Transcript: "A Reluctant Rush To Success" - Rock Magazine, August 1984

My latest transcript is "A Reluctant Rush To Success", another long lost interview with Geddy Lee from the August 1984 issue of Rock Magazine. Published over 30 years ago, this interview is very telling of the band's thoughts during the Grace Under Pressure tour, as according to Geddy, "In some ways, I think we've reached a point where Rush is basically an album-by-album situation. One moment, it's like we're the band we've always been and will be around forever. The next moment, we're thinking 'how long can I keep doing this, or do I even want to continue this?'"  Geddy also forewarns us with the statement "If it happens, don't be looking for any farewell tour or final album. We'll know instinctively when we've had enough. And when we know, that will be the time to quit."

Transcript: 'Rush: They Are What They Are' - Scene, June 28, 1984

32 years ago today, Rush played the first of two nights at the Richfield Coliseum near Cleveland. Rush appeared on the cover of that week's Northeast Ohio Scene newspaper, and Geddy Lee is interviewed in the accompanying feature 'Rush: They Are What They Are.' Geddy talks about the albums themes, producer Peter Henderson, new sounds from the use of the latest technology, and their plan to continue as a touring band. - Thanks to Joe Pesch for the article and John Patuto for the transcript!

Transcript: 'Dine With Rush Theme For Polydor's Radio Promotion' - RPM Weekly, March 6, 1976

My next transcript is a brief Rush mention in the March 6, 1976 issue of Canada's RPM Weekly; 'Dine With Rush Theme For Polydor's Radio Promotion' includes a photo of all three members of Rush (even Neil!) at dinner with two contest winners. - Thanks to Joe Pesch for the original article!

Transcript: "Rush Still On A Journey Of Discovery, 20 Albums On" - Total Guitar, January 2012

It's hard to believe that Clockwork Angels was released four years ago this month. My latest transcript is "Rush Still On A Journey Of Discovery, 20 Albums On" from the January 2012 issue of Total Guitar magazine.  Timed to promote the release of Time Machine Live In Cleveland, it was written in late 2011 while the band was in the studio recording the album, it includes one of the first confirmations that the album would be a concept album, and the prophetic statement regarding the upcoming tour that "Lifeson doesn't rule out playing [Clockwork Angels] in its entirety."

Transcript: 'Updating The Rush File - Rush Rolling Along On Low-Profile Fame' - Toronto Star, December 13, 1991

Today's transcript addition is 'Updating The Rush File - Rush Rolling Along On Low-Profile Fame', from the December 13, 1991 edition of the Toronto Star. Geddy and Neil are interviewed, and the writer notes how the mainstream press had continued to criticize Rush even though they had by then yielded 15 years of success, and how they were more popular in the United States than in Canada. Geddy notes "There's a friend of ours in New York who's in with a circle of critics. And for years he's told us how unpopular it is to like certain bands, and we're one of them."

Transcript: 'Rush Looks Back With Cold, Critical Eyes' - Toronto Star, May 11, 1990

I have transcribed 'Rush Looks Back With Cold, Critical Eyes', another long lost interview with Neil Peart from the May 11, 1990 issue of the Toronto Star. In this review, Neil famously compares earlier Rush songs to childhood drawings, explains the complexity of songs from Presto, and perhaps most importantly, the need to continue as a touring band.

Transcript: "A Headlong Rush To Stardom" - Sound, July 1976

Rush appeared on the cover of the July 1976 issue of Canada's Sound magazine.  The magazine includes "A Headlong Rush To Stardom", a long lost interview with Neil Peart on May 23, 1976, prior to that night's show in Duluth, Minnesota.  As demonstrated by Neil's interview, less than two years after his joining, the strengths of the band as a trio have been cemented, they are seeing success from endless touring with little airplay, and they are already making plans to recording their followup album in the UK.  - Thanks to John Patuto for sharing the transcript!

Transcript: "Rush" - HM, The Hard Music Magazine, Spring 1979

My latest transcript addition is simply titled "Rush", and is a short biography of the band which appeared in the Spring 1979 issue of HM, The Hard Music Magazine shortly after the release of Hemispheres.   It credits the band's success to its extensive touring and word of mouth among fans.

Live photos from April 17, 1976

I've told the story before of how after the show on April 17, 1976, Rush appeared backstage in Thin Lizzy's dressing room dressed as the cast of Leave It To Beaver. Live photos of that night of Rush on stage (before their post show antics) have recently surfaced and can be found here. Thanks to Howard Roark for the headsup!

