Thunder Bay Rush

Too technical for me... how about this: Any Rush album anytime? Right now, on Youtube, Rush just came on with By Tor... so, I just HAD to turn that SOB up!

Neil is sitting with his wife and they are watching their daughter's piano lessons... or ballet. Geddy is drinking wine and writing a new tune or 7 and Al is playing golf in Florida. Hopefully...

When, years ago, I first learned that Neil went from gig to gig on a motorcycle, I was surprised that he was allowed to. When I say allowed to, I mean by the insurance company that underwrites the tour. Also, I wonder if Neil's management and band mates tried to talk him out of it. Such a huge risk... an accident could affect many, many people who are relying on Neil to play the shows. Many millions of dollars. I guess he just wouldn't tour if he had to ride a bus or plane...

If Rutsey would have stayed, they would not have lasted two more albums because Geddy and Al wanted to play prog rock and JR couldn't or wouldn't... probably both. It would have been one big shit show.

I just watched Bravado, Subdivisions and Spirit of Radio... these guys are really good. The guitar player sings though, which is odd, because it somehow makes me think of Big Al singing... but he can't!! I'd go to the gig, but it would a long-ass drive from Nova Scotia, Canada... Have fun!

How about this kid

This is classic Lifeson... he comes at you from left field. I thought maybe he'd blame Geddy's dog for pissing on Lita Ford's guitar... but, nope. Something even better.

Jesus Christ... are people still talking about this? "And, in the news today, Alex Lifeson, guitarist for the legendary rock band Rush, was seen eating lunch at Duckworth's Fish & Chips on the Danforth today in Toronto's east end."

When I was 13 and living in Ottawa, a friend of mine from Upstate New York was visiting and be brought ATWAS. When 2112 was being announced by Geddy, my friend said, "Dude, you gotta check this out." That was it for me... then, I went out and bought ATWAS and 2112... and when AFTK came out a year later... done deal. Oh, and my first concert on the 2112 tour didn't hurt either! Ottawa Civic Centre... 8,000 people, sold out. I was hooked.

I haven't listened to the Seattle show in '76, but I have heard the rest. All great, but for me, the 1980 St Louis show that was broadcast on FM radio all across North America will always be Geddy's best. For worst? I don't even think about that... call me a fan boy!

I just listened to some of it again today... the Whiskey show. I can't believe HOW high Geddy was singing back then. No wonder why some people didn't like Rush back then. Fly By Night was much more of an easier listen for casual fans.

I'd be surprised if any of Neil's recorded solos are pieced together. It's possible, but I don't see why they would do that. I doubt Neil would even allow it.

Kim recently sufffered a massive heart attack-------get well soon, bro. Kim will be fine... he has way too much rock n' roll duty left to do. I was talking to him a couple years ago at a gig and he told me he quit smoking and eats very healthy... get in plenty of exercise. But, he is in his 60s now and that when bad shit can happen. Canada LOVES Kim!

TMMB is a wicked instrumental. I really like the guitar riff in the loud section... not sure what the hell you call it. La Villa will always be number one though. Oddly, (because a lot of people love YYZ) my least favourite instrumental is YYZ. It's kind of boring and the drum solos are pretty basic compared to Neil's other in-song solos.

Alex will be funny as long as he doesn't try to be funny... he just needs to be himself... who is a funny dude. Am I making any funny sense? Okay, I am not funny. Need more coffee.

I'm 99% sure this photo is from the P waves Tour... I remember seeing (somewhere?) a shot of Alex on stage with that crazy couch / sofa pillow thing across his back. The photo looked like it was taken at Hammersmith Odeon in London... I think the book was called The History of Rush where I saw the photo.

La Villa, clearly the best Big Al solo in history. Then, Freewill... anyone out there is welcome to fill in my last eight Big Al solos because it would be too hard on my brain gravy to attempt such a task all on my own...

I wonder, if during those first few weeks, Neil was secretly wondering what the hell he got himself into... "This crap is pretty basic. I hope these guys improve soon!" Apparently, they did...

Can we give our favourite Stanley Cup snacks instead? Some of us frost-bitten Canadian don't give a rat's read end about football. So how about this - WINGS, WINGS and more WINGS. And the hotter the better! When they're all gone, bring on the nachos, loaded with whatever you find in the fridge. Did the game go into overtime again?

ANY Rush instrumental is a good one... still amazes me that three guys can play this stuff, even with the odd bit of "cheating" with sequencers.

I know this has been talked about a million times before, so I will stand still (without even flinching) while someone kicks me in the onions... But - I sometimes cannot believe the difference between the first Rush and - all the rest of them. Neil really helped the boys switch gears. This recording at the Whiskey sounds pretty juvenile. Then, just a few short weeks later - enter By Tor. Crazy!

Can't really explain it... as much as I really love some other bands, Rush will always be different for me. This band means so much more than any other band or artist, period. After 28 shows since 1976, I know what I'm talking about!! And, I've seen many big bands in that time... not just Rush.

Can anyone tell me if it's okay (or not!) to post a link to my website on this page? There is a lot of cooking stuff there; recipes, tips, videos, et cetera. Some of it is about wild fish and game, some regular home cooking. Thx!

HOLY WOW!! I just watched the whole 18 minutes of Hemispheres by this band… the very young female singer, looks about 15, is amazing! She NAILS it. It goes to show just HOW high Geddy could sing back then. If anyone even kind of likes Hemispheres, watch the video. The musicians are bang-on, note for note.

This is obviously meant to be a joke... http://ruggeddude.com/the-rugged-drummer/