Home"Their musicianship was very important to me as an aspiring guitar player," he said. "And they eschewed some of the cornier trappings of hard rock music — the devil stuff and the groupie stuff, which I could never really relate to. And three of the greatest players were somehow in the same band. Their music was just very compelling to me."
"I gotta tell you, rehearsal last night, it took a little getting used to being in that proximity," he laughed. "At one point, Chris Cornell (of Soundgarden) and I ... were studying Neil Peart's kit like we were 12 years old. We begin rehearsal and I'm like holy (crap), that's Neil Peart! On Neil Peart's kit! Really, that's crazy. I could have touched him! It's awesome."
"They are as advertised though," he added. "They are as down to earth and easygoing as any band. They deserve to be in the nice guy of rock hall of fame as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."
"Tom Morello, Jerry Cantrell sing Rush's praises at Hall of Fame gala" - Canadian Press
In "Tom Morello, Jerry Cantrell sing Rush's praises at Hall of Fame gala", another story published today leading up to tonight's ceremony,guitarist Tom Morello remarks on his admiration of Rush:
"It's not cool to like RUSH. That's OK" - CNN
CNN.com just posted the article "It's not cool to like RUSH. That's OK", which focuses on the vindication of Rush:
This is it: the night that RUSH fans have waited for since 1999, when the group was first eligible to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Thursday night, the Canadian trio -- a staple of classic rock radio stations -- will jam onstage with their fellow class of inductees.
We should feel vindicated, right?
For the last 13 years, fans of the band have been outraged as the Hall of Fame overlooked their heroes. From the moment RUSH was eligible for consideration, fans signed petitions and wondered what kind of critics could be keeping their heroes from the limelight.
Even now, fans still feel slighted.
"Rush reflects on long career ahead of induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" - Canadian Press
With the Rock Hall induction ceremony taking place tonight, today the Canadian Press has published "Rush reflects on long career ahead of induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame", a new interview where they have had time to take in the fact that they will finally be inducted:
"...amid the craziness of the week, the members of Rush admit that the magnitude of this particular honour has begun to sharpen into focus. While they were steadfastly ambivalent through all the years of apparent snubs, and even to a certain extent upon first learning of their induction, they can't help but be flattered now by their band finally receiving its due."
[Geddy] adds. "And of course, we are not really a mainstream act."
"We're not an 'act,'" Peart interrupts, jokingly.
"You're not acting?" Lee shoots back.
"Rush's Geddy Lee: 'The Music That Made Me' Video Q&A" - Billboard.com
Billboard.com has just posted "Rush's Geddy Lee: 'The Music That Made Me' Video Q&A", a short Q&A with Geddy, including a couple items answered on video with sidekick Alex. Click here for the full story. - Thanks to Greg Nosek for the headsup!
"Rush to Judgment, and the Rock Hall of Fame" - Village Voice
Today's Village Voice has published the extensive story "Rush to Judgment, and the Rock Hall of Fame". Besides including a nice summation of the band's thoughts on the ceremony, it also touches on past history and concludes with this thought on what Rush fans will
complain about now that the band has been inducted into the hall:
"Our set list," says Lifeson reflexively. "It's an endless complaint. Everybody wants to hear everything."
"We're only playing for three hours, so I guess we did it wrong," says Lee, smiling. "We should be playing for four."
"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
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
“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.”You can read the full feature interview here. - Thanks to David Sellars for the headsup!
...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."
RUSH: An Oral History Coming Thursday
"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. - RedbeardToday, 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, 2013Coming 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"
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"
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.
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
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
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