HomeAlex Lifeson on BBC Radio 2's "Sounds Of The 70s"
On Saturday Alex Lifeson appeared on BBC Radio 2's Sounds of the 70s
with Johnnie Walker. You can hear the the interview here; Alex comes in at the 1:24:00 mark. Alex reminisces about Rush's early
career playing the Toronto bar scene back in the early 70s, and introduces The Who's Won't Get Fooled Again and Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb. - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!
The Spirit of Rush Fanzine Archive
John Patuto at Cygnus-X1.net has created a new
archive which will feature EVERY issue of The Spirit of Rush fanzine, one of the only sources of Rush news before the internet
came along. The fanzine includes fan writings, as well as magazine transcripts, concert reviews, convention news, etc., and John has done a fantastic job insuring this fanzine gets the honor it deserves. Check it out here.
Fender Custom Shop's "Limited Geddy Lee 1972 Jazz Bass®
Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - August 2013
The first show of this final run had been scheduled for July 24 in Calgary, but just a few weeks earlier that city endured a massive flood. The arena we were supposed to play in was underwater up to the tenth row. It was fairly certain we would not be playing that building, but rather than cancel our show, I suggested to the Guys at Work and manager Ray that we move it somewhere else, to higher ground—maybe outdoors—and play a benefit for those people who had lost so much. Everybody readily agreed, and Ray set about making it happen. It turned out that nowhere in Calgary itself was going to work, and the considered alternatives of Lethbridge, Alberta, and Kelowna, British Columbia, were rejected in favor of . . . Red Deer, Alberta.Check it out here!
"Rush: The Studio Albums 1989-2007" Featuring All New Remasters Now Available for Preorder
Those that passed on the Atlantic Remasters when they were released in 2004 may be interested in knowing that The Studio Albums 1989-2007 box contains new CD versions of the six Atlantic albums newly remastered by Masterdisk's Chief Mastering Engineer, Andy VanDette, released last May digitally only on iTunes and HDTracks. The box also includes the all-new Vapor Trails Remixed, which is also being released October 1st as a stand-alone CD as well as on Vinyl and iTunes. This boxed set is Atlantic's complement to the Sectors boxed sets, which were also remastered by VanDette in 2011.
Also check out
Headlong Flight To Be Included On "XXX: Three Decades Of Roadrunner Records" Box Coming October 1
"Roadrunner Records celebrates its three-decades-plus legacy as one of the most highly regarded labels in heavy metal and hard rock history by releasing a four-CD boxed set covering a broad spectrum of heavy music with tracks from dozens of the world’s most legendary artists.XXX: Three Decades of Roadrunner Records"The set, due for release on October 1, includes 54 tracks spread across four discs, packaged in a deluxe fold-out paneled box, at a retail price of $39.98. Decibel contributor Chris Dick has written the liner notes, which trace Roadrunner’s entire history and include quotes from founder Cees Wessels; legendary A&R guru Monte Conner; and artists such as King Diamond, Sepultura/Soulfly/Cavalera Conspiracy mastermind Max Cavalera, Trivium frontman Matt Heafy, Opeth leader Mikael Åkerfeldt, Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison, and more....The final disc, “Rock For The Ages,” focuses on Roadrunner’s hard rock contingent with tracks from mainstays such as Rush, Nickelback, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Theory Of A Deadman, Airbourne, Black Stone Cherry, and Korn featuring Skrillex, among others" - Roadrunner Records, August 19, 2013 (Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!)
Auction: Neil Peart autographed drum head to benefit Mike Hesser
Currently up for auction is an autographed 10" concert tom drum head last used during "All the Worlds a Stage" tour. Proceeds will benefit Mike Hesser, a self employed arborist who for the past two years has been dealing with some very serious health issues that is keeping him from working. This, unfortunately, has left him with no source of income or health insurance. He is now homeless and in desperate need of basic essentials to survive. Mike has been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, which is a condition that causes long-term, body-wide pain, tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. The pain then spreads out from these areas to include the back of the neck, shoulders, lower back, hips, shins, elbows, and knees. Mike also suffers from lesions throughout his body, which he is currently going through extensive testing at the Florida Department of education vocational rehab center. As of now, doctors have not yet been able to determine the cause. The auction ends August 25th. - Thanks to Dean Bobisud for the headsup!
