Alex Lifeson Produces Lifer

Produced by Alex Lifeson, the eponymous second album by the band Lifer was released August 14th. An edited version (minus explicit lyrics) is also available. Lifer (formerly 'Driver'; formerly 'Strangers With Candy') landed a six-album record deal with Universal/Republic Records after winning first-place in February 2001's MTV Ultimate Cover Band Contest.

Regarding their choice of producer, guitarist Aaron Fincke said, "We wanted a player, rather than just a standard producer," and said that the band expects to "sell a couple hundred thousand more copies" of their album because of Lifeson's reputation as a musician and performer. "We can only do so much with our songs, but he helped to clean up all of them." - The Crusader Online (Susquehanna University Newspaper), November 17, 2000.

Geddy Lee's "My Favorite Headache"

Geddy Lee released his first solo album on November 14th: My Favorite Headache debuted at #52 on The Billboard 200, and ranked #7 on the Billboard's Top Internet Album Sales Chart after its first week. For more information visit the My Favorite Headache News Archive

"Following more than a quarter-century of success with Rush - including 22 albums, all certified RIAA gold-or-better, with cumulative worldwide sales of over 35 million - My Favorite Headache finds Lee joined in the studio by guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Ben Mink and drummer Matt Cameron (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden). The album's 11 diverse new Lee compositions were co-written with Mink (best known for his collaborations with k.d. lang [webmaster note: better known to Rush fans for Mink's electric violin on Signal's "Losing It", also as a member of "FM" who toured with Rush in the early 80's]). This landmark recording sees Lee taking on a number of instruments - along with his bass and vocal duties - including piano, guitar, percussion, and various programming elements. Recorded in Seattle, Vancouver, and Toronto, the album was produced by Lee, Mink, and renowned studio whiz David Leonard (Santana, Barenaked Ladies, Prince), and also features drummer Jeremy Taggart (Our Lady Peace) on one track." - Atlantic Records/Geddy Lee Newsletter, September 19, 2000

RUSH Makes VH-1'S 100 Greatest Artitsts Of Rock

Rush was voted as #28 on the five part/five hour program hosted by Carmen Electra which aired in mid-November.  During the program, Rush was supported with comments by Vinnie Paul, Vernon Reid and Sebastian Bach:

"My first impression of Rush was "God On Drums." Neil Peart... I mean everything he did was unbelievable. And you can't forget Geddy and Alex man. God... great great band." - Vinnie Paul (Pantera)

"Musically... you know they've carved an incredible niche. They've created their own language." -  Vernon Reid (Living Colour)

Sebastian Bach (Skid Row): "I actually proposed to my wife because of one of their songs...um...and I heard these words and it just kind of....{slapping himself}....it kind of slapped me back into reality and I went back and put the ring on her finger cause of... cause of a Rush song."

Rush Quoted In Esquire To Inspire Votes

"And as the nation yawns and rolls over, heedless of the thrumming media harpies and their 'Decision/Vote/Choice 2000' business, we realize: Rush was right. Not the talk-radio fattie-the band. People, whom do you think Rush was trying to reach with 'If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice'? Correct it was you. So now more than ever: Rush powered by Neil Peart-chief lyricist, Ayn rand devotee, bitchin' drummer and more. Turns out Mr. Peart is an ardent libertarian. (They're the ones who want to abolish taxes and legalize pot, we think.) As such, societal themes permeate the Rush canon, among them freedom, self-reliance, and Thai stick. Peart noted the individualism of Tom Sawyer; he celebrated the worth of philosophers and 'ploughmen'; and long before Napster, he gave us his eloquent lamentation on record-company greed: 'For the words of the profits were written on the studio wall/[and]concert hall/And echoes with the sounds of salesmen/ooooofffff salesmen!' Our Point? Not sure, but maybe it's that the Libbies deserve another look-if only because their convention will probably not showcase Fleetwood Mac and might even feature a Canadian power trio whose logo involves a naked guy and a pentagram. Whatever: Rock the vote!" - Esquire Magazine, November, 2000

Neil Peart Remarries, Rush To Record In Early 2001

"Peart tied the knot with photographer Carrie Nuttall in a small private ceremony Sept. 9 in Montecito, Calif., near Santa Barbara. The couple is planning a larger reception for Oct. 8, also in Southern California, the bride's home region. Peart has been on a long hiatus from Rush since the death of his daughter in a car accident in 1997 and the loss of his wife to cancer less than a year later. The drummer is now expected to re-join bandmates Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson in a Toronto studio early in 2001..." - CDNOW, Sep. 20, 2000

US Congress Debates Coolness Of Rush

"Washington, DC - Continuing its long-running debate on the subject Monday, members of Congress argued the merits of Canadian power trio Rush. 'The philosopher and the plowman, each must play his part?' asked House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX). 'C'mon. Neil Peart must be the most pretentious lyricist in arena-rock history. Gentlemen, forget these bloated, overrated '70s dinosaurs.' Countered longtime Rush loyalist Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR): 'Keep talking, man, the tunes say it all: 'Passage To Bangkok'? 'By-Tor And The Snow Dog'? That part in 'Red Barchetta' where [Rush bassist/vocalist] Geddy [Lee] sings about the gleaming alloy aircar shooting toward him two lanes wide? Look me in the eye and tell me that doesn't rock, motherfucker!' The deliberations are expected to continue throughout the week." - The Onion, vol.36, issue 27, August 9, 2000. The Onion is a nationally syndicated news parody, via print, radio, and internet media.

