New Neil Peart news update at NeilPeart.net. Neil discusses his tour travels and the Rock Hall induction in a story titled The Sweet Science. Check it out here.
Rush was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 18th. Induction ceremony aired on HBO Saturday, May 18th. Details and video clips here.
Rush 2013 Clockwork Angels tour is underway! Setlists, photos, reviews and more here
Rush to be featured on a new series of Candian postage stamps celebrating Canadian music. Details here.
Geddy Lee throws out ceremonial first pitch at Toronto Blue Jays home opener April 2nd! Details, photos and video here.
Anthrax covers Rush's Anthem for their Anthems tribute EP. Available for purchase now through Amazon and iTunes. Details here.
RushCon 2013 will take place the weekend of July 5-7 in Toronto. Event details released and registration now open. Details here.
2112 Deluxe Edition CD/DVD/BD 5.1 Surround Sound reissue with comic book available NOW!. Purchase comic book iBook version on iTunes. Details, photos, preview video and more here.
Neil Peart's Taking Center Stage DVD book companion now available from Hudson Music. Contains transcriptions, photos, a foreword by Neil Peart and more. Details here.
Neil Peart has once again updated the news page on his website with a story titled The Sweet Science. Neil describes his motorcycle travels between shows, the Rock Hall induction and more. Neil reveals several behind-the-scenes moments from the Rock Hall induction and rehearsals that are a blast to read, including this letter in which he reflects back on the evening:
... I had spoken and played well. Not only on our songs and the "Crossroads" jam, but even laying down a (hopefully) funky groove behind a pair of full-on master rappers. ... Geddy and I met in a backstage room with Chuck D from Public Enemy ("911 is a Joke in Your Town") and the "DMC" of Run-DMC. They described the rhythmic feel, and where we should come in, and on what line we should stop. We nodded.)
There was also the star- (guitar-) studded "Crossroads" jam, for which I was also responsible for laying down the foundation of tempo and feel. So . . . my state of mind leading up to "all that" might best be expressed by "yikes!"
Just moments after it was over, as Geddy and I met in the quick-change tent at stage left (just like Madonna!), he said, "We laid it DOWN."
And, shockingly, we did.
During the previous night's rehearsal (our hip-hop brethren did not attend), after the "Crossroads" jam (do you believe that lineup of guitarists? Whoa!), one of the "presiding geniuses," some rumpled-looking guy in a suit and tie, came up to me onstage and suggested that the tempo should be slower. I knew I was playing it the way we had recorded it, modeled on Cream's version, but - I am a professional.
So I pulled it back a notch, and we played it again. It felt fine to me either way, but the boge [our slang for "square"] said it felt heavier and better for the soloists to breathe. I could see that. Then he suggested even a notch slower yet, and I said, "Okay." There was no time to rehearse that, but I fingered out [how Brutus always says "figured"] a proper "feel" for a slightly slower tempo in my brain ('cause it ain't just math, eh?). I also asked the geniuses to pass around to all the other players that I would be playing it slower.
(If nothing else, I wanted them to know it was on purpose!)
Well . . . Geddy wrote back in response to that report with, "That boge was Jann Wenner!" [Founder of Rolling Stone, and co-director of the Hall of Fame.]
Ha ha! - Perfect!
The world's most powerful Rush-hater, rumored to have personally kept us out of the HOF all these years!
[Taylor Hawkins told me later that at that moment he had to walk away so he wouldn't hit him - and when I wrote about it to another mutual friend and fellow drummer, Stewart Copeland, he wrote back that he wished he had been there, so he could head-butt the guy!
Nice to have the support of my drum-brothers, but I didn't see it as an insult, but a challenge. I am Canadian, and "We aim to please." ...
You can read the entire thing on Neil's website at this location.
UPDATE - 5/24@1:44PM: Here's one item I'd forgot to mention. DrumsForCures Inc. is running a charity auction where they are selling a Neil Peart autographed drumhead to raise money for cancer research. For all the details and to place your bid go here (thanks Tom B).
Rush opened up the European leg of the 2013 Clockwork Angels tour this past Wednesday in Manchester, England. They continue their trek across jolly ol' England today, where in just a couple of hours they'll hit the stage at London's O2 Arena. Then it's on to Birmingham, Sheffield and Glasgow before jumping the channel to bring the tour to mainland Europe. One of the stops they'll be hitting while in Europe is the Sweden Rock Festival - the band's first appearance at a European festival in 34 years. Geddy Lee was recently interviewed by VH1 Radio Network's Dave Basner and shed some light on why the band has avoided festivals over the years:
"The way festivals used to be, we were always prevented from bringing our full show to them, so things changed in the last couple of years. We've started playing a couple of outdoor venues that allow us to do our full show. We did a few in Canada that are multiple-day festivals, where you have a stage to yourself that can accommodate, so that started to turn us around a little bit about playing festivals."
When asked whether he thinks Rush will play more festivals in the future Geddy had the following to say:
"We'll see how this one goes. This one in Sweden is kind of a test case for the European festivals, and if we like the end result, then I think we might start doing more of those, because we can play to more people and shorten the show a little bit and just hit more countries that way. That's kind of what's at the back of our minds - if this goes well, maybe we can go to some countries we haven't visited yet."
Rush will be headlining the Sweden Rock Festival on June 8th. UK Rush fan Robert Taylor is biking between shows on the UK leg of the tour to help raise money for Cancer research. You can help support his cause by visiting his page at JustGiving and making your donation. Rush will be back in North America next month and a few new ticket contests for various shows have opened up. Swearnet.com is giving away 4 tickets to Rush's July 14th Halifax show. You can get all the details on how to enter in this YouTube video. And New York City's Q104.3 is running a contest where one lucky Rush fan could win front row tickets to Rush's upcoming show at Jones Beach on June 23rd along with meet and greet passes and a custom Geddy Lee Clockwork Angels bass guitar. The contest is open to fans in the NYC tri-state area only. You can get all the details and enter the contest at this location.
While in the UK this past week, Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee hit the interview circuit to promote the European tour. UK digital radio station Planet Rock aired their 20+ minute interview with Alex this past Wednesday and made it available online here. They also put a number of fan-submitted questions to Alex and had him answer several of them in this YouTube video. In the main interview Alex talks about the current tour, the Rock Hall induction ceremony, explains the infamous blah speech, the band's plans after the tour, and more. You can listen to the entire thing here. Geddy Lee spoke with Steve Adams of the Birmingham Post for an interview in today's edition where he discusses the band's recent Rock Hall induction, the Clockwork Angels tour and more. Here's Geddy on the band's plans after the tour:
... "Right now we're looking to finish this tour and take a holiday," says Lee, almost wearily. "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. "After all, there's been nothing round about our career." ...
Alex also spoke with the Sheffield Star for a short interview, and Geddy appeared on the Paul Franks Show on the BBC WM earlier this week. You can listen to that interview at this location beginning at the 1:47 mark.
Rush's April 18th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony premiered on HBO this past Saturday night. The HBO broadcast was a 168-minute, edited version of the nearly 5-hour long ceremony. Other than a few minor edits, the entire Rush portion of the ceremony was kept intact for the broadcast, including Alex Lifeson's infamous blah speech. The broadcast did not include Jann Wenner's opening speech which featured a standing ovation for Rush, but HBO did make the speech available on YouTube. Some videos of the broadcast were posted online this week, but unfortunately (and unsurprisingly) HBO had them taken down. The camera-phone YouTube videos from the ceremony itself are still available though (for now at least), and you can check those out in this post. There's also some camera-phone vids of the broadcast itself still available here. For some reason the Rock Hall does not make the broadcast of the ceremony available for purchase on DVD/Blu-ray, so if you don't have HBO these online videos may be your only chance to watch. Outspoken radio DJ Howard Stern caused quite a stir on his Monday radio show when he voiced his objections to this year's crop of inductees, including Rush. You can read all about it in this Examiner.com article.
MusicRadar.com launched a new podcast series with Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers a couple of weeks ago called In Conversation, and Alex Lifeson was the first featured guest. Part 1 of their three-part conversation aired 2 Mondays ago, and part 2 of the interview aired this past Monday. In the second installment Alex chats with Chad for over half an hour about the Rock Hall induction ceremony, his painting, his pilot's license, John Rutsey, and more. You can listen to it and read the transcript at this location, or get the podcast on iTunes here. The interview took place a few days before the band's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction over a leisurely dinner at the Sunset Marquis in West Hollywood, California. The third and final part of the interview will be posted this coming Monday.
... for the first time, Rush is treated to the epic visual celebration they so richly deserve in a beautifully designed and profusely illustrated history following the band's entire career. 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.
For details and to order your copy via Amazon, go to this location. Popoff will be appearing at this year's RushCon to talk about the book and sign copies for fans.
Golfer and friend of Alex Lifeson, Rocco Mediate, is featured in this CNN iReport article from earlier in the week. Mediate is competing in the Senior PGA Championship this week. The article talks about how Mediate's friendship with Lifeson came about and their appearance on the inaugural episode of the Golf Channel's Playing Lessons. It includes this quote from Alex Lifeson:
... "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."