Autographed NEP Books for sale
Photo Gallery: Rush At The Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado, August 2, 2013
Click here for the Photo Gallery of Rush At The Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado, August 2, 2013!
Autographed Neil Peart DW Snare Auction For The Hospice of Santa Barbara
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Clockwork Angels Tour - Latest News And Reviews
Clockwork Angels Tour News and Reviews
- Rush delivers a 3-hour rock odyssey - Kansas City Star, August 5, 2013
- Rush at the Pepsi Center, 8-2-13 (photos) - Denver Post Reverb, August 3, 2013
- Rush at the Pepsi Center in Denver: Rock band continues to impress - Denver Post, August 2, 2013
- Rush takes concert in three directions - Salt Lake Tribune, August 1, 2013
- Over Half A Million Dollars Raised For Alberta Flood Relief - Rush.com, July 31 , 2013
- Rush indulges in 3-hour show at Sleep Country Ampitheater: Review - The Oregonian, July 29, 2013
Sabian Announces Limited Edition "Clockwork Angels" Graphic Cymbal - Now Available for Purchase
Today Sabian has announced it will be offering a limited run of "Clockwork Angels" graphic cymbals, their first available for consumers to purchase:
While quantities last, Sabian will offer a limited release of the Neil Peart 22” Paragon Steampunk Ride and the Chad Smith 19” RHCP-Edition Holy China in North America only.Thanks to Mark Rosenthal for the headsup!
The cymbals will be well-known to fans of Rush and the Red Hot Chili Peppers alike – they received a huge burst of fan attention during both the Rush “Clockwork Angels” and the Red Hot Chili Peppers “I’m With You” Tours, during which SABIAN social media sites were inundated with fans asking where to buy the unique graphic models.
As a result of the huge demand, SABIAN will produce a limited run of 300 of each cymbal in 2013 for Canada and the US. Although both are current production models, these cymbals are printed with an original, eye-catching graphic, and each one is hand-numbered under the bell and packaged in a deluxe custom bag with certificate of authenticity.
Cymbals will be available for purchase later this month.
"Why Rush Is My Favorite Band" - HeyReverb.com
Tomorrow before Rush's show in Denver, Coohills Restaurant will be hosting a preconcert get together across the street from the Pepsi Center at 1400
Wewatta Street. Chef Tom Coohill is a huge fan, and will be offering drink specials including a special 2112 cocktail. In addition, Tom has just penned the article "Why Rush Is My Favorite Band", which will appear in tomorrow's Denver Post. - Thanks Tom for the headsup!
"Gateways To Geekery An introduction to Rush, the biggest cult band in the world" - A.V. Club
As part of their "Gateways To Geekery" series, today the A.V. Club posted "An introduction to Rush, the biggest cult band in the world". A thoughtful and truthful report, the A.V. Club has published a road map that attempts to set any new or young Rush fan well on the way to become a full fledged fanatic.
"A house closer to the heart: See Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson’s country home" - The Globe & Mail
Today's Globe & Mail features Alex's wife Charlene, giving a tour of their new country home. Included is a gallery with pics of Alex's wine cellar and home office featuring some of his favorites axes...
Vapor Trails Remix, Coming October 1st
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| CD, Vinyl, iTunes, Rush: The Studio Albums 1989-2007 |
The Newly Remixed Version Of Vapor Trails And 7-Disc Boxed Set Of Atlantic Studio Albums.On July 29th, in his latest News Weather & Sports report, Neil Peart announced:
Both Are Available On October 1 from Atlantic/Rhino (September 30 internationally)
The Vapor Trails Remixed album will be available on CD, Double LP, and digital download on October 1 from Atlantic/Rhino.
“Vapor Trails was an album made under difficult and emotional circumstances – sort of like Rush learning how to be Rush again – and as a result, mistakes were made that we have longed to correct. David Bottrill’s remixes have finally brought some justice and clarity to this deserving body of our work,” says Geddy Lee.
“Every song has been given a new life, from the fire of ‘One Little Victory,’ ‘Secret Touch,’ and ‘Ceiling Unlimited’ to the melodic musicality of ‘Sweet Miracle’ and ‘How It Is’… these songs have been redeemed. Thank you David!”
