Blue Barchetta

Just checking in. Stunned like everyone else. May be the saddest I've been at the death of a non-relative. Some others have posted some eloquent statements. I've got nothing.

This post sponsored by Bud Light.

You know who's really underrated in this fictional character battle type thing? Nightcrawler. He could teleport them into space where they couldn't breathe then teleport back to Earth. Of course, this wouldn't work against every fictional character, but damn if he couldn't do some damage!

Holy Shit! I read halfway through this thread before I realized it's nearly 12 years old! Anyway...there are some songs I'm not that crazy about *cough-Dog Years-cough*. But the only song that really drags for me is Ceiling Unlimited. "Winding like an ancient river, this song never ends..."

You’re as much an acid fiend as I am. The acid reference goes back 20 years to when I was living in Portland. My old flatmate’s cousin Boyd used to come over to the crib and check out all my & my flatmate’s action figures which I had meticulously arranged on top and inside some of the kitchen cabinets. It was like a museum. I had the characters set up to where they were posing, fighting, f***ing, whatever. The 3 of us would spend hours standing in the kitchen looking at it all, drinking beers, talking about music & movies & sports...(and a little herb but that’s as hard as we got). But yeah, Boyd would always find some new action figure that I had posed differently and say to us (but mainly directed at me because I was the one who set the figures up): “YOU GUYS ARE ON ACID!” That phrase has stuck all these years whenever my old flatmate and I contact each other. I always took it as a sort of term of endearment and you probably should to. Matter of fact, I used to say “You’re on acid” to Tick any time I thought he had some crazy/funny post...which was often. The only reason I don’t anymore is because he’s just not around these days. Amazing story. I didn't know and I totally get it. I am that guy. No wonder we are friends. Drinking beers, talking about music, movies and sports. I live for that man. But I don't touch that weed stuff. Yuck! Kind of ironic, I only drink beer. I've never done cocaine in my life and I bet many strangers on here who read my shit think I'm on it. LOL What is that cliche? "The pen is mightier than the sword." Heck I even think of "Different Strings" when I write on here. "Making arrows out of pointed words." Whatever. It's just writing in public. Yes, I know I'm R Rated. