Thunder Bay Rush

Based on timing, they'll probably play the Ottawa Bluesfest, which I think is weird because Rush is hardly a "blues" band. But, a lot of the blues festivals are booking rock acts these days. I think Rush is far better indoors though. Outdoor shows start when it's still two hours before dark... we miss half the video and lighting because of this.

Good post... I agree with all of it, especially, the comment about Robert Plante. Yes, he is (probably) the best rock vocalist ever, or let's say, he "was" the best rock vocaslist ever. Same thing live - he could never hit those high notes. In the studio he obviously was able to because back in the early 70s they didn't have the technology or trickery that is available in today's synthetic studio environment. "The Song Remains the Same" (I think that's title of LZs concert movie from the early 70s recorded at MSG in New York) is painful to watch if you ask me. The opening song is "Rock 'n Roll" and Robert sounds awful, basically, just talking his way through it. Same thing with "Black Dog." Awful. Geddy is in my opinion one of the bravest vocalists in rock. Back when he was 23, 24, 25... he wrote (along with his bandsmates) some music that was VERY difficult to play live, let alone just sing the goddam stuff! Hemispheres, for example, wouldn't be quite so tough to play live if there was a fourth member who was the vocalist, but to sing AND play bass AND play keyboards AND play Taurus pedals (bass pedals, foot operated) AND play double-neck guitar (six string rhythm guitar and bass) all during the same song was and still is EFFING INSANE. No-one else has ever done it... So, back to the original question,,, I guess if either Alex or Tony Geranios, (Ged's keyboard tech) would volunteer to squeeze Geddy's onions while he tries to hit the REALLY high notes, we'll have to appreciate "our band" the way he (and they) play the songs live in today's live venue. :geddy:

I haven't read this entire thread... way too many posts for this frost-bitten Canadian boy's brain right now. So, maybe this has already been mentioned - I don't know why they don't sell horse meat like they do beef, pork and poultry. I know a guy who ate Zebra in Africa and he said it was delicuous... where I live we eat a lot of moose. Basically any ungulate (hooved animal) would be good for food. Elk, deer, cattle, hogs, lamb, goat, sheep, caribou, pronghorn (antelope), bison and many others. If we can get beyond the images of a cute little 12 year old kid riding a horse in a coral, we might be able to eat the damn things. It wouldn't hurt anyone, it could be raised like any othjer domestic animal for food. I'm all for it. But, then again, I'm this weird dude who lives way back in the bush in northern Canadia. I guarantee I've eaten a lot of things that most people haven't. (No, I'm NOT talking about that...)

That was funny... !!

I think the main reason is simply because the vast majority of Geddy's 1970s vocals were recorded at such an almost unheard of high range. I don't know a lot of about Maiden, or the other bands you mentioned, but I don't think any of those songs were written and sang at such a high range. Geddy's voice is super clear today... and I think he is a FAR better singer than ever. But, when people age, they change, including their voice.

I'm glad it's just a joke... this way there is NO possible way I might see my favourite bass player in thong. Now, if any of you ladies wouldn't mind showing us a picture if you wearing a thong, I'd be up for it. This is the "women's section" after all. If someone posts a picture of themselves wearing a thong, I'll agree to post a pciture of me wearing JUST my suspenders and my hip boots...

four? Can I have one? Ok, 5 :) You can pay me back. I have seen Rush with my wife or son at least once (a couple times twice) since the R30 tour.... now my daughter REALLY wants to go. She wanted to see them, but now that they have the orchestra, she really wants to see them - she plays the Viola. I got Mrs. Snowdog to see them during the Vapor Trails tour. She enjoyed the show, but has no interest to see them again. My daughter wants to see them now. Please tell your daughter that guy from Canada thinks she is cool, smart and has good taste in music!

Man, I must be falling way behind the prog rock times... I haven't even heard of most of these bands. I remember the days when there were about 5 or 6 prog bands... Genesis, Yes, Floyd, ELP, King Crimson... and Rush, if you wish to include them. I must getting old and weird.

Mara, I made your soup today... REALLY good! I used Molson Canadian beer (of course, eh). I couldn't find chipotle peppers in our local store, so I just used some smokey style (not too hot) hot sauce and it worked fine. And, all the "cheeseheads" will be happy to know that the cheddar cheese I used came from good ol' Wisconsin, USA! I cut the recipe in half and it still made pretty big pot full o' soup! Thank you!

