Geddy Lee - Negro Leagues Baseball Museum a testament to the critical role of sports in society

Geddy Lee's 2008 donation of over 200 autographed baseballs has become on of the most popular exhibits in the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City:

"The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City has an unlikely Canadian connection by way of Rush, Toronto’s most famous progressive-rock exports. Geddy Lee, the band’s frontman, who is also a diehard Blue Jays fan and noted collector of baseball memorabilia, donated a collection of more than 200 baseballs signed by Negro Leagues players to the museum. It’s the largest collection of its kind in the world and one of the most popular exhibits at the museum.

"'And it’s all due to the benevolence of one Geddy Lee, a white, Canadian rocker,' museum president Bob Kendrick says, laughing. 'It just goes to show this story has no boundaries, it has no limitations, it touches virtually every one who experiences it.'

"Lee, who won the collection at auction, never disclosed what he paid, Kendrick said.
'... I tell people all the time: I can’t say I was a big Rush fan before, but I’m a big Rush fan now.'"

Click here for the complete story.

Neil Peart featured in DW Drum's latest Edge Factor

Neil talks about drumming, and John Good talks about the R40 drum kit, in a segment included in DW Drum's latest "Edge Factor" film. Check it out here beginning at the 9 minute mark. - Thanks to Mark Rosenthal for the headsup!

FYI Industry Profile: Pegi Cecconi

FYI Music News has posted a new interview with Pegi Cecconi. a key cog in the Rush machine, Pegi has served as SRO/Anthem's Vice President behind Ray Danniels for literally decades.

As the long-time right hand for [SRO/Anthem President) Ray Danniels, Cecconi has had a pivotal role in the rise of Rush to the title of ‘world’s biggest cult band.’ For instance, she executive produced the longform DVDs that have become a major revenue stream for the band (and SRO/Anthem).

The fiercely loyal and feisty Cecconi is exactly the kind of business person any artist would love in their corner. She notes that “Rush are as big as they are because of Ray Danniels’ total loyalty. I was brought under that wing. When I fight for fuckin Rush, as far as I’m concerned they’re the Beatles, there’s nothing else. You sit there with people having big stars, and we’d be the pain in the ass- ‘you’re not getting this or that.’ That part was fun. Ray’s thing was I want more so you’d figure out what more you could give them.”

As we lured the reluctant interviewee down memory lane, we got a chuckle out of her anecdote about her first dealings with Ray Danniels and Rush. “I met Ray when I was booking bands at my high school, Roland Michener Secondary School in South Porcupine, Ontario. He was my agent and he used to try to sell me Rush. I'd say’ no way. I can get a four-piece band for the same price as a trio. If Rush had ever played my high school the shit would have been beaten out of them!’

“I started with Ray but he wouldn’t give me a job. My first job was as an agent with Tommy and Vic Wilson, who had the Concept 376 agency. At the time it was on 57 Spadina in Toronto. I had a job working with Cliff Hunt there. I made 60$ a week but I was on commission and I was suddenly making $400. That was good money for 1972.”

 Click here for more.

Geddy Lee talks about his affection for the Tragically Hip

Geddy Lee candidly spoke to CBC Music’s Kerry Martin about his affection for the Tragically Hip as part of an upcoming radio pre-show to be broadcast before the live broadcast of the final date of The Hip's Man Machine Poem tour in Kingston, Ontario on August 20th.

"The first time you listen to one of their records it kind of sneaks up on you,” Lee says. “It sounds simpler than it is. There is a particular way the power of those guitars work together.… [They] always sound sinewy and muscular. Then you put Gord's voice and his lyrics on top of that, and after repeated listening, you really start to love it. It just gets inside you. I think that's a trademark of the Hip."

Click here for more. - Thanks to Ed @ RushIsABand for the headsup!

Alex Lifeson to appear on upcoming Rik Emmett album

According to Hennemusic, Alex Lifeson will make an appearance on two tracks on the new album by fellow Canadian guitarist, Rik Emmett, planned for release in November of this year. Lifeson and Emmett have worked together twice in the past, appearing together on "Beyond Borders" with the Canadian Guitar Summit, released as a 45 rpm flexidisk included in Guitar Player magazine, July 1987. The following year, they appeared on "Hands of Man" as part of The Big Picture on Dream On The Horizon: A Tribute To The Olympic Spirit! Also appearing on Emmett's album are original Triumph bassist Mike Levine and drummer Gil Moore, the original Triumph lineup who last worked together in the studio on 1987's "Surveillance" before the guitarist exited the lineup in 1988. - Thanks to the B-man for the headsup!

