Rock Band and Rock Band 2

The complete Moving Pictures master tracks are now available for download for the video game Rock Band as of Sept. 23rd. The full album is $10.99 (880 Microsoft Points) or $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) per track individually. These are the first "original versions" of "Tom Sawyer" and "Limelight"; previous Rock Band versions were covers.

The Rock Band website has posted a video interview where Geddy and Alex discuss the making of Moving Pictures. This is the second part of the previously posted video interview where they discuss finding the lost "Working Man 'alternate solo'" and the making of their debut album.

In addition to the Moving Pictures tracks, on July 8th, the master track of "Closer To The Heart" and the "Working Man (Vault Edition)", were made available for download; on July 22 the "Working Man (Vault Edition)" was made available for download on iTunes:

"The version features a never before heard guitar solo that Alex Lifeson did during the original recordings back in the 70’s. The song was re-mixed by Rich Chycki who is known for his work on R30 and Snakes & Arrows. A great addition to the Rush song library!" - Rush.com, July 21, 2008

Rock Band 2, the followup to last years smash hit, was released Sept. 15th. Included in the track list is "The Trees" by Rush, another "vault edition" (this one reported by to be the audio track from the live promo video recorded in 1978).

"Featuring a track list with more than 100 on-disc and downloadable tracks from some of the most hallowed bands of the rock pantheon, Rock Band 2 challenges rockers to master lead guitar, bass guitar, drums and vocals...Compatible with ALL past and future downloadable content - even tracks you downloaded for Rock Band back in 2007 - so you can play a never-ending, face-melting set."

Alex Lifeson's New Year's Eve At The Ritz

The final remaining lawsuit between Alex Lifeson's son, Justin, and the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, has been settled. The claim which had been reinstated by an appeals court back in May seeking damages from the Ritz-Cartlon and its manager, has now been dismissed as the two parties have settled confidentially out of court. The same article also gives the terms of the settlement between Alex Lifeson and Deputy Standford back in March of this year:

"In a separate lawsuit filed in Collier Circuit Court, Stanford sued Alex Zivojinovich in July 2005, citing permanent and progressive injuries that included neurological and dental damage that required implants. She and her attorney, Paul Finizio of Fort Lauderdale, went through mediation with Zivojinovich and attorney Paul Weekley, but reached a 'total impasse' in February. In March, court records show, they settled and Zivojinovich paid her $75,000 for her injuries. Stanford’s signed 'release of claims' says the settlement is the 'compromise of a doubtful and disputed claim and that the payment is not to be construed as an admission of liability on the part of Zivojinovich.' Although it wasn’t sealed in the court file, the three-page release says the terms are confidential and not to be disclosed to the public or media without consent of the parties involved. Finizio declined comment, citing the confidentiality clause."

For a running history of the case, click here.

Neil Peart, Parts Manager

The story is well known by Rush fans: before joining Rush, a young Neil Peart sought fame and fortune in the music scene of London, before becoming disillusioned and returning home to work as parts manager for his father's Tractor Parts dealership. This was less than a year before he answered an ad for a local band looking for a drummer in the summer of '74.

Ed at Rushisaband has unearthed a rare find: the December 1973 newsletter for Dalziel Equipment Ltd., the equipment dealership of which his father was co-owner. Pictured in the newsletter are a young Neil Peart, as well as his father, Glen. What is ironic is that Neil's bio reads:

"After an 18 month stay in London, England, Neil decided to come home and seek his fame and fortune..." They had no idea...

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - July 2008 "Independence Day"

Neil Peart has updated his website with the July 2008 installment of "News, Weather & Sports": "Independence Day". Neil writes about performing in Atlantic City, traveling up through New England, and includes a lengthy and hilarious interlude on helmet safety. The report opens with a short tirade on the injustice of comp tickets which are denied most hard core fans (and in this case those given to a casino's "big losers"), and at the same time Neil shows he's not as out of touch with his fans as some may think.

Rush Cover Feature In August's "Classic Rock"

Rush is the featured artist on the August issue of the UK's Classic Rock magazine. The cover headline reads Rush. Surviving tragedy. Defying fashion. Rock's uncoolest band take on the world. Again. The seven page feature was written around the Vegas show and tells of Rush being true to their convictions and the devotion of their fans. Scans of the article are available here, thanks to Niels for providing them!

Rush Tour #8 Among Rock and Pop Tours

Rolling Stone has published its Midyear Music Biz Report Card, showing Rush coming in at #8 among the year's rock and pop tours with $18.3 million in earnings, not too shabby for a second leg tour (last year Rush came in 6th with $21 million in earnings as reported by USA Today). The Top 10 Rock and Pop Tours for 2008 are: 1. Bon Jovi ($56.3 million), 2. Bruce Springsteen ($40.8 million), 3. Van Halen ($36.8 million), 4. Kanye West ($31.6 million), 5. Jay-Z/Mary J. Blige ($30.7 million), 6. Spice Girls ($23.3 million), 7. The Police ($23.3 million), 8. Rush ($18.3 million), 9. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers ($17.8 million), 10. Hannah Montana ($17.1 million) - RollingStone.com, July 29, 2008

Rush On Colbert Report/Playing Rock Band

On Wednesday July 16th, Rush appeared on The Colbert Report. The complete episode is available on Colbert's website. Before taking the stage, however, Rush answered the challenge and performed "Tom Sawyer" as part of the video game Rock Band. How did it go? After playing the song, Geddy quips "I'm joining another band..."

