"Alex Lifeson Picks Top Riffs of All Time"

"In a new, soon-to-be-published interview with Gibson.com, we asked Rush guitarist extraordinaire Alex Lifeson what he thought was the greatest guitar riff of all time. Having just published a brand new poll on the subject, we were curious to hear what topped the list of the fretboard genius behind such monster riffs as 'Limelight,' 'Working Man' and 'Passage to Bangkok.'

"'Well, I would say there are two that are enduring,' said Lifeson. 'One would be 'Satisfaction,' 'cause that was the first time I heard anything on a guitar that just blew me away. You know, the distorted sound and a simple riff, but it had so much power and it was slick and it was sexy and it had all that stuff. And even when I hear it now, maybe it's because I make that connection to my youth, it still does that to me. And 'Smoke on the Water,'' he continued. 'My God, everybody in the world recognizes and knows that riff and knows how to play it. So, I'd have to say those two would be at the top of that list.'

It turns out Lifeson's picks were spot-on with the final poll, which had The Rolling Stones' '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' at #1 and Deep Purple's 'Smoke on the Water' at #2. 'Is it really?' he laughed. 'OK, well, yeah, there you go! Ha ha!'" - Gibson.com, February 14, 2011

Alex Lifeson Remembers Gary Moore

Guitarist Gary Moore passed away of a heart attack this past Sunday while on vacation in Spain. Alex Lifeson remembers Gary Moore with ClassicRockRevisited - Thanks to Stephen Humphries for the headsup!

"I was very saddened to hear the news of Gary 's death. We toured together in the 80s and I remember him as a soft spoken, gentle man with a quick smile. His influence as a guitarist is undeniable and his purity of playing and passion will live on in all of us who love the instrument he so cherished."

"Countdown" Makes "Thirteen Great Songs About Space Travel"

Rush's "Countdown" made ChartAttack's "Thirteen Great Songs About Space Travel".

"Space: the final frontier. Those who can't venture there often sing about it. If there's a common theme uniting songs about hurtling through the vast expanses of the universe, it's loneliness. Space is cold, isolating and boring. Why do we want to go there, again? CHARTattack presents 13 Great Songs About Space Travel:

4. Rush's "Countdown" Turn it up a little. A little more. Just crank it. You wouldn't think that Geddy Lee narrating a 1980s NASA launch would be this exciting, but there it is." - ChartAttack.com, February 10, 2011"

Alex Lifeson On VH1 Classic Rock Nights This Wednesday

"VH1 Classic Rock Nights is doing a special broadcast from the West Coast this week and host Eddie Webb will be chatting with Alex Lifeson on Wednesday, February 9th. They'll be chatting about the upcoming tour, the Grammy nomination for Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage (Grammy's are this Sunday) and other exciting things the band is working on. Visit: www.vh1classicrocknights.com or on facebook at VH1 Classic Rock Nights." - Rush.com, February 8, 2011

"Hell's Kitchen" from "Mystic Rhythms"

Rush has never been fond of producing videos. One of their better ones is the original promotional video for "Mystic Rhythms" which features an assortment of surreal images and objects interspersed with footage of the band performing the song. The final 30 seconds of the video features "Hell's Kitchen", a one-of-a-kind hand-carved mechanical sculpture, or "automata", built in 1980 by Paul Spooner.

Hell's Kitchen is currently owned by Marvin Yagoda, the owner of Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The sculpture is over 7 feet tall, 3 feet wide, 2 feet deep, and weighs around 300 pounds. Although it is no longer on display in the museum (as the museum received too many complaints regarding the genitalia found on the sculpture), here is a clip of Hell's Kitchen extracted from a Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum promotional DVD. - Thanks to KevinWayte and Sniglets for the headsup!

Vapor Trails Remix - Richard Chycki weighs in...

Ever since its release, both fans and critics alike have lamented the mix of Rush's triumphant 2002 album, Vapor Trails. A victim of what has become known as the loudness war, as succinctly described in depth by reviewer Rip Rowan, a remix has long been anticipated. In fact, Atlantic Records had announced a remaster as early as 2004; this reissue obviously was shelved. It wasn't until later that the band finally addressed the issue when in the April 2007 issue of Metal Edge Alex Lifeson stated "it was mastered much too hot; it's too loud and it eats away at us and we want to address that". Finally, nearly ten years after the original release, it seems the time of the Vapor Trails remix is nearly upon us:

"Rush are planning to totally remix their 2002 album Vapor Trails. Talking exclusively to Classic Rock, guitarist Alex Lifeson revealed: 'We were never happy with the production. Perhaps we should have taken more time over the record. But now we’ve got the chance to improve things. There will be no re-recording, just a remix'." - ClassicRock.com, February 3, 2011 - Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!

