Prog Hardback Edition Featuring Rush Coming April 17

UPDATE: The cover of the standard edition of Prog #35 has been revealed.  From their Facebook page:

"Subscription copies have started landing on doormats around the UK, so here's the wallet for the next issue. Prog 35 - Rush discuss their 45 years on the planet, from their first ever gig, original bassist, sacking Geddy, getting drunk with UFO, the truth behind that Runaways story, the albums they hate, the songs they can't play, Neil wanted to play with Roger Waters and much more. Including a picture of Alex Lifeson in his pants!... On sale Weds 17 April." - Classic Rock Presents Prog, April 12, 2013

Coming April 17th, Prog magazine is also publishing a special hardback edition of issue no. 35.  The issue includes 12 extra pages of Rush coverage alongside the 14 pages which will appear in the standard edition of the magazine.  The issue will cover little known facts from their 45 years together and will include unused material from recent Neil and Alex interviews with their sister mag, Classic Rock.  The ultimate collector’s edition of Prog is available for preorder now and goes on sale April 17. - Thanks to Prog's Russell Fairbrother for the headsup!

Rush Feature in Goldmine Magazine's "Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Special Issue"

Rush will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on April 18th.  In preparation, Goldmine has published a special Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Special Issue. A photo of Rush from 2002 graces the cover of the magazine (and yes, that is a phantom guitar neck sticking out of Geddy's midsection), which includes a new interview with Geddy Lee which you can read in its entirety here. - Thanks to John Patuto for the transcript!

Regarding the band's Hall of Fame induction, Geddy says:

"It wasn't one of those fist-pump things or anything, but I was especially pleased and relieved for our fan base, who made it into a real cause célèbre for the last couple of years. I know how much it means to them. I was pleased they could finally get the monkey off their back. I was also happy and honored to hear this news...It's not something I ever thought about, no. It was never really in my control, and I try to take the attitude of, 'If you can't control something, don't worry about it.' I can't say I ever obsessed over it, no, but I realize it's a great honor, and I'm happy to receive it."

The magazine also includes interview with the other acts being inducted, including Heart.  Ann Wilson discusses Rush's induction into the Hall:

"Rush being inducted is a fine moment in rock justice, if there ever was one. I mean that. Those guys are so beloved, and so true to themselves and they are such an amazing band. It has always been a question mark to me sometimes when it comes to people who have been inducted vs. others who have not been inducted. It is sometimes a dog whistle that I can't understand. Where Rush is concerned, it is dead on and it's who should be in there...I am a super Rush fan. We didn't grow up Rush fans because there was a secret dog whistle that only males could hear. We watched the documentary 'Beyond the Lighted Stage,' because they are really good friends with our producer. Ben Mink and I thought it would be really cool to see that. I got way into it. I loved the way they had their chicken basting machines and their washing machines as their backline. I loved their intelligence and their humor. I brought it to the tour bus and I watched it with Ann. We have been big Rush fans ever since."

Rush Referenced On Tonight's "Jeopardy"

During tonight's episode of Jeopardy, the $800 answer for the category Bass and Vocals was 'Geddy Lee Laid Down the Low End & Sang "The Spirit of Radio" and "Closer to the Heart" For This Canadian Band'. - Thanks to Martin Wade for the headsup!

Classic Vinyl Influences with Alex Lifeson - Now Online

"Less than 2 weeks before Rush will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame…guitarist Alex Lifeson will remember 10 Classic Rock songs that influenced his career. Alex is the founding member and guitarist of Rush – formed in the summer of 1968 in Toronto. After a few months the band experienced its first line up change when Lifeson’s classmate Geddy Lee took over vocals and bass. The band, with Lifeson and Lee at its core, went on to release 20 studio albums and on April 18, 2013 will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame." - Sirius XM

Alex's "Influences" feature is now on YouTube.