"...The Canadian band Rush, which hasn’t performed on U.S. television in more than three decades, will play their classic 'Tom Sawyer' on the Comedy Central show Wednesday (11:30 p.m. EST). The Geddy Lee-led trio, which is currently on tour, hasn’t played on U.S. television since 1975..." - Associated Press, July 15, 2008

Working Man (Vault Edition) Single

Originally released for Rock Band on July 8th, today Rush has released the "Working Man" (Vault addition) on iTunes!

"The version features a never before heard guitar solo that Alex Lifeson did during the original recordings back in the 70’s. The song was re-mixed by Rich Chycki who is known for his work on R30 and Snakes & Arrows. A great addition to the Rush song library!" - Rush.com, July 21, 2008

Rush's Old Stage Costumes Unearthed

"Ever wondered where Rush's fondly remembered satin kimono costumes (pictured below) ended up? Be honest now – you have, haven't you? Well, now it can be revealed. Jap (sic) band Onmyo-Za have Geddy, Alex and Neil's old duds in their possession and are wearing them with plide! (Alright, so we know these sorta outfits are de rigeur in Japan's Visual Kei scene, but give us a break, will ya?!) Onmyo-Za have been described as a Japanese thrash-pop answer to Nightwish, and you can check them out playing their fine opus Kasha No Wadachi here." - ClassicRockMagazine.com, July 21, 2008 -Thanks to Brian Sullivan for the headsup!

More Rush From "The Rolling Stone"

Apparently surprised at the reaction by Rush fans to their recent article, "Rush Never Sleeps" (which appears in the July 10-24 issue), the the folks over at Rolling Stone have posted their defense on their website. When the issue hit news stands, many online Rush fans commented that while much of the article was positive, the overall tone seemed an attempt to justify why the magazine was sinking so low as to write about Rush, and that it included many negative connotations on both the band and its stereotypical "nerdy" fans.

The magazine also recently posted their "Rush: The Complete Album-by-Album Guide" and is now defending itself with a new online article titled "Rush vs. Rolling Stone: A Qualitative Analysis", where they write:

"In the 2004 edition of the Rolling Stone Album Guide, Rush's albums received an average of 2.7 stars. Technically, those ratings put them somewhere between 'fair' and 'good' in the RS canon, which, needless to say, will not satisfy the fans at RushMessageBoard.com."

Classic Rock's "Buyer's Guide To Rush"

The current issue of the UK's Classic Rock magazine includes a "Buyers Guide To Rush". The story, which is now offered on their website, sifts through Rush's catalog listing the "Essential: Classics" as Moving Pictures & 2112; albums which are "Superior" as Permanent Waves, A Farewell To Kings, Hemispheres & Signals; albums which are "Good: Worth Exploring" as Power Windows, Roll The Bones, & Snakes & Arrows; and lists Feedback as the one album to "Avoid". Journalist Neil Jeffries also succinctly breaks down their career and gives credit to each of the band members in turn:

"Rush’s continued existence is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside the enigma that is the famously fan/limelight-avoiding and well-read Peart. Yet Rush are a three-piece band of equal parts, and similar attention is long overdue for Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. Although frequently derided for his occasional choice of high-register singing, Lee has a fine, folky voice; he’s no slouch on a synth, either...Lifeson, too, is an underappreciated player, and deserves to be ranked alongside David Gilmour for his fluid soloing, and Jimmy Page for other-worldly riffs."

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - June 2008 "When The Road Ends"

Neil Peart has updated his website with the June 2008 installment of "News, Weather & Sports": "When The Road Ends". Peart begins this tale sharing the woes of traveling roads still blocked by Winter snows, comments that he has viewed the finished edit of the Snakes & Arrows Live DVD "...it looked really good, and we had played well, so it was enjoyable to view...", touches on the Red Rocks concert postponement, and other worthwhile tidbits.

Geddy Lee Donates Baseball Collection To Negro Leagues Museum

"Close to 200 baseballs, all autographed by former Negro Leagues baseball players or backers, have been donated to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum by a somewhat surprising fan ... Rush singer/bassist Geddy Lee. It’s among the largest single donations the museum has had, according to director of marketing Bob Kendrick. It also represents some history the museum didn’t previously have. 'Some of these guys have been dead for some time, and we could not get these (signatures) before no matter what their significance was in the Negro Leagues,' he said...Lee, whose band performs Saturday at Starlight, dropped by the museum last year unannounced, Kendrick said. 'I wasn’t here, but another employee walked him through the museum, and apparently he fell in love with the place,' Kendrick said. 'He already had a huge respect for the Negro Leagues, as the collection shows, and this brought it home to him.'" - Kansas City Star, June 4, 2008.

