HomeTiffin University's "Rush: Progressive Rock and Modern Society" - Fall 2016 Edition
Two years ago we reported on Tiffen University in Ohio's 15 week course titled "Rush: Progressive Rock and Modern Society", which included a guest speaker appearance via Skype by Donna Halper. Professor Nathan Santos is teaching the course once again at Tiffen, beginning on August 22nd as an elective/special topics course. - Thanks to Professor Santos for the headsup!
The Music Box Tribute To Rush
The History Of Rush by Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson - TeamRock.com
Geddy Lee - Negro Leagues Baseball Museum a testament to the critical role of sports in society
"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.Click here for the complete story.
"'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.'"
Neil Peart featured in DW Drum's latest Edge Factor
FYI Industry Profile: Pegi Cecconi
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).Click here for more.
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.”
Geddy Lee talks about his affection for the Tragically Hip
"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
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
"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
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"
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"
Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - May 2016
ole's Andy Curran talks 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
Alex Lifeson: Songwriter, Producer & Musician - Guitar Connoisseur magazine
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