Rush (Band)

Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in the summer of 1968 initially comprising lead vocalist and bassist Geddy Lee, rhythm/lead guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer John Rutsey. Neil Peart replaced Rutsey in July 1974 and this lineup remained unchanged ever since until Peart's death. Early in the band's career, most of their musical output emulated blues-inspired rock bands such as Cream and Led Zeppelin with lyrics that focused on epic fantasy or science fiction stories. Over the years, however, the band shed this emulation with inspiration with subsequent integration of a variety of styles including progressive rock, hard rock, pop rock, reggae, and modern rock characteristics.

Despite the band eschewing mainstream media exposure, their popularity grew as the years wore on, spawning fan-favorites such as 1980's Permanent Waves and 1981's quadruple platinum Moving Pictures. The latter is conventionally considered the band's quintessential album and was the apex of their mainstream success. The band is still highly active with respect to touring and recording. They recently released their latest single "Caravan" which is to be featured on the band's upcoming studio album Clockwork Angels in spring 2011. The band's catalog is vast (composed of 19 studio albums, 7 official live recordings and numerous compilations).

Some of Peart's lyrics, especially during the late '70s and early '80s (e.g. 2112), were partially inspired by the objectivist philosophy of novelist Ayn Rand. The band received some criticism for these lyrical themes, especially in the pro-collectivist British press in the wake of this album in the 70s, although this did not deter them from their favorite topics of songwriting. In response, Peart himself stated that, "I am no one's disciple". Later Rush albums have also featured harshly anti-religious messages, as Peart (along with the other members of the band) self-identifies as a strong agnostic.

Band Members[edit]

• Geddy Lee - Bass guitar, lead vocals, synthesizers (1968–Present)
• Alex Lifeson - Guitar, mandolin, mandola, bass pedals, backing vocals (1968–Present)
• Neil Peart - Drums, acoustic and electronic percussion (1974–his death)

Former band members[edit]

• John Rutsey - Drums and percussion (1968 - 1974, died 2008)

Discography[edit]

Studio Albums[edit]

1. Rush (March 1974)
2. Fly by Night (February 1975)
3. Caress of Steel (September 1975)
4. 2112 (February 1976)
5. A Farewell to Kings (September 1977)
6. Hemispheres (October 1978)
7. Permanent Waves (January 1980)
8. Moving Pictures (February 1981)
9. Signals (September 1982)
10. Grace Under Pressure (April 1984)
11. Power Windows (October 1985)
12. Hold Your Fire (September 1987)
13. Presto (November 1989)
14. Roll the Bones (September 1991)
15. Counterparts (October 1993)
16. Test for Echo (September 1996)
17. Vapor Trails (May 2002)
18. Feedback (June 2004 - Cover Album)
19. Snakes & Arrows (May 2007)
20. Clockwork Angels (2011)

Other Studio Records[edit]

• Not Fade Away (1973 - 7" Single)

Live Albums[edit]

• All The World's a Stage (September 1976)
• Exit...Stage Left (October 1981)
• A Show of Hands (December 1988)
• Different Stages (November 1998)
• Rush in Rio (October 2003)
• R30: Live in Frankfurt (November 2005)
• Snakes & Arrows Live (April 2008)

Videos[edit]

• Through the Camera Eye (VHS, Laserdisc)
• Exit..Stage Left (VHS, Laserdisc)
• Grace Under Pressure Tour (VHS, Laserdisc)
• A Show of Hands (VHS, Laserdisc)
• Chronicles (VHS, Laserdisc, DVD)
• Rush in Rio (DVD)
• R30: Live in Frankfurt (DVD - November 2005)
• Snakes & Arrows Live (April 2008)

Compilations/Interviews[edit]

• Archives (April 1978) – Repackage of the first three albums (Rush, Fly by Night and Caress of Steel)
• Chronicles (September 1990) – Essentially a "Greatest Hits" release
• The Story of Kings - Interview (1992) – Interview with Alex Lifeson
• The Interviews - Vol 2 (October 1995) – Interview with Geddy Lee
• Retrospective I Repackaging of best songs from their first decade
• Retrospective II Repackaging of best songs from their second decade
• The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974-1987 (February 2003) – Repackaging of Mercury/Polygram-held songs up to Hold Your Fire
• Retrospective 3 Repackaging of best songs from third and fourth decade

Solo Efforts[edit]

• Burning for Buddy, Volume 1 (Buddy Rich tribute album) – (Solo), Peart, et al. (1994)
• Burning for Buddy, Volume 2 (Buddy Rich tribute album) – (Solo), Peart, et al. (1994/-5)
• Victor – (Solo), Lifeson, et al. (1996)
• My Favorite Headache – (Solo), Lee, et al. (November 2000)

Books[edit]

• Rush: Visions: The Official Biography – Banasiewicz, Bill. (1988), Omnibus Press – ISBN 0711911622
• Rush Tribute: Merely Players – Telleria, Robert (2002) – ISBN 1550822713
• Rush: Success Under Pressure – Gett, Steve. (1984) – ISBN 0895242303
• Rhythm & Light – Nuttall, Carrie, (2005), Rounder Books, ISBN 1579400930
• Drum Techniques of Rush – Peart (1985) – ISBN 0769250556
• More Drum Techniques of Rush – Peart, Wheeler (1989) – ISBN 0769250513
• The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa – Peart (1999) – ISBN 1895900026
• Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road – Peart (2002) – ISBN 1550225464 (hardcover), ISBN 1550225480 (paperback)
• Traveling Music: Playing Back the Soundtrack to My Life and Times – Peart (2004) – ISBN 1550226649
• Contents Under Pressure: 30 Years of Rush at Home and Away – Popoff, Martin. Publisher: Ecw Press (June 28, 2004) – ISBN 1550226789
• Mystic Rhythms: The Philosophical Vision of Rush – Price, et al. (1999) – ISBN 1587151022

External links[edit]

• Understanding Ayn Rand through the music of Rush
• Rush Official Website
• Neil Peart's Official Website