Tom Sawyer featured on "The Infiltrator" Soundtrack

The Infiltrator stars Brian Cranston (Breaking Bad) as a U.S. Customs official who uncovers a money laundering scheme to take down Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.  The soundtrack will be released Friday, August 12th, and includes a number of 80's rock hits including Rush's "Tom Sawyer", which plays at the beginning of the film.  Check it out here.  - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Help the Alexander Family - A Rush Fan in Need

Jeff Alexander is a Rush fan who has passed his love of Rush on to his two sons.  Jeff has also served in the U.S. Army and Navy.  Last month Jeff's house exploded, with him in it.  You can read about the explosion here.  A fundraising page has been created to help the family with expenses, any help you can send a fellow Rush fan's way will be greatly appreciated:

"On June 10th, 2016, Jeff woke up and was getting ready to head to work. He was excited because the next day he was flying to AZ to be reunited with Stephanie and the kids, and bring them back to Montana. As he was doing his laundry, a huge explosion occurred, and then a fire destroyed the home. 

"Stephanie is with him, and other family members are arriving as well.  While he has medical insurance, it doesn't cover the costs that his family will be incurring as they deal with this devastating tragedy. There will be travel costs and many expenses in the future weeks and months. Please help this young family out as they face an uncertain future. Your gift is truly appreciated."  If you would like to donate, click here.

- Thanks to Trip Kinzie for the headsup!

Neil Peart's hockey themed drumkit now on display at Canada's National Music Center

Neil Peart's hockey themed kit used to record "The Hockey Theme" for TSN (and in the accompanying documentary, Fire on Ice), is now on display at Canada's new "National Music Center" in Calgary.  Click here for more info.

Geddy Lee praises The Who's "Live At Leeds"

Geddy Lee praises The Who's Live At Leeds in a new feature posted yesterday on Teamrock.com:

“I was a big Who fan. I still am. Like a lot of people, it started with My Generation for me. I used to go up to Sam The Record Man in town to get my music. That’s where I got Live At Leeds one Saturday morning. And the bass in My Generation, I mean, John Entwistle, my god, he was such an absolute influence on me and his playing on Leeds is unsurpassable. I’m a big fan of 'Summertime Blues' on that album, which we covered, to a large degree because of their version.

“I got to see The Who in Winnipeg, Manitoba of all places. They were incredible, but Moon was already gone by then. I never saw them with him, I’m very sad to say. No matter what they do, Pete Townshend’s writing has always been at the very top of his craft, the quintessential combination of heavy and melodic. Even today, Live At Leeds sounds so alive, it’s a real piece of that period of rock. It’s like a bootleg, the artwork, the tone; that was their attitude I think. It was raw: ‘Here it is’.”

 - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Rush Referenced in X-Men Apocalypse

As we've known since December when the trailer was first released, and a film-related UK Sky Fibre commercial, during the film X-Men Apocalypse released May 27th, the character Quicksilver is a Rush fan.  Not only does he wear a Moving Pictures t-shirt in the film, he also has a Signals tour poster in his bedroom (a bootleg poster readily available on ebay), and “I Luv Rush” is written on his cast. - Thanks to Byron Chavarria, Ed Dobbins and Alex Fulop for the headsup!

Rush Referenced on "Veep"

Rush was referenced on the May 29th episode of HBO's Veep, when Jonah Ryan, who is running for US Congress, gets some bad news: "Sir, as your director of communications, I need to tell you that we just got a letter from the band Rush. They said that we can't use the song 'Working Man' anymore because they find you odious."  You can check out the scene below. - Thanks to Lawrence Ghorra, Paul Knox-Roberts and Rick Benak for the headsup!

Paul Gilbert remembers touring with Rush

In episode 15 of his Youtube series "Scarified", guitarist Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big tells of touring with Rush, including meeting Geddy Lee the first time, getting his drill caught in his hair, and learning "In The Mood" to play it on stage with Rush . You can check it out here. - Thanks to Rosmakloma for the headsup!

