Rush Lighting Director Howard Ungerleider to Receive Parnelli Visionary Honor

Projection, Lights and Staging News (PLSN) has announced that Rush lighting director Howard Ungerleider will be the 2014 recipient of the Parnelli Visionary Award to be presented at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Nov. 22, 2014.

“Howard is a pioneer who took concert lighting to a new level, leaving everybody else to try to catch up,” says Parnelli Producer/PLSN Publisher Terry Lowe. “His work with Rush has inspired many in this business, and he’s known as one of the nicest, most respected guys in this business, too.”

Many companies turned to Ungerleider when developing new products. “A lot of manufacturers would send me their fixtures to break,” he says. One is High End.

“Howard Ungerleider is a pioneer in the entertainment industry,” says High End founder and Parnelli Visionary Honoree Richard Belliveau. “For as long as I have known Howard he has strived to provide his clientele with new and innovative ideas. New and innovative ideas can sometimes require more work and time for a designer like Howard to implement. Howard unselfishly spends his time to make sure those innovative ideas get implemented and in a successful fashion for his client. The results can be breathtaking.”

For more visit PLSN.com. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Charity Auction of Neil Peart Autographed Drum Head used in 1977

UPDATE: The auction has closed, the drumhead sold for $2,025.

The owners of Neil Peart's Chrome drum kit have announced a new auction of one of Neil's drum heads:

Click here to bid on a 12" autographed drum head used in concert by Neil Peart. This 12" Ludwig head was mounted on the historic drum kit that was once owned and used by Neil Peart from 1974-1977. This head was last used around May or June of 1977. This head was hand signed by Neil Peart in 2010.

100% of the proceeds from this auction are to benefit DrumsForCures, a non-profit charity organization that produces DRUMSTRONG events to raise awareness and funds for cancer survivorship, education and research globally that support people with cancer and those who love them.  Bids started at $21.12. The auction ends on June 15th. Good luck bidders!!

Tim McGraw - Rush fan

During his concert last Saturday night's concert, Tim McGraw wore a Hold Your Fire tour t-shirt.  McGraw has stated "I'm a huge '70s classic rock fan...Big Rush fan...". - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

"Rush FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Rock's Greatest Power Trio" by Max Mobley - Now Available

Originally slated for a June 17th release date, Rush FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Rock's Greatest Power Trio written by Max Mobley with a foreword by Donna Halper, is now available.  You can order it here!

Synopsis: Rush FAQ documents the amazing story of the world's greatest Canadian prog rock power trio, from its origins in a church basement in Willowdale, Ontario, to its induction ceremony at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Covering 40 albums, 10 DVDs, thousands of mesmerizing live shows, and millions of rock's most loyal fans, the story of Rush is as epic and unique as its music. Rush has been maligned by the press for decades, and misunderstood by a legion of mainstream rock fans and rock glitterati. And yet only the Beatles and Rolling Stones have earned more gold and platinum records. Few artists, if any, have been as influential as Rush's three virtuoso bassist-keyboardist-vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer-lyricist Neil Peart. Rush's focus has always been about its muse and its music. As such, Rush FAQ studies the evolution of the band's sound, from the early days of Zeppelin-esque blues-rock to complex, synth-laden opuses to the return of concept-album bombast with the critically acclaimed Clockwork Angels. With wit, humor, and authority, music industry veteran and unabashed Rush geek Max Mobley examines the music, gear, personalities, and trials and tribulations of one of rock and roll's truly legendary acts. It is a story Rush fans will treasure and rock and roll fans will admire.

"Driverless cars and Red Barchettas: Did Rush predict a Google-controlled future?" - SFGate

Today the San Francisco Chronicle's Peter Hartlaub published a story which asks "Did Rush predict a Google-controlled future":

Make fun no more, Rush haters. More than 30 years after the release of Rush’s “Red Barchetta,” one of the more popular and thematically “out there” songs from the band, it’s all coming true. Peart appears to have correctly predicted the inevitable tech company-controlled future.

Check out the full story at SFGate.com.