The remixed version of VAPOR TRAILS will also be included in the new 7-disc boxed set RUSH: THE STUDIO ALBUMS 1989-2007, which features every studio album Rush recorded for Atlantic Records. The collection includes the Gold & Platinum albums Presto (1989), Roll The Bones (1991), Counterparts (1993), and Test For Echo (1996), as well as their covers EP Feedback (2004) and the Billboard Top 5 album Snakes & Arrows (2007). THE STUDIO ALBUMS 1989-2007 features each album presented in a wallet sleeve that faithfully reproduces the original artwork (except for VAPOR TRAILS, which features a reinterpreted version of the original cover) and is also available on October 1 from Atlantic/Rhino. - Rush.com, August 1, 2013
"The band had recently been overseeing a remixed version of our Vapor Trails album, from 2002, as we had never been happy with how it turned out."This was obviously good news for Rush fans that have been yearning for a remix since the original release in 2002. It has now been confirmed that Vapor Trails has been remixed by David Botrill and mastered by Andy VanDette. In a Facebook post made July 9th, Grammy award winning Canadian record producer David Bottrill announced:
"So...It's late in Los Angeles and I'm just listening to the 1st mastering job by Andy VanDette at Masterdisk of Vapor Trails, a great underrated record by Rush that I finished re-mixing a few weeks ago. This record was written and recorded just after, and about a time of great tragedy, and there were times, I'm sure, where it was uncertain whether the band would ever record together again. I just have to say how proud and grateful I am to have had the opportunity again to work with such creative giants. Please...if you are a fan, or even if you are not, give this new version a chance as I think you will appreciate it for its raw emotion, clarity of purpose, and cathartic appeal. For those who don't know the story, just check out 'Ghost Rider: Travels On The Healing R
CBS Boston's Toucher & Rich: ‘Geddy’ Bruschi Performing Hits Of Rush
Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - July 2013
Rush Included on "Canada 24: Rock Your Cottage Weekend" Compilation
"Heart 'Destroy Stigmas,' Profess Love For Rush" - Huffington Post
"We are into Rush now. We watched that documentary 'Beyond The Lighted Stage.' I found it so completely great I took it on the road and me and [Heart singer] Ann and [other Wilson sister] Lynn watched it on our tour bus and we're like, 'Oh my god, we get it! We understand where it comes from now.'For more click here.
I wanted to check 'em out because they were so tight with our producer Ben Mink. He's one of Geddy Lee's oldest dearest friends from back in the day in the '70s, so we kind of ended up hooking up with them more recently and I wanted to check 'em out again because of him and because Rush is kind of one of those bands that are kind of like a dog whistle that only men can hear.
I've always liked a lot of their songs on the radio over the years, but I've never felt compelled to pick up their albums. But now I want to pick up their new one. We've become Rush fans."
Howard Ungerleider Interview - Rush's Clockwork Angels Tour 2013 & Lighting Rush for almost 40 years
"I’ve put light bulbs that didn’t exist in PAR-cans in PAR-cans before, things like that. That has driven people crazy. I made my crew one year put up 158 lights surrounding one of my rigs and I only used it for 22 seconds and they hated that. That was for 'Countdown.' It was the light that surrounded the whole system that were on as the Space Shuttle launched. I heard about that for years, 'You made us hang those every single day for 22 seconds!' 'Yes. I did. [smiles]"In addition, Howard provides an update regarding the band's tour plans for the next tour years:
"Are they talking about touring again? Yes. They’re talking about possibly touring in two years. But there will be nothing again for two years, we know that."You can read the full interview here, thanks Brad for the headsup!
Canada Post Rocks Out New Stamps Featuring Canadian Bands - Now Available
Today the Canadian Post have issued Rush Postage Stamps which you can ordered here. In addition, the Canadian Post is also offering special edition postcards as well as a limited edition (750) framed print.
Ottawa (ON) – Just in time for the celebration of Canadian music and musicians at the JUNO awards next week, Canada Post is proud to give Canadians a preview of this edition of the Canadian Recording Artist stamp series, to be released in July, featuring for the first time, Canadian bands. Beau Dommage, Rush, The Guess Who and The Tragically Hip will be spotlighted in this fourth issue in a series created to honour musical legends.