Rage Against The Machine Choose Not To Cover "Working Man"

Although not included in the final track list, a cover of "Working Man" was a potential contender for inclusion on Rage Against the Machine's live album, Renegades:

"Among contenders to be recorded for inclusion on the album include Dylan's 'Maggie's Farm,' Eric B. and Rakim's 'Microphone Fiend,' EPMD's 'I'm Housin',' the Rolling Stone's 'Street Fighting Man,' Devo's 'Beautiful World,' and Rush's 'Working Man'..." - CDNOW, July 27, 2000

Alex Lifeson on "The Dexters: Hip To The Tip - Live At The Orbit Room"

The Dexters: Hip To The Tip - Live At The Orbit Room the new album from the house band of Alex's Toronto bar is now available.  "Big Al" Dexter plays on two tracks, "Born Under A Bad Sign" and "1967 Again". The enhanced disk also includes a video tour of the Orbit Room, plus other features.

Band Of The Century

"It's official, Rush is the most important Canadian band of the century, according to JAM! readers. Results of an online poll conducted during the final weeks of 1999 gave the power trio of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart an early lead that was never relinquished. The only real challenge to Rush's dominance came in recent weeks, when the death of The Band's bassist Rick Danko seemed to fortify support for the group, pushing them to within three points of Rush. To indicate how strong recent voting has been for The Band, consider that at one point, Rush had a two-to-one lead over their nearest competition in the voting. As of New Year's Eve, Rush finished with 22 percent of the vote, followed by The Band with 19 percent. The Tragically Hip, who treated fans to a surprise concert at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto before hosting a large slate of groups at the Air Canada Centre on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, finished third with 13 percent." - JAM! Showbiz, Dec. 31, 1999

"I would say this kind of recognition, especially when it comes along during a period of inactivity from a band point of view, that you get a real charge out of something like that. It makes you feel really good, because it makes you realize something you've done with your life has had some effect. I just like to thank our fans for being as amazing as they have been all these years ... I count my blessings." - Geddy Lee, JAM! Showbiz, Jan. 18, 2000

Canadian Walk Of Fame

Rush was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame outside Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall on Thursday, May 27th.

Alex and Geddy were on hand, although all four members (past and present) intended on being present. Neil chose not to go at the last second, and out of respect for Neil, John Rutsey did not attend either. Thanks to Rob Miceli for the photos! - May 27, 1999.

Sammy Hagar Biography Would Have Questioned Rush Manager's Loyalties

A chapter in a book about the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar, to have been published later this month, detailed the alleged circumstances resulting in his leaving Van Halen. These circumstances involved their hiring of long time Rush manager, Ray Danniels, who has managed Rush since their debut album.  The book has been put on hold, as Sammy Hagar won an injunction preventing its release and Ray Danniel's reportedly threatened the author with lawsuits. Click here for more.

Rush Awarded "Order Of Canada"

Last year at this time, all three members of Rush were awarded the highest civilian award from the Canadian government, making them "Officers of the Order of Canada". Rush was the first rock band to receive the award, which was created in 1967 for "significant achievement in important fields of human endeavor".  After the ceremony, Geddy told reporters "I'm just going to wear it all the time and see if it gets me better tables at restaurants" while Alex joked "I think I'll wear it to bed, maybe I'll get more respect that way." - Jam Music, February 27, 1997

History Of Rush CD-ROM

In an interview given during the Test For Echo tour, Neil Peart shared that the band was working on a CD-Rom "compendium" of Rush.  Unfortunately, this project was apparently shelved forever after his personal tragedies stuck.

"We are working on a proper CD-ROM about Rush. We actually have people working in the basement of the office, digging up videos and bits of information and all kinds of trivia being put into it. We really want to make it something that exploits the potential that CD-ROM has...with so many little side trips, and so many bits and pieces in there and little bits of my writing will show up in there and bits of other people's activities outside. We really want to make it a compendium. So, we're taking our time about that of course, because it is going to take a lot of work. Literally there are people digging through stuff. I wasn't exaggerating. It is going on, but it's going to take time." - Neil Peart Jam! Showbiz, Oct. 16, 1996