It's a shame too, cause he seems so well-read, intellectual
Rush Interview 1980 - Part 1/2 - YouTube
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To: Geddy, if somehow you could read this
- Thread starter Presto2112
- Start date
It's a shame too, cause he seems so well-read, intellectual
Rush Interview 1980 - Part 1/2 - YouTube
I did say "probably" because Neil and Alex are one-trick ponys and there's a lot of guitarist out there that can play Alex's stuff.
Geddy on the other hand sings, plays bass, keyboards, bass pedals, finding someone that does all those as a replacement would be very hard.
Being well-read and intellectual don't always go hand in hand with giving a good interview.
You are 100% wrong. No member of RUSH is replaceable. It would not be RUSH without any of them. Have you heard Alex and Geddy's solo albums? not quite RUSH is it? And to the person that said that Alex & Niel are "One Trick Pony's" you obviously don't know the band as much as you think you do.
I got to meet all three at an album signing at a Peaches record store (remember those?) in Columbus, Ohio. I think it was around 1976, All The World's A Stage had just come out, and they were still playing the entire 2112 medley start to finish live. Very genial guys, took it all in stride, they weren't stressed or harried, spent time with everyone who approached them and signed a couple of my vinyl LP jackets. I had just started playing bass around that time.
Speaking as objectively as possible, if you like pop music at all, Rush has a most interesting history, and any time a pop/rock trio can create and sustain the kind of momentum these three have, it is amazing. Better influences than Geddy Lee and company are hard to come by.
Speaking as objectively as possible, if you like pop music at all, Rush has a most interesting history, and any time a pop/rock trio can create and sustain the kind of momentum these three have, it is amazing. Better influences than Geddy Lee and company are hard to come by.
- Oct 7, 2000
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Guitarist in my old band The Nerve was a HUGE rush fan. On his refridgerator he had a letter Neil had hand written him, in response to a letter and question he had sent. That was before a lot of not so pleasant things happened in Neil's life.
And I'm pretty much w everyone else here. Geddy was a tremendous influence in my early bass days. I started as a guitar player, but learned as many Rush basslines as I could. 3 guys who contributed most to my playing are Geddy, Gene, and Flea. Subconsciously Jamerson did a number on me too, but I didn't even realize that till well into my adult years.
Thanks from em too, Geddy.
Awesome thread! I started listening to Rush in '81 and have seen them on almost every tour since 1984. I am a musician because of Rush!
In 2002, I won front row tickets and meet and greet passes from a local radio show for correctly naming 8 songs in a 5 second montage! It was quite a thrill! Both Geddy and Alex were gracious to my wife and I (Neil doesn't meet many fans), and the sppech I had rehearsed for years went out the window when I was stage struck. Alex asked if I had won a radio contest and I told him yes. When he asked what I had to do for the tickets, I was trying to be humorous and told him I had to name all their songs in alphabetical order ( I don't know WHY I said that). He asked what the last song in the list was, and I said, "Oh, Xanadu, because it starts with a Z, right?" -.- Alex responded, "Wouldn't it be YYZ?!". By that time I was being brushed away from them by security because my photo op was over (but check out my profile picture!), and didn't get to say anything to Geddy! I almost threw up I was so disappointed!
I like the OP's idea better. Good luck with that!
PS I got to interview Rush's longtime roadie, Jack Secret (Tony Geranios) for my site, MIDIpedals.com , and it's posted on the site. He's a great guy, too!
In 2002, I won front row tickets and meet and greet passes from a local radio show for correctly naming 8 songs in a 5 second montage! It was quite a thrill! Both Geddy and Alex were gracious to my wife and I (Neil doesn't meet many fans), and the sppech I had rehearsed for years went out the window when I was stage struck. Alex asked if I had won a radio contest and I told him yes. When he asked what I had to do for the tickets, I was trying to be humorous and told him I had to name all their songs in alphabetical order ( I don't know WHY I said that). He asked what the last song in the list was, and I said, "Oh, Xanadu, because it starts with a Z, right?" -.- Alex responded, "Wouldn't it be YYZ?!". By that time I was being brushed away from them by security because my photo op was over (but check out my profile picture!), and didn't get to say anything to Geddy! I almost threw up I was so disappointed!
I like the OP's idea better. Good luck with that!
PS I got to interview Rush's longtime roadie, Jack Secret (Tony Geranios) for my site, MIDIpedals.com , and it's posted on the site. He's a great guy, too!