Transcript: 'Geddy Lee Of Rush - Making Music' - PopEntertainment.com, July 2007

Snakes & Arrows was released 9 years ago today.  I have a new transcript for your reading enjoyment, originally posted at popentertainment.com on July 4, 2007, just after Rush kicked off the Snakes & Arrows tour.  In 'Geddy Lee Of Rush - Making Music', Geddy talks about his beginnings as a musician, the beginnings of Rush, the importance of his high school guidance counselor, and goes in depth regarding how his parent's met: "When I think about the fact that they had a teenage crush in the most horrible of places, it makes me smile." - Thanks to RushFanForever the sending the transcript!

Transcript: 'Toronto Trio Getting A Rush Out Of Reality' - Toronto Star, March 4, 1988

My latest transcript, 'Toronto Trio Getting A Rush Out Of Reality', is a long lost interview with Neil Peart which appeared nearly 30 years ago in Rush's hometown paper on March 4, 1988, just days before they performed two nights at the Maple Leaf Gardens on the Hold Your Fire tour. Then at the wise age of 35, Peart states his belief that fans who say their favorite album was released 15 to 20 years before are simply lazy, for not taking the time to investigate new music...

Transcript: "Classic Album - Moving Pictures (Review)" - Guitar Techniques, August 2011

The Moving Pictures Deluxe Edition was released five years ago today (buy it on CD/BluRay).  Here is a review of the Moving Pictures Deluxe Edition, newly transcribed from the UK's "Guitar Techniques" magazine, August 2011 issue: "Classic Album - Moving Pictures (Review)".

Transcript: "Rush Identifies With International Markets" - RPM Weekly, November 8, 1980

From the November 8, 1980 issue of Canada's RPM Weekly, "Rush Identifies With International Markets" tells of the band's increased popularity following the success of Permanent Waves. Anthem Records' then publicist is interviewed and gives her thoughts on the band's work ethic and the success it had yielded, including taking fellow Canadian acts out on tour for international exposure.

Transcript: "Rush Scores Gold Albums Without Top 40 Radio Play" - Winnipeg Free Press, October 28, 1977

This new transcript is from the October 28, 1977 issue of the Winnipeg Free Press: "Rush Scores Gold Albums Without Top 40 Radio Play" tells how Rush were earning Gold albums with zero Top 40 radio attention, and how even the song "Closer To The Heart" was considered too "rough": "...since Top 40 radio stations try to target their programming to the 18 to 34 age group, and with so few women interested in Rush, it would be ratings suicide to program much of their music."

Transcript: "Farewell To Kings" - Guitar World, March 2016

The new March 2016 issue of Guitar World includes a new interview with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson titled "Farewell To Kings" where they talk about the setlist of the R40 Tour and concert video. - Thanks to John Patuto for the transcript!

Transcript: "New World Man - We Have Assumed Control - Rush's Career in 10 Albums" - PROG, February 2016

Rush is featured on the cover of the February issue of the UK's PROG magazine. Included are three feature stories including Lee, Lifeson and Peart talking about 2112 as the album turns 40, and Geddy ranks his Top 10 Rush albums. Most important is an interview with Geddy Lee where he talks about the R40 Live Tour, how he felt when it came to an end, and gives his thoughts on the future of Rush. A key thought is this exchange:

Have you broached the subject of a new Rush album? 
No.

But you're saying that you and Alex could do an album together, not as Rush? 
Yeah....It's an option.

You can read the full story here.  - Thanks to John Patuto for sharing his transcript!

Transcript: "Music Gear: Guitars of Rush's Alex Lifeson" - Circus, June 30, 1981

I've just transcribed "Music Gear: Guitars of Rush's Alex Lifeson", from the June 30, 1981 issue of Circus magazine.  Published during the Moving Pictures tour, it is an interview where Alex Lifeson discusses his arsenal of guitars from his first ES-335 through his latest, the Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion.

Transcript: 'A Rush Newsreel' - Mercury Records, September 1982

My next transcript is 'A Rush Newsreel' from the Signals Press Kit produced by Mercury Records in September 1982. This is an official detailed timeline of the band's activities from the release of the debut album in early 1974 through the release of the "New World Man" single in September 1982. - Thanks to Joe Pesch for the original article!

Transcript: "Rush Rushes Into U.S. Prominence" - Billboard, August 28, 1976

My latest transcript is from the August 28, 1976 issue of Billboard magazine: "Rush Rushes Into U.S. Prominence" credits the band's success due to their endless touring as well as added exposure from televised shows such as Don Kirshner's Rock Concert.

Transcript: 'Veteran Rock Group Rush Tones Down Touring Style' - Daily Oklahoman, May 22, 1992

My latest transcript addition is 'Veteran Rock Group Rush Tones Down Touring Style', an interview with Alex Lifeson during the Roll The Bones tour, from the May 22, 1992 issue of the Daily Oklahoman. Lifeson discusses how the band keeps busy during down time on the road, including golf, tennis, cycling, etc., and their food drive which gave fans a chance at front row seats and meeting the band.