HomeAlex Lifeson breaks down the haunting, legendary solo on Rush’s “Limelight” on the first episode of the new podcast from Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett, Shred With Shifty. Watch:
Introducing the new Epiphone Alex Lifeson "Ruby" Les Paul Custom Axcess
Epiphone and Alex Lifeson have announced the release of the all new Epiphone Alex Lifeson "Ruby"
Les Paul Custom Axcess.
Created through extensive work with Alex Lifeson and Gibson, Epiphone's Alex Lifeson Les Paul Custom Axcess similarly redefines the boundaries of the classic Les Paul in an accessible, versatile package.
This guitar carries all of the traditional tones that have made the Les Paul legendary, along with unprecedented levels of sonic and performance agility. The Alex Lifeson Les Paul Custom Axcess Standard carries powerful Epiphone Ceramic Pro neck and ProBucker 3 bridge pickups with push/pull coil splitting on the volume controls, along with a Floyd Rose 1000 Series tremolo—the world's most efficient vibrato. Click here to learn more.
RUSH 716 Master Class & Tribute Concert @ The Cave in Buffalo, NY, August 3rd
Attendees will have the opportunity to register to win a variety of Rush merch (including deluxe box sets), enjoy Rush Golden Ale, view a Rush slideshow, and participate in a Rush trivia contest. A portion of the proceeds of each ticket sold will be donated to Grapes for Humanity, a Canadian, non-profit organization that supports various humanitarian projects around the world. For more info and to buy tickets visit thecavebuffalo.com.
Signals Atmos Listening Experience - enter for a chance to attend
- First & Last name
- Email Address
- Number of tickets desired:
-
Tell me when/where you first heard Signals, and/or what the
Signals album means to you as a Rush fan.
Can be brief, i.e. 1-2 paragraphs.
These tickets are free, hold no cash value and cannot be transferred to others. All entries must be submitted by Thursday 5/25 at 10 am MST.
Signals 40th Anniversary Release Now Available
UMe/Mercury have released the Signals 40th Anniversary edition, hitting stores April 28th. Signals-40th Anniversary will be available to fans in three distinct configurations, including the (1) Super Deluxe Edition, (2) one-LP Picture Disc Edition, and (3) Dolby Atmos Digital Edition. There will also be a limited edition Super Deluxe box featuring eight lithographs of Neil Peart’s original hand-drawn lyrics for each song on Signals only available through the official Rush online store. All configurations are available here.
Unlike the previous Rush 40th anniversary releases, Signals-40th Anniversary does not contain any live content.
The Super Deluxe Edition includes one CD, one Blu-ray Audio, one high-quality 180-gram black–vinyl LP with new artwork from original album designer Hugh Syme in a premium tip-on jacket, and four 7-inch singles (“Subdivisions,” “Countdown,” “New World Man,” and “The Weapon (Single Edit”), all of them with new artwork from Syme. The set encompasses the Abbey Road Mastering Studios 2015 remastered edition of the album for the first time on CD. The Blu-ray Audio disc contains the core album newly mixed from the original multi-tracks in 48kHz 24-bit Dolby Atmos (the second Rush album to appear in Atmos, following Moving Pictures) and 96kHz 24-bit Dolby TrueHD 5.1 as done by esteemed producer/engineer Richard Chycki, alongside the previously available 48kHz 24-bit PCM Stereo mix. Also included on the Blu-ray are new animated visualizers for all eight songs, as well as two bonus remastered vintage promo videos: the high-school halls narrative of “Subdivisions” and “Countdown,” the latter of which features authorized Space Shuttle Columbia launch footage. Additionally, the LP in the Super Deluxe Edition has been cut via half-speed Direct Metal Mastering (the second Rush album to have been done as such, again following Moving Pictures) on a 180-gram audiophile black-vinyl LP, and it has been pressed at GZ Media in the Czech Republic.
The Super Deluxe Edition of Signals-40th Anniversary also includes several exclusive items, including a 40-page hardcover book with new song illustrations and new artwork by original album designer Hugh Syme and unreleased photos from the Signals Tour, along with three lenticular lithographs that transition from the original black-and-white band headshots into the original album’s “Digital Man” color headshots; four SignalsTour band lithographs; Syme’s original album cover sketch lithograph; and a double-sided 24x24-inch poster featuring Syme’s new Signals artwork on one side, and an outtake photo from the original album cover shoot on the other side. All contents are housed in a premium lift-top box, which features significantly reimagined cover artwork by Hugh Syme.