For my 40th birthday, my wife flew me and one of my best friends out to LA from NJ to see RUSH get their star on the walk of fame. I had the foresight, or perhaps dream, that Geddy and Alex would somehow sign an autograph, so I brought the pickguard from my Geddy Jazz bass. When it was all over (the ceremony) Geddy and Alex signed autographs for everyone and anyone who waited. They were kind, genuine and really seemed to enjoy meeting us "diehards". It was really an awesome experience. Too often we hear stories of rock stars being cold and disengaged, and that was my fear as I have idolized Geddy since I started playing 30 years ago. They were the first concert I ever attended on the Grace Under Pressure tour. I've seen them more times than I have counted.
What makes RUSH so amazing is the people who love them. While in LA, waiting for hours in the hot sun, I made friends of people I had never met and actually still keep contact with - on the other side of the country.
There is something special about RUSH and those of us who know it, treasure it. Those that don't, can't. They inspire us, feel like they are talking to us (which, of course they aren't) and bring us the kind of joy that truly only music can. Thanks, boys! Keep up the great work. We are grateful for each tour and album.
(Here's some pics from the Walk of Fame day):
IMG_0868 by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr
IMG_0867 by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr
DSC_0613 by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr
IMG_0871 by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr
DSC_0516 by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr
What makes RUSH so amazing is the people who love them. While in LA, waiting for hours in the hot sun, I made friends of people I had never met and actually still keep contact with - on the other side of the country.
There is something special about RUSH and those of us who know it, treasure it. Those that don't, can't. They inspire us, feel like they are talking to us (which, of course they aren't) and bring us the kind of joy that truly only music can. Thanks, boys! Keep up the great work. We are grateful for each tour and album.
(Here's some pics from the Walk of Fame day):
IMG_0868 by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr
IMG_0867 by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr
DSC_0613 by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr
IMG_0871 by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr
DSC_0516 by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr
When I read the first post in this thread I thought my PC was about to launch into a remix of the Eminem song 'Stan'! lol
Oh well, live and let live.
Peace.
Oh well, live and let live.
Peace.
davidjackson said:When I read the first post in this thread I thought my PC was about to launch into a remix of the Eminem song 'Stan'! lol
Oh well, live and let live.
Peace.
I do have to agree. It's a little extreme, but I think the heart is in the right place.
Intersting observations. Over the last 30 years, in my experience, Neil is far more talkative in interviews than Alex and Geddy combined. Doesn't seem to have a problem expressing himself.
Saw an interview with Neil where he discussed the making of "Moving Pictures." Described it as a lot of fun, no pressure and pushing the edge and went on to describe how analytically he approached drum/percussion parts. Didn't seem to be at a loss for words to me.
But the hyper-intellect could be the reason he doesn't care for small talk. Who knows? In any case, I've never seen these guys do a bad show (at least 1 every tour since MP) or interview. To have that kind of commitment & drive 40+ years on, they've earned my respect many times over.
Presto2112, you actually talked to them!?!
The force is strong with you!
I'm another one influenced by Geddy's bass playing and Rush's attitude towards the industry, success, fandome, their music... you name it.
I can't find many examples of bands that kept such integrity about it all for such long time. You aren't wrong in having them as heroes.
The force is strong with you!
I'm another one influenced by Geddy's bass playing and Rush's attitude towards the industry, success, fandome, their music... you name it.
I can't find many examples of bands that kept such integrity about it all for such long time. You aren't wrong in having them as heroes.
Ever heard of John Rustey?
Rush wasn't RUSH until Neil Peart joined. Rutsey could be replaced in 1974 when the band was just getting its feet. Now, after almost forty years of Lee, Lifeson, and Peart, it wouldn't be the same band with any change of lineup. It's not like Yes where they can't put out three albums in a row with the same membership.
I like the OP's enthusiasm and excitement, but honestly I hope he'll mature beyond simple hero-worship. It's lovely to think that the gates of musical enlightenment will open if we can get a celebrity to sit down and have a heart-to-heart with us, but the truth is that they have their own lives to get on with - and so do we. I suppose I'm echoing Peart there a bit. Ultimately we need to develop our own art.
There's a saying I once heard attributed to a Buddhist: "If you meet the Buddha in the road, kill the Buddha." The point is that adulation for the Enlightened One can hinder your own quest for enlightenment. You have to move past them and find your own path.
(Please nobody take the "kill the Buddha" bit too literally... I'm going to buy tickets to see Rush in June...)
With Rush it's all about the music. I have seen every tour since signals and each show was as good as the last. At the end of every show it's always the same....the hoards of people leaving the venue with smiles on their faces, having seen one of the best power trios that music has to offer.