Rush Sighting at Apple's WWDC 2014 Keynote Presentation

Rush made a cameo in Apple's World Wide Developer’s Conference 2014 Keynote presentation which took place yesterday morning.  As seen in this video at the 27:30 mark, Craig Federighi introduced new features in Safari by searching for ‘Rush’, and the band is the first entry listed. - Thanks to Christopher Gardner for the headsup!

West Seneca East High School Concert Band Performs "All The World's A Stage" Rush Medley

Last night the West Seneca (New York) East High School concert band performed the world premiere of an eight minute symphonic medley titled All The World's A Stage. The medley includes "Tom Sawyer," "YYZ," "Closer To The Heart," and closes with "2112 Overture/Finale." And that's not all, we have learned that the musical score will apparently be published by Core Music Publishing (the music publishing division of Anthem Records, which was recently sold to Ole) and soon will be available to bands everywhere. - Thanks to Ken Hoffman for the headsup! 

Ole Acquires Rush Catalog

L-R: Robert Ott (Chairman & CEO of Ole),
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson (Rush), Ray Danniels
(Rush manager, SRO/ANTHEM and owner of Core)

Today Ole, one of the world's 10 largest music publishing companies, announced the acquisition of the Rush music publishing catalog.   While the Ole press release doesn't disclose the terms of the sale, according to Billboard.com, it is rumored that "sources estimate that the Rush catalog, which includes the band's entire output, had net publisher's share, or gross profit, of about $1.5 million-$2 million and fetched about $25 million."

The Rush catalog was administered by Core Music, a division of Anthem Entertainment Group. Core has been the exclusive publisher and administrator for the band's entire career.

“With the changing times in the music business, the responsibilities of a publisher have become much more complex," said SRO/Anthem president Ray Daniels, who has been Rush's manager since the band's beginning back in the early-to-mid 1970's, said in a statement. "This deal will allow me to devote my time and energy to managing the live touring and recording aspects of Rush’s ongoing career."

As part of the ole-Core deal, Pegi Cecconi, who has overseen the administration of Core Music since inception, will continue to work at SRO/ANTHEM, but will also take on a consulting role to ole for the Rush catalogue.

Keram's "Come To Life" Featuring Alex Lifeson Now Available

As previously announced back in February, Alex Lifeson has been working with Toronto's Keram on his album Come to Life.  The album was released on May 28th and can be ordered here.

Toronto artist Keram — who has an impressing acting resume — has been working on his new album for a whopping seven years, and now it's finally ready. Come to Life will be released on May 28 through Constant Change Music.

The collection was recorded in Toronto and Los Angeles, with Rush's Alex Lifeson serving as executive producer and playing guitar on three songs. Around 30 musicians played on the record in total, with some being involved in projects such as Coheed & Cambria, Zappa Plays Zappa, and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

A press release describes the result as a "sprawling, otherworldly roots-rock adventure" that draws on a wide range of genres. There's apparently an emphasis on improvisation, something that's exemplified by the title cut, which is said to be a "20-minute improvisational ambient-jazz journey inspired by the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

This isn't the album's only lengthy tune, since an 11-minute track called "The Devil Knows Me Well" can be heard below. It begins as a bluesy rocker before giving way to extended periods of jamming and wailing guitar solos. The arrangement rises and falls a few times, with the last couple of minutes featuring atmospheric keyboard noodles and distant harmonica honking. This is one of the tracks that features Lifeson." - Exclaim.ca, May 9, 2014

For more info, including the full track "The Devil Knows Me Well" click here. 

Videos of Clockwork Angels Tour and Time Machine Tour certified Gold, Platinum by the RIAA

Earlier this month, on May 14th Rush's Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland concert video was certified Gold, Platinum and 2-X Platinum, while Clockwork Angels Tour received a Gold and Platinum certification.

According to the RIAA, a GOLD certification equates to 50,000 video unit sales while a PLATINUM certification equates to 100,000 video unit sales (both within the United States).  The last Rush video to be recognized by the RIAA was when Beyond The Lighted Stage was certified Gold and Platinum in September of 2010.

