Thunder Bay Rush

Dude, if you're only 23 or so, you might be walking into a huge sh** storm... I am older (50) and balder (extra bald) than you, so automatically, I know more about this sort of crap. Take my advice and start running and don't stop until you get San Antonio... then, look over your shoulder and if anyone is following you, run until you cross into Mexico, but not too close to where all the crazy drug-related murders are happening. At your age and given the situation, the odds aren't exactly stacked in your favour. Ever heard the saying, "baggage free?" Well, this would not be a primo example of that. Just wait until the kid becomes a little pain in the ass (a classic melt-down in McDonald's for example) and / or the kid's father becomes one... Just sayin'... "Keepin' it real Dawg." Good luck either way... sounds like you have a big heart though. ********************* I came back to make a quick edit - I thought about something... first, you asked for advice from the women, of which, I am not. So, I'm sorry if I'm sticking my nose in where it doesn't belong. But, mainly, I could say some things that you probbaly want to hear - OR - I could say what you might not want to hear, but what is probably the best advice you'd get.

Transparent Green is correct. The main thing I noticed is Geddy's keyboard which, in the main picture, is a Mini-Moog and it is positioned sideways to his right. On the Hemispheres tour he was using an OBX, a much larger multi keyboard and it was postioned on an angle to his left. The inset pictures are from Hemispheres, no doubt. For one, Alex's hair. He had it permed for much of that tour. I saw both tours in Ottawa and that's one thing I remember for some strange reason. And, the clothing... Hemispheres tour. In the main picture they're almost certainly playing Xanadu, due to the double-neck guitars, Geddy on the mini-Moog, Alex who looks like he's using his volumn pedal (for the opening segment) and Neil, who is standing likely to play his temple blocks and wind chimes. I had this poster too, on my bedroom wall, until a friend of mine begged me to give it him. That was in grade 10. Prick.

Hmmmmmmmmm, I'm not so sure about that. He can't possibly think that way otherwise he would have retired years ago, or at least - stopped touring.

I've heard a lot of live Rush, including the recordings that are available as regular albums. I have a hard time listening to ATWA Stage, it's too raw for me, but I can see why it's popular - because it's raw. Since I'm more a fan of the classic era, my favourite live recording is the one they did back in February, 1980, Keil Centre in St. Louis. Great production and recording, yes, but they played SO well... tight as a frog's ass. I prefer Geddy's so-called higher singing style and range too. And, I like the sound of Neil's drums much better back then, as compared to the live sound of his set now. That show opened with 2112 and that is I what believe to be the best recording of 2112 ever, far better than the 1976 studio version or the ATWA Stage version. I'm not crazy at all about the studio version of 2112 for some reason I can't exactly define. I think it's the way the sound is compressed or something?? (Forgive me, I'm not a sound enginner) I can't stand the drum sounds on that album, they all sound like there are blankets taped to the heads... they don't even sound like real drums. But, the St. Louis recording of 2112 - holy effing eff! The audio portion is on You Tube if you wanna check it out... get ready to get the chills. If you're old like me, wear Depends.

You little brat... How come I don't "know" anybody??????????? I did run into Geddy once in a shopping mall (Eaton Centre) in Toronto, back in 1982. I didn't say a word - I stood there with a startled look on my face, like I suddenly realized it wasn't "just a fart" - that I really sh** my pants. I'm knd of glad I didn't say anything. He probably gets enough people telling him that they're his "biggest fan ever" as it is...

I just got onto these guys about a year ago. Living in Canada, they're not talked about quite as much up here. I've never heard them on the radio, not even "Pull Me Under." A friend of mine (from the US, of course) "ordered me" to check them out and I did. OMFG, these guys are good... and they're NOTHING like Rush, so I don't get the comments to that effect. They're a mix between Metallica, Iron Maiden, Yes, early Genesis, ELP and Floyd, with a little tiny bit of Rush in their, just because of influence. I have two DVDs, the 25th Anniversary at Radio City and the Around the World Kaos in Motion, or whatever it's called. These guys are frighteningly good. (Is frighteningly even a real word???????????????????)