The second configuration is a one-LP Picture Disc Edition. The picture disc is housed in a transparent plastic sleeve, and it showcases new Hugh Syme artwork on both album sides.
Finally, the third configuration, the Dolby Atmos Digital Edition, is the digital equivalent of Richard Chycki’s expert Atmos mix of all eight tracks from the original album.
Geddy Lee's "My Effin' Life" coming in November
Back in September, Geddy posted on Instagram:
So, how did I kill time during the pandemic? Little did I know that as of March 2020 I'd be locked down for over a year and a half—the longest time I'd spent in Toronto since I was nineteen and hit the Northern Ontario bar circuit with Rush.
Although Nancy and I had to cancel a bunch of adventures we'd been planning, there were some shiny silver linings to be found at home: teaching my grandson the finer points of baseball and birdwatching, tending to my pups (one of whom was quite ill) and spending the evenings with my lovely better half, glass of Armagnac in hand, as we watched every European mystery show ever produced. Oh, and another thing: I began to write. Words, that is.
My friend and collaborator on the Big Beautiful Book of Bass, Daniel Richler, saw how I was struggling in the aftermath of Neil's passing, and tried coaxing me out of my blues with some funny tales from his youth, daring me to share my own in return. So I did—reluctantly at first, but then remembering, oh yeah, I like wrestling with words. It's a less physical version of arguing with musical notes, without a Ricky doubleneck breaking my back! And soon my baby-step stories were becoming grownup chapters. Being the nuclear obsessive that I am, I'd write and re-write them, reassessing perspectives in the narrative not just by scouring my memory banks but my diaries and piles of photo albums too. I was piecing together a mystery of a different kind.
I'd then send these improved and even illustrated stories to Daniel, who'd clean up some of the grammar and remove a lot of the swearing (I love to fucking swear), and presto! In a voice that sounded, well, just like me, a presentable, epic-length account of my life on and off the stage was taking shape: my childhood, my family, the story of my parents' survival, my travels and all sorts of nonsense I've spent too much time obsessing over. And Daniel said, "I think you're writing a book. An actual memoir, in fact." To which I replied, “Hmm… I guess I am.”
I'm rounding third on this as-of-yet untitled memoir, which will be published by HarperCollins, edited by Noah Eaker, and is scheduled for release in Fall 2022.
Envy of None Limited Edition Picture Disc coming to Record Store Day Canada 2023
Envy Of None's critically acclaimed debut is available on picture disc LP exclusively for RSD. The ambient, cinematic darkness that the collective creates evokes a powerful atmosphere that will excite superfans & new audiences alike. Alex Lifeson & Andy Curran's long-time friendship was the catalyst for the band's inception - but Envy Of None is not defined by its members resumes - they aren't Rush or Coney Hatch & far more than the sum of its collective parts. Above the beautiful cacophony of guitars, synths, bass & drums sits the fragile melodies of 24-year-old vocalist Maiah Wynne - the newest name in Envy Of None's impressive personnel. Hearing Mariah's voice intertwined with the music will bring back memories of when you heard Shirley Manson of ‘Garbage' or Amy Lee of ‘Evanescence' for the first time. Wynne brings charm & beauty to these recordings in spades - with floating hooks & emotive lyrics transcending the oftentimes textural aesthetic. The Storm Thorgerson-esque visuals that grace the cover may remind fans of Lifeson's earlier work - Andy Curran explains: “[the] hipgnosis style artwork of albums like ‘Pink Floyd' & ‘Led Zeppelin' & others were so eye catching, surreal & attention grabbing & we wanted to scratch that itch. We were instantly drawn to Lebanese photographer Eli Rezkallah at Plastik's photography & design work. We fell in love with a bunch of his work - we had a hard time choosing something because he had so many great images”. However, the 70's prog/Rush comparisons may end with the artwork - the music that this ensemble creates treads new ground with each track throughout their 42-minute debut, from industrial/electronic influences on post-progressive soundscapes. Envy Of None create a sound that will haunt, comfort & ignite. "If you can picture maybe Massive Attack with a little bit of some electronic stuff with Nine Inch Nails influences, with this beautiful, fragile, sweet voice & some very, very dark heavy sounds" - Andy Curran (Envy Of None) Following on from the excitement that followed the initial release in 2022, Kscope are proud to present a limited Picture Disc edition for Record Store Day 2023. For details visit RSD2023.