• Video story from KansasCity.com
• Click here for a related news item at MLB.com

Sabian's Chris Stankee Travels With Neil Peart On The RUSH Tour

"Who would think that traveling the world by tour bus with a legendary rock band could be boring? That would depend on how you travel. If you're Neil Peart, who has been on the road since 1974, and you have the option of riding your motorcycle from show to show or be cooped up on a bus there's only one thing to do. Take the scenic route, stop and smell the roses, or literally, the lilacs and turn the trip into an adventure. Now that sounds like a plan! Earlier this year Neil asked me if I would ride with him in Iowa where I grew up..." - Chris Stankee, Sabian.com, June 9, 2008

Rockers Rush Donate $100,000 To Human Rights Museum

"Iconic Canadian rock band Rush is donating $100,000 from a Winnipeg concert last weekend to the campaign to build the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in the city. The band is also selling shirts at its Canadian concert locations. The shirts read: 'My pals Rush and I support the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.' Money raised from the sale of the shirts will also go to the museum's fundraising campaign..." - CBC.ca, May 28, 2008

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - May 2008 "South By Southwest"

Neil Peart has updated his website with his latest installment of "News, Weather & Sports": "South By Southwest". In it he shares with us his experiences over the first 17 shows of the tour and over 7,000 miles of cycling. The journey begins in Puerto Rico, then north through Florida, across the South and Southwest. New to this report are a variety of added "Fun Facts", and Neil shows his sense of humor!

John Rutsey, Dead At 55

Rush's founding drummer John Rutsey passed away on May 11, 2008. John passed away peacefully in his sleep from a heart attack due to complications from his lifelong affliction with diabetes.

"RUTSEY, John Howard - It is with deep sadness that John's family announces his untimely passing due to complications from his lifelong affliction with diabetes, at age 55. Donations may be made in John's memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 7100 Woodbine Avenue, Suite 311, Markham, ON, L3R 5J2 (online: www.jdrf.ca, by phone: 905-944-4631). Online Condolences: newbiggingfh@rogers.com. Published in the National Post on 5/15/2008."

"Our memories of the early years of Rush when John was in the band are very fond to us. Those years spent in our teens dreaming of one day doing what we continue to do decades later are special. Although our paths diverged many years ago, we smile today, thinking back on those exciting times and remembering John's wonderful sense of humour and impeccable timing. He will be deeply missed by all he touched." - Alex & Geddy, Rush.com, May 16, 2008

Geddy Lee On Barnaked Ladies' "Snacktime"

The new Barenaked Ladies' children's album, Snacktime, was released May 6th and is now available. Snacktime is composed of 24 tracks; the title track includes guest appearances from multiple celebrities including Geddy Lee, Lyle Lovett, Jason Priestley, Sarah McLachlan, Gordon Lightfoot and more. Geddy is heard saying "I'm Geddy, and my favorite snack is Barbecue Potato Chips".   In addition, the final track, "Here Come The Geese", subtly quotes "Subdivisions"; when listing all the places one can find migratory geese, it includes "in the high school halls, in the shopping malls..."

Rush Winners of Readers Polls

The members of Rush have been quietly gathering up wins in various music magazine readers polls:

• Neil Peart has won best Rock Drummer and best Recorded Performance in the 2008 Modern Drummer Readers Poll.
• Alex Lifeson won Guitar Player Magazine's Readers Choice Awards for 1) "Most Ferociously Brillian Guitar Album", 2) Best Rock Guitarist, and "Best Article" for "Different Strings" (September issue).
• Geddy Lee won Bass Player Magazine's Readers Choice Awards for 1) "Best Album for Bass", 2) "Coolest Bass Line In A Song" ("Malignant Narcissism"), and 3) "Best 2007 Cover Feature" for "Northern Warrior" (August issue).

Neil Peart Drum Kit Sample Collection From Sonic Reality

"According to the KVR audio forum, a company called Sonic Reality recently completed a Neil Peart drum sampling session, engineered by Nick Raskulinecz. It appears the session started on March 18 in Los Angeles, and the final product is scheduled to be released by the end of 2008. The end result of this project will be a 'Neil Peart Studio Profile,' most likely a complete sample of Neil's Snakes & Arrows DW kit and his V-drum sounds -- and possibly Neil Peart loops. Sonic Reality has produced other Studio Profiles on such drummers as Cheap Trick's Bun E. Carlos and Yes/Earthworks/King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford. If you're curious about what this all means, you can basically buy professionally-recorded sampled sounds of drummers that you can use with music software on a computer -- or plug these samples into keyboards or electronic drums. Studio Profiles cost around $79.00..." - AndrewOlson.com