Transcript: "Rush Plays Heavy Metal Epic" - The Frederick Maryland News, June 26, 1980

Here's a new transcript for your Thursday afternoon enjoyment. From the Permanent Waves tour, "Rush Plays Heavy Metal Epic" is a very poorly written story from the June 26, 1980 issue of the Frederick Maryland News. Although the writing leaves a lot to be desired, it does include some candid comments from Neil, likely quoted verbatim, regarding performing half the album (side 1) live on tour before going into the studio to record it, and how Natural Science was one of his favorites from the album.

Firefox Personas Update

Firefox users, its been a couple of years since I made one of these, but I finally got around to making a Firefox Persona for Clockwork Angels. More specifically, "Headlong Flight".   Click here for details.

Transcript: "Rush Ushered Into the Hall of Fame" - The 1993 Juno Awards Program, March 20, 1994

19 years ago today, Rush was inducted into the Juno Hall Of Fame. Here is the Juno Awards program for your review, as well as an 8 minute video of the induction ceremony. Amazingly, at this time they were celebrating 20 years together...and this was 19 years ago! Way to go Rush!

Transcript: "A Show Of Fans Speaks With...Geddy Lee" and "Ask Big Al (Installment Two)" - A Show Of Fans, Fall 1996

My latest transcript, "A Show Of Fans Speaks With...Geddy Lee" and "Ask Big Al (Installment Two)" is from the fall 1996 issue of the incredible Rush fanzine A Show Of Fans. This is a candid interview of Geddy Lee on the Test For Echo album by Steve Streeter.  Geddy talks about the album, comments on the first Rush tribute album "Working Man", and repeats Neil's comments from '96 that Rush were working on "a total retrospective CD-ROM" about the band (a plan that was later shelved after Neil's tragedies).  Also included is the second installment of ASOF's exclusive "Ask Big Al" Q&A, where Alex confirms the band turned down an invitation to play Saturday Night Live in 1994. - Thanks to Mark Rosenthal for the original article!

Transcript: "Grace Under Pressure: Analyzing Two Decades Of RUSH's Unparalleled Prog Rock Prowess" - Guitar School, October 1996

"Grace Under Pressure: Analyzing Two Decades of RUSH's Unparalleled Prog Rock Prowess" - Guitar School, October 1996, is an extensive article published the month Test For Echo was released.  This one is for the guitarists out there, and it includes extensive sheet music to demonstrate Alex Lifeson's common practices. - Thanks to Mark Rosenthal for the original article!

Transcript: "The Whole Is Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts" - Canadian Musician, February 1994

"The Whole Is Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts" is a cover feature interview with Neil Peart from the February 1994 issue of Canadian Musician. Neil talks about the studio crew they used for recording Counterparts, the lyrical inspirations behind the album, welcoming the industry trend to sound more basic, the influences of others, and more. - Thanks to John Patuto for the transcription!

Transcript: "Rhythmic Explorer: Exclusive Interview with Neil Peart" - Drummer, November 2004

"Rhythmic Explorer: Exclusive Interview with Neil Peart", Drummer, November 2004, is a cover feature interview with Neil from the R30 tour. Neil talks about his early influences, progressing as a drummer, and more. - Thanks to John Patuto for the transcript!

Transcript: "UFO & RUSH - 'Heavy Metal Is Back'" - Corpus Christi Times, October 25, 1977

Here's something I recently stumbled upon online: "UFO & RUSH - 'Heavy Metal Is Back'" is a concert review that appeared in the Corpus Christi Times on October 25, 1977, the day after selling out the Corpus Christi Memorial Coliseum. Both bands are praised, and the review discusses "backstage craziness" between Rush and UFO: 'a running battle between Lee, UFO and crew members kept things constantly appearing onstage, culminating in UFO's irrepressible bassist Pete Way's candy-striped pants being strung up on Lee's amps. As Rush prepared to return for its well-deserved encore, Lee and Way quickly exchanged clothes and Way led Rush back out on stage. Running and jumping around and generally being crazy, Way clowned through most of Rush's three-song encore, which began with "Working Man" and concluded with Lee laughing uncontrollably in Way's arms off the side of the stage following "Cinderella Man."'

Transcript: "Tech Talk: Neil Peart" - Hit Parader, November 1994

"Tech Talk: Neil Peart" is an interview with Neil from the November 1994 issue of Hit Parader, where he comments on how it is immoral to idolize public figures, immoral to worry about the commerciality of music, and hypocritical to hold public figures to standards we don't hold for ourselves.  He also tells us what he really thinks about Country music!  Interesting comments to be sure. - Thanks to Mark Rosenthal for the original article!