MusicRadar.com recently interviewed Rush producer Nick Raskulinecz and asked him to pick his 10 essential rock records (thanks RushFanForever). He had some trouble choosing just one Rush album to include ... so he picked 8 of them:
Caress of Steel, 2112, A Farewell to Kings, Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, Signals, Grace Under Pressure
"There's no way I can pick just one Rush album, or even a few of them. Each of these records is so different, but they're all fantastic in their own individual ways. I always say that Alex Lifeson is the chameleon of rock guitar because he's changed his sound and his style so many times. I always want to hear what he's going to do next.
"I discovered Rush because my mom was listening to 2112. How awesome is that? I was six years old, and my mother is introducing me to Rush. I guess my daughter will be into them, too; she's seven years old, and she listens to everything that I do.
"Highlights, for me, are probably Hemispheres, 2112 and Permanent Waves, but again, each one of these records means something special. Nobody sounds like Rush."
I was really into The Doors when they were around in the beginning. They were such a unique band. I know John Rutsey - the original drummer for Rush - he was a huge Doors fan. I can't say they were influential to our music, but certainly they were so fresh and different. And there was such a great personality in Jim Morrison. They just really added so much to the whole rock scene.
Here's the video of Alex Lifeson's Planet Rock appearance earlier this week where he answers several fan-submitted questions:
That's all for this week. For all of you in the USA, have a great Memorial Day weekend! And happy Victoria Day to all you Canadians. ... everyone would gather on the 24th of May ...
Rush 2013 Clockwork Angels tour London open thread
UPDATE - 5/24@4:11PM: It's intermission time. It looks like Night A - version 3 so far (thanks Al-Dreamline).
Rush plays show #2 of the European leg of the 2013 Clockwork Angels tour tonight at London's O2 Arena. They played one of their Night B sets for Wednesday's show in Manchester, so tonight's crowd will likely see one of the Night A sets. As always, I'll post any setlist information here as soon as I learn about it. For everyone going to the show, have fun, stay safe, and make sure to share your photos, videos and reports with us. RUSH!!!
Date/Time: Friday, May 24th @ 7:30PM (2:30PM EST) Show Number: 11 Venue:The O2 Arena Place: London, England
UPDATE - 5/24@9:39AM: Interviewer Steve Adams also mentioned to me in an email that Geddy also spoke with him about how the band did consider playing Losing It from Signals on the current tour. Jonathan Dinklage, one of the members of the string section, is a longtime fan of the band and had developed an interesting take on the song. This portion of the interview was omitted from the article because of space constraints.
In the lead up to this weekend's Rush show in Birmingham, Geddy Lee spoke with Steve Adams of the Birmingham Post for an interview where he discusses the band's recent Rock Hall induction, the Clockwork Angels tour and more. Here's Geddy on how emotionally overwhelming the Rock Hall induction was for the band:
... "It was really overwhelming and we all got choked up," he recalls. "Our fans have always placed more importance on us getting in than we have - we'd always thought it was no big deal. But at that particular moment it sure did feel like a big deal." ... "It was quite an emotional evening to feel the amount of love from so many different and unexpected places. "When you have guys from Public Enemy turning around and patting you on the back - jeez, even Spike Lee was so nice and giving us respect - you kinda pinch yourself and wonder where the f**k am I?" ... "Part of you is saying 'somebody's made a mistake here' and part of you is trying to enjoy it and accept what it means in terms of popular music," he says. "We've been so insular and off the mainstream for so long that it's very hard to see yourself as part of that same estimable group." ...
You can read the entire article/interview at this location.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Alex Lifeson talks Clockwork Angels tour in new Sheffield Star interview
In the lead up to next week's Rush show at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, Alex Lifeson spoke with the Sheffield Star for a short interview to discuss the Clockwork Angels tour.
... "We love playing over here. The last tour was the first time that we had played at the O2 in London which was so much better than Wembley Arena and the Arena at Sheffield is a really good arena too. We've played there a few times now and it has a pretty good sound for that type of venue. It's important for us to play outside London too so we try to play as many places that we possibly can when we're here." ...
You can read the entire article/interview here. Rush will play the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, England next Tuesday, May 28th.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Martin Popoff's Rush: The Illustrated History released
... for the first time, Rush is treated to the epic visual celebration they so richly deserve in a beautifully designed and profusely illustrated history following the band's entire career. 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.
For details and to order your copy via Amazon, go to this location. Popoff will be appearing at this year's RushCon to talk about the book and sign copies for fans. Thanks to Steve for the heads up.