Geddy Lee On Sirius XM Deep Tracks - "Around The Basses" Interview Now Online

Rush bassist Geddy Lee gives his picks and predictions for the 2013 MLB season, and discusses and plays music from the influential bass players in his life. Listen to this hour-long exclusive discussion with Deep Tracks host Earle Bailey. Airtime: Monday April 1, 2 pm ET; Rebroadcasts: Tuesday April 2, 11 pm ET; Thursday April 4, 6 am ET; Saturday April 6, 12 pm ET. For more info visit http://www.siriusxm.com/deeptracks.

UPDATE: Geddy's interview with XM Radio is now available here

Limelight Heard On American Idol

Tonight's episode of American Idol had a classic rock theme, and Rush's "Limelight" was included in the episode's opening montage. Surprisingly, this is only the second time Rush's music appeared on the show during its 12 season run. The only previous appearance being last year on "Rush Day", February 1, 2012, when David Weed of Mountain Home, Idaho, sang "Tom Sawyer". - Thanks to Larry Barnes and Dustin Dixon for the headsup!

Rush instruments included in 2013 Rock Hall inductees exhibit opening April 16

"Artifacts from 2013 inductees ... go on display Tuesday, April 16 as a part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s induction week this year the Rock Hall announced today...Among the artifacts that will be on display are a Fender bass from Rush frontman Geddy Lee, a 1987 Dean electric guitar from Nancy Wilson of Heart, a custom Bolin electric guitar given to King by Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, an Emmy Award from Newman, a jacket worn by Flavor Flav of Public Enemy and Jones’s musical score from 'Thriller.'... - Cleveland.com, April 3, 2013

Rush Take a Tour of Rolling Stone's Headquarters

"Rush's army of fans will probably never forgive Rolling Stone for neglecting to ever put them on the cover, but the members of the band truly couldn't care less. Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson stopped the magazine's headquarters a few weeks ago and we gave them the grand tour, including a long hallway that displays every cover from the magazine's 46-year history.

"The journey through our past caused the future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers to reflect on their own history, including their first meeting with Neil Peart, waiting in line to see Led Zeppelin and working on Moving Pictures when word came down that John Lennon had been murdered. A Rodney Dangerfield cover from 1980 also caught Geddy's eye. 'I think this is the most appropriate cover to remind me of Moving Pictures,' he says. 'I identify with Rodney.' Much like the comedian, they didn't get nearly enough respect at the time." - RollingStone.com, April 1, 2013

Vintage Wings Of Canada's April Fool's Joke Includes Geddy Lee Airplane Tail Art

Vintage Wings Of Canada posted a story on their blog April 1st regarding controversial tail art on the Canadian Air Force's jets.  Included is a plane with the image of Geddy Lee.  Check out the full story here. - Thanks to Pat Komadoski for the headsup!

Geddy Lee talks Blue Jays - MLB.com

MLB.com has posted a new video interview with Geddy Lee: "Rush frontman Geddy Lee discusses how he became a fan of baseball, and looks at the upcoming season for his beloved Toronto Blue Jays."  Click here to watch.

Clockwork Angels: The Watchmaker's Edition - Now Available

Buy Now

On March 1st, Neil Peart and Kevin J. Anderson released Clockwork Angels: The Watchmaker's Edition, consisting of the unabridged audiobook read by Neil Peart himself, as well as a working clock tower featuring the clockface dating back to the original "Caravan" single.  In addition, the piece includes a new companion book written by Kevin Anderson and Hugh Syme.

"Clockwork Angels: The Watchmaker’s Edition features the unabridged audiobook edition of Clockwork Angels, a novel by bestselling science fiction author Kevin J. Anderson, based on the new concept album by the legendary rock band Rush. This compelling steampunk adventure is read by Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart, who first conceived the story for the band’s latest release. This special edition features the complete, unabridged audiobook packaged in a unique, working upright clock tower designed by the band’s album cover artist, Hugh Syme. Intricately themed and largely handmade, this is a beautiful and functional design piece that will be a must-have for Rush fans and steampunkers alike."

