Hitting bookstores today in the UK is PROG issue #93, featuring Rush on the cover to celebrate the release of the 40th Anniversary Edition of Hemispheres:
"The new issue of Prog is on sale today. It's been 40 years since Rush last recorded a side-long prog rock epic. And that was on the Hemispheres
album. With a brand new box set of the album due out, we sat down with
Geddy Lee to discuss the making of the album at Rockfield Studios in
Wales and its impact on the band's career. We also talk about Geddy's
new Big Beautiful Book Of Bass and there's a chance to win your own signed copy too!" - Loudersound.com
Sports commentator Ann Liguouri will be interviewing Alex Lifeson on her SportsInnerview show tomorrow/Saturday morning from 9-10 AM EST on 883WPPB.org.
The long expected 40th Anniversary Edition of Hemispheres is now available. Hitting store shelves November 16th, the new edition features new album art by Hugh Syme, and includes a second disk featuring the complete "Live At Pinkpop Festival, Netherlands/1979" as well as "2112" from the 1978 Tucson Arizona show. Unlike the 2112 and A Farewell to Kings releases, there are no cover songs from other artists included.
"The Super Deluxe Edition includes two CDs, one exclusive Blu-ray disc, and three high-quality 180-gram black vinyl LPs. The set encompasses the Abbey Road Studios 2015 remastered edition of the album for the first time on CD, along with previously unreleased and newly restored bonus content consisting of the band’s masterful June 1979 Pinkpop Festival performance in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, the Pinkpop recording engineer failed to capture the first several minutes of “2112,” so an amazing, unreleased performance of the song during the Hemispheres tour from Tucson, Arizona in November 1978 appears here in its place. The third bonus disc contains audio from the album newly mixed from the original multitracks in 5.1 surround sound on a Blu-ray disc, along with four bonus videos: three shot in 1978 as promo videos, and one of “La Villa Strangiato,” originally shot at Pinkpop with newly restored stereo audio.The Super Deluxe Edition of Hemispheres-40th Anniversary will also include several exclusive items, including a 40-page hardcover book with unreleased photos and new artwork by original album designer Hugh Syme; an extensive, 11,000+-word essay by Rob Bowman; The Words & The Pictures, a replica of the band’s rare 1979 UK tour program; a 24x24-inch wall poster of the newly created Syme art; a Pinkpop Festival replica ticket; a Pinkpop Festival replica cloth VIP sticky pass; and a replica 1978 “Rush” Hemispheres iron-on patch.
“Hemispheres was one of our most challenging and demanding records to make,” says Alex Lifeson. “From its inception in a Wales farmhouse where it was written over a 4 week span,” Lifeson continues, “to the very difficult mixing sessions in two London recording studios, it stands as a key transitional album in Rush’s long recording history.”
Hemispheres, Rush’s sixth studio album, was originally released in October 1978, and it built upon the adventurous sonic template the band established on its acclaimed 1977 effort, A Farewell To Kings. The album’s first track, “Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres,” encompassed the entirety of Side 1 on the original release and was the logical, heady continuation of the epic album-ending Kings track, “Cygnus X-1.” Side 2 commenced with the hard-driving commentary on English culture “Circumstances,” followed by the socially aware and environmentally conscious FM radio hit “The Trees,” and concluded with the instrumental tour de force and longtime concert favorite, “La Villa Strangiato.”
Drummer Marco Minnemann has revealed on his Facebook page that he’s working on a new project with Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson when he teased "Working on a new collaborative release together with Rush’s Alex Lifeson. Watch this space for more details to follow soon."
Minnemann is best-known for his solo career and work with The Aristocrats, Steven Wilson and The Mute Gods. The pair worked together previously on Minnemann’s 2017 album Borrego, which also featured Joe Satriani.
During a recent SiriusXM Town Hall (see below), the members of KISS were asked to name some of the best bands that opened for them:
Eric Singer: "I thought RUSH was the best. I saw RUSH open for KISS. I thought they were the coolest opening band. That was the 'Fly By Night' tour— early '75. KISS had 'Hotter Than Hell' out and RUSH had just gotten Neil Peart and they had 'Fly By Night'."
Paul Stanley: "I think for us, RUSH was most exciting. When we first had them playing with us in Canada and John Rutsey was still the drummer. The first album was so… It was HUMBLE PIE, it was ZEPPELIN. They obviously found their footing in something they wanted to do later on. They were always great."
The new December issue of the UK's Classic Rock magazine hits newsstands on November 13th, and includes a new, lengthy interview with Geddy Lee where he discusses a variety of topics including Geddy's Big Beautiful Book Of Bass currently set for release December 18th.
The magazine is currently available at issuu.com, and has been transcribed by Cygnus-X1.net and is available here. - Thanks to RushFanForever and John Patuto for the the headsup!
Rush was referenced yet again on Family Guy, during last night's episode, "Regarding Carter." After Brian references the time that Peter was, "the only one not wearing black jeans at a Rush concert", we see the following concert scene flashback unfold:
Peter: Play "Tom Sawyer"!
Geddy: We already did. And what are you wearing?!
Peter: What? These are my concert khakis.
Geddy: Beat him! Beat him in 6/8th time! And don't let him escape to the completely unoccupied ladies' room!
Peter: (getting pummeled and begging on the ground ) Uh... No. Please! Uncles who voted for Gary Johnson! Leave me alone!
On Sunday, October 28, following a round of golf, Alex Lifeson took part in the 11th annual Scott Medlock-Robby Krieger Golf Classic's All-Star Concert to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at the Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, California. Lifeson performed "Freewill", "The Spirit Of Radio" and "Limelight" with the help of CHICAGO's Jason Scheff on bass and vocals. Check out video footage below (courtesy of California Rock News).
Longtime friends Scott Medlock and Robby Krieger (THE DOORS) organized the event to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It has become one of the largest, single event fundraisers of the year for the hospital.
At the core of the Ole reissue have been a series of 40th anniversary editions of Rush albums, starting in 2016 with 2112, and followed up last year with A Farewell to Kings. Later this year will see the issuance of a package commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Hemispheres album, which features Rush concert favourites such as La Villa Strangiato, The Trees and Circumstances.
“For Farewell, we had some younger artists contribute versions of songs for that album, including Big Wreck, Billy Talent and Foo Fighters. But this time we wanted to do something different, so we dug deep into the archives over here at Anthem and were able to come up with a really cool live concert almost in its entirety from the Pink Pop Festival in 1979. In terms of a choice of rarities, this was a recording where if you searched diligently you might have been able to find bits and pieces of it online from people who had recorded it. We worked closely with the Pink Pop Festival and a radio station and television station in the Netherlands that broadcasted it and got the full show. Which was really cool, because Elvis Costello was on the bill, and so were The Police – a very eclectic lineup in 1979,” he explained.
“But part of 2112 had been clipped off, so we found a full recording of 2112where I think it was recorded from the board, from the same Hemispheres Tourin Phoenix, Arizona. Then there was also a bunch of really great photos that the band gave from their collection taken during the recording at Rockfield in Wales. Rich Chycki also did a great job remastering the album itself in 5.1. I think that the fans will be happy with it. The new art and all the images in the package by Hugh Syme are beautiful. I grew up with this band and loved them and used to go see them at Massey Hall and Maple Leaf Gardens, and some of the photos we got from the band’s collection to put in the booklet excited me, so I know they are going to make a lot of fans happy.”
As a true fan of Rush, Curran takes the job of compiling and re-releasing material very seriously, because he knows first hand the loyalty of the band’s fans and the high standards to which Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart wish their legacy to be persevered. But it’s also boatloads of fun being able to metaphorically and even literally root through the attic of your favourite band, finding hidden and long lost gems.
“There are times when I am literally pinching myself because, first off, I can’t believe I am actually working with these guys, and secondly that they trust me with it. It’s like being part of their inner circle. And then it’s so amazing to find something that no one has ever seen or heard before. When you find something the is unique and special, it’s very cool. There is some visual stuff that I am going through right now, that they documented during the time when I was literally a kid buying tickets and going to see them. One of the reasons I bought a Rickenbacker was because of Geddy Lee. My God, its like being a kid in a candy store at times,” he said.
“My job is to make sure that we keep the integrity of what that band did and deliver first class stuff. Anything I find always has to go back to those guys for approval. Recently I found a recording from a hotel of something they did and Geddy looked at me after hearing it and said, ‘the world can never hear that.’”
There will not be a 40th anniversary Rush re-issue in 2019, with the next one come in 2020 with a Permanent Wavespackage, but Curran said his boss at Ole, Robert Ott, has lot of projects for him, including a remastering and re-issuing of the first Coney Hatch album, and a possible second Max Webster package.
“There is also some talk about potentially doing an Anthem Records box set to celebrate four decades of the label. People may have forgotten some of the other artists they were involved with, whether it was B.B. Gabor, or Wireless or Ian Thomas or Larry Gowan, Bob and Doug McKenzie – there are so many cool things from that catalogue. So, we’re deep into discussions about celebrating Anthem Records too.
Rollingstone.com has published a new interview with Geddy Lee, "The Rush frontman is promoting the upcoming 40th-anniversary reissue of Hemispheres (out November 16th), which includes a 2015 remaster, a new 5.1 surround sound mix, promo videos and a previously unreleased 1979 performance from the Pinkpop Festival in the Netherlands...Along the way, he also discussed his upcoming bass book, the possibility of future solo work and the current state of Rush — who, in 2015, concluded what could be their final tour."
"Kevin J. Anderson and Neil Peart have optioned their steampunk fantasy adventure CLOCKWORK LIVES to writer/producers Benjamin Raab & Deric A. Hughes (Arrow, The Flash, Warehouse 13). CLOCKWORK LIVES is set in the universe of the concept album CLOCKWORK ANGELS by legendary rock band Rush and Anderson’s New York Times bestselling novel of the same title. Anderson and Rush drummer and lyricist Peart wrote CLOCKWORK LIVES as a companion to ANGELS in a novel published by ECW Press and a new graphic novel from Insight Editions."
Although released last December, ole TV has posted a new five minute video with Dream Theater's James LaBrie and engineer Rich Chycki to chat about DT's cover of the Rush classic 'Xanadu,' from the 40th Anniversary release of A Farewell To Kings. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!
It took 12 seasons, but Rush has finally been referenced on CBS' The Big Big Theory. In tonight's season premiere, “The Conjugal Configuration”, Sheldon and Amy are on their honeymoon and check into room 2112. - Thanks to B-man for the headsup, and to Cygnus-X1.net for the screenshot.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: In Concert: Encore is now available with a September 21st release. This is the first official release to include RUSH's induction ceremony performance. Although the release's description states "Rush performing fiery classics Tom Sawyer and The Spirit of Radio", it is assume it also includes the full induction ceremony and speeches. Click here to order.
Each year, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors rock music's pioneering figures during a prestigious black-tie ceremony. As the Hall of Fame enters its third decade, it's these singular induction ceremonies-featuring the biggest names in classic rock from the '60s, '70s and '80s-that have become nearly as epic as the artists they celebrate. This 2 Blu-ray Disc set features poignant reunions, moving and often hilarious induction speeches, and 44 iconic performances.
Among the highlights from the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 induction ceremonies:
* The legendary Canadian power trio Rush performing fiery classics Tom Sawyer and The Spirit of Radio for their fervent fans.
* Red Hot Chili Peppers leading a searing all-star jam session of Higher Ground anchored by Slash and Ron Wood.