Now, THAT dude was seriously funny! Too bad he checked out far too soon. Drugs wasn't it? Not really sure how he died... I think it was drugs or booze or something like that. Maybe he bought too much Pepperidge Farms bread... it took him so long to unwrap it he starved to death... poor prick. RIP, Mitch Hedberg...

You have such a way with words..! :D Awwwww, thanks. I always try to reflective when I write. One thing I forgot to mentioned was the $99 ring that I bought at "Honest Ed's" downtown... it was a big hit! Awww.....! You really know how to impress a lady! I most certainly do. Right after we said our "I dos," we went straight to Denny's (I really wanted to impress her so I borrowed my Best Man's Pinto) for their "Grand Slam" all day breakfast... cost me twenty friggin' bucks! I had awesome sex that night...

You have such a way with words..! :D Awwwww, thanks. I always try to reflective when I write. One thing I forgot to mentioned was the $99 ring that I bought at "Honest Ed's" downtown... it was a big hit! Awww.....! You really know how to impress a lady! He certainly does..! ♥ Whatever...there's reasons he lives off the grid. And, you simply would NOT believe how incredibly HOT the chicks are out here, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the bush... For example, one real hottie I've seen recently has at least 7 teeth including the two main ones in the front. (There is a BIG gap though, but at least she HAS them). Another one I've seen has hair on ONLY half of her back... (I saw her at the local swimming hole back in the summer). And, the one I'm seriously thinking about trying to "get to know" a bit more, has a better pair of hip boots than I do! WOW!!! I will have to discuss this whole "chewing tobacco thing" with her though... that's a bit it over the line.

I actually (almost) just pissed my pants...

The earliest known recipe for "Cincinnati chili" is Macedonian, and it was copied quite a bit in the mid 20th century. Empress Chili was the first, then Skyline, Gold Star, etc. I wish there were more Greek, Macedonian, Turkish, and Near Eastern cuisine in my area....which is 90% pizza and Mexican. I......NEED........SOMETHING ELSE!!! :o :o Interesting. I had no idea. Thanks, PM. :) I feel for you and your restaurant dilemma. Yes, TBR, chocolate is definitely a traditional Mexican (native) flavour. I'm not sure about cinnamon though. Cumin for sure and cayenne for sure (chocolate and cayenne are a great flavour combo, btw, a rich and spicy mouth feel). Real Mexican food is quite delicious and quite different than the things you see served in "American" styled Mexican restaurants. Correct you are! I LOVE Mexican food... back in 2009, I was in Los Angeles and stayed at the London West Hollywood Hotel, right across from the Whiskey A-Go-Go. I had a few spare hours one afternoon and took a little walk up (or down, I guess) Sunset Blvd... I found this little taco stand type place, just a little hut really, along the side of the road. Just a few seats and old picnic tables out front, under a big canopy... this was the REAL deal. I was talking to one of the women who was cooking there and she was telling me about their food, etc, and yes, cumin is a big spice in their recipes. The woman`s mother (who looked like she was about 117 years old, so cute!) was grinding up some cumin seed by hand in a mortar and pestel. I use ground cumin quite a lot even on simple things like nachos and burritos. And, trust me, the food was amazing! I don`t even know what the stuff I ate was called. I told the woman I was from Canada and asked her to recommend something - and she did! WOW! The price was only about $7.00 and there enough food for two people. Lots of rice and beans with it too...

Wow, that chili looks great!! Even that bay leaf would be tasty!! I'm not surprised about the cocoa / chocolate deal in chili. And, cinnamon too... I think those are actually traditional Mexican flavour combinations??? Not sure... This will probably sound weird but - the next time you make tacos or burritos with spicy ground beef, etc... add raisins. Use the dark currents or any one of the dark raisins, not the brown squishy buggers. Leave them cold... add them like you would with salsa or diced onion or tomato. That touch of hot vs. sweet really works! And, yes, boiling ground beef is commonly done in restaurants. It'll be very tender...

I'd use the same set list they used back in Feb, 1980... Keil Auditorium, St. Louis. !!

