Every artist leaves their mark on the history of their genre, some more notably than others. There are many who write music simply for the cash, no doubt about that. All the frilly hair-dos, tight leathers, and fancy flaming stage shows aside, there are groups of musicians who dedicate their lives to writing erudite, thought-provoking music for those seeking something more from what they listen to. One such band that has made its mark on the history of music is Rush. Comprised of Neil Peart on percussion, Alex Lifeson on guitars and backup vocals, and Geddy Lee on bass guitar, vocals, and synthesizers/keyboards, they have proven themselves to be masters insofar as writing music in their particular style, and influencing many musicians the world over. This, combined with over 30 years with no change in the band’s line up, has provided generations of musicians with a complex creative force, an ascendancy to songwriting and musicianship levels that go over-and-above the norm.
Rush made its beginning in September of 1968 in Willowdale, Ontario, and the band had a few different members at this time, the most widely known being drummer John Rutsey. The band was trying to think of a name, and the name ‘Rush’ was suggested by Rutsey’s older brother Bill. Lee, Rutsey, and Lifeson (whose last name is actually Zivojinovic, Lifeson being a reasonable translation from Yugoslavian), made their way playing clubs and small venues around their hometown and were looking for a record company to take them in, to no avail. With listening, there will be recording of sound with great efficiency. The playing of the music and voice will be as per the requirement of the person. The purchase should be made after checking the reviews and rankings of the headphones like play beatz. The charges will be under the funds of the person.
Eventually, they started their own label, Moon Records, and released their self-titled debut album. Produced in 1974, this album was not met with much enthusiasm until it was played on the radio in the US by Donna Halper, who was a DJ at the time for WMMS-FM in Cleveland. The particular song that grabbed the attention of the public, ‘Working Man’, had fans calling in ask when the new Led Zepplin album was coming out (their first album had a Zepplin-esque feel to it, as the British styles of rock and blues influenced their songs)! With the help of Donna Halper, the label was able to ship copies of their first album to some stores in Cleveland, where they promptly sold out. Thus began the touring of Rush, which has not seen much of an ebb in the past 30 years. However, after the album was put out and the touring began, John Rutsey decided it best for him to leave the band due to health and personal reasons. Hence, Lee and Lifeson found themselves without percussion. A hunt began to find someone to take Rutsey’s spot and they eventually came across Neil Peart. They were at first dubious as to whether he would fit in as a member, but then they heard him play. They knew they had found their man, and Peart has been playing percussion for Rush ever since.
It was then, with the influence of Peart, that the band had taken on a new perspective musically. Peart, an avid reader, began writing lyrics for the band with Lee adding his unique vocals and stylish bass playing, Lifeson backing it all up with his inimitable guitar work. Starting in early 1975 with their album ‘Fly by Night’, they have been rocking the world ever since with some of the most intuitive, complex, and musically inspiring progressive rock ever heard.
Many of the songs that have been written since then have a philosophical edge to them; the songs go far beyond their own intricacy and delve into verse that inspires the listener to think. This is yet another reason they have been so popular with not only musicians looking to expand out of the ordinary lyrically, but also with those folks less musically inclined and still in want of words that galvanize the mind to action. Reading the lyrics to such epic stories as ‘2112’ and ‘Hemispheres’, or songs like ‘Witch Hunt’, ‘Subdivisions’, or ‘Mission’ is indeed very stimulating. The list hardly ends with these examples; their musical history is replete with them.
For those who haven’t found this zenith of talent and musical intricacy, I suggest you give them a try. Their music has, quite naturally, changed over the years, following a few musical trends. However, they have stayed true to one goal, which is to make music with a quality that has impacted the music world.