* Heart going Crazy on You before being joined onstage by fellow members of Seattle rock royalty from Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains.
* Alice Cooper ripping into ferocious versions of Eighteen and Under My Wheels before closing the set with Rob Zombie on School's Out.
* The Hurdy Gurdy Man Donovan is joined onstage by John Mellencamp for a chilling performance of Season of the Witch.
Features complete Hall of Fame induction speeches, including:
* Don Henley inducting Randy Newman
* Neil Young inducting Tom Waits
Edge Factor's documentary film Masters of Resonance is now available for presale on iTunes to own at a special promotional rate of $9.99. Click here to preorder. The film, which tells the story of DW Drums culminating in Neil Peart's masterpiece R40 drumkit, can be preordered for the next 30 day presale for $9.99 now through October 19th. Thereafter the film will be released and the price will increase to $19.99
A pre-release screening for Rush fans was held Friday, June 22nd, as part of the Rush Family Reunion event at the Fox Theatre in Toronto, with an eventual world premiere at the Grammy Museum presentation in LA on August 8th
"Storyteller and Founder of Edge Factor, Jeremy Bout once believed that a drum was a glorified pail with a lid on it. All drum kits sound the same if you hit them with a keen sense of rhythm, right? Then he met John Good, Co-Founder of DW Drums and realized, "Boy, was I wrong." The innovation, craftsmanship, and sheer brilliance behind the science of drum making inspired Jeremy and the filmmakers at Edge Factor to share the legacy of John and the DW team, in the music documentary film Masters of Resonance.
"This film takes you on a journey from the forest to the stage and pulls back the curtain on drum making. It begins with sustainably harvesting the wood in the forests of Michigan, then shows the design, manufacturing, and painting operations in the DW Drums factory. The finished product is revealed, as completed drum kits are played by many of the biggest names in the music industry. These processes are perfectly demonstrated as the DW Drums team creates the iconic Rush R40 tour drum kit, using 1500 year old Romanian bog oak. Along the way, you will witness the unique relationship that these drum makers share with musicians, as Jeremy interviews world class drummers from the DW Drums roster.
"Rush drummer Neil Peart, beautifully captures the message of the film when he asks, "What could be more transcendent than a musical instrument?" It's the team's unending pursuit of excellence, willingness to embrace failure to find solutions, and the dedication of each team member that empowers DW Drums to create objects that live forever in the music they create.
Jacob Harper of Harper Guitars recently built a custom guitar for Alex Lifeson. The guitar's fret inlays included interpretations of Rush album art, and the pick guard in inlayed with ‘blah blah blah.'. For high quality pics of the guitar visit Harper Guitars Facebook page. You can check out a low quality video of Alex playing the guitar and thanking Jacob here, and also check out this local news feature about the event. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!
"Crash: The World’s Greatest Drum Kits, is a visual journey through the
world of rock & jazz drumming, features commentary from drummer,
collector, technologist and sound authority David Frangioni and
photography from iconic rock photographer Mark Weiss. Drum kits from
musicians such as Carl Palmer, Neil Peart, Ringo Starr, Carmine Appice,
Buddy Rich, Eric Singer, Keith Moon, Peter Criss, Alex Van Halen, Lars
Ulrich, Louie Bellson and many more are pictured in all their
well-played glory. With over 60 kits represented, Crash is the ultimate
visual guide to the world of rock drumming and the iconic drum sets
that defined a genre."
Fan Expo Canada is coming to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from August 30th through September 2nd. One of the Fan Expo's exclusive items is a Rush limited edition set, which will only be available at the show. For more info visit FanExpoCanada.com. - Thanks to Rosmakloma for the headsup!
Today Canada's National Post published an opinion piece by Colby Cash titled "A farewell to kings: Canada's Rush really seems to have retired". Fans around the world are finally getting used to (and supporting) the boys retiring with grace. Check it out here.
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