- Thanks to Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

Geddy Lee's 3,000 Hit Club Baseball Waiting for Jeter's Signature

One of Geddy Lee's prized baseballs is waiting for Jeter's signature:

"A baseball that might be unlike any other in the world is visiting Busch Stadium this week in hopes to add to more signatures to the elite group already on its hide. The owner of the ball has asked Cardinals equipment manager Rip Rowan to get the signatures of Derek Jeter and Ichiro Suzuki* -- two more members of the 3,000-hit club. That's the prerequisite for getting on the ball...The ball is owned by Rush's lead singer and bassist Geddy Lee. A renowned collected of memorabilia and a huge baseball fan, Lee is also a Cardinals fan. He has come around the ballpark and spent time with the club before, and he has had long friendships with a few around the club. Lee purchased the ball to add to his collection, and has added signatures to it so that it may be the only baseball held by both Cobb and Clemente and ... if all goes well this week ... Jeter." For more visit StlToday.com. - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Pop Culture References Update - May 2014

It's time for the latest roundup of Rush References in Pop Culture.  This is long overdue, and thanks to everyone who has contributed! For this update, I have NOT included other recent references previously mentioned as an individual News item. If you have a reference in mind and believe I have missed it, please let me know!

• First and most recently, just over a week ago on the American television series Supernatural, there has been yet another Rush sighting (this is the 5th time Rush has been referenced on the show); during the episode "Bloodlines" (season 9 episode 20, aired April 29, 2014), Sam and Dean identify themselves as FBI agents “Bonham and Peart”.
• On Cartoon Network's Regular Show, during the episode "Video 101" ((season 5, episode 25, aired May 5, 2014),  Eileen adds up the time it will take to shot a music video and the total is shown on a calculator as 2112.
• Swedish hardcore group Grace Will Fall released their latest album No Rush on April 1st; tied into the album title, the album cover is a tribute to Rush's 1974 debut.
• In the video game South Park: The Stick of Truth released March 4th, after unlocking access to the "O Canada" level, a Rush poster can be seen on the wall of one of the houses.
• On Cartoon Network's Adventure Time, during the episode "Bad Timing" (season 5 episode 49, aired March 3, 2014), Princess Bubblegum unveils her new time machine, and explains how it is controlled by a pair of special gloves. The gloves display the time and it reads 21:12.
• In Marvel Comics' Deadpool issue #22, published January 9, 2014, Agent Gorman is on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier trying to guess the password for the person who has posters for Spider-Man and RUSH on his wall. He succeeds after guessing "SPIDEYLOVER2112".
• Author Joe Schreiber states in the acknowledgements to his Star Wars novel Maul: Lockdown published January 28, 2014: "Vigilant readers will also find the influence of Geddy Lee, Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson among these pages, three gentlemen whose music animates much of the action as I initially conceived it in my mind."
• On the Finish television series, Mun Ainoot 30 Minsaa (My Only 30 Minutes), during the episode "Korjaus" (episode 12, aired December 19, 2013), two characters wear 2112 t-shirts.
• On the American reality television show Flipping Vegas, the main character Scott Yancey has worn a Fly By Night tshirt on more than one episode, including "Frat House" (season 3 episode 2 aired November 9, 2013) and "Hoarder House" (season 3 episode 4 aired November 23, 2013).
• In the Vodafone Netherlands "workout" television commercial from September 2013, one of the framed photographs on the wall is of Rush taken at the Ahoy in Rotterdam in 1981.
• On the American realty television show Pawn Stars, during the episode "Colt To The Touch" (Season 7, Episode 15, aired August 1, 2013), a customer brings a collection of "Chu-bops" (small bubble gum record albums which came in miniature replica album covers circa 1980 [yours truly has both Permanent Waves and an unopened/sealed Moving Pictures]), and one of the albums was Permanent Waves; Rick asks Corey "do you know any songs by Rush? Tom Sawyer?" and Corey replies "that's funny, I almost said 'Huckleberry Finn'." Check out a video clip here.
• The plot of the horror-comedy film Knights of Badassdom which premiered at the ICon Festival on September 24, 2013, is about live action roll players whose final goal is to reach the Temple of Syrinx.
• Wayne Coyne, frontman for The Flaming Lips, released a comic book in July of last year titled The Sun is Sick which is complete with a fake ad page in the front mimicing real comic books. Nested into one of the ads to purchase the LP "Beetles at Shea" is the text "Rush rules!".
• Gods Of Night, Book 1 of the Star Trek: Destiny trilogy by David Mack was published September 30th, 2008, and is full of Rush references including: the conn officer of the Starship Enterprise is Lieutenant Gary Weinrib, an alien is named Lerxst, and when the Captain of the starship Columbia (possible "Countdown" reference) is speaking with members of an alien race, one of them states "while changes are never permanent, change is". Note, David Mack has included Rush references in previous works as well, including Wolverine: Road Of Bones published October 31, 2006, which includes a character named Alex Zivojinovich and a cab driver named Gary Lee. There likely are Rush references in more of his novels which we have yet encountered. Check out his homepage.
• In his new book I Wear The Black Hat: Grappling with Villains (Real and Imagined), Chuck Klosterman quotes from "Limelight" and "Tom Sawyer". He writes about Laker great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: "Kareem (being Kareem) loves jazz music - but even if he loved rock, he'd never relate to Pearl Jam (except for maybe 'Corduroy'). He would prefer mid-period Rush: 'I can't pretend a stranger is a long awaited friend.'" Additionally there's a chapter titled "What Do You Say About His Company Is What Do You Say About Society".  Chuck Klosterman is another author who has refered to Rush frequently in past books: The Visible Man - the main character spies on a closet Rush fan as he air guitars passionately to 2112; in Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas, he says critics accurately described Triumph to Rush, only not as cool; and in Fargo Rock City he discusses interpretation in lyrics, and how one might mistake Rush for a Christian rock band.