Update: today Richard Chycki discussed the Vapor Trail Remix in his blog, and how certain elements appeared for the first time in the remixes of "One Little Victory" and "Earthshine".

"A while back, I re-mixed One Little Victory and Earthshine from Rush’s 2002 release Vapor Trails to be included on their 2009 release Retrospective 3. The re-mixes were very well-received so the band has decided to let me move ahead and re-mix the remainder of the CD. To put rumors to rest, there was no re-recording or performance correction done on the first two tracks and that will continue for the remainder of the CD. The reason 'new' details may seem to have appeared in those songs is due to the fact that I listened to the multitracks and interpreted the mix structure without first analyzing the original [deliberately] — so tracks either muted or turned down in the original mixes may shine through differently (the acoustic guitars in Earthshine might be a good example of this). As well, the same technical tweaks will continue for the remaining songs and I still will not have a buss limiter on the mix set to stun. In any case, both the band and I are really excited to re-visit Vapor Trails and hope you’ll all enjoy the re-mix." - Rhichard Chycki, richardchycki.com, February 4, 2011

No word yet if any bonus tracks will be included. Click here for the complete history of the Vapor Trails remaster/remix saga.

Jay Leno's Cat Drums To "Limelight"

During his monologue last night, Jay Leno played a clip of his cat playing drums during "Limelight"! Check it out here, skip ahead to the 10:35 mark.

Rush On Jeopardy

During Monday's episode of Jeopardy, in the "Music of Canada" category for $1000 the clue was "This 'Fly By Night' power trio formed in Toronto in 1968; Neil Peart joined in '74 (cue the drum solo)". Click here for a video clip; click here for the full answer board from J!Archive.com. - Thanks to Ande Green and Jason Kaczor for the headsup!

"I Still Love You Man" Quality Video Now Online

As we await the start of the 2011 leg of the Time Machine Tour, I thought I would pass this on. Jason Segel, co-star of I Love You Man, has uploaded the original "I Still Love You Man" video for your viewing pleasure, and it's not the low quality Youtube version which you have seen before!

Classic Rock's "Prog" 2010 Reader's Poll Results

The Winter issue of Classic Rock's Prog magazine recently hit the bookstore shelves and contains the results of their 2010 Reader's Poll. Rush came in at #3 in the Best Band category behind #1 Porcupine Tree and #2 Transatlantic, while Geddy Lee was named Best Bassist, Neil Peart was #3 in the Best Drummer category, Alex Lifeson was #4 Best Guitarist category, and Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage won in the Best DVD category. - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Rush References in "Kankered"

Kankered is a new independent Canadian film tentatively set for release in September 2011. Filmed in Calgary, Alberta, in the film's trailer two Rush posters can be seen, and "Fancy Dancer" live from '74 can be heard in the soundtrack. For more information, visit the film's Facebook page. - Thanks to Nick Szostakiwskyj for the headsup!

"Adventures Of Power" - Now Available On DVD

Adventures Of Power is a comedy about one man's quest to prove his worth by winning an "air-drumming" competition. Often compared to Napoleon Dynamite crossed with Spinal Tap, the film is part comedy, part drama, with economic hardship and the need to prove one's worth juxtaposed against...air drumming!

For Rush fans, this film holds a treasure trove of goodies. The film includes a flashback scene where young Power is inspired to become a drummer after hearing "Tom Sawyer" on the radio. In addition, adult Power's bedroom is plastered with Rush and Neil Peart posters, and during one of the more hilarious scenes onlookers criticize Power for daring to air drum Neil Peart "without a stool". The coup de grâce comes at the end of the film, when Neil Peart himself has a rare cameo as the judge of the final air drumming competition; he must judge the performance of the most difficult air drumming song ever: "Tom Sawyer".

Remembering John Rutsey at "Ephemeral Jetsam"

Last week in her blog "Ephemeral Jetsam", a self proclaimed Rush fan remembers John Rutsey, sharing her relationship with Rush's co-founder which began with a phone call in 1989, becoming pen-pals, and their eventual friendship. Although personal in nature, her story tells us quite a bit more about John Rutsey's activities after 1974 than have been shared elsewhere. - Thanks to Skip Daly for the headsup!

Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal

Rush is featured in the new book Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal which hit bookshelves last month:

"Revered former Metal Maniacs editor Jeff Wagner analyzes the heady side of metal in this exhaustive history of a relentlessly ambitious musical subculture. Beginning with 1970s progressive rock acts Rush and King Crimson, Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal unfurls a colorful tapestry of sounds and styles, from the 'Big Three' of 1980s prog metal—Queensrÿche, Fates Warning, and Dream Theater—to extreme pioneers Voivod, Watchtower, and Celtic Frost. The flirtation between heavy metal and progressive rock grows with bold creative leaps, spawning countless valiant launches toward infinity. Today, the spark of inspiration thrives in obscure outposts such as Scandinavia, Florida, and Japan, bursting into full flame with the successes of prog metal overlords Opeth, Meshuggah, Tool, Between the Buried and Me, and their progressive peers." Click here for more information. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - January 2011

Neil Peart has updated his website with his latest edition of "News Weather and Sports". Unlike his typical reports, Neil provides an update of his call to raise funds for The Red Cross of Chile:

"The Chilean Red Cross— Cruz Roja Chilena—had organized the above-ground facilities for the rescue, though their resources were already strained by the terrible earthquake in February of 2010. The staff here at neilpeart.net—Our Eponymous Founder, designer Greg Russell, and the manager over at Bubba’s Bar ’n’ Grill, Brutus—decided we wanted to help. So we thought we’d try something new: ask the readers to help us help. And people stepped up—Big Time! Over 2,000 people made donations, many of them more than the 'suggested minimum,' and within a little over a month, almost $5,000 had been raised. Our Eponymous Founder volunteered to match that amount—and we are all very proud to present this check to Cruz Roja Chilena." - Neil Peart, "News Weather and Sports", January 2011

Remembering Don Kirshner

"Don Kirshner, rock impresario, music publishing powerhouse, television host and behind-the-scenes music supervisor (before there was such a job title) and song-picker for the Archies and the Monkees, died Monday in Boca Raton, Fla., at age 76. Over the course of half a century in the music business, he served as a bridge connecting songwriters with opportunity, and provided a televised stage in the 1970s and early '80s on which some of the rock era's most important bands performed.... With his syndicated late night show 'Don Kirshner's Rock Concert,' which ran from 1973-1981, he delivered to America some of the world's biggest bands, which performed for way below their usual fees because of the publicity the broadcast generated. His taste in booking crossed boundaries, and was influential in the 1970s for highlighting budding hard rock bands such as Black Sabbath, Rush, Montrose and Kansas. For rock fans away from major metropolitan areas, the show served as a lifeline to musicians they might not have otherwise seen..." LATimes.com, January 18, 2011 - Thanks to John at Cygnux-X1.net for the headsup!

The 2011 Modern Drummer Readers Poll

Voting is now open in the annual Modern Drummer Readers Poll. Neil Peart is on the ballot for best Prog Rock drummer. Voting is open to all visitors, and providing your name and address automatically makes you eligible for one of three FREE one-year subscriptions to Modern Drummer magazine. - Thanks to Frank Ray for the headsup!

"Victor" released 15 years ago today

Today we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the release of Alex Lifeson's first and thus far only solo album, Victor. Lifeson teamed up guitarist Bill Bell, I Mother Earth vocalist Edwin, Primus bassist Les Claypool, his son, Adrian Zivojinovich, as well as Blake Manning, Peter Cardinali, Colleen Allen and Dalbello. Lyrically dark in many of the tracks, for the most part the album was a complete departure from the Rush sound, seeing Lifeson venture out in many new directions.

"I didn't want to call it 'The Alex Lifeson Project' or the 'Big Shot, Big Deal Project'. Everybody that worked on the record was so into it, and I just felt that it would be fairer to have everyone involved as more of a band project, and to salute them for it." - Alex Lifeson, "Rockline", January 15, 1996

"As for the anger on the album, there were relationships breaking down all around me, I was having problems in my relationship. My wife and I realised that we'd started to take each other for granted; there'd been a lot of work, I'd been away a lot. It's uncommon to have stayed together as long as we have stayed together. We'd reached a crisis in our relationship and we needed to strip it down and analyse it and find where we were going. Other relationships around me were breaking down also, a lot of my friends who are the same age were really reaching a mid-life crisis. ... All this stuff was happening around me, and I just thought about the darker side of relationships and love. By nature I'm very optimistic, a little romantic, a little funny maybe, but I felt really impassioned by all the stuff that was going around, and that was reflected in that album." - Alex Lifeson, Classic Rock, July 2002

For more visit the Victor News Archive.

Help Rush Get The "Rockabye Baby" Treatment!

Back in August I let you know that Rockabye Baby, a record label which creates children's music versions of classic punk, metal and rock albums, has an online poll to determine what band should get the Rockabye treatment next. The label's current catalog includes 33 albums ranging from Black Sabbath to Pink Floyd and The Ramones. As of today, Rush is in the lead of their five contenders with 28% of the votes, leading their closest rival, the Foo Fighters with 24%. If you haven't already, vote now!

RUSH "Moving Pictures 30th Anniversary Wall Calendar

Its the New Year - have you grabbed the 2011 RUSH "Moving Pictures 30th Anniversary Wall Calendar" yet?. Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the release of Moving Pictures, the calendar is full of photos from the period, including alternate photos from the albums linernotes. Click here to order.