“This year’s series features Canadian bands that have shaped the music industry in Canada,” says Jim Phillips, Director of Stamp Services for Canada Post. “Each band has achieved national acclaim, along with international radio air-time and extensive tours.”
The Canadian Recording Artists stamp series will be available from Canada Post retail outlets starting July 19 or online at canadapost.ca/shop.
Clockwork Angels tour makes Pollstar's Top 100 Tours chart for first half of 2013
Joe Bergamini talks to The Aquarian Weekly about "Taking Center Stage"
Alex Lifeson Produced "David Barrett Trio" Featured In "Guitar Player" August Issue
Back in February, the David Barrett Trio released their eponymous debut album, produced by Alex Lifeson along with Rich Chycki and Alan Parsons. David talks about working with Alex in the August issue of Guitar Player:"Alex brought so much to the table at every stage of the process. When he first offered to produce, I gave him a bunch of demos that had layers and layers of guitar parts that sounded good, but he said, 'Look, you're going to need to be able to play this material in the trio setting, so we're going to have to edit stuff down to what's most important.' ... The funny thing is, it wasn't just about the logistics of the format. As soon as I started writing with the trio in mind, the material got way better and the arrangements just came together, which is exactly what Alex said would happen. Another thing he's a master at is knowing how to take an otherwise pedestrian-sounding riff and change one little element - maybe the key or the time signature - to give it an extraordinary quality. A wonderful example of this is the end of 'Great Eastern Sun'. The last section was originally going to be based on the same riff as a previous section, but Alex suggested we change the time signature by adding bars of 5/8 in certain places, and then he had us put the riff in a minor key. Before long, the song had evolved into what I believe is the best track on the record. Also, at the end of 'Sonar' there's this abrupt key change and solo, suggested by Alex, that wasn't on the original demo. Aside from his input on arrangements, Alex also had a big influence on how I tracked my parts. In the past, I had always tended to record at low volumes and tried to cut out noise, but he encouraged me to turn things up - sometimes to the point of feeding back in the studio monitors like on 'Hollowbody' - and it really freed me psychologically to be a little more in the moment."The David Barrett Trio is available now from iTunes. CD's are available at davidbarretttrio.com.- Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!
Calgary Show Update: Rush To Perform Alberta Flood Relief Benefit Concert
CALGARY SHOW UPDATE
RED DEER – ENMAX CENTRIUM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013
Doors: 7:00PM Show: 8:00PM
Due to recent flooding and water damage at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the RUSH concert originally scheduled for Wednesday July 24 had to be cancelled.
Rush has been moved by the situation in Alberta and have decided to perform their Clockwork Angels show at the closest location possible on the same date – Wednesday, July 24 in Red Deer, Alberta at the Enmax Centrium – and have ALL PROCEEDS to go Alberta Flood Relief.
Rush will be donating their fee, and paying for all their expenses. Their promoter partner Live Nation will also be donating their time and fees towards this cause. The venue, Enmax Centrium, will be donating goods and services to the event as well. It’s an all –hands-on-deck situation to donate time in order to raise as much money possible for our Alberta friends and fellow Canadians in need.
Lead vocalist and bassist for Rush, Geddy Lee, has made the following statement: “After seeing the devastation from the recent floods, we felt compelled to do what we could. While we had hoped to avoid cancelling the Calgary show, venue safety concerns have closed the venue. Our apologies to all of the fans that bought tickets to the Calgary show for any inconvenience. We’re hoping they – along with the great people of Red Deer – can come to the Enmax Centrium for what has now become a benefit concert. We’d like to thank everyone helping to put on this show for joining us in donating their time & services so we can raise as much money as possible to help those in need.”
Calgary ticket holders will have a chance to access a pre-sale to purchase tickets to the new Red Deer show starting Friday July 12th 10AM, until Sunday July 14 at 10PM (or while quantities last), before tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, July 15 at 10AM. Presale information will be sent directly to those who had purchased tickets to the Calgary show. For further inquiries, fans can visit the Live Nation Alberta page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/livenationalberta
All tickets purchased online or via telephone will be automatically refunded starting on July 12th. Tickets purchased in person from a Ticketmaster outlet can be refunded at the original point of purchase outlet, starting July 16th. Tickets purchased in person at the Scotiabank Saddledome Box Office can be refunded at the Box Office, which is now reopened.
ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE RED DEER RUSH BENEFIT CONCERT WILL GO TO THE CANADIAN RED CROSS TO SUPPORT THE ALBERTA FLOOD RELIEF.
BUY TICKETS AT: LIVENATION.COM
Charge by Phone 1-855-985-5000
Tickets also available at Ticketmaster Outlets
Tickets on sale Monday, July 15th at 10am
Tickets (incl. GST) $60.00, $86.00, $116.00
(Plus Service charges)
Geddy Lee Comments on the Festival d’ete de Quebec show
Rush have posted the following statement regarding last night's Festival d’ete de Quebec show, which was cut short due to weather:
“My bandmates and I are extremely disappointed and apologetic over the sudden and unexpected ending of our show last night at the Festival D’ete de Quebec. The lightning storm that was approaching made it extremely dangerous for all the technicians working the sound and lights and there was a high risk to the audience members as well as the musicians on stage. We were enjoying the show tremendously at the time and we were hoping we could get the whole show finished before the storm returned but unfortunately we were unlucky and were forced to end the show for the safety of all concerned. Thanks to all of our amazing fans for braving the weather and once again our sincere apologies for what had transpired. Hope to see you all again soon!!!” — Geddy Lee
Rush Nominated for Prog Magazine's "Progressive Music Awards" 2013
Prog has announced the nominees for the 2013 Progressive Music Awards to be announced September 3rd. This year the 2112 Deluxe Edition has been nominated in the "Grand Designs" category, and they have been nominated as Band/Artist of the Year. Vote now!
Geoffrey Keezer's "Heart Of The Piano" - Includes cover of "Limelight"
Rush Pop Culture References Update - June 2013
Here's a roundup of the latest Rush Inspired Literature, Film, And Pop Culture References we've learned about in the last few months.
- Back in 2009, the sci-fi television series Warehouse 13 included a small Rush reference when Pete said "...the best Rush album since Roll The Bones, Snakes & Arrows rocks!" Last summer Warehouse 13 premiered an online series of webisodes called "Grand Designs" - besides the title, two other Rush songs are referenced, and there is a steampunk theme! Warehouse 13 is a massive, top-secret government storage facility, and in aisle YYZ 2112, Pete discovers a diorama model of the original warehouse built by Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla and M.C. Escher. Pete accidentally triggers the mechanism, transforming the warehouse and it's inhabitants into a life sized steampunk version of this diabolical diorama. You can watch the full webisode series here!
- During last Monday night's (June 24, 2013) episode of Cartoon Network's Regular Show titled "The Last LaserDisc Player", there is a laserdisc titled 21-12 Time Attack, a film about the year 2112.
- In the Ubisoft videogame Far Cry 3 released December 4th, there is a easter egg of sorts for Ubisoft's other videogame franchise, Assassins Creed, which has the added plus of also including a 2112 sighting as one of the "Letters Of The Lost" mentions a passcode 122112.
- Rifftrax are downloadable audio commentaries by the stars of the original Mystery Science Theater 3000, which can be played as you watch your own films. Like the original MST3K, there have been MANY Rush references on Rifftrax, the latest for Marvel's The Avengers, made available December 27th. During the scene where Loki is commanding a crowd to kneel before him, Kevin Murphy quips "Who do Rush fans say belongs in the Hall of Fame?" right before Loki's second "kneel!"
- Earlier this year, we covered how Harry Styles from boy band One Direction was frequently pictured wearing a Presto tour shirt, making us wonder if it's the only shirt he wears or if he is subconsciously begging for some musical legitimacy. It's forever captured for posterity in the music video for One Direction's cover of Blondie's "One Way Or Another" which debuted in February.
- The April 27th episode (season 16, episode 4) of MSNBC's prison documentary series Lockup - Cleveland: Extended Stay was titled "Rush", as one of the featured inmates was an old rocker that used to play in a few bands, who was so convinced he would get out soon that he bought tickets to see Rush on tour.
Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - June 2013
Unison Fund Announces 'Rush' to Donate Portion of Sales from Concert Tour
The Unison Benevolent Fund is pleased to announce that Canadian music icons, Rush, have offered to support Unison's funding efforts by donating $1 from each ticket sold at 5 upcoming dates to the Unison Benevolent Fund.
