Reposted from WEST END PHOENIX Story by Alex Lifeson, Illustration by Casey McGlynn The date was October 27, 1973, and Rush was opening for the New York Dolls. They were a pleasant enough group of fellows who spoke to us not at all, but enthusiastically enjoyed the vibrant conversation and company of their “friends” (I think they were), who also dressed like New York Dolls, but drunker. The venue for the gig was the Victory Theatre, built in 1921 and home to burlesque in Toronto until it closed in 1975. We were honoured to have worked the same stage as strip artistes Knackers Knock, Ineda Man and Cupcakes Cassidy, whose …

In celebration of today’s anniversary of the release of  Snakes & Arrows (2007), here is a behind the scenes story from that time: Before the Snakes & Arrows Tour, Neil asked Patrick at Showtech if he could customize his drumming hats and stage tees for him.  Naturally the answer was, “Yes, sir!”.  The hats were meticulously made by a very talented Toronto-area hatter, who took into account the very precise measurements of Neil’s cranium.  The tees were embellished with a foil printing technique of the ouroboros from the S&A album graphics.  The production of these hats and tees fell inside of one week from the tour start, as the band was …

2112 proved to be Rush’s commercial breakthrough and remains one of their most popular albums. Due to popular demand, a special run of 2112 is being made available exclusively via Rush Backstage. Whether a new fan or a completist, 2112 will be made available for the first time on coloured vinyl. This release is manufactured on limited edition opaque blue 180-gram vinyl, features the 2015 remaster by Sean Magee at Abbey Road Mastering Studio and a “red star of the federation” hologram in Side 2 run-out groove. Only 5,000 copies are available worldwide.  For full details, visit Rush Backstage. Note: This item is available for pre-order and will ship on …

2112 Anniversary (April 1, 1976) There are many stories behind the albums and the artwork of Rush. Neil Peart tells a futuristic story in 2112 of the Starman representing a hero who fights against collectivist mentality (depicted by the evil red star). During the buildup to the Time Machine Tour in 2010, Neil warned against any crossover with the Starman, and the steampunk-themed 2010 tour. Peart wrote, “Fundamentally, thematically, philosophically, and narratively, the Starman has no place in the Time Machine/ steampunk world.  That’s all there is to it.  Placing the Starman over clockworks and steam valves and those images makes my skin crawl, because the stories are so diametrically …

On March 1st 1974, Rush’s debut self-titled album was released.  Ever wondered about why the two different colors of the album covers?  The original album release in Canada had RUSH in red, which was the approved color.  When the album was released in the USA, there was a printing error at Mercury which had RUSH printed in hot pink. The band still remembers this well!

Alex Lifeson’s original, signed painting for Brush of Hope 2017, “20,000 Feet Over The Sea“,  is now available for auction. All proceeds from the Brush of Hope auction will go to the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Make your bid here!      

On December 1, Rush will release a lavish, new and expanded edition of the  landmark album A Farewell to Kings — the fifth studio album originally released in 1977, which introduced the radio hit “Closer To The Heart,” album tracks “A Farewell To Kings,” “Madrigal,” “Cinderella Man,” as well as enduring fan favorites with “Xanadu” and “Cygnus X-1.” A Farewell to Kings—40th Anniversary will be available to fans in four distinct configurations including (1) Super Deluxe Edition, (2) three-CD Deluxe Edition, (3) four-LP Deluxe Edition, and (4) the Deluxe Digital Edition. Super Deluxe | 4LP | Deluxe 3CD The Super Deluxe Edition includes three CDs, one Blu-ray Audio disc and four high-quality …

Download the new Rush R40 App and Enter to Win Great Prizes! Hey Rush Fans, there is a new FREE Rush R40 App available for download in the iTunes App Store. And there’s more, download the app today and participate in our R40 App contest for the opportunity to win a Custom 2112 Fender Signature Model Geddy Lee Jazz Bass Guitar or a Limited Edition Rush Starman Marshall Fridge! All you have to do to enter to win is: Download the new R40 app from the Apple App store  Scroll through the App pages to the Camera Eye Section and snap your best “Rush Themed Photo” Save your Rush Themed …

“What Le Studio meant to us, is really hard to put into only a few sentences. It was not only a place where we did some of our best work, but we also experienced many profound personal moments there. To say nothing of the friendships that were forged there that still endure today. Le Studio played a key role in our album recording experience at a pivotal point in our career. We were already saddened to learn of its derelict state a few years ago, but upon hearing that it has now been destroyed by fire, it truly marks the end an age for the 3 of us,” remarked Geddy Lee …

GEDDY LEE TEAMS UP WITH THE CANADIAN WILDLIFE FEDERATION TO OFFER FANS A “RUSH OF NATURE”  The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is making available 150 limited edition numbered and autographed prints of wildlife photography taken and donated by Geddy Lee. CWF’s “RUSH of Nature” initiative gives RUSH fans an opportunity to share in Lee’s love of wildlife photography while helping support CWF’s wildlife conservation programs across the country. The 150 prints will each sell for $150 as part of CWF’s Canada 150 celebration designed to encourage Canadians to #ConserveTheWonder. “We are extremely thankful that Geddy is as adept with a camera as he is with his bass,” said Shauna Pichosky, …