Rush (Music Group)

Rush is a rock band that formed in 1968 in Toronto with guitarist Alex Lifeson (b Zivojinovich, in Fernie, BC 27 Aug 1953), singer/bassist/keyboardist Geddy Lee (b Gary Lee Weinrib, in Toronto, 29 July 1953) and drummer John Rutsey (b 1953, d in Toronto 11 May 2008), who was replaced by Neil Peart (b at Hamilton, Ont 12 Sept 1952) after the recording of the group's self-titled, independently released debut album in 1973. Peart became the lyricist for the group, and his interests in existentialist literature and science fiction were reflected in the group's music - a hybrid of progressive art rock and heavy metal, which was given further distinctiveness through Lee's wailing vocals. After winning a JUNO AWARD for Best New Band in 1975, Rush was soon headlining concerts at arenas and stadiums across North America. While registering minor hits with tracks such as "In the Mood" (1975), "The Spirit of Radio" (1980), "Limelight" (1981) and "Subdivisions" (1982), Rush forged its reputation as an album act and live attraction, which has been documented on a handful of live records.

Watch a video clip featuring popular rock band Rush performing their song "Tom Sawyer." From YouTube.

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Both the length and the perceived pretentiousness of the band's songs decreased through the 1980s, and in 1990 the Canadian Record Industry Association designated Rush as one of the "artists of the decade" along with Bryan ADAMS and k.d. LANG. Rush received another major honour in 1994 when it was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. While released on major multinational record labels around the world, the band's albums still come out on the Anthem label in Canada. Anthem was formed by Rush managers Vic Wilson (who is no longer involved with the group) and Ray Danniels, and has released albums by such acts as Max Webster, Ian Thomas, Gowan and Moe KOFFMAN. In total, Rush has recorded more than 20 albums that have sold well over 30 million copies worldwide. Following 1996's Test For Echo album, the group took time off as Lee and Lifeson worked on other musical projects and Peart dealt with 2 separate personal tragedies that took the lives of both his wife and daughter. The band made a triumphant return to the music scene in 2002 with a new album called Vapor Trails and an extensive concert tour. The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974-1987 was released in 2003, followed that year by the 3-CD live set and double-disc DVD Rush in Rio, which won a Juno. The band launched its 30th anniversary tour in 2004 to support an album of cover songs titled Feedback. A concert recorded that September in Frankfurt, Germany, was included on the multi-disc Rush-R30 CD/DVD that also featured a historical retrospective. It came out in November 2005, a month before Peart released an instructional DVD titled Anatomy of a Drum Solo. A long-awaited studio album, Snakes and Arrows, was released in 2007. The two-CD Snakes & Arrows Live, which documented the first leg of the world tour in support of the album, was released in April 2008. Backstage Secrets: On The Road With The Rock Band Rush, a double dvd featuring film footage from the same tour was released in 2008. In June 2010, the band embarked on The Time Machine Tour, beginning in Albuquerque, New Mexico and culminating in George, Washington in 2011. Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland, a concert DVD, Blu-ray and double CD documenting a show from the tour at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio was released in Nov 2011. The futuristic-themed Clockwork Angels, recorded in studio sessions slotted in the midst of the band's busy touring schedule, was released in 2012. At the 2013 Juno Awards in Regina, Clockwork Angels was awarded the Juno for Rock Album of the Year.

Rush has been nominated for 38 Junos and won 6, and it has been honoured with various other prizes around the globe, including a GOVERNOR GENERAL'S PERFORMING ARTS AWARD for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in 2012. In 2012 as well, Rush was inducted into Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The following year, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Los Angeles. Rush’s The band's records have sold an estimated 40 million worldwide, and the power trio can still fill arenas and stadiums wherever it plays. Rutsey passed away on 11 May 2008 due to complications from his lifelong affliction with diabetes.

Author STEVE McLEAN

Links to Other Sites
Canadian Music Hall of Fame
The website for the Canadian Music Hall of Fame from the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS).

Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards
See biographies of recipients of Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. Also, check the menu on the left for links to video clips of recipients' speeches. From the website for the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation.

Rush - 2112 - The Temples of Syrinx
Watch a video clip featuring popular rock band Rush performing "The Temples of Syrinx." From YouTube.