Alex Lifeson appears on "Moonage Daydream" cover on Easy Star All-Stars' new album "Ziggy Stardub"
"The mesmerizing rendition strips the gritty sound of the original, leaving a slick and sultry cover in its place. Lifeson closes out the track with an ethereal guitar solo, while Naomi Cowan's vocals flow through the chilled track, blending his celestial guitar stylings seamlessly. Perfectly balancing an aura of psychedelic and reggae, the essence of Bowie's classic sci-fi song finds a new purpose in this genre-crossing performance. ... Lifeson reveals he already had admiration for Bowie going into the recording of the track. 'Bowie was such an incredible artiste and the reggae concept for the project was an interesting approach. Naomi Cowan's vocals were inspiring to track to and the arrangement was fun to play to, as it should be." - Consequence of Sound, Feb 22, 2023
Legendary Artist Hugh Syme Unveils New Online Gallery Shop
He has also been commissioned for work in the corporate world by the likes of Disney, Virgin, Paramount, Universal Studios, Microsoft, Forbes, Sam Adams, Time Warner, Verizon Wireless and many major pharmaceutical companies.
50 years, and counting, creating timeless works of art, Syme has decided to broaden his online presence in recent years with an expanded website, a personalized story-based Instagram account, participation in the music interviews-based Music Buzzz Podcast and now, with increasing demand, the online gallery where fans can shop and purchase signed prints of some of Syme’s ever-evolving artwork.
“Ironically it took a global pandemic for me to get out and start doing art gallery showings and sharing more of my work online,” said Syme. “I have always received inquiries and the like from those interested that it just seemed natural to pause for a minute and create an online portal where followers of my art could shop for prints, all produced on museum grade, acid-free fine art papers, using 13 UV resistant and archival inks.”
The shop also includes prints for order from Syme’s personal portfolio that will continue to be updated and expanded as the shop evolves. “I am always creating, whether it be for a music project, a commissioned portrait, a commercial assignment, or even for my personal collection,” said Syme. “Some of my favorites are pieces never or rarely seen by the public.”
Syme is also a musician who plays piano, keyboards and guitar and can be heard on albums by the Ian Thomas Band (of which he was a member for five albums), Jim McCarty (of The Yardbirds), Alice In Chains (keyboards on their cover of "Tears" for the Rush 2112 40th Anniversary box set) and Tiles (progressive rock band from Detroit). Syme also appears as guest keyboardist on four studio albums by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and longtime friends, Rush, including the legendary synthesizer intro to “2112: Overture”.
Alex Lifeson presents SOCAN Cultural Impact Award to Tom Cochrane for "Life Is A Highway"
On Monday, October 17th, Alex Lifeson was on hand at the 33rd annual SOCAN Awards to present fellow Canadian musician Tom Cochrane with the Cultural Impact Award for his 1991 song "Life Is A Highway". Alex also joined Cochrane along with Bill Bell, Dala, Davide Direnzo, Molly Johnson, Jeff Jones (member of Tom Cochrane's band, and also a previous member of Rush), Sam Roberts and Julian Taylor to perform the song.
"I played with him on occasion and performed 'Life Is a Highway,' as well," ... "I am a friend, a collaborator, and like many, many others of his millions of fans around the world, I am a huge admirer of his work. Neruda is one of my all-time favorite records," Lifeson threw in of the 1983 album by Cochrane's original band Red Rider. "Tom is an amazing artist and songwriter, and with 'Life Is a Highway,' he created the perfect analogy of what we all go through. It is a magical blend of music and lyrics with an infectious chorus that sticks with you, and a theme that is inspiring and uplifting. It truly captures our journeys down the highway of life, the high roads, the detours, the dead ends, the U-turns, and especially the fear of running outta gas, the challenges that we all face in order to reach our destinations." Lifeson said the song's "joyous melody" is a hopeful reminder that no matter how many roadblocks life presents, "we will always find a way around them," adding, "It is the perfect message, especially over the past few years and what we've all experienced." - Billboard.com
Funko Pop! Albums: Exit Stage Left
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson Join Dave Grohl at Taylor Hawkins Tribute - UltimateClassicRock.com
"Now if there's one band that I always associated Taylor Hawkins with, it's these next two guys," Dave Grohl told the Wembley Stadium audience. "Taylor got up and played with these two guys once in their hometown of Toronto, Canada. And I have to say, it was not only one of the greatest nights of my life, watching him do that, but perhaps one of the greatest nights of his. So would you please welcome to the stage, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson from Rush!"