Author Kevin J. Anderson also had this to say:

"The Watchmakers Edition is the audiobook version of the novel. Not your typical audio book. It is unabridged and read by Neil Peart (the drummer from Rush, with whom I cowrote the novel). Neil has a gorgeous voice and he wanted to do this. This novel is very close to him and me as well. And what could be better than having Neil Peart read it himself? The novel and the audiobook itself were released last September. 'The Watchmaker’s Edition' is a very clockwater-watchmakersnazzy special edition, with a modeled clock tower with a working clock inside. It has beautiful artwork all around it by Hugh Syme, the cover and album artist. It also has a nice poster inside with a timeline for the 'Clockwork Angels' project for Rush and my work as well. Any die-hard Rush fan should have this." - Kevin J. Anderson, MediaMikes.com, March 28, 2013

"The seven CDs of the novel are specially packaged, and include a special booklet created by Hugh Syme and me, a Rush/KJA/Clockwork Angels timeline, a mini poster ('I can't stop thinking big'), and a full-color clocktower to hold it all. Neil just wrote today to say 'It really is a nice piece of work. Prettier than I could have hoped, from every side, and inside, too. Fine materials and finishes. The individual CD jackets are lovely, and the Timeline is a clever touch. I am proud of this piece of work. (And it does keep good time!)'"- Kevin J. Anderson, February 16, 2013

Click here to order!

More On Foo Fighters Inducting Rush into Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

Although it was announced in January, the RollingStone has just published additional details regarding the choice of the Foo Fighters to induct Rush into the Rock Hall of Fame:

"There's always drama," Rock and Roll Hall of Fame President and CEO Joel Peresman tells Rolling Stone. "Last year was unquestionably different than most, but this year came together a little quicker, a little faster."  The 2013 induction ceremony has made waves with Rush fans, who have been loudly petitioning for the Canadian rockers' inclusion for many years. It's unclear what material Rush will perform at the ceremony, but it's quite possible they will perform with Taylor Hawkins and Dave Grohl. "Dave and Taylor were one of the first people we thought about to induct Rush," says Peresman. "They said 'yes' in about two seconds. I'm hopeful [they'll play together].  More than a few times in the past, people have got caught in the moment and decide to perform. - RollingStone.com, March 26, 2013

Volkswagen Passat Commercial Featuring "Fly By Night" - Geddy And Alex comment

You'll recall that Volkswagen published a commercial on their Youtube page on September 20th, 2012, announcing that the Passat is the 2012 Motortrend car of the year.  Oh, and the music rocks, featuring "Fly By Night"!  The commercial was a big hit to all who saw it.

Here is a recently unearthed interview with Geddy and Alex with Wall Street Journal TV, posted October 26th, where they discuss the commercial and their appreciation for humor in a licensing pitch:

"Sometimes the right idea gets sent to you and it's funny, and you go, 'yeah, funny's good, we'll go with that'!  I think we just react to humor." - Geddy Lee on the Volkswagen Fly By Night commercial, WSJ.com, October 26, 2012

 - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Geddy And Alex "On The Air With" Eddie Trunk

Last last month, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson appeared in the studio with Eddie Trunk.  The interview was filmed, and is the debut episode of "On The Air With", available at EddieTrunk.com.

Rush Feature In The March Issue of UK's "Metal Hammer"

Preparing for the upcoming Rush UK tour, the March issue of Metal Hammer magazine includes a new interview with Geddy Lee titled "Rush And The Weird Rise Of Prog Metal". The article covers the history of Rush from 1968 through present day, and also includes Geddy's comments regarding next years 40th anniversary:

"I don't think about things like the 40th anniversary. We have no plans to celebrate it. We did enough for the 30th. So, if anything is being planned, it will be without our involvement. We are still looking forward, not back."

- Thanks to John Patuto for the headsup and the transcript!

Rush Feature In March 28th RollingStone

There is a new Rush feature in the new March 28th issue of RollingStone magazine:

"Rush's Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee might loathe disco and know almost nothing about rap, but the prog giants are being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next month...Lee and Lifeson stopped by RS, - and we played them a song by each of their fellow inductees."