- Thanks to Vesa Saarenpää, Paul Knox-Roberts, Alex van Loon, Jeff Lucas, Joe Pesch, Doug Hendrex, Mark Stench, Chris Rambo, Chad Kilhefner, David Wholihan, Bryan Benner, Jamie Nakai, Steven J Hall, David Kessler, Greg Nosek, Rand Stringer, RushIsABand.com, Cygnus-X1.net, Richard Leonard and anyone else I forgot to include!

"Rush - The Rise Of Kings" Documentary Coming May 6th - Now Available

The unauthorized documentary film Rush - The Rise of Kings, was released May 6th from Sexy Intellectual studios.  Apparently covering the years from the band's beginnings in 1968 through the release of Moving Pictures in 1981, you can get your copy here.

"The most successful band to emerge from the Canadian rock explosion of the early 1970s, Rush would go on to become one of that nation's biggest entertainment exports. A trio of musical polymaths who cut a fiercely independent, sometimes controversial path through various musical styles to forge a distinctive, evolving sound that was incomparable to that of any of their contemporaries, this hugely influential group have flourished across a forty-plus year career. This film traces the history of Rush from the bar rooms of Toronto in the late 1960s to the world's largest arenas in the late 70s and early 1980s, by which time they were amongst the biggest bands on the planet. Through a stunning combination of rare and classic footage, the testimony of friends, colleagues and those who worked with the group across the years, plus exclusive and archive interviews and a host of other features, this programme makes the very unique history of Rush come alive in a manner previously undocumented."

- Thanks to Ed Stenger for the headsup!

Rush On Jeopardy - May 5, 2014

During yesterday's episode of Jeopardy, the $400 question was "This trio sang 'Today's Tom Sawyer, he gets high on you, & the space he invades, he gets by on you".  Click here for a video. - Thanks to Jamey Reynolds and Elden Driver for the headsup!

“Clockwork Angels” Comic Book #2 of 6 now available

The second part of the six part Clockwork Angels comic book series was released on Wednesday.  The standard comic store cover series can be ordered directly from Boom! Studios at this link. In addition, the exclusive limited cover set features key lyrics from Rush songs that are tied to the comic, as pictured in the cover attached to this post. These overs also feature character design concept art by artist Nick Robles, and can be ordered from Boom! Studios at this alternate link.

