Geddyleegenes

I'd go the other way and say that adopting Freddie's ideas probably prolonged Neil's career. Neil's original hyper-powerful approach of hitting through the drum takes a heavy toll compared to the more finesse-based Gruber approach. I'd guess the physical damage was done early on via Neil's natural pounding style, not later during the jazzy years. Interesting that you go the other way with Freddie's techniques. I can certainly understand it though. Others here have mentioned Buddy Rich. I remember seeing him on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show when I was a kid and being in awe. I remember him really pounding on the drums and I think he was still playing pretty much til the day he died. It's too bad Neil isn't able to.

Since Freddie Gruber was brought up here, I thought I'd add my thoughts. I also think Freddie softened Neil's drumming. I'm certainly no musician, so I can only go by what I hear and what I feel. And what the heck, what I think. Neil seemed more powerful behind the drums prior to Freddie. I also wonder if the change in technique could possibly have hurt Neil physically. Nope, I certainly don't have any proof to offer. All I have is wonder. Neil would have had a certain physical way of drumming since the first day he picked up a drumstick and struck it down. His arms, hands, shoulders, muscles (etc.) would have "acclimated" (if that's the right word) to that way of drumming for decades. Is it possible that when Freddie re-taught him how to drum, that Neil's muscles and arms and all that, would have been like, "What the Hell is this sudden change, Neil?" Could that change have really affected him? Is it possible that if Neil hadn't changed his techniques that he may not have suffered such physical pain and had to retire at such a relatively young age? (I still can't imagine what it would be like to have had such incredible talent and love for drumming and then having to just give it all up due to the physical challenge.) Perhaps some drummers on here would have some personal input on that.

I wouldn't have this constant ringing in my ears. I SAID I WOULDN'T HAVE THIS CONSTANT RINGING IN MY EARS.

The remix totally kicks the vapors right out of the original version's butt. It's like comparing apples and orangutans. I have not listened to the original even once since I got the remix. I had despised the original's sound quality with every fiber of my being. The remix is like a gift from Heaven. I bask within it's warming glow.

I wonder if Neil can sing? Since Geddy is having trouble with his voice now, he could just play bass and keyboards. Then they could hire a new drummer and Neil could still be in the band, but singing instead. They could still be Rush. Yes! I figured it out! RUSH LIVES!!!

Thanks for posting the link. Interesting where it's from.

I've seen this before, but I'd forgotten about it. Fantastic vid. I literally (and I actually mean LITERALLY) felt a RUSH when they zoomed through that Triangle shaped opening in the cliffside during the solo. Thanks for bringing this back to my attention.

Thank you. I needed to smile just then.

So there MIGHT be a studio recording of "Broon's Bane" somewhere? What happened to "There's no unreleased studio stuff"? Where there's a "Broon's Bane Studio Recording", I betcha there's a "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"! Seriously though; great article. Thanks for posting, blueschica!

So now wait. Was this BEFORE Alex and the other "original" Rush members had kicked Geddy out of the band? So Geddy's original join date? Or is this 50 years from when Geddy REjoined the band? This matters. It really does. I gots to know. I jist gots to know.

I'll second "Cut To The Chase". Such a powerful song and Alex's solo is simply fantastic, incredible and outright amazing. To me, it's the best song off Counterparts. It deserved to be the lead song on the album, it deserved airplay and it certainly deserved to be played live in concert! Talk about underappreciated, Rush themselves didn't give this song it's due!

I am a fan of great architecture of all types. There was a time when I wanted to be an architect, but then I discovered you have to know math. (Me not know math good.) To me, this house is absolutely beautiful, both inside and out. This is also the first time I've ever seen the lovely Mrs. Lifeson. Alex did damn good, in many ways! Thanks for posting this, JohnnyBlaze.

I took the quiz and got Malignant Narcissism. WTF?

Rush - Here Again Fly - In The End Caress - No One At The Bridge 2112 - Overture Farewell - Closer To The Heart Hemis - La Villa Strangiato Perm - Spirit of Radio Moving - Red Barchetta Sig - Subdivisions Grace - Red Lenses Power - Mystic Rhythms Hold - Turn The Page Presto - Scars Roll - Where's My Thing? Counter - Cut To The Chase Test - Time And Motion Vapor - Earthshine Snakes - Malignant Narcissism Clock - Headlong Flight

Alien Shore - The voice in the beginning of the song is Alex Lifeson holding his nostrils closed, saying 'out of my nose'. For 25 years, I have wondered what was being said at the start of "Alien Shore". I always thought maybe it was some old recording from the 1920s or something like that. Never could tell what was being said. I can now say that I have learned something new today. And it concerns Rush. Thank-you.

Yes, great tour on T4E. I saw them three times on that one. Chicago, Rockford and Milwaukee. Still can't believe they actually hit Rockford on that tour. That was cool!

Tirer! J'ai regardé autour de la maison et il n'y a pas de pain. Je suppose que je vais devoir manger du gâteau. Il n'y a pas de fin à ce que je vais prendre. Je suppose que je pourrais aussi faire étalage des fruits de la naissance noble et laver le sel dans la Terre. C'est le jour de la Bastille!

Great pics! Thanks for putting those up.

Test For Echo - Great Driven - Awesome Half the World - Good Color of Right - Good Time and Motion - Awesome Totem - Good Dog Years - eh Virtuality - eh Resist - Good Limbo - Great Carve Away the Stone - Good And that's my opinion!

If you want to talk about a cricket, then find a website forum for the Grylidae Family of Insects. I can tell you that a cricket is related to grasshoppers, if that helps. I believe orioles are cookies made up of two black wafer-like end pieces with a white frosting type substance between them. Alex Lifeson loves them and consumed many back in the 1990s.

This has probably been talked about before, but what the hell. Yesterday, June 26th, I was watching the Cubs playing the Dodgers. Towards the end of the game, I wasn't paying real close attention and thought that I heard the Organist at the game play some Rush. It was from the end of "Spirit of Radio". But I wasn't sure. Tonight, the 27th, I'm watching again and yes. Right after the Cubs pitcher threw a wild pitch, the Organist plays the ending wrap-up of "Spirit of Radio". I can't say that I've ever heard Rush played at any ball game before. (However, I've never been to a Toronto Blue Jays game!) Anyone else ever hear Rush played at a ball game or a hockey game? For that matter, what's some strange places you've heard Rush being played? I have heard Rush played at Walmart. Always find that sort of strange as Walmarts usually either don't play any music or play country music. Sort of strange to walk the wild aisles amongst the weird people of Walmart and hear Limelight being played.

Right from "In the Mood" being ranked worst, I knew whoever compiled this list had first compiled their head right up their ass. Didn't bother with the rest.

I wonder why the photo is black & white? Surprising to see a photo, regardless. It's been some time since I've seen Neil photographed. Certainly has lost weight. I hope he's in good health. I wish him and his family the best.

They could have at least thrown a picture on that blue disc. Why am I supposed to want a blue disc? To conform or be cast out? I ain't conforming.

Only because I was a teenager when the song came out. He's 37 years older, now.