"Rush's Rock Hall induction: 'I'm relieved for our fans'" - USA Today

Another national press story leading up to Thursday's Rock Hall of Fame induction appeared in today's USA Today: "Rush's Rock Hall induction: 'I'm relieved for our fans'".  In this interview Geddy and Alex comment on bands they hope to see inducted in the near future:

"...I also hope this means other great bands like Yes will follow suit," says Lee. "Deep Purple was on the ballot this year, and I was hoping they'd get in with us. We wouldn't be the band we are without Deep Purple's existence."

Lifeson says he hopes Rush's inclusion "opens the doors for bands like the Moody Blues and King Crimson, who had a huge influence. It's a bit ironic, really. Rock music was born in rebellion, so it's odd to have (a Hall of Fame) where there seem to be guidelines for who's acceptable and who's not."

"Rush frontman Geddy Lee thrilled by Rock Hall induction" - Toronto Sun

Today's Toronto Sun includes the story "Rush frontman Geddy Lee thrilled by Rock Hall induction" where he had this to say about the upcoming induction ceremony:

"It's a really nice feeling," Lee says. "It's an honour. There's some terrific musicians in the Hall of Fame and, I suppose, as time goes on more great musicians will be inducted. And so it's kind of a nice pat on the back and we're quite happy to received it."

He also had this to say regarding fellow inductees Heart:

Aside from Heart -- Lee had lunch with guitarist Nancy Wilson recently in L.A. -- they don't know the other inductees who are all expected to jam at the end of the show.  "I wouldn't say I know them well but I feel like I know them well," says Lee of Heart.  "We did some gigs many years ago together in the northwestern U.S.A. of the midwest, I could be mistaken, and we always got along. And because they did so many gigs in Canada in their early days, we kind of felt like we were of the same vintage."

In regards to the songs they will perform Thursday:

Rush will only perform a couple of songs Thursday. The tunes are being kept a secret although Lee admits "it's probably pretty obvious what songs we'll play."

And regarding those who are inducting them:

Inducting them will be Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins. Rush chose them from a range of potential candidates.  "Dave and Taylor are people we respect a lot and we know them and it makes it more comfortable for us, so I feel fortunate that we have them to induct us. What you see is what you get with those guys and they love music and Taylor is a huge Rush fan and so for him he's just totally psyched to do this and it'll make it a much nicer evening because of that."

Special Los Angeles Showings of "Beyond The Lighted Stage" April 16th

"Leading into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, The ArcLight Cinema in Los Angeles will be doing a special screening of RUSH: BEYOND THE LIGHTED STAGE followed by a Q&A session with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of RUSH hosted by the inimitable Jim Ladd. This is happening Tuesday, April 16th at 7pm and you can buy your tickets here." - Rush.com

A second showing was also added for 8:30.  This screening will feature a Q+A from directors Sam Dunn & Scot McFadyen.  Buy your tickets here.

Cee Lo Green Name Drops "Moving Pictures" In Delta's Sky Magazine

R&B/rap artist Cee Lo Green appears on the cover of the April issue of Delta's Sky Magazine.  In the cover interview Cee Lo name drops "Moving Pictures" as art:

“I don’t even know if hip-hop is music anymore. It’s definitely rhythm. It’s definitely tempo. It’s definitely beats per minute. But it’s product. And television is product placement for the most part. It’s not passion.”

...But still, I have to ask, “Aren’t you guilty of pushing product yourself, CeeLo?”

“There’s a difference between art and product,” he says. “Maybe I can help make art product again. You know what I’m saying? It once was. Is Rush’s Moving Pictures not art? You feeling me? Where are those progressive bands anymore? Why isn’t it allowed? It’s almost a conspiracy, if you ask me.”

Call it the swag conspiracy. “Now music is so swag. Swag means to stand still,” he says. “And standing still is playing it safe. Nothing dangerous about having swag, you feel me? There’s something dangerous about putting on a wedding dress. I can inform you and educate you at the same time. I want to disturb you. So if anything, I feel like I do rock ’n’ roll music. Maybe a more fitting hybrid would be rock and soul. Because I am the best at soul music at the moment."

You can read the full feature interview here. - Thanks to David Sellars for the headsup!

RUSH: An Oral History Coming Thursday

Toronto Star journalist Vinay Menon conducted separate and lengthy interviews with Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart and stitched the band’s history together to celebrate their induction into the Rock Hall of Fame. RUSH: An Oral History will be available for sale April 18th. This is RUSH in their own words. To get your copy, subscribe for only $1/week at StarDispatches.com or purchase for $2.99 at iTunes.com/stardispatches.

"In The Studio" Rush Special Now Online

As previously announced, In the Studio with Redbeard will be airing a Rush special the week of April 15th to celebrate their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

The In The Studio/Facebook poll we conducted said clearly that the majority of Rush fans wanted to celebrate the long-awaited induction of Rush into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by hearing stories and music by Rush members Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart about their early albums in Rush, Fly By Night, 2112, A Farewell to Kings, Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, and of course Moving Pictures . So book it for the Rock Hall induction week of April 15. - Redbeard

Today, In The Studio confirmed:

North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History’s Greatest Rock Bands congratulates RUSH on the eve of their induction into the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame. It is fitting that the first year the Rock Hall allows the public to vote in the selection process that RUSH would come out on top. Overlooked for years, RUSH has learned to be quite comfortable with the underdog position, as singer/bassist/keyboardist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson both point out to InTheStudio host Redbeard.

For a list of radio stations airing the show click here.  The RUSH ‘Sector One-Early Best’/InTheStudio interview can be streamed here.  - Thanks to Lindsay Dianne for the headsup!

"Graciously BITTER" - Alex Lifeson talks about the Hall of Fame Induction

The Hamilton Spectator has published a new interview with Alex Lifeson where he talks about Rush’s upcoming induction into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

“We were eligible for 15 years and it really didn’t matter to us,” Lifeson told The Spectator in a phone interview from his Toronto home. “We joked about it. In fact we kind of wore it as a badge of honour that there was a core inside the committee that did not want us in there. Some said, ‘Over my dead body,’ literally, ‘before Rush gets in here.’ Which is fine, they can do whatever they want. It’s their museum.  So at the end of the day, it didn’t really matter to us at all. It was kind of nice to have that controversy go away, to a point. But our fans were very insulted by it and burned by it. Now they feel vindicated by it. Certainly not all of them do. There’s certainly a lot of Rush fans who think we should ignore it.  But the proper, courteous thing to do is to go and accept it graciously, try to make everybody happy, move on and never have to deal with it again.” - TheSpec.com, April 13, 2013

And the meek shall inherit the hall - Toledo Blade

In anticipation of next Thursday's Rock Hall Of Fame induction ceremony, yesterday's Toledo Blade included the story "And the meek shall inherit the hall":

"Each inductee is worthy in their own way, but for Rush the peer appreciation seems especially well earned...The Hall of Fame honor is the coronation of this new wave of cultural recognition — and it only took 14 years of eligibility to get Rush to Thursday night’s stage. Speaking on behalf of the band’s faithful to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as to everyone new to the Rush is Relevant movement, we say thank you ... but what took you so long?"  Read more at ToledoBlade.com, April 11, 2013 (Thanks to John at CygnusX1.net for the headsup!)

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