Art of Rush by Hugh Syme: Pre-order Starts March 27 at 10AM ET
Art of Rush: Hugh Syme, Serving A Life Sentence
100 Deluxe Roadcase Editions, 250 Special Editions, and Classic Edition available
The Art of Rush is a 272 page coffee table book that delves into the 40 year relationship with Rush and their longtime artist and illustrator Hugh Syme. The stunning book begins with a foreword penned by Neil Peart, and contains original illustrations, paintings, photography, and the incredible stories behind each album that he has designed with the band since 1975.
The book’s narration was written by music journalist Stephen Humphries and includes in-depth interviews with each Rush band member, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart and artist Hugh Syme. The Art of Rush also contains entertaining anecdotes and commentary from a wide array of notable musicians, actors, athletes, writers, radio personalities and Rush insiders about their favourite Rush album covers, which clearly reveals how vital and impactful the visual representation of their music has been through the years.
One of the hallmarks of Rush releases is the considerable care and consideration that goes into each one — including the conceptual artwork. Readers of the Art of Rush may be surprised to discover just how much effort went into each concept and the execution for every album cover. In the days before Photoshop, each element of the artwork had to be handcrafted and pieced together. Take the gatefold for Hold Your Fire, for example, Hugh first constructed a miniature set of a city street and then superimposed a picture of a fireball juggler on it. It’s akin to what the Hollywood special effects studio used to do. Nowadays, of course, Hugh utilizes digital technology to create Rush’s art. But as Neil Peart adds, “the tools got easier, but the thinking doesn’t.”
Some of the regaled stories include furtively crossing the border for a guerilla-style shoot for A Farewell to Kings, trying to herd a warren of rabbits for the cover the Presto, descending into the depths of an autopsy lab to find a brain for Hemispheres, building a pool inside Hugh’s studio for Test for Echo, and a stunt involving fire, whiskey and photographer Deborah Samuel for Moving Pictures. But no history of the band’s art would be complete without the story of the creation of arguably the band’s most iconic image, The Starman, and cover art for 2112.
Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart, who has worked with Hugh on the art for every project the band has released, said:
“From the first time Hugh and I met, we shared a level of communication that would sustain us through all the years of discussing art by long distance. We had the same values and tastes in images and design, and simply spoke the same language. That’s why I off-handedly referred to him one time as ‘serving a life sentence as my art director.”
Rush fans will have first opportunity to pre-order the Art of Rush, including two special edition versions.
Pre-Order ANY of these editions, and you will receive an exclusive R40 Record Flat
This Hugh Syme designed record flat is printed on 12″ x 12″ cardstock and is printed on both sides. Side One will feature the R40 artwork, custom designed for this exclusive. Side Two will feature a complete discography of the Rush albums. This record flat is exclusive to this pre-order, and will not be available anywhere else, at any time.
The Pre-order for the Art of Rush book will begin on Friday, March 27 at 10 am ET at rushbackstage.com
Roadcase Deluxe Limited Edition (Only 100 Available)
Limited to 100 copies, this deluxe limited edition will be numbered and signed by all 3 members of Rush & Hugh Syme.
The book will come in a hand-crafted road case designed by Anvil approx. 15″ x 15″ x 3″ in size and will be enclosed in a custom slipcase.
A signed and numbered limited edition lithograph of Hugh Syme’s detailed drawing of Caress of Steel, the first cover he worked on for Rush, will be inside the case.
The case will have a metal plate affixed to the outside with the limited edition number and the limited edition lithograph of the Caress of Steel lithograph will match.
$995 Preorder March 27
Limited Special Edition (Only 250 Available)
Limited to 250 copies, the hardcover book will be numbered and signed by all 3 members of the band and artist Hugh Syme, enclosed in a custom slipcase.
$495 Preorder March 27
Classic Edition
The 272 page hardcover book.