HomeAlex Lifeson on Planet Rock
Planet Rock has just posted a five minute video where he answers fan questions, and in addition, an unedited audio interview of Alex's chat with Darren Redick which includes a full explanation of his Hall of Fame speech! Click here for more.
Geddy Lee on the BBC WM "The Paul Franks Show"
Today Geddy Lee appeared on the Paul Franks Show on the BBC WM. You can hear the interview during today's (May 21st) broadcast here beginning at the 1 hour and 47 minute mark. Topics of discussion include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Clockwork Angels tour, the stage setup, throwing out the first pitch on opening day, life at home and the upcoming show at the LG Arena. - Thanks to Phil Wain for the headsup!
Rush Co-Founder John Rutsey Excluded from Rock Hall Induction - Alex Explains Why
Lifeson: Yeah, I think if John was still around, I think an invitation would have gone to him, for sure. He's not, and it's nothing really to do with his family or anything. We did have another guitar player in the band.Smith: When?Lifeson: '71?Smith: What?!Lifeson: Yeah, Mitch Bossi.Smith: Mitch Bossi?Lifeson: Yeah, he was in the band for …Smith: The Mitch Bossi?Lifeson: [Laughs] Yes – the teacher. He was in the band for, I don't know... I think it was three or four months. We were playing clubs and high school dances and stuff like that.Smith: Was this in your movie? I don't remember that.Lifeson: I think. Yeah, Mitch was mentioned in it. There were some photos with the four of us. He was a friend of John's. Mitch was not that great of a guitar player.Smith: You're being nice.Lifeson: He was OK, but not that great.Smith: He could play.Lifeson: He could play.Smith: Chords.Lifeson: John really wanted to go to more of a Bad Company kind of, Small Faces, er, Faces sort of thing. That's the kind of music that he was really into.Smith: Bluesy?Lifeson: Yeah, the English bluesy kind of thing.Smith: He had more of that vibe?Lifeson: We went for a while, for a few months. I remember we were at a rehearsal, and we told Mitch that it wasn't really working out. [Smith laughs] He picked up his stuff, and he left.Smith: Spinal Tap. Was John part of that decision as well?Lifeson: Yeah, John actually made that decision. I remember him saying, "This isn't working out. I'll talk to Mitch." It was at a rehearsal. We were all there. I guess John did the talking.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website has been updated to include their new inductees, including Rush. Unfortunately, co-founder John Rustey, who left the band due to health concerns in 1974 then replaced by Neil Peart, has apparently been excluded from the list of inductees:
"Inductees: Gary Lee Weinrib aka Geddy Lee (vocals, bass; born July 29, 1953), Neil Peart (drums; born September 12, 1952), Alex Zivojinovich aka Alex Lifeson (guitar; born August 27, 1953)" - RockHall.com (thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!)
2013 Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony On HBO
As was previously announced, the 2013 Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be air Saturday, May 18th on HBO. According to the press release, HBO Signature will present a 24-hour marathon of the HBO special beginning at midnight the same day the special debuts on HBO, and concluding May 19 at midnight. Other HBO playdates: May 24 (5:00 p.m., 12:15 a.m.), 26 (4:10 p.m.), 28 (9:45 p.m., 4:05 a.m.) and 31 (12:30 p.m.), and June 1 (1:00 p.m.), 3 (1:45 p.m.) and 5 (2:20 a.m.) HBO2 playdates: May 20 (9:30 a.m., 10:00 p.m.), 22 (12:10 a.m.) and 30 (10:55 a.m., 10:00 p.m.), and June 9 (7:30 a.m.) and 18 (5:30 p.m.).