No, not after hearing what they sound like WITH all the additional sounds. But, it's cool in concert to the see the three of just pounding away on guitar, bass and drums for a bit... usually near the end of a show.

Okay, I'm probably going to pee on a few keyboards here, but before I start, for the record, Neil is my drum God and I'm obviously a huge fan. (I'm here, right?) I've read all of his books, etc... I started getting serious about playing the drums the very next day after I saw the 2112 concert in Ottawa, Ontario. I know Neil shy's away from the spotlight and any sense of adulation embarrases him, but - I have a complaint - After seeing 27 shows, I know what the end of the concert is like for Neil. He stands up, waves for about 5 - 6 seconds and then he splits. Again, I know he doesn't like all the "rock star" attention and stuff, but would it kill him (and the others) to come down to the centre stage and take 30 seconds to wave or just stand there and let people scream their asses off, or do whatever is normally done at the show's end by appreciative entertainers? Since I know how he feels about all this I know that he doesn't simply leave the stage quickly because he doesn't care, but for fans who DON'T know about his feelings on this, they think he just doesn't give a sh** and wants to get the hell off the stage... After all is said and done, if it weren't for ther fans, he might still be selling farm equipment parts in St. Catherines...

Girl, you EFFING ROCK! I'm jealous that got to meet them at age 24 and I'm 50 and still waiting... damn!

I remember listening to Rush on th radio at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Feb, (three nights sold out) 1980 (PW tour) and they opened with 2112. That was and still is the best opening ever... I wish I was there to see it. They also opened with 2112 on the Moving Pictures tour and I DID see that one! Effing amazing... I doubt they'd open with it now though.

I'd have to say that CA is the best album since Moving Pictures.... and I almost said since Hemispheres. Almost. Hemispheres is THE best Rush album IMO. Or, wait.. maybe AFT Kings is... or Moving Pictures... or, Permanent Waves, or, or... ah sh**!

Hey Kelly D, I see your picture on your post... is that you in the Live in Cleveland DVD? There's a good shot of you (I think it's you) rockin' to BU2B. The hair flying everywhere... classic Rush fan!!

Hmmmm, I get the feeling you've listened to that song a time or two... Alex's guitar work is SO good all throughout, but it's also very original. I'd never heard anything like that before and back then I was (and still am) a big fan of Steve Hackett and Steve Howe. Even when he was 24, he could give those boys a run for their English Pounds. It amazes me that Alex doesn't receive more recognition as one of the VERY best rock guitar players. Neil and Geddy often clean up in polls and reviews, but for some reason, Alex seems to get screwed over. I'm sick of hearing about Eddie Van Halen and Jimmy Page. Back to the song - Geddy and Neil... the back and forth solos after the mid-section are unreal. I've been playing drums all my life and I still can't quite get that solo down. (Very close, but NOT "down.")

Cygnus X1,, the whole thing, I think is underrated. We don't hear about it too much these days, but when I saw it live in 1977, it freaked me out. That and Xanadu are in my opinion, the begining of true progressive rock songs for the band.

Hi everyone, new guy here from Thunder Bay, Ontario. For some reason YYZ always comes up as the best instrumental, but I'm not so sure about that one. Good song, but the best? My vote goes to La Villa Strangiatto, no contest. All three players are smokin' especially Lifeson. Crazy solos. And, if you realize they were only 23 or 24 when they wrote that one. NUTS! And, I'm new here, so if this question was asked before... Please don't throw any Rush mudcakes at me...

I saw A Farewell To Kinigs in Ottawa, Canada, and yes, they had a huge flashpot explosion, one on each side of the stage... right on the first note after the accoustic intro. And, the HUGE airpost landing lights blinded the audience. I nearly sh** my pants... so did 10,000 other people.