With Grohl behind the kit, the trio — augmented by multi-instrumentalist and producer Greg Kurstin — launched into a blistering take on the opening overture from the 2112 album. The moment quickly demonstrated that the days of rehearsal they had engaged in leading up to the event had primed them well for the performance.
Following that with "Working Man," the AOR staple plucked from Rush's 1974 self-titled debut, a couple of things became clear. First, Lee and Lifeson delivered an astounding full-length version of the track (despite the evening running long), nearly 50 years after the pair first played it together, with the vocalist and bassist proving that he was in good form on all fronts. The guitarist matched Lee at every turn, playing a dizzying solo as Grohl bashed away in perfect synchronization. Not many drummers can step into Peart's shoes — or would dare to — but the shaggy-haired Foo Fighter pulled it off admirably.
"So, for Alex and I, it's a privilege to be up here to play with Super Dave, and Greg," Lee shared with the crowd. "In 2008, as Dave told you, we got a call from Foos' management, asking if we'd come to the Toronto show and show up so that Taylor could play one of his favorite Rush songs with us. We obliged and that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
"So tonight, in honor of that — and in honor of our own lost brother," Lee added with a reverential pause, acknowledging the formidable absence of Peart, "we'd like to play that song."
With that, they offered a reprise of the moment Hawkins joined them for "YYZ," with former David Bowie drummer Omar Hakim stepping in this time for what became a spirited run through the legendary instrumental classic from the Canadian group. Kurstin handled the signature keyboard parts for the song — a satisfying way to wrap up the emotional tribute.
"Bless you all, bless Taylor," Lee told fans at the conclusion of the song as they exited the stage.
Read More: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson Join Dave Grohl at Taylor Hawkins Tribute
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson to perform at the Foo Fighters' Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts
Alex Lifeson Guest on Aaron Fink's "Dear Universe"
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson perform at South Park's 25th Anniversary concerts at Red Rocks
Last night saw the second night of South Park's 25th Anniversary concerts at Red Rocks in Denver, hometown of South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker. During the concert, a South Park video began featuring an animated Geddy and Alex, before they appeared in person to perform "Closer To The Heart" along with Primus and Matt Stone on drums. This is the first time Geddy and Alex have appeared on stage performing a Rush song since the final Rush concert in 2015. Check out the full video of performance below.
Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee guest on "Jack Songs", Jeff Berlin's tribute to Jack Bruce
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson appear on bass legend Jeff Berlin's tribute album to Jack Bruce titled Jack Songs, released this past Wednesday and available exclusively via CD or digitally at jeffberlinmusicgroup.com. Lifeson performs a guitar solo on the Cream medley "Creamed", while Lee performs bass on "Smiles Story and Morning Grins".
From the press release: "Jack Songs isn't a cover CD, not in the literal sense. Except for a couple of tunes from his Cream period (arranged in ways that should surprise people) most of the songs on this CD come from other periods in Jack's musical life after Cream. Jack's solo career represented a multitude of musical styles. This recording will be a new revamp of some of those songs, some of the best music that I heard from one of the greatest musicians of the last fifty years. In arranging the music, I was inspired by Giles Martin's production of The Beatles Love CD. His production work on this CD is fantastic. I tried to follow his example of his fitting various Beatle song quotes from different tunes into each tune by doing a similar thing by combining different Jack songs. Rather than computerized manipulation of music that was already recorded, I arranged the music so that each song on 'Jack Songs' would end up as an individual work comprised of various parts of other songs in them. I never would have thought of this without Giles showing me this path." - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!
Alex Lifeson appears in "The Breach"
Alex Lifeson appears in the upcoming horror film The Breach, releasing this month in Canada. Lifeson appears in the film's trailer.
"Based on the novel by Nick Cutter (The Troop) and screenplay written by Cutter and Ian Weir, THE BREACH tells the story of John Hawkins, counting down his last days as Chief of Police in the tiny town of Lone Crow nestled deep in the desolate woods of Northern Ontario. But when a mangled body with uncanny wounds washes up on the shores of the Porcupine River, he’s pulled into a horrific mystery that defies comprehension. Hawkins and coroner Jacob Redgrave suspect the mis figured body is that of theoretical physicist Cole Parsons, also known as the 'The Electromagnetic Czar of the University of Tulsa', who recently disappeared. The two investigators enlist Meg Full bright, local charter boat captain and Hawkins’ former beau, to take them to the place where Parsons was last seen alive. There, they find a house haunted by secrets: an eerie presence moves through the rooms, and in the attic sits a bizarre machine cobbled together from junk parts and electrical wire... a device with a will of its own."
"An All-Star Tribute To Rush" tribute collection now available
Magna Carta Records is reissuing all the content from its previous releases, Working Man (1996), Subdivisions (2005) and New World Man (2010), as an all inclusive 2 CD set, An All Star Tribute To Rush, on June 24th. (Curiously, only one track from the previous three releases, Didacts and Narpets, is not included in this set). Click here to order An All Star Tribute To Rush.
"Iconic vocalists and venerated musicians come together on this bombastic tribute to prog rock superstars RUSH. The collection contains unique interpretations of tracks from throughout RUSH's stellar career, including their biggest hits "Tom Sawyer", "Spirit Of The Radio", "Working Man", "Red Barchetta" and many more. It features performances by Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW), Steve Morse (DEEP PURPLE), James LaBrie (DREAM THEATER), Stu Hamm (JOE SATRIANI), Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA), Jani Lane (WARRANT), Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT), Kip Winger (WINGER), FATES WARNING, Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG), Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER), Jack Russell (GREAT WHITE), John Petrucci (DREAM THEATER), Jake E. Lee (OZZY OSBOURNE), George Lynch (DOKKEN) and more."
- Thanks to Ed @ Rushisaband for the headsup!
Clockwork Destiny, the final volume in the Clockwork Angels novel series, now available
Clockwork Destiny, the third and final volume in the New York Times–bestselling, award-winning steampunk trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson and legendary Rush drummer Neil Peart, is now available. Originally slated for release April 5, 2022, author Kevin J. Anderson let it be known "Due to supply-chain problems, @ECWPress" the book was pushed back and finally released June 14". Click here to order.
In Clockwork Angels and Clockwork Lives, readers met the optimistic young hero Owen Hardy, as well as the more reluctant adventurer Marinda Peake, in an amazing world of airships and alchemy, fantastic carnivals and lost cities. Now Owen Hardy, retired and content in his quiet, perfect life with the beautiful Francesca, is pulled into one last adventure with his eager grandson Alain. This final mission for the Watchmaker will take them up to the frozen lands of Ultima Thule and the ends of the Earth. Marinda Peake must undertake a mission of her own, not only to compile the true life story of the mysterious Watchmaker, but also to stop a deadly new group of anarchists. The Clockwork trilogy is based on the story and lyrics from the last album of musical titans Rush, with Anderson and Peart expanding the world, stories, and characters. The two developed the final novel in the trilogy in the last years of Peart’s life, and more than a year after his passing, Anderson returned to that unfinished project, with the full support of Peart’s wife, bringing Owen and Marinda’s stories to a satisfying and stirring conclusion.
"Rush - The Complete Scores" - Hal Leornard music - now available
Few bands have built as dedicated following as Rush did in their over 40 years together. These Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees were some of the most influential, innovative, and talented musicians this world has ever seen. Our deluxe set pays tribute to their legacy for all fans and musicians to treasure for years to come. This hardcover collection features full transcriptions of every instrument, every note, every lyric, and every nuance of 40 Rush classics. Beautifully packaged in a protective sturdy slip case. Songs include: Animate • Anthem • Bastille Day • The Big Money • Caravan • Circumstances • Closer to the Heart • Distant Early Warning • Driven • Entre Nous • A Farewell to Kings • Fly by Night • Force Ten • Freewill • The Garden • Jacob's Ladder • La Villa Strangiato • Lakeside Park • Leave That Thing Alone • Limelight • The Main Monkey Business • Malignant Narcissism • Natural Science • New World Man • One Little Victory • A Passage to Bangkok • Presto • Red Barchetta • Show Don't Tell • The Spirit of Radio • Subdivisions • Test for Echo • Time Stand Still • Tom Sawyer • The Trees • 2112-I Overture • 2112-II the Temples of Syrinx • Where's My Thing • Working Man • Xanadu • YYZ.
- Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!
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