Related News
Related News
- 5 Highlights From This Year’s Rock Hall Induction - Radio.com, May 16, 2013
- Rock And Roll Hall of Fame answers one great mystery of rock music: When did Rush get so cool?- EW.com, May 19, 2013
HD Tracks of New Rush Masters Now Available/New Atlantic-era Remasters Coming In Physical Formats
Yesterday iTunes released two new Rush collections, "mastered for iTunes". Those same collections were also released on HD Tracks: the Mercury era are offered in the same Sectors collections released on CD in 2011, while the Atlantic era is offered by the same name as the iTunes collection "The Studio Albums 1989-2007".We have now learned that these are new remasters by Andy VanDette. To be clear, the Mercury catalog was remastered by VanDette in 2011 for the Sectors boxed sets. VanDette has now completed the rest of the Rush catalog, according to yesterday's announcement by Masterdisk:
Rush fans rejoice! Andy VanDette's highly-acclaimed remastering work for Rush continues! Andy recently completed the series of albums from 1989's "Presto" to 2007's "Snakes and Arrows." The new remasters will first see release at the Mastered for iTunes store, then HD Tracks, and later in physical formats.Accordingly, it appears we can expect the Atlantic era to be released in physical formats soon. - Thanks to David Pressman and Steve Thorpe for the headsup!
iTunes Only Rush Album Collections Now Available
Rush The Complete Mercury Years is the complete Mercury catalog released by the current Mercury label holder Island Def Jam Music Group for $79.99, and includes the new 2112 Deluxe Edition as well as the "Working Man" 'vault edition' from 2008.
Not to be outdone, Rush: The Studio Albums 1989-2007, will contain the entire Atlantic Rush studio catalog released by Rhino Entertainment for $49.99.
These are both digital only releases, mastered for iTunes.
"FOH Engineer Brad Madix Uses Radial PZ-DI On Tour with Rush" - MixOnline
MixOnline recently posted a short interview where he discusses the technical challenges which had to be overcome to properly mic the string section on stage during the current Rush tour. Click here for more. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!
Revolver Golden Gods Awards 2013
"Slow progress, but Rush's hour is here at last" - The Independent
Here's a new but brief interview with Geddy from today's UK Independent. "Slow progress, but Rush's hour is here at last" includes Geddy's comments after Rush's recent induction into the Rock Hall of Fame.
Toronto Blue Jays "Rock & Roll Music Night" May 2 - Win A Geddy Lee Autographed Baseball
Rush Pop Culture References Update - April 2013
It has been awhile since I've updated the Rush Pop Culture References page, and here's the latest additions.- In the fourth issue of the ongoing creator-owned Image Comics series Revival, by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton, released October 24, 2012, the crematorium technician of the Heinlien Funeral Home is wearing an original-logo Rush shirt under his lab coat.
- The Fox cartoon series Futurama had a few Rush references during its 7 season run, and here is one more. During episode #98, "The Prisoner of Brenda", aired August 19, 2010, on the title card at the very beginning of the episode, the bottom caption reads "What happens in Cygnus X-1 stays in Cygnus X-1".
- In the movie Expendables 2, released on August 17, 2012, a team of mercenaries conduct their missions in an old Canadair CL-215 floatplane. In reality this plane served as a waterbomber for the Province of Ontario, and for the film, the airplane's call letters are "XP 2112".
- From the season finale of FX's animated show Archer, which has had multiple Rush references over the last four years, check out this clip from the season finale, "Sea Tunt: Part II", which recently aired on April 11th.
Win front row seats to see Rush in the UK from Planet Rock
Rush will be hitting the UK in May as part of their Clockwork Angels tour, and we are giving you the chance to get up close and personal by winning front row tickets!
We have pairs of tickets to give away for all five gig dates...All next week, our resident Rush expert, Darren Redick, will be playing you Rush songs on-air. What makes this different from every other week, is that each song will be given a special twist when it is played out around 5pm. Darren will be adding his own unique musical flavour to each song by playing guitar, bass, keyboards, or possibly even singing! When you hear the Darren Redick remix of the Rush song, just text 81400 starting with the word PLANET. Darren will then call three people, who will go head to head in a rock quiz. Whoever is crowned winner will win a pair of front-row seats to see Rush! - Click here for details.
Clockwork Angels 2013 Tour Kicks Off Tonight - Send Us Your Stubs!