Win front row tickets for Rush at Jones Beach from Q104.3
New York City's Q104.3 is running a contest where one lucky Rush fan could win front row tickets to Rush's upcoming show at Jones Beach on June 23rd along with meet and greet passes and a custom Geddy Lee Clockwork Angels bass guitar. To enter you just have to tell them in 140 characters or less why you're Rush's biggest fan. They'll then give you a custom URL to get your friends and family to vote for you for the chance to win. The contest is open to fans in the NYC tri-state area only. You can get all the details and enter the contest at this location.
UPDATE - 5/23@10:50AM: Planet Rock mistakenly posted a shorter version of the interview with Alex than they had meant to. The full, 20+ minute interview is now posted in the audio player in this article.
As I'd mentioned last week, UK digital radio station Planet Rock recently interviewed Alex Lifeson and asked fans to submit questions. The interview just aired this morning (afternoon in the UK) and is now available online. The five best questions were presented to Alex when he visited the Planet Rock studio, and you can see what questions were asked along with his answers in this video. They also have the audio of Alex's full 12-minute interview with Planet Rock's Darren Redick which you can listen to online here. Alex talks about the current tour, the Rock Hall induction ceremony, explains the infamous blah speech, the band's plans after the tour, and more.
Geddy is also on the UK interview circuit and appeared on the Paul Franks Show on the BBC WM today. You can listen to that interview during today's broadcast at this location beginning at the 1:47 mark (thanks Eric at Power Windows).
Rush 2013 Clockwork Angels tour Manchester open thread
UPDATE - 5/23@7:19AM: Reader Al-Dreamline and others have confirmed that it was the Night B - version 3 setlist. Official photos from the show have been posted over at Rush.com.
UPDATE - 5/22@8:38PM: They played a Night B set but I'm still trying to verify exactly which version, although it's likely Night B - version 3.
UPDATE - 5/22@3:02PM: The show is underway!
Rush opens up the European leg of the 2013 Clockwork Angels tour tonight in Manchester, England. It's not quite clear which of the many versions of their setlist they'll decide to pull out for the show. They played one of their Night A sets for their last show in Atlantic City earlier this month. So if they continue with the alternating of the A and B sets for this leg, then that would mean they'd play the Night B set. Although they may decide to start fresh with the A set for the European leg. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. As soon as I learn anything I'll be sure to post it here. UK Rush fan Robert Taylor is biking between shows on the UK leg of the tour to help raise money for Cancer research. You can help support his cause by visiting his page at JustGiving and making your donation. For everyone going to tonight's show, have fun, be safe, and make sure to share your photos, videos and reports with us. Rush in the UK!!
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 22nd @ 7:30PM (2:30PM EST) Show Number: 10 Venue:Manchester MEN Arena Place: Manchester, England
Rush will kick off their 10 date European leg of the 2013 Clockwork Angels tomorrow in Manchester, England. One of the stops they'll be hitting while in Europe is the Sweden Rock Festival - the band's first appearance at a European festival in 34 years. Geddy Lee was recently interviewed by VH1 Radio Network's Dave Basner and shed some light on why the band has avoided festivals over the years:
"The way festivals used to be, we were always prevented from bringing our full show to them, so things changed in the last couple of years. We've started playing a couple of outdoor venues that allow us to do our full show. We did a few in Canada that are multiple-day festivals, where you have a stage to yourself that can accommodate, so that started to turn us around a little bit about playing festivals."
When asked whether he thinks Rush will play more festivals in the future Geddy had the following to say:
"We'll see how this one goes. This one in Sweden is kind of a test case for the European festivals, and if we like the end result, then I think we might start doing more of those, because we can play to more people and shorten the show a little bit and just hit more countries that way. That's kind of what's at the back of our minds - if this goes well, maybe we can go to some countries we haven't visited yet."
Rush will be headlining the Sweden Rock Festival on June 8th. Thanks to Blabbermouth.net for the info and Scott for the heads up.
Neil Peart has once again updated the news page on his website with a story titled The Sweet Science. Neil describes his motorcycle travels between shows, the Rock Hall induction and more. Neil reveals several behind-the-scenes moments from the Rock Hall induction and rehearsals that are a blast to read, including this letter in which he reflects back on the evening:
Rush opened up the European leg of the 2013 Clockwork Angels tour this past Wednesday 
While in the UK this past week, Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee hit the interview circuit to promote the European tour. UK digital radio station 
Rush's April 18th 
In the lead up to this weekend's Rush show in Birmingham, Geddy Lee spoke with Steve Adams of the Birmingham Post 
New York City's Q104.3 is 