The article includes their responses to each of the songs played from their fellow artists. You can read the full article here.  - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup and providing the original article!

Anthrax's "Anthems" Now Available

UPDATE 3/19: In a new interview with radio.com, Anthrax's Scott Ian commented on Rush and the Rock Hall of Fame (thanks Bman for the headsup!):

"I'm certainly a Rush fan but [Drummer] Charlie [Benante] and [bassist] Frankie [Bello] and Joey are like, Rush nerds.  They know every single thing about Rush...People take Rush seriously, they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, but everyone has a respect for that band whether you like them or not." - Radio.com, March 19, 2013

Anthrax's new EP Anthems, hits the store shelves today, March 19th.   The tracklist includes Anthem (RUSH); Jailbreak (THIN LIZZY); TNT (AC/DC); Big Eyes (CHEAP TRICK); Smokin' (BOSTON); Keep On Runnin' (JOURNEY).  Click here to order the CD now; click here to buy it on iTunes.

"When I was first learning to play drums, I would strap on my headphones, play along with [All the World's a Stage] and be transformed.  I remember talking with Cliff [Burton] and Kirk [Hammett of Metallica] back when we first met, and we all agreed how much of an influence Rush was on all of us. I don't [know] if you would hear anything that sounds like Rush in Anthrax's music, but the passion, the drive, the musicianship and the appreciation is all there." - Charlie Benante, Rollingstone.com, January 18, 2012

"It was a lot of fun, especially because a lot of those (songs) aren't, I guess, normal for us or like so much of our repertoire - although they are because they're songs we all knew. Maybe on paper the idea of us doing something like that seems weird, until you hear them and then it makes sense." - Scott Ian, Billboard.com, January 4, 2012

It was first reported that Anthrax was working on a Rush cover back in April of last year, when a video was posted of drummer Charlie Benante laying down his drum track. Further news broke in August of the covers EP including a video interview with the Artistan News service where guitarist Scott Ian confirmed:

"The RUSH song is a bit of a bitch; I can't say that's an easy one. But it's a song we all know and we're all familiar with, so then, of course, you take on the challenge of just really trying to nail it and do it justice."

The Q's Canadian 70s rock anthem winner announced

"Inspired by the passionate fight going on in Massachusetts right now over which song will become its official state rock song. We decided to launch our own Q contest to find Canada's official 70s rock anthem and you sent us a deluge of nominations.

"The Q team powered through the flood of entries and after some passionate deliberations a winner was chosen... RUSH. 'Closer to the Heart'." - CBC.ca, March 15, 2013

Rush to play Festival d’ete, Quebec City, July 10th

Quebec City, March 15, 2013 – With a new critically-acclaimed album out, Rush is bringing their epic Clockwork Angels Tour to the Festival on July 10. They’ll be playing the Bell Stage on the Plains of Abraham in what will be their only show in Québec. And what a show ─ this will be a huge production with projections, special effects and even the Clockwork Angels String Ensemble to add a complex layer of sound to both their new work and their rich repertoire.

Remembering the enthusiastic Festival crowds in 2010, Geddy Lee, Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson are excited to be back. “We know that Rush will blow our many rock fans away. And because this is their only stop in the province, we expect people to be coming in from all over to see these three world-famous rock stars who are still going strong after almost 40 years”, program director Louis Bellavance was proud to say.

Band of the Year and Album of the Year winners at the 2012 Classic Rock Awards in London, Rush will soon be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

75,000 passes for the Festival d’été de Québec will go on sale Saturday, March 16 at infofestival.com.

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson to Appear on VH1 Classic's "On Tap"

From VH-1 Classic: "Rock legends and soon to be Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson of RUSH will be Nik Carter's guests Wednesday, March 13th on On Tap! Check out this Sneak Peak On Tap Exclusive! — with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson at On Tap Rock Bar."   For more info visit vh1classicontap.com.