The Clockwork Angels 2013 Tour kicks off tonight in Austin, Texas, and will run for the next three and a half months before coming to a close in Kansas City, Missouri on August 4th.
Thanks to friends and visitors to this site, Power Windows maintains a huge collection of Rush tour memorabilia, but to keep it up current we need your help. Please take the time to scan your concert ticket(s) for the Rush Tour Archive. Or if you do not have a scanner, please take a quality photograph.
In addition, any other items or pictures you have which document your show including advertisements, handbills, photographs of marquees, etc, are also welcome.I have a stub or advertisement for every show of the last ten years. If you are a collector, you might also be able to help fill in the gaps from previous tours. Who knows, you might have a stub for a show that has been forgotten in the depths of time. My ultimate goal is to be able to provide a complete archive of the touring history of Rush for everyone to see.
Please email me your items. Thanks in advance!
"Rush’s Neil Peart: I was betrayed" - Classic Rock Magazine
“I recall that NME interview very well because the conversation was great,” Peart recalls in an interview in the forthcoming new edition of Classic Rock. “And we all felt totally betrayed after, because we had a lovely time with the guy. I remember him being so courteous. It was so amicable. As far as I was concerned, we were just having an intellectual conversation. But these things are wide open to misinterpretation, and that was a classic case.”
Peart, who has since distanced himself from Rand’s writings, added: “I know where I fall politically. And I define it better now: I’m a libertarian, but a bleeding-heart libertarian. I believe in taxation and health care that is outside the usual libertarian mandate, because I don’t want people to have to suffer. It’s as simple as that. If people are suffering and I can help, I want to. But here’s the difference between being an idealist and a realist. Idealistically, I believe that we should help people. But realistically, do I think that government will do that? No.”
Peart defines ‘libertarianism’ as follows: “It’s enlightened self-interest. Free will. I’ve lived in the US for the last 10 years, and I wanted there to be a health care system. The little bit that there is, it’s a wonderful thing. So that’s an example of what I consider enlightened self-interest. That’s why I’m a bleeding-heart libertarian.
"Clockwork Angels" Wins Rock Album Of The Year Juno
Rush Featured on "Hockey Night In Canada"
In honor of Rush's Rock Hall of Fame Induction, Saturday night's Hockey Night in Canada opened with a video montage including Rush with Limelight in the soundtrack. - Thanks to Ben Taylor and Pat Komadoski for the heads up!
Geddy Lee Throws Blue Jays Ceremonial First Pitch On Opening Day April 2
UPDATE: Check out "Rush’s Lee says throwing first pitch at Jays opener “really cool”":“I really wanted to make sure I threw a strike because in my own demented mind I felt if I throw a bad pitch I’m going to jinx the Jays. So I practised for a couple of days and once I got up there I was pretty relaxed. I pitched right down the middle. I was very happy about that. I couldn’t let the side down.” - Jam!Showbiz, April 16, 2012 (Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!)The Toronto Blue Jays opened their 37th season with a sold out Rogers Centre for Honda Opening Night on Tuesday, April 2nd against the Cleveland Indians. Geddy Lee threw out the Ceremonial First Pitch, and it was a perfect strike! Click here to view the video.
The Vancouver Sun later posted a short video interview with Geddy shortly before throwing out he first pitch. Click here to view.
Related News
- Blue Honda Opening Night just around corner - MLB.com, March 27, 2013
- Photos from the Toronto Blue Jays’ game against the Cleveland Indians - Windsor Star, April 2, 2013
- Geddy Lee Throws Out First Pitch at Toronto Blue Jays Home Opener - Ultimate Classic Rock, April 3, 2013
Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Highlights
The 28th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place last night at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Rush was the final act inducted, preceded by Heart, Randy Newman, Public Enemy, and the late Albert King and Donna Summer.
