Alex Lifeson talks Rush's future and A Farewell to Kings 40th Anniversary Release

In a brand new interview with SiriusXM's "Debatable", conducted at last week's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in New York, the arthritis-stricken Lifeson stated about RUSH's current status: "I would say that it's unlikely that we'll tour again as RUSH. Really, we toured for forty-one years, and I have to say that first year off, I felt like I was grieving for my career and the band, but truly, forty-one years of touring the way we toured, I shouldn't feel badly about that."

RUSH recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of its landmark 1976 album "2112" with a deluxe reissue featuring rare live and previously unreleased material, and, according to Lifeson, "right now there's some work being done on a similar thing with [1977's] 'A Farewell To Kings'." He said: "We're not really involved in that so much; it's a record-company thing, or a publisher thing. We like to be slightly involved, in just giving approvals and make sure that everything's done in a way that we would like to see it."

Even though there are no plans for RUSH to regroup in the foreseeable future, Lifeson revealed that "Ged and I will probably do something together. He's been really busy. He's working on his own little book project. He's become quite a bass guitar collector, and he wants to do a little thing on the history of the instrument. So that's keeping him super busy." As for Peart, Lifeson said: "I'm not sure what Neil's doing these days. He's on the West Coast. He's always got something going on."

Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alex-lifeson-says-its-unlikely-rush-will-ever-tour-again/#O5BJOlu1aZsTbi0T.99

In the Limelight: the Alex Lifeson ES-Les Paul

Gibson guitars have announced the release of Gibson Memphis’s Limited Edition Alex Lifeson ES-Les Paul.  "It’s built in association with Rush legend Lifeson, and you can see why he loves it. Visually, it echoes the ES-355 he played for much the 1970s on classic Rush album such as 2112 and A Farewell To Kings. This new ES-model has that visual appeal, but in the more compact Les Paul format he’s favored for Rush’s recent years. Indeed, Gibson’s ES-Les Paul design itself could have been built with Lifeson in mind – it’s versatile and full of different tones. In this finish, it’s just right for him... and anyone who likes a stunningly different guitar."  For more visit Gibson.com

Rush sighting in USA Today Crossword 4/9

Yesterday's USA Today crossword puzzle has the clue "Rock music's Rush, e.g.", for which the answer was "trio".  Thanks to Bill Oross for the headsup!

Geddy Lee speaks backstage at the Rock Hall 2017 induction

Geddy Lee addresses why he didn't play a Rickenbacker during "Roundabout", and of Chris Squire's influence.

Yes Joins Its 'Heroes' in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Newsweek

“And we thought we waited a long time to get in the Hall of Fame,” said Rush bassist Geddy Lee, as he and Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson delivered a moving tribute Friday to progressive-rock giants Yes at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Brooklyn.... more from Newsweek.com

Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson Talk 'Over-the-Top' Yes Fandom

Rollingstone.com has posted a followup story with some backstage comments from Geddy Lee.

 "As I said during my speech, I was turned on to them through their second album Time and a Word," Lee tells Rolling Stone after exiting the stage. "I've been a huge fan ever since, just an over-the-top fan of them for years."

As a bassist, Lee was thrilled to be able to perform "Roundabout," a song he considers to be "one of the great bass songs ever written, in the history of recorded music." After already agreeing to induct Yes, Lee had been asked to join them for a performance by the late and influential bass player Chris Squire's widow and the remaining members of the band. "Seeing as I was going to be here anyway, why not?"

As Lee said during his induction speech: "It's not overstating things to say it changed the way I played and listened to music forever. So here we are, decades later, and the music of Yes is still echoing down through the years, showing me that music truly is a continuum."

Lifeson shared the profound influence of the band on his life during the induction speech as well. "Yes were my gateway band in so many ways," the guitarist says. "There's nothing so fleeting yet enduring about the way music feels when you're 17 years old."

Read Rush's Enthusiastic Yes Rock Hall Induction Speech/Geddy on Roundabout

Tonight Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson inducted Yes into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  You can read their speeches below courtesy of Rollingstone.com.  Following their speeches, Geddy joined Yes during a performance of "Roundabout", which you can also view below.  The show will be broadcast April 29th on HBO.

Lifeson: We're honored to be here tonight doing this. It's really, really great. We all start somewhere. For me, my journey with Yes began when I was a teenager gently fishing out the Yes album out of its sleeve being just a bit freaked by the disembodied head on the cover, placing the needle on the groove, sitting back, letting the music wash over me. I may have smoked a cigarette or something [laughter] but Yes were my gateway band in so many ways. There's nothing so fleeting yet enduring about the way music feels when you're 17 years old.

As Yes played in my room, I played too. I spent hours picking my way through songs like "Starship Trooper" and "Yours Is No Disgrace." How wonderful is that swirling outro in "Starship Trooper"? I must've played that a million times. But I loved their music. Even more, once I learned to master ... not that I never really did. I never did them justice. But I loved them still. Yes helped give me the gift of music, which is everything as you know. They made me want to be a better musician and that provided some of the determination to one day stand on this stage giving tribute to this amazing band.

I'll leave you with this: the musical choices we make in our youth help to mold who we become. Choose the guitar intro for "Going for the One." Choose learning to play "Starship Trooper" on a cheap secondhand guitar. Choose Chris Squire's amazing bass tone. Choose Jon Anderson's ethereal vocals. Choose Fragile. Choose wearing a cape before Rick Wakeman did. This guy right here. Choose staying out all night to see your favorite band. Choose "Roundabout." Choose the glorious guitar work in "Owner of a Lonely Heart." So beautiful. Choose the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And definitely, choose Yes.

Lee: Blah, blah, blah. [Laughter] I'd like to ask the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to indulge me a few moments to share some personal experiences of Yes, the band. So picture this: in the early Seventies, I spent from one to three years in Grade 10 in high school seated at the back of the class with my new pal Oscar. He sat just across from me, and the teacher's words were bouncing aimlessly off us as Oscar riffed on some of our favorite Monty Python skits. He had me at the dead parrot gag. How could we not become friends? But it wasn't just the Ministry of Silly Walks that we bonded over.

I could still recall one of the days that we opted out of school and were sitting cross-legged on the floor of Oscar's room as he introduced me to an album called Time and a Word by a band called Yes that I never heard of. I still thrill to the bass part in "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed" the way I did the first time I heard it that day. For years people asked me why I played a Rickenbacker bass, and all I have to do is point to that album, that song and Chris Squire's incredibly original playing. Then Oscar played me "Yours Is No Disgrace" then "I've Seen All Good People." We both sat there open-mouthed as the songs rose up around us and our musical worlds shifted and fell from its axis. I might've been a young musician jamming in basement grooves in Toronto, but through Yes, I was tuning into a wider world of possibilities. One where music seemed to have no limitations.

It was a crisp night in 1972 when Oscar and myself and this guy, Alex Lifeson, wind up overnight around the block in what was then Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens to finally witness Yes live for ourselves. The sky was a high dome of stars, and as I recall, Alex kept us going by nipping to the store and bringing back honeydew drinks. Really. I could close my eyes now and I'm back there. Intellectually, visually, viscerally sitting in row 10. It was like nothing I'd ever seen or experienced before. It was actually profound.

It's not overstating things to say it changed the way I played and listened to music forever. So here we are, decades later, and the music of Yes is still echoing down through the years, showing me that music truly is a continuum. On behalf of Oscar, my good friend and Alex's Neil, who is not here tonight, Alex and myself, I say thank you, Yes. It's our great, great privilege and our great honor to right a terrible wrong and to finally welcome Yes into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Aimee Mann Talks New Album, ‘Mental Illness,’ and Working with Rush on "Time Stand Still"

In a new interview with Guitar World, Aimee Mann looks back on recording with Rush 30 years ago.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Rush’s “Time Stand Still,” to which you contributed a memorable vocal. How did your involvement with the band come about?
I’m not sure if they had heard a song of mine or someone told them about me, but they contacted my manager at the time and asked me if I wanted to sing on it. I didn’t know Rush’s stuff that much but I thought, why not? I liked the song and thought the part was really pretty.  Originally, Geddy Lee was singing it. He’s got such a powerful voice and I remember saying to him, “Dude, your falsetto is so great. You shouldn’t have me.” But they really wanted to have a different singer on it. I’m very proud that I had that opportunity.

- Thanks to Stephen Humphries for the headsup!

Rush "Cygnus X-1" Record Store Day 2017 special release this April 22

Rush will be releasing "Cygnus X-1" books 1 and 2 on 12-inch 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl EP for Record Store Day this April 22nd:

"2017 marks the 40th anniversary of A Farewell To Kings and to kickstart the celebration, Books I & II of "Cygnus X-1" are newly compiled together for the first time ever as an audiophile 180g vinyl EP with brand new artwork by longtime Rush artwork creative director Hugh Syme.  SIDE A: Cygnus X-1: Book 1 SIDE B: Cygnus X-1: Book II".  

The release will be limited to 5000 copies and will be available at select independent record store locations for Record Store Day on April 22nd. To find participating store locations and to learn more about Record Store Day, visit the website at recordstoreday.com. - Thanks to Joe Pesch for the headsup!

Shredders!: The Oral History Of Speed Guitar (And More) featuring foreword by Alex Lifeson

Music journalist Greg Prato has published a new book titled Shredders!: The Oral History Of Speed Guitar (And More) which features a foreword by Alex Lifeson.  "How fast can you play? What guitar do you have? Who is better, Van Halen or Steve Vai? For metal fans in the 80s, these were common and important questions. Tune in to MTV, pick up a magazine, or walk into an instrument store, and more often than not you'd be exposed to what is now known as shredding - the fast, virtuoso soloing popularized by musicians like Vai and Van Halen, Joe Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen, Randy Rhoads and Dimebag Darrell. Inspired by these pioneering guitarists, thousands of young musicians would spend hours at home in their bedrooms, perfecting both their playing and their poses. Though shredding fell out of favor during the grunge/alternative rock era, it has become increasingly popular again in recent years, spurred by the rise in popularity of bands like Children Of Bodom, DragonForce, and Trivium. Drawing on more than 70 exclusive interviews with key shredders past and present, author and guitarist Greg Prato has assembled the definitive guide to the fastest players of them all."  Click here to order.  For Lifeson's forward, see below.

"From Cradle to Stage" by Vignia Hanlon Grohl coming April 25th

From Cradle to Stage, the new book by Vignia Hanlon Grohl is set for release April 25th.  The mother of Grammy-winning rock star Dave Grohl, Virginia retired from a thirty-year teaching career, then jumped on tour buses and planes to travel to rock shows throughout the U.S. and Europe with her son and the Foo Fighters. Her next tour, travelling to meet the mothers of other stars, provided the profiles for her first book, From Cradle to Stage.  As she watched her son's star rise, she often wondered about the other mothers who raised sons and daughters who became rock stars. Were they as surprised as she was about their children's fame? Virginia often wondered about the mystical force that urges some of us to listen, to play, to surround ourselves with music. She wanted to talk about it with the other mothers whose sons and daughters were sharing stages with Dave, and she decided to seek them out wherever they were. So began a two-year odyssey, where she had conversations with such women from all over the world. One of the chapters in the book is dedicated to Geddy Lee; in it Virginia interviews Ged's mother, Mary Weinrib, about what influenced their child to choose a musical career, and the prevalence of music in their family home.  Click to order.

Rush to induct Yes into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Planet Rock is reporting "Two-thirds of Rush will introduce Yes at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on 7th April.

As is sometimes the tradition at the music industry back-patting event, past inductees are invited back to introduce members of the new class.

In homage to their fellow prog-rock torchbearers and kindred spirits, Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson will step onto the Barclays Center stage to wax lyrical about Yes and then hand the honour to Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, Alan White, Tony Kaye, Trevor Rabin and Chris Squire’s wife Scottie who is accepting on her late husband’s behalf.

A huge fan of Yes, Geddy Lee said in 2013 that it was “disappointing” and “just wrong” that Yes weren’t inducted alongside his band that year.

Alongside Rush, it has been confirmed that Neil Young will be introducing Pearl Jam. The two acts share a mutual admiration and performed together at the 1993 MTV Music Awards and collaborated on Young’s 1995 record ‘Mirror Ball’.

Young is repaying the favour to Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder who inducted him into the Hall of Fame in 1995 calling him "a great songwriter, a great performer, a great Canadian."

Completing the trio of 2017 inductor announcements, Jackson Browne will introduce folk icon Joan Baez at the ceremony.

Also being inducted this spring are Journey, Electric Light Orchestra and the late rapper Tupac Shakur.
-thirds of Rush will introduce Yes at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on 7th April.  As is sometimes the tradition at the music industry back-patting event, past inductees are invited back to introduce members of the new class. 

Geddy Lee Teams with Tech 21 for Signature SansAmp GED-2112

If you got to catch Rush in the past twenty years, you would have seen Geddy Lee on stage with household appliances in lieu of a bass amp. Going direct means relying on preamps for his sound, and now he’s helped to create a signature SansAmp with Tech 21.

The Tech 21 Geddy Lee Signature SansAmp GED-2112 is a bass preamp in a single rackspace unit that features parallel pre-amping – meaning two separate internal preamps that run in parallel. It has a Drive section based on the SansAmp RPM as well as a Deep preamp section that dishes out a low end boost.