Over the course of their incredible career, Rush has released 25 gold records and 14 platinum records (3 of which have gone multiplatinum), placing them in the top 3 rock bands for the most consecutive certified rock album catalogue, with worldwide sales of 43 million units.
The band's popularity has always been unwavering, and they are currently on their Clockwork Angels tour, having just finished a trek across Europe and returning to North America later this month.
Long known for their support of various philanthropic causes, Rush have generously offered to support Unison by donating $1 from each ticket sold at 5 of their upcoming Canadian dates.
Those dates are:
July 6 Hamilton, Ontario - Copp's Coliseum
July 12& 14 Halifax, Nova Scotia - Metro Centre
July 24 Calgary, Alberta - Scotiabank Saddledome
July 26 Vancouver, British Columbia - Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
The Unison Benevolent Fund is a non-profit charitable organization that provides counselling, emergency relief, and benefit programs for those in the Canadian music community who face personal or professional challenges due to hardship, illness, unemployment or economic difficulties.
Rush on the cover of Mobile Production Monthly
"Rush: The Unauthorized Illustrated History" Now Available
"A chronological overview history written by noted music scribe and Rush authority Martin Popoff spans the band’s entire career from 1968 to today. A complete Rush discography chronicles all their albums, from the debut album to 2112, Moving Pictures, and Signals to Grace Under Pressure, Vapor Trails, and more. The authoritative text is complemented by album reviews written by well-known music journalists from around the globe, commentary from fellow musicians, a discography, tour dates, and hundreds of photographs and pieces of memorabilia, including picture sleeves, gig posters, rare vinyl, handbills, ticket stubs, and much more."This is Popoff's second Rush related book, the first, Contents Under Pressure: 30 Years of Rush at Home & Away was published in 2004.
Check out these reviews:
- Entre Nous: An Essay on Rush and a Review of Martin Popoff’s Rush: The Illustrated History - CaughtInTheCarousel.com, June 10, 201
- Book Review: Rush The Illustrated History - GuitarInternational.com, June 17, 2013
Neil Peart and Geddy Lee: Rhythm magazine's "Greatest Rhythm Section of All Time"
Rock's foremost power trio have been locking in perfectly for 40 years, so it's no surprise you voted Messrs Peart and Lee the Number One rhythm section in huge numbers - almost 50% of the overall vote. With every new Rush album, Lee and Peart again push the envelope of what a power trio - in which the rhythm section often shines brightest - can accomplish in rock. Neil Peart admits that this kind of tightness has taken a bit of time to achieve, though, as he told Rhythm recently. "If there is a little train wreck among the three of us, I can suddenly run on two tracks now. I can be playing what I need to be right, but if one of the guys is half a bar out I can say, 'Okay, if I drop that half-bar we'll all be together again.' Even sometimes if I make an error of execution that throws me off, I can still hear the time and that's 45 years of getting to that stage to be able to do that."- Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!
Stick it Out: Reflections on Rush and Their 40 Year Journey to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Today Winston-Salem's Camel City Dispatch posted "Stick it Out: Reflections on Rush and Their 40 Year Journey to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Part One" by Dr. Jon Epstein. Dr. Epstein gives a detailed history of Rush and how they have been a part of his life. Click here for more.
Win An Autographed Gibson Alex Lifeson Guitar from Marshall Fridge
Rick Moranis Remembers Recording Take Off With Geddy Lee in new Spin Article
Geddy Lee and I went to the same grade school. He moved away when we were still young but I remember him like I do all my friends from back then. Then in 1982 Dave Thomas and I were approached to do a record as the McKenzie Brothers on Anthem Records, the same label that Rush was on. So when we did the album we wound up having Geddy sing the vocal lead for the first single, "Take Off." That was the first time I had seen him since we were kids and the first time he had this enormous success. I've seen him subsequently a number of times and he always says, "That's the only number one record I've ever had!" Which is insane to me because those guys have sold about a 150 zillion records.
Auction: Autographed Geddy Lee Signature Fender Jazz Bass to Benefit Camp Oki
Proceeds will benefit Camp Oki (www.campoki.ca), a free weeklong camp for children from Quebec and Ontario who suffer from heart defects and require implanted pacemakers or defibrillators (ICDs).