NICE job! From one drummer to another - well done!! It's nice see a drummer who is not afraid to hit the damn things!! As an aside - that rug would like nice is my frontier log home... PM me and I'll send you my mailing address up in Canada...

I agree with all of this lol. ALL of it? http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff508/blackcc/GIFs/tumblr_m695z652Rz1qcgu81o1_400.gif Yes all of it and yes I read it. My man is smart enough to know that when I get special "presents" he does as well. Gangst' - you RULE all chicks in the entire world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I get the feeling you're more than happy with the new hubbster... however, if you ever decide to get a divorce (and consider moving to Canadia - we have free health care, don't forget...) my phone number is "867-5309." (And, I don't even know what you look like!) YA! :drool: :goodone: Free health care, eh? Well now that you put it that way how can I resist? And I was going to say, my picture is right there on my profile. That's the pic I sent to the Rush Facebook page on 21/12. I do have to tell you though that I live in California, which is a 50/50 state. So if things were to go wrong with my marriage I'd have to give up half of my Rush collection, and I'd rather die. That's the real reason I work so hard at keeping my man happy and vice versa. Hehehe Gangster... listen to me. Okay, now I know what you look like... I'd say that you are clearly a registered, cerified power babe. However, there is no way in hell that one half of a Rush collection is worth free health care! STAY WITH YOUR HUBBY IN CALIFORNIA!!!

I'll bet the people at Hallmark would love to get their hands on some of the gems you must have written. Hallmark is in talks with my agent as we speak... they really want to use my "blow job" line as they see the sincerity in it... they're certain it'll be a real winner, especially with those relationships that are a little rocky...