“Saturation goes from clean in lower settings to increased harmonics and tube-like compression in higher settings,” the company writes. “To keep things lean and efficient, the EQ curve is pre-set to Geddy’s personal specs. You can use either section independently or blend them externally direct to a mixing board as well as to two amplifiers.”

Other features include a Blend control, a sweepable semi-parametric EQ, dedicated 1/4-inch and XLR direct outputs for each preamp section, an effects loop with Mix 50/50 switch, a tuner output, a clean 1/4-inch output, and a front panel A/B switch.

“The GED-2112 is really a continuation of my long-time approach to bass tone,” Lee says. “A ‘deep clean’ tone coupled with the ‘edgy crunch’ I get from the SansAmp RPM now all in one box. With selectable A/B inputs, and separate balanced and unbalanced direct outputs, this box is the foundation for great bass tone in any setup. Plus it’s green!”

The Tech 21 Geddy Lee Signature SansAmp: GED-2112 is expected later this year with a street price of $369.

Visit notreble.com for more info.

The limelight keeps finding Rush authority from Tonawanda

The Buffalo News have published a Sunday feature on Rush fan Ray Wawrzyniak, who you might remember from the recent documentary Time Stand Still.

"Ray Wawrzyniak, a teacher at Willow Ridge Elementary School in the Sweet Home School District and family man from the Town of Tonawanda, also happens to be one of the world’s foremost experts on the history of Rush"

Read the full story here.

Rush "2112 40th Anniversary Edition" Now Available

Order 2CD/DVD Edition

Order 3 LP Edition

Order Super Deluxe Edition

After celebrating over 40 years together with the same trio line-up, UMe continues the celebration of the Rush catalog with the release of three 40^th anniversary expanded editions of the band’s classic 1976 album 2112.  Click here to order the 2CD/DVD edition, the three-LP 200-gram vinyl edition, or the Super Deluxe edition incorporating both CDs, the DVD, all three LPs plus bonus items (detailed below).

On December 16, 2016, 2112—40th will be released in three distinct variations. The 2CD/DVD edition will include a newly remastered CD of the original 2112 album by Abbey Road Studios, and an additional CD of rare, live and previously unreleased material including newly-recorded tracks from 2112 featuring Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters along with Nick Raskulinecz, Billy Talent, Steven Wilson from Porcupine Tree, Jacob Moon and Alice In Chains. The set’s third disc is a DVD featuring a newly restored vintage 1976 Rush concert recorded at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, NJ, plus bonus videos of the Grohl/Hawkins/Raskulinecz track and Billy Talent track, and a new 25+ minute interview featuring Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and longtime producer & engineer Terry Brown. The new 2112 remaster originally appeared on the much-acclaimed 2015 hologram vinyl edition of the album; this marks the Abbey Road Studios master first time on CD.

UMe is also releasing a three-LP 200-gram vinyl edition incorporating all of the aforementioned audio material, plus a special laser-etched LP side, the 2015 hologram on 2112’s side B and a unique turntable mat featuring the band’s iconic Starman character. Fans will also have the option of purchasing a Super Deluxe edition of 2112, incorporating both CDs, the DVD, all three LPs plus its bonus items, and several exclusive collectable items including two 12-inch x 12-inch lithos, one featuring Hugh Syme’s original Starman pencil sketching, the second showcasing a 1976 Massey Hall ticket stub; a reprint of the 1976 Massey Hall handbill and three buttons featuring each band member, all housed in a box lined with velvet flocking. For the first 1,000 Super Deluxe pre-order purchases at Rush.com, us.udiscovermusic.com and udiscovermusic.com, the purchaser will receive a limited edition 7-inch pressing of the album’s first single “The Twilight Zone” (b/w “Lessons”) and a custom red star 45 large hole adapter ring, both newly designed by Hugh Syme.

All three versions of 2112—40th feature extensive liner notes by renowned rock historian Rob Bowman, and newly designed artwork by longtime Rush art director Hugh Syme. The set’s rare recordings include “Solar Federation,” spotlighting the isolated Neil Peart vocals that close the song “2112” in “Grand Finale,” two outtakes from the 1976 Massey Hall concerts including “Something For Nothing” and a nearly complete 15+ minute performance of “2112,” as well as a recently-rediscovered live version of the album track “The Twilight Zone,” which has only been performed twice in the band’s long history.