Geddy Lee one of Wine Enthusiasts' "Six Celebrity Wine Makers"

The June, 2014 issue of Wine Enthusiast magazine contains the article "Six Celebrity Wine Makers", which includes Geddy Lee.   Geddy discusses about the connection between music and wine-making, how he and Alex Lifeson became interested in wine, and names his desert island bottle.

"During the late ’70s and early ’80s, while on tour, we would receive gifts from concert promoters of fine wine. Mostly Bordeaux, as our guitarist Alex Lifeson had a keen interest in wine and had a modest collection. I kept my share of the bottles in a wine fridge for years and then in the late ’80s I decided to do an inventory. I was amazed at what I was tasting and it quickly turned into an obsession."

- Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - April 2014

Today Neil Peart updated his website with the latest edition of News, Weather & Sports titled "Telescope Peak Revisited".  Neil recounts returning to Death Valley and climbing Telescope Peak for the first time since the Ghost Rider trip 15 years ago.

Rush On The Colbert Report - Again

Last night on The Colbert Report, Stephen opened the show with a report on how the Canadian middle class has exceeded the Americans as the richest middle class in the world.  Stephen goes on to state that "no longer will people around the world aspire to the American dream of 2.5 kids...now it's the Canadian dream of a beaver dam, a maple syrup moat and 2.5 members of Rush; I don't know about you but I don't want to teach Geddy Lee to catch" and a photo of the band, showing 2.5 members is shown. Check out last night's episode here. - Thanks to BP for the headsup!

Dearly Beloved's Rob Higgins Talks New Album and Uncle Geddy Lee

Rush fans may remember Rob Higgins, Geddy's nephew and member of the now defunct group Rocketscience; Geddy produced and sang on their track "Space Suit" from their now out of print album Foolscap (hear it on Youtube).

Higgins is currently bass player and front man of the group Dearly Beloved, and in a new interview with MusicRadar.com, Higgins talks about his relationship with his uncle, touring with Rush and being present for recording sessions.

"My mom is Geddy's older sister, so he would get stuck babysitting me. So for me, I was lucky! I was sitting in the corner of rehearsals. He'd have to look after me for the afternoon, so if he was going to rehearsal I was going to rehearsal. I would sit in the corner and watch the band for six hours without saying a word. I was always a quiet observer. They maybe thought I was tuned out, but I was absorbing every interaction, evert attempt at a song, every beat, every note. I was so enthralled with all of it.

"Growing up, he was my cool uncle. My mom would take me over there and we would have family visits. He was the uncle who always had the instruments in a sound proof room in the basement. My mom would visit with the family and I would spend the whole afternoon just bashing around on drums and guitars and basses. I can't ever really remember a time not playing music. I think since I was born I've had proximity to it. I guess I've got Geddy to thank for that. I don't think I would have had it otherwise."

When I was a teenager I was able to go to London with them, and I was living with them in a house while they were recording an album in England. I was fortunate enough to go on tour with them, live on a tour bus with them and spend time like that. I've always studied how they operate as a band, and it's certainly influenced the bands I've been involved with. They're all about work ethic but maintaining an incredible sense of humour."

In terms of the music it's always pushed me to push myself. I was afforded some opportunities to see them pushing themselves in the studio. There was one opportunity when I was 12, where I went and stayed with them in Quebec up in the mountains, this little studio called Le Studio just outside of Montreal. It was fascinating to just be in the studio for hours and have nothing to do, just to see their work ethic. Whether laying down a part on a song or figuring out an overdub or working with a producer to get the most out of a piece of music, it was fascinating to be a fly on the wall"

- Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

"'You Can't Have Freedom for Free:' On Rush, Ayn Rand, and Not Compromising" - Reason.com

Today Reason.com published "'You Can't Have Freedom for Free:' On Rush, Ayn Rand, and Not Compromising", an essay on 2112, Rand's Anthem, the band's struggle to succeed on their own terms, and the lessons learned. - Thanks to Paul Wimberley for the headsup!