:goodone: FINALLY someone withsome common sense!!! Read my Rugged Rant about Christmas - I wrote this column back in October and it was publsihed the week before Christmas... what a riot!! Rugged Rant – Christmas I often receive emails from people after they read my Rugged Rants. Most times the senders are very much in favour of what I say, and of course, I hear from a few from people who would love to hit me in the face with a sheet of plywood. Today’s Rant is surely to bring in a lot of emails, but perhaps fewer than the usual number of “RD, I’d love to hit you in the face with a sheet of plywood” variety. That is, if people are being honest. I hate Christmas. I think it’s just a great big hassle that costs way too much money. A lot of you hate Christmas too, but you’re probably not willing to come right out and let ‘er rip like I am. You may have a family that loves Christmas and if you have kids, especially young ones, you automatically must love Christmas. “But wait, there’s more!” (Think 70s K-Tel commercials for the “Be-dazzler.”) Do you really and truly love Christmas or do you pretend that you do to appease those close to you? You may be a Christian and therefore you probably do love Christmas for its true meaning. Or, you may be a Christian but secretly don’t like Christmas at all, and yet, you put on a façade because you’re expected to love Christmas. The biggest knock I have is that the whole Christmas thing has become nothing but an over-commercialized farce. Money, money, money. I know many people who spend thousands of dollars each Christmas, thousands of dollars that they don’t have. On the credit card it goes… banks want your money too. They offer short term “Christmas Loans at Competitive Rates.” And then there’s the stress of having to go out and buy a bunch of gifts for people, many of whom you really don’t even know or like very much to begin with. Why in the world do you buy gifts for people you don’t like or even know very well? I know why. Because you think you should. Or, you do so “just in case they buy me something.” Come on… smarten up, you dough-head! (Insert picture here of The Rugged Dude slamming a fully cooked turkey into his big, bald head!) And, what do you buy these “fringe” people? A bunch of crap that they don’t need or even like... But at least you can sleep at night because you bought them something. I know what you do at least some of the time… (Like Santa, I’ve been watching you.) you wait until someone buys you something (you open it a few days or even a week early) that you don’t like, need or won’t use, and you re-wrap it or “re-gift” it to “that stupid jerk from Support Services down on the third floor.” Ah, a nice touch. Very “in the season” of you. And, besides, isn’t Christmas shopping just a hoot? I avoid all stores during “that time” of year, but when I must go into a retailer for essentials, I am shocked to see the incredibly rude and aggressive people, both shoppers and on occasion, even store workers. Let’s face it, there are businesses that make half their money during “that time” of year and it can be a very stressful buying season for business owners. Many that do close down do so in January after their last ditch effort to survive. Moms and dads listen up. You do not need to spend $2,000 on your kids at Christmas. Their lives will continue if they don’t get the $400 video game play station thing, the I Pods, the new computer (gotta have one for facebook) and the flat screen TV (the latest of course, in HD) for their bedroom. How about bringing them down to earth a little and get the kids reasonably priced gifts? Go down to Value Village or The Salvation Army Thrift Store and buy them a few things. They won’t know the difference half the time anyway. Don’t worry about what their spoiled rotten little friends from down the road will be getting either. Your kids will eventually get over this devastating trauma. Hiring a “Post Christmas Therapist” (PCT) for your child won’t be necessary. When I was a kid, the coolest and likely most expensive gift I ever got for Christmas was a “GI Joe with the Kung Fu Grip.” The coolest gift ever. For anyone with little kids, I mean between 2 and say, 8, have you noticed the tons and tons of toys your kids get at Christmas? Not just from you, but from “Santa Claus,” from all their Aunts and Uncles, from Gramma and Grampa, (both sets), from the Godparents, from the neighbors, from their four year old cousins, (did they really buy those gifts?) and even from your dog, “Logan.” (Awww, how cute.) How many toys does a kid need? And, have you ever noticed that by somewhere around January 5th or 6th, three quarters of these toys are either not being used, have parts missing rendering them useless, broken or outright smashed? Money well spent. And, what a mess! “Damn it, clean up your room or all these toys are going in the garbage!” Nice. Try to tell me that January, February and March (and April, May and June) aren’t stressful months as you attempt to whittle away the debts left in the wake of your over-extended Christmas spending. And, part of the debt was for the $500 you spent at the liquor store. And, the beer store. The Christmas season is normally the busiest travel time of the year. But, do you really and truly want to drive 5 hours in a blinding snowstorm to visit “Auntie Margaret and Uncle Stan” again this year? Or, do you honestly feel like going through the unbelievable stress of waiting in airport line-ups for hours on end, going through security (“Sorry Sir, you cannot take a pair of nail clippers on the plane. They might be used as a weapon.”) only to find out that there’s a snow storm (or a perfectly timed union strike) and you and your family are stranded for three days. When you finally arrive at your destination, it’ll be the same Christmas Day all over again. Uncle Stan will be hammered by noon, falling asleep in “his” chair and drooling on his super-wide “Christmas tie” that he’s had since the 70s. Auntie Margaret will put forth a valiant effort in order to make a fruit cake again. But, nobody likes fruit cake. The noise and constant commotion drives you nuts after fifteen minutes. The kids (yours and “theirs”) will be running around chasing the cat all through the kitchen, the dining room, the living room and up and down the stairs. Oh, and I nearly forgot about all the other relatives that will be there too. Your sister, your brother-in-law and their kids (“spoiled little brats!”). Then, of course your other Aunts and Uncles will be there, the ones you really don’t like at all. But, you put up with them and listen to the whining and grumbling about sore backs, sore necks and foot callouses that “keep getting bigger.” And, your “snotty” cousin will be there too. The who went to Harvard. She’ll be on hand to talk about herself the whole time without catching a breath. Now it’s dinner time and guess what? You get to wear one of those stupid little paper hats that makes you look like you rode the “short bus” to school rather than the long bus when you were a kid. Then, there’s grace. Unless you’re a Christian, or a true “believer” this will be the only time you bow and pray all year so why do you? Oh, I know – because you think you’re supposed to. After all, Auntie Margaret and Uncle Stan do, even if Uncle Stan is swacked. Then, there’s the family argument that’s always lurking in the tall grass, just waiting to pounce. And, if it does, alcohol is often a factor in the melee. Family fights are precious aren’t they? What started that scrap anyway? Oh, I remember now. Your brother-in-law kept giving your kids chocolates (into their third box now) even though you politely asked him not to at least five times. In his scotch-numbed state, he slobbers out, “Ah, come on, it’s Christmas. Your sister always said you were a mean mom.” Uh oh. Here we go. And, on top of all this, wouldn’t you prefer to sleep in your own bed at night rather than the standard-issue “pull out couch” with the plaid design and springs that poke you in the ribs all night? Crap! I nearly forgot to mention the wonderfully joyous Christmas cards I get every year, most of which are from people who I never hear from at all throughout the year, or from people that I know for a fact don’t even like me. They send me cards because they think they’re supposed to. Save the four dollars, please. If one of these “phony cards” is from a couple, I always laugh when I notice that the wife always signs for both herself and her husband. (Unless of course, his handwriting is precisely the same as hers.) He didn’t even know that “he” sent me a card. And, there is never any effort put into the task. Below the wonderful poem that was written by someone other than the card’s sender, is inscribed with simply “Mike and Donna.” No, “Hey, RD, how have you been lately? Sure hope you’re having a good season. We’ll have to go out for coffee soon!” Just, “Mike and Donna.” How warm. And, there are the “corporate cards.” Every damn year I get Christmas cards from my insurance company, along with an array of other companies I spend money with each year and get this – almost all of these are not even signed. They’re stamped! A nice personal touch. Most Christmas cards I get just go straight into the woodstove, unopened. And, then there are the electronic “e cards” that get emailed to me every year from people whom I’ve never met. Really? You can’t even get off your lazy ass and go to the store, spend an entire $3.00 (or a buck at the Dollar-o-ramma) and mail it to me? Delete. If you asked 1000 kids under the age of 10 what Christmas is all about, 999 would say two things – Santa Claus and presents. No mention of the real meaning of Christmas whether you believe in it or not. I’m an atheist but at least I know what Christmas is all about. It’s the birth of Jesus Christ. Whether you believe it or not, that is where Christmas started. Not at Wal Mart, Sears, Zellers, Target or the Future Shop. Just imagine what the world could do with the trillions of dollars wasted on Christmas every year? Just the money blown on the increase of millions of electricity bills to power all of your stupid Christmas lights would be a big help. (I’ll bet the electrical companies like Christmas.) There are people sleeping on wet cardboard, scrounging through garbage dumpsters for food and drinking water from filthy ditches. Maybe some of them could use a little “Christmas cheer.”

