Rush is a Band Blog: Neil Peart reflects on Ohio rides, Cleveland, the Rock Hall, and the Time Machine video in new essay

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Sunday, November 13, 2011

Neil Peart reflects on Ohio rides, Cleveland, the Rock Hall, and the Time Machine video in new essay

10:05AM EST | comments (20) |

[Rush's Neil Peart takes a ride in his Ohio time machine: Exclusive]

Rush's long-awaited Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland concert video finally released this past week on DVD, Blu-ray, CD and on vinyl (Moving Pictures tracks only). In honor of the release, Neil Peart penned an exclusive article/essay for today's Cleveland Plain Dealer where he reflects on some of his memorable Ohio bicycle/motorcycle rides, the band's affinity for Cleveland, why they chose the city to film their latest DVD, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

... It was felt that the "Time Machine" show in particular looked better indoors, without the lingering twilight of an outdoor amphitheater, and with control over ambient light and air currents. Also, the audio side of things tends to be more controllable in a contained acoustic environment. (Wind, for example, can play havoc with sound waves and microphones.) So we wanted an arena.

Glancing over the itinerary, we considered the options, looked at Cleveland, and thought, "Yes." The idea just made us smile. The historical connection was strong, of course -- we never, never, never forget how welcoming Cleveland was to us in the early days. (Thank you, Donna Halper!)

But there was also the impish notion of poking a sharp stick into the eye of a certain other Cleveland institution. With regard to Groucho Marx's famous remark -- "I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member" -- I have stated before that personally the three of us are not too bothered about that snub. We have achieved plenty of success and professional respect without those self-appointed judges, thank you very much.

But it does seem petty to make our fans feel like they're part of something that's "outside the pale." (Though maybe, in a way, all of us like being outside the pale?) ...

You can read the entire essay at the Cleveland Plain Dealer website.

COMMENTS

#1 - Posted 11/13/11 @10:12AM by Micky [contact]

First! I like the Groucho Marx statement...;-). Well said !

#2 - Posted 11/13/11 @11:13AM by UnstableCondition [contact]

I love how he doesn't mention the RRHoF by name. No free advertising for them from Neil! Sweet...

#3 - Posted 11/13/11 @11:19AM by LanceTheShred [contact]

Holy Shit Neil. Those quotes just made my day.

#4 - Posted 11/13/11 @11:22AM by Rob [contact]

I have travelled in many of these same areas of Ohio...it's definitely one of the prettiest areas of the state.

Good article Neil!! Should have been longer!

#5 - Posted 11/13/11 @11:35AM by bassman4001 [contact]

So it seems they are recording in Toronto.

#6 - Posted 11/13/11 @3:22PM by icred [contact]

I love where Neil says, "Though maybe, in a way, all of us like being outside the pale." That sums up how I feel about Rush and I am guessing many others do as well. We think they are awesome and appreciate what they represent to us. And because they have traditionally never been a huge Top-40 pop band, we love that we are among those who "get it." It's like our own little club.

On the other hand, we would like them to be recognized by the populace at large. It just seems wrong that they are not appreciated the way WE appreciate them.

So, I am stuck between wanting them to be recognized and being happy to be "outside the pale." :-)

#7 - Posted 11/13/11 @4:11PM by cpb [contact]

My favorite sentence: "Thank you, Donna Halper!"

Sums it up for so many of us.

#8 - Posted 11/13/11 @9:51PM by holeinone53575

I never get tired of reading Neil's articles. Such a good writer.

#9 - Posted 11/13/11 @9:58PM by StaceyfromCA [contact]

#3 - Lance this made my day too!
#6 - icred - I agree 100%!

#10 - Posted 11/13/11 @10:02PM by Queslington L. Marshall [contact]

Did anybody else notice that Neil referred to 'Caravan' and 'BU2B' as "the first two chapters of the story". I hope this means 'Clockwork Angels' will be a concept album.

#11 - Posted 11/13/11 @10:15PM by limelighter [contact]

way to go seahawks! i knew you could do it!
it's such a cloudy day....seems we'll never see the sun.....or feel the day is all uncertainly......

#12 - Posted 11/14/11 @7:50AM by LanceTheShred [contact]

#10 Queslington-Clockwork Angels IS a concept album bro!

#11 limelighter! How did I know there would be a post from you this morning..............;) eeeessh

#13 - Posted 11/14/11 @9:39AM by Micky [contact]

#2- of course Neil didn't mention those band of craps...he's too elegant :-).
And I'm honestly pleased they are not recognized, I don't personally give a s*** to that.
I love my guys as and for how they are and have been so far...not for the likes or dislikes of those so called judges!

#14 - Posted 11/14/11 @9:57AM by Modern-Day Warrior [contact]

Rush Backstage is running a drawing.
"Email the word "calendar" in the subject line of an email to facebook@showtech.com for your chance to enter to win a RUSH 2012 Calendar. You only have 10 minutes to enter the draw."

Only a few minutes left!

#15 - Posted 11/14/11 @10:46AM by double-agent [contact]

Is it the Signals calendar? Cuz I already have it. But the more the merrier...thanks!

#16 - Posted 11/14/11 @12:15PM by patrush

Well said Neil. Let Jan Wenner have his orgasm without Rush.

#17 - Posted 11/14/11 @4:14PM by Runkerry [contact]

Well said indeed Neil. With the very greatest of respect to all my fellow Rush bloggers, I think we should all stop giving ourselves so much b*llache over the whole failure to get the boys into that particular institution. Clearly they have a massive chip on their shoulder about inducting Rush. And anyway, if the boys got in, the intelligence of that particular institution would increase about 20 fold, and we can't have that, can we?! ; )

#18 - Posted 11/14/11 @7:03PM by limelighter [contact]

LancetheShred- relax bro, nobody has won anything. YET.
That's HOW IT IS!!

#19 - Posted 11/15/11 @3:03AM by patrush

#17 - indeed we don't give a F* about the RRHOF. However, their IQ would most definitely go up by a factor of 20x if they inducted Rush. That being said, stuck-up a*holes don't always go hand in hand with sexy brains.

#20 - Posted 11/15/11 @7:52PM by Thelonious [contact]

#17- Agree totally with those sentiments. I would add that the RRHOF looks more and more foolish with each passing year that Rush is not inducted. They've really scraped the bottom of the barrel the last few years.