RUSH’s Geddy Lee has personally donated this Signature Fender Jazz Bass Guitar for the auction and will autograph it for the winning bidder with a personalized message of their choosing. The bass has been personally set-up to Geddy’s live performance specifications by his bass tech, Skully, with a set of ‘live RUSH performance-played’ Rotosound strings. The bass features a pearlized pickguard custom-engraved and hand-painted with the Oki logo by artist James Hogg, who has created the alchemy symbol pickguards on Geddy’s Time Machine and Clockwork Angels tour instruments.
"In Conversation: Chad Smith With Alex Lifeson" Part 4 Now Online
- The first part of In Conversation: Chad Smith With Alex Lifeson is now available at http://www.musicradar.com/chadsmith.
- Part two of the conversation is now available here.
- Part three is here.
- The final segment, part four, is here.
MusicRadar.com, the world's leading website for musicians, presents In Conversation, a new podcast interview series in which Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith sits down for wide-ranging, one-on-one chats with some of the most inspirational musicians of all time.
Multiple award winning and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee, Smith hasn't lost sight of what it's like to be a fan and last month, a few days before the legendary Canadian trio Rush were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, he indulged his inner prog rocker and joined iconic guitarist Alex Lifeson for a laugh-filled, leisurely dinner at the Sunset Marquis in West Hollywood, California.
...In Conversation is not a traditional interview; it's an insight into the personal and professional lives of two great musicians. Over striped sea bass and baked duck, Smith and Lifeson enthusiastically hold forth on a variety of topics. Although their histories and bands couldn't be more different, their commitment to unconventional self-expression shows a deep, mutual bond.
"I've been a Rush fan since high school," says Smith. "Neil [Peart] gets a lot of attention, as he should, but Al is under appreciated, I think. He is as great a musician as he is to be around. I'm honored for him to be my first. He was gentle with me!" - MusicRadar.com, May 8, 2013
Andy VanDette Comments On Mix Of Latest "Vapor Trails" Digital Release
Upon hearing of the new digital release of Vapor Trails, and reading some of the reviews, I contacted Andy VanDette to ask the big question: is this the long awaited Vapor Trails remaster of the original master tapes, or just a remix?:
These are the original mixes, but with a much different treatment. For what it is worth........A typical album takes me about 8 hours to master. I spent 4 days on VT, trying to find a way to emphasize the positive, and downplay the negative, with a "car test" every morning on my way in to the studio. I knew this album in particular would receive tremendous scrutiny. Being a musician, growing up on the other side of Niagara Falls from the band, Rush had a huge influence on me. I hope I have done their catalog justice.
Check it out. I hope you will agree that VT sounds much less 'overblown'. I tried to design it to be more open and dynamic.
I hope you enjoy it.
Cheers,
Andy VanDette
Chief Mastering Engineer
Masterdisk NYC
"Interview with Rush singer/bassist Geddy Lee" - The List UK
Another interview published today by the UK's The List, "Interview with Rush singer/bassist Geddy Lee", Geddy talks about the new album and tour, and also names his favorite Rush albums: 'Probably Moving Pictures, 2112, Power Windows and Clockwork Angels, but not necessarily in that order. To me, they are the most satisfying records that we've made.' [as an aside, over the years, Geddy regularly gives that same list of albums, where the fourth album is their current release!]
"Rush Remember Glasgow" - Glasgow Evening Times
"Rush Remember Glasgow" is a new interview with Geddy Lee from today's Glasgow Evening Times, where Geddy recalls "I remember the first time we played the Apollo I was shocked by how
ardent the fan base was, and at what good voices they had," he chuckles,
ahead of bringing the band to the SECC tomorrow. "I remember we played Closer To The Heart there, and Glasgow was the
first audience that sang along with us so loudly that we could hear them
over the roar of our amplifiers." [later immortalised on the band's 1981
live album Exit- Stage Left].
"The Real Reason Rush Are Still Rocking 40 Years On" - Herald Scotland
In anticipation of Rush's concert in Glasgow on Thursday, today's Herald Scotland includes an interview with Geddy Lee dubbed The Real Reason Rush Are Still Rocking 40 Years On. Geddy talks about the unique yet polarizing nature of Rush's music, their recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the album Clockwork Angels.
