Neil Peart Interviewed for "Mike Heppner and the Talking Man Project"

Neil Peart once reviewed Mike Heppner's second novel, Pike's Folley, for Bubba's Book Club. Peart is one of a group of participants interviewed by Heppner for an article titled Excerpts from Mike Heppner's Man Talking Project. - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Guitar Hero: Warriors Of Rock Now Available, Includes 2112

Guitar Hero: Warriors Of Rock hit store shelves today. What is unique in this edition of Guitar Hero is the inclusion of "2112" in its entirety, as well as narration by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee. Click here to order. - Thanks to Stew G for the headsup!

"It's official: Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock has the most epically prog-rock finale of any music video game yet. Rush have teamed with Activision for the fall release, which features a story-based Quest Mode that includes with hero wannabes playing the entirety of '2112', a seven-part suite from the Canadian band's 1976 album of the same name. The story of the game's final segment roughly follows Rush's opus, and will be narrated by lead singer Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson. 'In our story, the caves of 2112 are where our hero finds the lost guitar,' says Lee. 'This rediscovery of music is much like the Guitar Hero warriors' journey to find the Demi-God of Rock's Legendary guitar, which has been trapped in a cavern.' Watch exclusive footage from the game here...The venues include Rush-inspired caves and a faithful rendering of the now-defunct CBGB...Despite added emphasis on storytelling and quest progression, however, the game remains focused on rock. 'I think it's a great way to introduce people of all ages to music of various styles by all kinds of different bands,' says Lifeson, 'while providing a launching pad for kids who want to get into playing music.'" - Rollingstone.com, July 20, 2010

‘2112 & Moving Pictures Classic Albums’ Now On Home Video

Moving Pictures/2112 Classic Albums is now available on DVD, Blu-ray, as well as a specially priced Blu-ray/2CD combo (containing both the Blu-Ray and both original albums on CD). Check out Classic Albums' trailer here.

"Continuing the tradition of this celebrated series, 2112 & Moving Pictures Classic Albums carries us through the creation of these musical masterpieces via brand new interviews, demonstrations, archive videos, and use of the original multi-track tapes. The titan trio of bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer Neil Peart, joined by original producer Terry Brown, weigh in on the mammoth melodies, resounding riffs, and dynamic drum fills behind these immense aural soundscapes. Many others contribute to the commentary, such as Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and acclaimed Rolling Stone journalist David Fricke. 112 minutes in total, this DVD digs even deeper with 50 minutes of bonus material not included in the upcoming VH1 Classic broadcast.

"These legendary albums mark pivotal points in Rush's career. 2112, released in 1976, broke the band into major music chart domination, going #1 in their native Canada and in the Top 75 in the USA, where it was certified triple platinum. Moving Pictures added fuel to their rising stardom, opening them up to a mass audience with heavy-hitting hits like "Tom Sawyer." Going #1 and quadruple platinum in Canada, as well as hitting #3 in the USA and the UK, this 1981 release remains their biggest selling album to date.

"For more information regarding this and other Eagle Rock Entertainment releases, contact Carol Kaye at Carol@Kayosproductions.com. To access photos and/or cover art, please visit kayosproductions.com." - Thanks to Robert Gill for the headsup!

"Suck" Now Available On Home Video

Suck, the Canadian vampire rock and roll comedy film rock and roll starring an all star cast of actors and musicians, is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray. Lifeson has a small roll as a U.S. border officer; click here for a short composite clip of Alex's scenes.

"Alex Lifeson should just fuckin’ quit Rush and be an actor, he’s so funny. He did all these little things, like playing with the typewriter and other subtle things that were so funny. I kept saying, 'Dude, be an actor!'" - Writer/Director Rob Stefaniuk, Now Magazine, September 2009

Rock Goes Back To Work

"What if someone who was a star on Friday suddenly had to get up with the rest of us this morning and wait in line for the bus, tube or train? Where would they be going? Rush drummer Neil Peart doesn’t need much time to think about it. He tells QMI: 'One of the first things I wanted to be was a forest ranger. I love the work they do. Another early ambition was to be a teacher, either English or History. Or advertising – there’s so much creativity there I laugh out loud sometimes at good slogans. Just before joining the band I was in the farm equipment business. My dad likes to joke that I’d have made a good parts manager.'"- UltimateGuitar.com, September 6, 2010

VH1's '100 Greatest Artists Of All Time' Premieres September 6, 2010

RUSH makes VH1's '100 Greatest Artists Of All Time', premiering today, September 6th: "VH1 goes back to its music roots and revisits the age-old question: 'Who is the greatest music artist for all time?' Determined by a poll of well-known music artists and music experts in the industry, VH1 will reveal this definitive (and sure-to-be highly controversial) list declaring who is the greatest of the great. Hosted by Jim Shearer (VH1's "Top 20 Video Countdown"), the 4-night special, VH1's '100 Greatest Artists of All Time,' premieres Monday, September 6 at 10/9c with a 2-hour premiere..." - Top-40Charts.com, August 25, 2010

RUSH "ICON"

RUSH ICON, the latest compilation from Universal, is now available. The tracklist includes exactly one track each from each of RUSH's first twelve albums listed in chronological order. However, the choice of those tracks makes for one of the most diverse Rush compilations ever to be released:

Working Man, Fly By Night, The Necromancer, The Twilight Zone, Closer To The Heart, Circumstances, Freewill, Limelight, The Analog Kid, Red Sector A, Marathon, Force Ten

The "ICONS" series includes artists ranging from KISS to Diana Ross, and have the tag line "Great Artists, Great Songs, Great Value!", and include "12 hits for only $7.99". The "featured songs include their debut album's 'Working Man,' 2112's 'The Twilight Zone' and classic rock radio staple 'Limelight.'"

