Rush, perhaps the single-most recognized Canadian band outside of Canada, has had a long-heralded career worthy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Mass appeal but at the same time, Rush doesn't seek or get the Limelight.
This is the band that went 33 years in between TV appearances in the United States (thank goodness for the Colbert Report). And now, Rush has finally made the cover of the Rolling Stone.
Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart are on the cover of the July 2 edition of the magazine that hits newsstands today.
Rush has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide with 14 platinum records and 24 gold records. The band is celebrating its 40th anniversary. So clearly the band has done "okay" without TV appearances and magazine covers.
"A compromise is what I can never accept." — Neil Peart, drummer, Rush.
Appropriate, given Peart's role as lyricist (and outstanding drummer). This sums up the band Rush: 40 years of doing things the way they want to do.
In the Rolling Stone article, they talk about not wanting to do anything like the Kiss Army or having to do the same rap at every show about how great that city was.
In the live shows, the attention is in the details: Lee is using 26 different vintage basses on this current tour. There are 3 people in the band: often times, bands will tour with more musicians in the background. Rush tours with 3 band members: the 3 people in the band.
Unlike many rock bands that barely hang on, the members of Rush get along. "We're never mean to each other," says Lee, "so if we disagree, we pout. That's sort of the Canadian way. But we did used to love punching Alex when he said something stupid."
They even handled jealousy from other bands like quiet Canadians. There is a story in the Rolling Stone article about Rush being really nice to the Joe Perry Project in terms of soundchecks despite not being treated well by Aerosmith years before.
"Most bands were afraid of Rush," says longtime lighting director Howard Ungerleider. "They were being outplayed, and they hated it."
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Wal-Mart use of Rush's 'Working Man' smothered in irony
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Words is the theme of the inaugural Canadian Dinner Party
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Rush in the 'limelight' after making Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
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'Suck' is a rock and roll film with vampires, but mostly cameos from cool rock stars
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Rush makes first U.S. appearance in 33 years on U.S. TV
The band members have shown their sense of humour and Canadian-ness over the years. Geddy Lee helped out Bob and Doug McKenzie with Take Off at the height of Rush's career. Alex Lifeson was hilarious as a border guard in Suck.
Neil Peart is flat out one of the best lyricist in rock and roll history. The drummer isn't usually the "words guy," but try reading Rush lyrics as a poem. If you read Peart's lyrics in poetry class, you shouldn't get any lower grade than an A-.
Having a rock and roll band for more than 40 years and being intact for all that time is unique and special in rock and roll. Peart replaced original drummer John Rutsey before the band's first U.S. tour in 1974 but have been together since.
Amazing success, solid respect from their peers, and yet without the hype and trappings that led other groups to "bigger fame" and worse crashes. Rush after 40 years literally didn't need Rolling Stone to be one of the coolest bands on the planet, but we're glad the magazine finally stepped up and did it right.
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