Auction: Autographed ATWAS Drumhead to Benefit Oklahoma Tornado Victims
One of the original Chromey heads used during the All The World's A Stage tour and later autographed by Neil Neil Peart is up for charity auction on Ebay. The auction runs through June 6th. The proceeds are going to the Red Cross for relief efforts for the Oklahoma tornado victims:Up for auction we have a very rare and historical piece of music memorabilia for any Rush fan or collector. An original 16" blue hydraulic drum head that was mounted on Neil Peart’s first drum kit with Rush (1974 chrome Slingerland). This head was used during "All the Worlds a Stage" tour and was later signed by Neil Peart himself on 9/26/2010.- Thanks to Dean Bobisud for the headsup!
All proceeds from this auction will support the American Red Cross towards the relief efforts of the violent EF5 tornado that struck Oklahoma on 5/20/2013, destroying neighborhoods and leaving a path of destruction 17 miles long which may have created $2 billion or more in damage as it tore through as many as 13,000 homes, multiple schools and a hospital. This has been a major disaster, and the Red Cross will be there for the people in this state and this community, which helps provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by disasters like the recent tornado in Oklahoma as well as other disasters throughout the United States.
Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - May 2013
Auction: Autographed Drumhead to Benefit DrumStong
"Rush Have No Intention Of Slowing Down" - Birmingham Post
In advance of Sunday night's show, today's Birmingham Post published a new interview with Geddy Lee titled "Rush Have No Intention Of Slowing Down", where he discusses celebrating his wife Nancy's birthday at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and also again alludes to an R40 tour:
"After a nice long break we’ll figure out what we’re gonna do, but right now we have not talked about it and we have zero intention of talking about it." That includes discussion of a 40th anniversary ‘R40’ tour next year, an idea the band’s management is determined to push through. "They’re trying but they’re going to fail," says Lee. "And there’s nothing wrong with an ‘R42’ tour – it doesn’t have to be a round number."
Win Front Row Rush Tickets, Backstage Passes, & Custom Bass Guitar from New York's Q104.3
New York's Q104.3 is holding a contest for fans living in the NY tri-state area:
We’re giving away front-row tickets to see the guys when they come to Jones Beach on June 23rd, plus you’ll get to go backstage and meet them & get a custom Geddy Lee Clockwork Angel’s bass guitar. To enter you just have to tell us in 140 characters or less why you’re Rush’s Biggest Fan and we’ll give you a custom URL to get your friends and family to vote for you for the chance to win.Thanks to Alexis Greenan for the headsup!
All the details and where you can enter is @ www.q1043.com/c
"What A Rush...Rocco's Universal Dream" - CNN.com
In 1992, Rocco Mediate was preparing to play in the 74th PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club, when he learned that his favorite band, RUSH, would be in town at the same time. So, Mediate sent an invitation to the members of RUSH to join him for a round of golf at Bellerive. Guitarist Alex Lifeson accepted the offer, and the two played a round of golf close to the time of the PGA Championship. It was one of the first rounds of golf that Lifeson—who was inducted along with fellow band mates Geddy Lee and Neil Peart into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame last month—ever played.Thanks to Michael Abramowitz for the headsup!
The golf bug struck a sweet chord with Lifeson. Since then, Mediate and Lifeson went on to appear together in the first-ever episode of “Playing Lessons from the Pros” on Golf Channel. While on tour with RUSH, Lifeson is known to play golf regularly and reportedly has a handicap in the single digits. In 2006, Lifeson became a co-owner of the Tom Fazio-designed Coppinwood Golf Course near Toronto. When Mediate played the Canadian Open in 2010, he sported a RUSH hat during a round and was also seen wearing Coppinwood apparel.
Mediate makes his debut in the Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, this week at Bellerive.
Despite his low handicap, Lifeson characteristically uses self-deprecating humor to describe his golf game, even to this day. "I remember how thoughtful and considerate Rocco was," said Lifeson. "He spent a great deal of time with me, a truly novice golfer, on the range hitting a million 7 irons. The thing is, he still spends time with me on the range, so either he's a dear friend or I'm a pretty lousy golfer...or maybe both! This photo is of that day."
Looks like a match made in “Rocco Roll Heaven!”
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