Dusting ‘Em Off: Rush – Rush

"Consequence Of Sound has a running feature these days entitled Alternate History X, wherein we discuss parallel universes and alternate time lines to some of music’s most historic landmarks... One of the most popular and inspirational (albeit occasionally underestimated) progressive rock bands to ever grace a sci-fi fanboy’s stoner van hinged on an unfortunate and unlikely catalyst: diabetes." For more visit ConsequenceOfSound.net, August 28, 2010

Rush Referenced On "Rookie Blue"

During last night's episode of Rookie Blue, titled "Big Nickel", during a long car ride to pick up a prisoner McNally asks Swarek "What kind of music do you like listening to?" Swarek replies "Rush, I'm a big Rush fan". She answers "Who?" and he says "I like The Who too. Classic Rock, you know.". Watch the full episode here (the reference occurs at the 13 minute mark). - Thanks to Tom for the headsup!

Guitar Legends 30 Greatest Classic Rock Guitar Heroes

Alex Lifeson is one of Guitar Legends' 30 Greatest Guitar Heroes on sale now. Alex is featured on pages 48/49. Unfortunately, the article is a reprint of an story which first appeared in Guitar World 14 years ago; click here to view. - Thanks to Tom Cesco and RushFanForever for the headsup!

Chicago Rain Out Make Up

Last night Rush returned to Chicago after the July 7th rain out, which led to one fan suing the band seeking reimbursement for the ticket but also his airfare and other travel expenses (story below). As a thank you for standing in the downpour on July 7th, RUSH gave fans attending the August 23rd makeup performance an exclusive baseball hat which includes the stitching ""The Rain Date Chicago-2010" - Thanks to Timmy Samuel for the photo!

Related News:

• Rush fan sues over canceled Chicago show: "He’s filed a class action suit, not only seeking reimbursement for the ticket but also his airfare and other travel expenses...." - Chicago Sun Times, July 9, 2010
• "The rained out Wednesday, July 7 performance at Charter One Pavilion has been rescheduled to MONDAY, AUGUST 23. All tickets for the previously scheduled performance will be reactivated and honored at the rescheduled date. If fans feel that the barcodes may be illegible, they should ensure they bring picture ID and the credit card which was used to purchase the tickets. Refunds - if required at point of purchase through August 22nd. Questions can be directed to TicketMaster customer service at 800-653-8000" - Rush.com, July 12, 2010
• They keep rockin' in the rain: Outdoor Concerts, Sometimes the show can't go on if danger looms: "Mark Campana, president of Live Nation Midwest Music, said the plug was pulled after a group meeting with the Live Nation tour producer and local staff, Rush's manager and the band's production team. Rush was not involved in the meeting. 'The key was the amount of water that had fallen,' Campana said. 'The wind caused the water to blow onstage. We all decided not to test the electrical system. We could have cranked up the electricity, but we felt a test could cause harm to people since they were already in the theater. Equipment was set up. We are always going to err on the conservative side when it comes to safety.'"- Chicago Sun Times, July 15, 2010

"Time Stand Still: The Collection" Essay and Wallpaper Images

Last March, Universal Music released their first Euro-only Rush greatest hits compilation since 1981's Rush Through Time. Covering Rush's Mercury years (1974-1987), Time Stand Still: The Collection features a unique mix of tracks from that era which have never before been released on a single cd compilation.

Besides the linernotes essay which can be found here, the artwork is unique as it features live images taken on tour in Europe in the 1970's, including one photo of Rush on stage at the Hammersmith Odeon during the A Farewell To Kings Tour (i.e. the two night stand which yielded disk three of Different Stages). In addition, three of Geddy's retired basses as pictured in the photos, including his single and doublenecked Rickenbackers as well as his teardrop shaped Fender Precision. All images have converted into Wallpaper images and have been added to the Album Art Gallery here. - Thanks to John at Cygnus-X1.net for providing the linernotes scans!

Tracklist: The Spirit Of Radio, Tom Sawyer, Freewill, Fly By Night, The Big Money, Time Stand Still, Limelight, Finding My Way, By-Tor And The Snow Dog, A Passage To Bangkok, Distant Early Warning, The Trees, Closer To The Heart

Alex Lifeson Featured in September's "Premier Guitar"

Alex Lifeson is featured in the September issue of Premier Guitar magazine. Alex is found on page 26, in the "Opening Notes" section, which includes a full page photo taken last month in Sarnia, Ontario. - Thanks to Seth Hansen for the headsup!

Rush: A Brief History Of Time

John at Cygnus-X1.net has added another installment of old Rush articles and interviews to his Rush: A Brief History of Time collection. The collection is really growing, and makes for some fascinating reading into the history of Rush.