Chelsea Handler is a Rush fan - as spotted during today's episode of "Chelsea"

On today's episode of Chelsea on Netflix (during the episode titled "Barbara Boxer & Souls To The Polls"), Chelsea Handler is wearing a Moving Pictures t-shirt.  You can check it out here. - Thanks to Sameer Tandon for the headsup!

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - May 2016

Neil Peart has updated his website with the May 2016 issue of "News, Weather and Sports." In BubbaGram™#6, "Binge Riding", Neil tells of a ride following the July 21, 2015 show in Portland en route to San Jose, which included a journey to Oregon's Crater Lake National Park. You can check it out here.

ole's Andy Curran talks upcoming Rush releases and the band's future

Today Canada's FYImusicnews posted a new story featuring Andy Curran, Anthem’s former A&R executive who transitioned into ole’s new Label Services general manager/A&R.  Andy talks about upcoming Rush releases and the band's future.

"Aside from prepping the 40th anniversary deluxe edition of 2112 and a documentary of Rush’s R40 tour that is looking to be released in 2016’s fourth quarter, Curran is pouring over the catalogue to prep long-unavailable titles for reissue, digitally, on CD and on vinyl." 

As far as the future of Rush, Curran feels positive that Rush will be writing, recording and releasing more music.

“If I was a gambling man, I would say those guys are going to record some more music,” Curran says. “The live component is certainly a question mark with Neil, but they’re still quite young at heart. I don’t see those guys sitting still for too long and we’ll be working with them in the future.”

Click here for more. - Thanks to Ed at Rushisaband for the headsup!

Geddy Lee attends Pearl Jam show in Toronto

Geddy Lee attended the Pearl Jam’s show in Toronto on Thursday night, and the band gave a special shout out to Geddy, as they played a few notes of "Fly By Night" and "Cygnus X-1".  Unable to play more than few notes of each, Eddie Vedder explained "we have been a band for twenty five years but if we wanted to play a Rush song we would probably have to play for another twenty five."    Geddy also took photos with Vedder and drummer Matt Cameron backstage; Cameron drummed on Geddy's solo album, My Favorite Headache.  For more info, click here.

Alex Lifeson: Songwriter, Producer & Musician - Guitar Connoisseur magazine

Guitar Connoisseur magazine has posted a new interview with Alex Lifeson by David Barrett (of the David Barrett Trio).  David speaks to Alex about his solo album, Victor, recording the solo to "The Garden", his current guitar and amp setup, and more.

Auction Item: Signed copy of "Art of Rush" to benefit New Canvas of Life

A copy of "Art of Rush", signed by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart, is part the 2016 New Canvas of Life — The Art of Transplantation, a month-long online auction to raise funds and awareness for organ donations and transplants.

Now open for bidding here, the auction benefits the Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre and Aeolian Hall, and ends at 9 pm May 25.  Click here for more info. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Neil Peart writes foreword for David Phillips' "From The Riser, A Drummer's Perspective II"

Back in early 2014 I told you about a new photography book by David Phillips, which includes a forward written by Neil Peart (who also appears on the cover).  Phillips is publishing the book himself and has launched a new indiegogo site to fund the project.  Check out the video below.

"Much hard work and love has already gone into the making of this book. The project is near completion with all the photos already taken and approved. The money raised from this project will take the ‘From The Riser’ to its conclusion by covering the majority of the printing, production and design costs of the book. Plus additional costs for re-designing the book website, shipping and storage. This is a self-published book.

"The only way the book will come to market is through your pledges. I would like to say a big thank you in advance to anyone that pledges support for my project. I know from the huge amount of warm feedback and comments on my first book that this second book will not disappoint. I feel that the more I photograph drummers the better I get and I am very excited to show the world this new collection of photos which captures that magic of drumming." 

Click here for more info and to help fund the project. - Thanks to David Phillips for the headsup!

Rush's Tom Sawyer featured on Mike and Molly

Last night on CBS's Mike and Molly, 11 minutes into the episode "The Wreck of the Vincent Moranto" (season 6, episode 8), after Vince sells his boat after promising to take Mike fishing, Mike feels let down, and goes to his mom's house to his childhood bedroom and vents his frustration by air drumming to "Tom Sawyer". 

For a limited time you can watch the episode here. - Thanks to Randy Stringer for the headsup!