I agree with all of this lol. ALL of it? http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff508/blackcc/GIFs/tumblr_m695z652Rz1qcgu81o1_400.gif Yes all of it and yes I read it. My man is smart enough to know that when I get special "presents" he does as well. Gangst' - you RULE all chicks in the entire world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I get the feeling you're more than happy with the new hubbster... however, if you ever decide to get a divorce (and consider moving to Canadia - we have free health care, don't forget...) my phone number is "867-5309." (And, I don't even know what you look like!) YA! :drool: It's called an Avatar. :eyeroll: Okay, Bill Gates, thanks for pointing that out for me... now, the offer for moving to Canadia is more valid!!

It's a long way from my very first gig when i was 12... we "borrowed" the guitar player's mom's Christmas lights and set them up all over the stage. The "chicks" thought it (and we) was / were cool.

She is pretty hot, though... KIDDING!!! It just seems pretty much everything these days has something to do with sex. It doesn't offend me in the least, but it surprises me... and it's becoming more and more mainstream every day. When kids can watch LIVE porn on their I Phone while riding the school bus - we know there is a problem. I know this is true because my friend's 10 year old kid was doing this. The bus driver told him - and the principal. Unreal. Sex sells... unfortunately. Just look at the Grammys last night. I didn't watch it, but I can image. Just imagine what it'll be like 20 years from now. The CBS Six O'clock Evening News broascast will start off with the female anchor giving the male anchor a blow job... just to get the viewers warmed up. Ratings... They already have nude female news anchors in Russia.

Thanks... One more comment: You can always identify Neil's sound... there's just something "Neil" about it and that all started, at least for me, with the Hemispheres album. Then, on the next two albums, PW and MP, look the hell out!

I agree with all of this lol. ALL of it? http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff508/blackcc/GIFs/tumblr_m695z652Rz1qcgu81o1_400.gif Yes all of it and yes I read it. My man is smart enough to know that when I get special "presents" he does as well. Gangst' - you RULE all chicks in the entire world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I get the feeling you're more than happy with the new hubbster... however, if you ever decide to get a divorce (and consider moving to Canadia - we have free health care, don't forget...) my phone number is "867-5309." (And, I don't even know what you look like!) YA! :drool: