Geddy Lee Asks: Are Bass Players Human Too? - Now Streaming

Geddy Lee Asks: Are Bass Players Human Too? is now streaming on Paramount+.  All episodes are currently available to stream for subscribers, with the first episode provided for free.

"So this happened…. Out of the solitude of a pandemic lockdown came some ideas.. one of them was this… communing with my fellow Bass Folk to learn a little bit about where and how they live the moment they walk off the stage… Edifying, enlightening and an effin’ blast.. check it out and decide for yourself if Bass Players are Human… too!" - Geddy Lee

Geddy Lee's "The Lost Demos" Single

Geddy Lee's "The Lost Demos" Single is now available on all streaming services, as well as mp3 download.   The two demos were recorded during the sessions for Lee’s first and only solo album to date, 2000’s My Favourite Headache, but didn’t make the final tracklist. They were recently mixed and mastered by producer David Bottrill (Tool, Peter Gabriel).

“I’m excited to see these 2 ‘lost demos’ released,” said Lee in a press release. “I loved the songs when they were written and in some ways they feel as fresh and perhaps more relevant all these years later.”

50 Years of Sonic Exploration: Alex Lifeson Launches LERXST Amplifiers

Alex Lifeson has announced the launch of LERXST, a new family of amplifiers inspired by the Rush guitarist’s five decades of musical exploration on the guitar while also offering modern players a versatile tonal platform upon which to build their own sonic identity.

LERXST amplifiers offer a diverse palette of sounds that range from crystal-clear cleans to raging arena rock sounds and everything in between, supplemented with key features like power-scaling and serial effects loops to suit the needs of the next generation of sonic explorers, all designed to Lifeson’s exacting specifications and hand crafted in the USA by Mojotone. The initial launch includes the OMEGA amplifier head, CHI amplifier head and combo, and an accompanying range of matching guitar cabinets. For more information and to purchase LERXST amplifiers, please visit https://lerxstamps.com/. 

Geddy Lee is selling the bulk of his baseball memorabilia collection Dec 6

Geddy Lee is selling some 300 items at Christie’s on December 6. It is being billed as "Selections from The Collection of Geddy Lee.”  For more check out the below interview published today by TheAthtletic.com:

Speaking on the phone from his home office, Geddy Lee asks if he can take a second to grab one particular baseball. He knows its story by heart but wants to get it exactly right, in its own words. Of the hundreds of baseballs Lee has collected, this ball is among the least valuable. There are items in his collection worth well over $100,000. They are signed by U.S. presidents and baseball Hall of Famers; they have been thrown in no-hitters and hit for milestone home runs.

But Lee has reached for a ball signed by Bert Shepard, a left-handed pitcher who pitched exactly one game in the major leagues before fading into obscurity. When Shepard signed the ball, he found room between the seams to write his life's story.

"I lost my right leg being shot down over Germany in World War II," Lee says, reading from the ink. "I got a new leg and pitched for the Washington Senators."

At this, Lee starts laughing, but it's an emotional laugh, as if the smile is helping him choke back something more. Lee's parents were Holocaust survivors.

"And then on August 14, 1945," Lee continues, "gave up one run and three hits in five and one-third innings."

It is a box score brought to vivid, handwritten life, and when the bulk of Lee's memorabilia goes to auction next month, that ball will not be among the items for sale. How could anyone put a price on something like that?

"To me, it's kind of just a miraculous thing," Lee said.

If there is such a thing as wholesome indulgence, this is it. Lee, 70, is the singer and renowned bass player of the Canadian rock band Rush. He is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his signature literally etched into its walls. He is a rock star in every sense of the word.

But Lee is also a meticulous curator of the American pastime. Over many decades, Lee has filled his office with baseball treasures. He has a a 1917 Chicago White Sox ball signed by Shoeless Joe Jackson, a 1942 Negro Leagues ball signed by Josh Gibson, and a Mickey Mantle bat that's been traced back to the 1960 World Series. He also has a ball signed by The Beatles and four signed by John F. Kennedy. It is a collection of Rock and Roll excess, but also of passion and stewardship.

Some 300 items from Lee's collection will be auctioned by Christie's on December 6. It is being billed as "Selections from The Collection of Geddy Lee," and the auction house has estimated The Beatles ball alone to be worth upwards of $300,000. Same for the Mantle bat and a ball signed by Rube Waddell. One of the Kennedy autographs could fetch $100,000. It's a lot of money.

Geddy Lee hosts new four-part series, "Geddy Lee Asks: Are Bass Players Human Too?" coming to Paramount+ December 5th

Geddy Lee will be premiering his brand new Paramount+ series Are Bass Players Humans Too? on December 5.  Featuring Geddy speaking candidly with fellow legendary bassists like Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic, Metallica and Suicidal Tendencies’ Rob Trujillo, Primus’ Les Claypool, and Melissa Auf der Maur, formerly of The Smashing Pumpkins and Hole.

“I’m trying to show the world that a bass player can do many things,” Lee is says in the trailer. “Join me as I travel to the homes of four bass legends and dive deep into their lives, and their inspirations, plus some fun making music … as I try to answer one really important question: Are bass players human, too?”

Neil Peart's sister recalls how family members broke the news of the late Rush drummer's death

Nancy Peart Burkholder, one of Rush drummer Neil Peart's two sisters, has shared her memories of her brother's passing. Peart died on January 7, 2020, following a three and a half year battle with brain cancer (Glioblastoma), and his death was announced three days later, on January 10,m 2020.

In conversation with podcaster Kelly Barrett, Burkholder recalls how family members had to keep the news of her brother's death a secret for those three days, until the official announcement was made via Rush's website and social media channels.

“We had three and a half years to prepare, so we knew it was coming,” she says. “And then once it happened, we had that week of radio silence where we couldn’t tell anybody. And then we got - I think we had 10 minutes’ notice before it was going live to the world. So we had 10 minutes to tell everyone that we hadn’t told in three and a half years that, ‘Sorry, we lied. Everything’s not okay.’ So, yeah, it was a really hard - that week was the hardest week that we went through because we knew and couldn’t share it.”

Alex Lifeson on Shred With Shifty

Alex 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

The RUSH 716 Master Class & Tribute Concert is coming August 3rd to The Cave in Buffalo New York.  The event will feature a master class with music journalist/musician/Rush maniac Jeff Miers and Rush historian, archivist and author Ray Wawrzyniak, in a discussion of the pivotal period in Rush history represented by the albums Permanent Waves(1980), Moving Pictures (1981), and Signals (1982). Following the master class, Rush tribute band Bravado (Jeff Miers, Ryan Nogle, Lucy Bell, Erin Ward, Nate Kalnitz, Mark Marinaccio) will perform a set composed of songs from Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures and Signals.

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

Anthem Records will be hosting an "invite only" Dolby Atmos listening experience on May 31st in Toronto for the Signals 40th Anniversary boxed set release.  Power Windows has some passes to give away for the event, and the only proviso is that travel expenses are not covered, so you'll have to be finding your way to Toronto to participate.  I have the privilege of choosing the winners, and to be considered, send an email to pwrwindows@yahoo.com with the subject line "Signals Atmos Listening Experience", and provide the following details: 

• 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

As he alluded to back in September, Geddy Lee spent time during the pandemic to write his autobiography.  Today his book "My Effin' Life" was announced for a November 14th publication date.   Click here to preorder: https://amzn.to/43iYOgb

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"

Coming April 21st, Alex Lifeson appears on "Moonage Daydream" by Easy Star All-Stars on their new album, Ziggy Stardub, a reggae cover album of David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars. 

"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

Hugh Syme is a Canadian award-winning illustrator, designer and graphic artist who recently unveiled a new online SHOP portal gallery for fans and followers of his work at www.HughSymeArtShop.com. Syme is best known for his amazing artwork and cover concepts for world famous musicians and bands including Rush, Dream Theater, Celine Dion, Whitesnake, Kiss, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, David Coverdale & Jimmy Page, The Allman Brothers Band, Styx, Alice Cooper, Graham Nash, Aerosmith, Earth Wind & Fire, Queensrÿche, Joe Bonamassa, The Band, Tesla, and many more.

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

The Funko Pop Albums collection includes Rush Exit Stage Left, and is tentatively scheduled for release on January 24th, 2023.  The Pop! Albums line features popular music albums. The background of the box shows a replica of the album cover.  The boxes contain one or more standards Pop! figures to recreate the primary image on the cover or band members at the time of the actual album's release to complete the look.   This Funko Pop features a characterization of Paula Turnball, the same model who first appeared on the cover of Permanent Waves, then reprised her role on Exit Stage Left.  Preorder now.

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson Join Dave Grohl at Taylor Hawkins Tribute - UltimateClassicRock.com

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush performed at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert in London, delivering a tight three-song set that felt equal parts like an homage to the fallen drummer as well as their own, the late Neil Peart, who died in January 2020.

"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

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson along with a slew of other artists will join the Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts taking place September 3rd in London and September 27th in Los Angeles.  For more info visit https://www.foofighters.com/news/taylor-hawkins-tribute-concerts/

TODAY #TaylorHawkinsTribute

Show begins at 4:30pm BST - You won’t want to miss the start!

Watch live anywhere in the world here: https://lnk.to/MTVYT

 

Alex Lifeson Guest on Aaron Fink's "Dear Universe"

In 2001 Alex Lifeson produced Lifer's debut self titled album. Lifeson has stayed in touch with the band members over the years and Lifer's Aaron Fink has released a new album titled Dear Universe, which includes Alex Lifeson on the track "Forever Is Yours". Check out this interview with Fink talking about the album. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!