Two words: STEAM. PUNK.
On Thursday, the documentary Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage plays in three theaters in the Phoenix area.
I’m going to one of those shows.
The closest to me is the Ultrastar Suprise Point 14 (I think).
I’m going. Anyone else?
When Rush gets inducted into the Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, this guy will be playing "Subdivisions."
If you are a Rush fan–even if you aren’t–check it out. Wow.
Every creative type has their own answer to the world’s most difficult question, "Where do you get your ideas from?"
My answer: "Accidents."
The Rush song Malignant Narcissism was an accident. You can follow the history of this fast little accident in the following video. Then, jump down a little and we’ll continue…
Here’s what Geddy and Neil presented to Alex.
And here’s the finished version. The video was made by a Rush fan. The boys were so impressed, it became the official video. Another happy accident. Check it out below.
And here’s Driven, one of my favorite Rush tunes, that happens to have a kickin’ little bass solo in the middle.
Go, Dirk, Go!
When they showed up for The Colbert Report, the show producers asked Rush to play their signature song, Tom Sawyer, on Rock Band.
Hilarity ensued.
(We’re all Rush fans, just not all of us know it yet.)
For those of us in know, we know about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame’s very public announcement that Rush will never be inducted. Never. Not “possibly,” not “maybe,” not “probably not,” but NEVER.
Meanwhile, they invite Justin Timberlake to induct Madonna. Yeah.
But he writes of a different effort. Perhaps something a bit more noble…
Who am I kidding? TEN BILLION TIMES MORE NOBLE. CARL SAGAN COULDN’T COUNT THE NUMBER OF TIMES MORE NOBLE.
Anyway…
I bring this up because my brother has been in touch with Donna Halper, the woman apparently credited with “discovering” Rush. She was telling him that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame won’t even consider honoring Rush, which pretty much follows the way the rock establishment has treated them for 30+ years. Some friends of hers are trying to get Rush a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as a way of drawing more attention to them so they might eventually get into the Hall of Fame. They are looking to get testimonials from fans about why Rush deserves a star. While there are few things less punk rock than the Walk of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I do find the idea of making the rock establishment recognize a band that has made a career of doing their own thing appealing. I know there are some Rush fans amongst my readeers (I’m looking at you, Wick). If you want to help out, send a testimonial to Kevin Purdy at kevin.d.purdy@boeing.com.
Thanks for the headsup, dude. I’m all over it.