The cover versions of "Tears" performed by Alice In Chains, "A Passage To Bangkok" (sample) by Billy Talent, and "Twilight Zone" by Steven Wilson are now available on Youtube.

Tracklistings below.

Rush Referenced on Family Guy's Christmas Episode

Last night's episode of Family Guy (season 15, episode 9, "How the Griffin Stole Christmas"), included another Rush reference (just two weeks after their last reference).   Stewie says "Oh God, I ruined Christmas, like The Little Drummer Boy when he really got into Neil 'Pert'" which is followed by a quick scene of the Little Drummer Boy in the manger, who drops his ancient drum to break into a drum solo on a Peart-like drum kit.  Check out the scene here. - Thanks to John Lindsay for the headsup!

Geddy Lee remembers Greg Lake

Geddy Lee has commented on yesterday's passing of Greg Lake, fellow bassist and founding member of the progressive rock bands King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP).

"We've lost yet another great artist and talented bassist...What a devastating year 2016 has been... ELP were one of my faves ..first Keith Emerson and now Greg Lake. RIP boys....and thanks for the music... #GregLake #KeithEmerson #ELP" - Geddy Lee,  December 8, 2016

Official Rush Coloring Book and Holiday Greeting Cards by Fantoons

Fantoons has announced the release of their officially licensed 52 page RUSH coloring book packed with art and humor and about the greatest power trio that ever crossed the earth! The mighty RUSH!  Everyone can have fun and relax with this oversize coloring book which measures at 12" x 19". Priced at just $15.99, you can order it here.

In addition, Fantoons now have a line of official Rush Christmas cards which can be ordered here, as well as Hanukkah cards available here. 

And if you missed out on its original release, be sure to check out Rush Toons By Fantoons Vol. 2112, a 170+ page book packed with RUSH comic strips, parodies, art and illustrations. - Thanks to David Calcano at Fantoons for the headsup!

Rush Announce Donation to Gord Downie Brain Cancer Research foundation

Earlier this month, Canadian Music Week announced that the members of RUSH would be the 2017 recipients of the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award at Canadian Music Week in April. Part of this prestigious Humanitarian award includes $40,000 to be made to the recipient’s charity of choice.  The members of Rush – Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart – have unanimously decided to direct the funds to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research at Sunnybrook.

“We are pleased to direct this generous donation from the Allan Slaight Humanitarian award to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research at Sunnybrook. Many Canadian families have been affected either directly or indirectly by this terrible disease. Through Gord’s courageous efforts this cause is now getting the attention it desperately deserves. As a fellow musician and friend it’s our turn to help support his efforts to fight Brain Cancer now.” – RUSH

“We are thrilled to learn Rush has made such a donation,” commented Dr. James Perry, head of neurology at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. “The Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research will help give us the tools we need to find ways to treat the untreatable. Right now we are investigating new drugs, surgical techniques and genetic therapies. We are using ultrasound to reach tumours that couldn’t be reached before. The funds so generously donated by RUSH will support us as we continue our pioneering work, to the benefit of brain cancer patients not only across Canada but around the world.”

To join Rush and make a personal donation to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research at Sunnybrook , go to www.sunnybrook.ca/gord.  The Allan Slaight Humanitarian award will be presented at the Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday April 20, 2017 in the Grand Ballroom at the Toronto Sheraton Centre Hotel.

Grapes For Humanity dinner raises $40,000 for Amani Home for Street Kids in Moshi, Tanzania

Enjoying their time off, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson recently attended a Grapes For Humanity charity dinner in late September/early October which raised $40,000 for the Amani Home for Street Kids in Moshi, Tanzania.  From the GFH website:

"Joe Canavan, a great supporter of Grapes for Humanity, invited eleven of his friends to join him at Barberian’s Steak House on Elm Street, Toronto, for this fund-raiser dinner. The celebrity guests were Geddy Lee and Alex Liveson of Rush who regaled the company with stories of their touring and recording. The wine flowed…like wine and Barberian’s owner, Arron Barberian pledged $2,000 to the cause: the construction of a new home for street kids in Moshi, Tanzania.

"For the record, the wines were: Bouchard Ursules Champagne, F.X. Pichler 2007 Loibner Berg Riesling, Hirtzberger 2007 Honivogl Gruner Veltliner, 1997 Guigal La Mouline Côte Rôtie, 1999 Jamet Côte Rôtie, 2000 Ogier Côte Rôtie Belle Helene, 2001 Jasmin Côte Rôtie, 2003 Jamet Côte Rôtie, 1997 Dows Port"

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