Rush were inducted by Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters: "Rock & roll has forever been ensconced in mystery..." Grohl said, "...but there's one mystery that surely eclipses them all: when the fuck did Rush become cool?...From day one, the band built its following the right way. No hype, no (baloney), they did it from the ground up without any help from the mainstream press...Their influence is undeniable and their devoted fan base is only rivaled by the Grateful Dead. Look at you people, all of you people, right here! And their legacy is that of a band that stayed true to themselves no matter how uncool they may have seemed to anyone...They have always been cool! Consider this mystery solved. It is our honor to FINALLY induct Rush into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."
Neil Peart was the first to give a speech, opening with: “We’ve been saying for a long time that this wasn’t that big a deal, turns out, it truly IS a big deal.’’
Geddy added it was "a little overwhelming for a nice Jewish boy from Toronto" and crowned his speech with thanks to "the most passionate, incredible fan base around the globe...for not only supporting and encouraging our musical progress over the years, but for the insistence of their voices, which has most certainly led us to this evening."
And Alex, well, Alex gave a speech that was uniquely his own, using the simple phrase of "blah blah blah" and charades to convey the highs and lows of a career fighting for respect with the mainstream media, as well as the trio’s underlying love for each other, and the journey of the band to that point in time.
Here is a complete fan recorded video of Rush's induction speech. The event will be broadcast May 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, and will also eventually be released on DVD.
After Rush's induction speech, Dave Grohl (guitar), Taylor Hawkins (drums), and Nick Raskulinecz (Geddy's Rickenbacker), wearing wigs and kimonos circa 1976, opened the Rush set with "2112 Overture" before Rush joined them and performed "Tom Sawyer" followed by "The Spirit of Radio". The all star jam finale was "Crossroads," featuring the new Class of Hall of Famers as well as Grohl, Gary Clarke Jr. and current Hall of Famer John Fogerty.
Backstage after the event, Dave Grohl said "It's terrifying to play your favorite song in front of your favorite band. it's one thing to sit in the basement to sit in the basement and woodshed 2112, and it's another to stand in front of Rush in a fucking kimono and a wig. Tonight was one of the most special nights of my life. I met Neil Peart for the first time at rehearsal. This man was as influential to me as any religion. And he said, 'So nice to meet you, can I make you a coffee?' And he made me a coffee. Later on that night, I went to dinner and had a couple glasses of wine and I started fucking crying, because my hero made me a coffee."
Geddy Lee also reflected on the night's events, "When we first found out, I don't think it really dawned on me what it meant. And in the days building up to this tonight, I've started reflecting on our lives and what this actually does mean in the context of music, popular music."
For our gallery of photos of what we deem the best of the night click here.
See below for additional stories published today
Rush were inducted by Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters: "Rock & roll has forever been ensconced in mystery..." Grohl said, "...but there's one mystery that surely eclipses them all: when the fuck did Rush become cool?...From day one, the band built its following the right way. No hype, no (baloney), they did it from the ground up without any help from the mainstream press...Their influence is undeniable and their devoted fan base is only rivaled by the Grateful Dead. Look at you people, all of you people, right here! And their legacy is that of a band that stayed true to themselves no matter how uncool they may have seemed to anyone...They have always been cool! Consider this mystery solved. It is our honor to FINALLY induct Rush into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."
Neil Peart was the first to give a speech, opening with: “We’ve been saying for a long time that this wasn’t that big a deal, turns out, it truly IS a big deal.’’
Geddy added it was "a little overwhelming for a nice Jewish boy from Toronto" and crowned his speech with thanks to "the most passionate, incredible fan base around the globe...for not only supporting and encouraging our musical progress over the years, but for the insistence of their voices, which has most certainly led us to this evening."
And Alex, well, Alex gave a speech that was uniquely his own, using the simple phrase of "blah blah blah" and charades to convey the highs and lows of a career fighting for respect with the mainstream media, as well as the trio’s underlying love for each other, and the journey of the band to that point in time.
Here is a complete fan recorded video of Rush's induction speech. The event will be broadcast May 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, and will also eventually be released on DVD.
After Rush's induction speech, Dave Grohl (guitar), Taylor Hawkins (drums), and Nick Raskulinecz (Geddy's Rickenbacker), wearing wigs and kimonos circa 1976, opened the Rush set with "2112 Overture" before Rush joined them and performed "Tom Sawyer" followed by "The Spirit of Radio". The all star jam finale was "Crossroads," featuring the new Class of Hall of Famers as well as Grohl, Gary Clarke Jr. and current Hall of Famer John Fogerty.
Backstage after the event, Dave Grohl said "It's terrifying to play your favorite song in front of your favorite band. it's one thing to sit in the basement to sit in the basement and woodshed 2112, and it's another to stand in front of Rush in a fucking kimono and a wig. Tonight was one of the most special nights of my life. I met Neil Peart for the first time at rehearsal. This man was as influential to me as any religion. And he said, 'So nice to meet you, can I make you a coffee?' And he made me a coffee. Later on that night, I went to dinner and had a couple glasses of wine and I started fucking crying, because my hero made me a coffee."
Geddy Lee also reflected on the night's events, "When we first found out, I don't think it really dawned on me what it meant. And in the days building up to this tonight, I've started reflecting on our lives and what this actually does mean in the context of music, popular music."
For our gallery of photos of what we deem the best of the night click here.
See below for additional stories published today
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction 2013: Rush (And Fans) Fight the Power - RollingStone, April 19, 2013
- Rock Hall of Fame Inducts Rush, Public Enemy and Heart at Passionate Ceremony - Billboard, April 19, 2013
- Rush rules Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction - USAToday, April 19, 2013
- Rush, Public Enemy Get Emotional Backstage at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony - RollingStone, April 19, 2013
- Rush to Judgment: The Agony and Ecstasy of 2013's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction - Spin.com, April 19, 2013
- Rush's Geddy Lee and Neil Peart thank their fans for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction - Hitflix.com, April 19, 2013
- Rush's Geddy Lee: 'Strong Honesty' Links Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2013 Class - RollingStone, April 19, 2013
- Q&A: Dave Grohl Reflects on Inducting Rush Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - RollingStone, April 19, 2013
- 2013 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony - Grammy.com, April 19, 2013
Geddy Lee Finally Speaks Out About The Runaways: "They were too shitty to listen to" - Prog Magazine
The new issue of Prog magazine is now on newsstands, and inside Geddy Lee finally gives his side of The Runaways story of when they opened for Rush at Detroit's Cobo Hall on February 10, 1977, as dramatized in their feature film.
Rush fans will recall Joan Jett's comments while promoting the film: "...Joan Jett says members of Rush were anything but polite Canucks when the Runaways opened for them in the 1970s. In the new film biopic about the band titled The Runaways, Jett (played by Kristen Stewart) is derided by an unidentified rock group they're opening for. She later retaliates by breaking into their dressing room and urinating on one of their guitars. Jett doesn't hesitate to identify the real-life inspiration for the scene. 'Rush! They sat on the side of the stage and laughed at us,' Jett says. 'That sort of stuff pisses me off.'" - JamMusic, January 29, 2010In the current issue of Prog, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Geddy Lee replies:
"The Runaways had a ginormous chip on their shoulders. I remember that show. We had trouble with our gear so our soundcheck got delayed and The Runaways never got one. But we were always good to whoever was opening for us. We had no bias against them because they were girls - none of that bullshit. I know they said that we were laughing at them when they played, but quite frankly they were too shitty to listen to. And 40 years later they have a story to tell about it. Who knew?"- Thanks to Tony R for the headsup!
"Rush on Rock Hall, Retirement and 'Wine Therapy': Video Q&A" - Billboard
Billboard.com has posted another short interview including video where "Lee and his bandmate Alex Lifeson look particularly relaxed in the Billboard studio, where they chatted about their upcoming Hall of Fame moment, life in a rock 'n' roll band and their friendship with the Foo Fighters, who will induct the group during a ceremony April 18." - Billboard.com, April 18, 2013
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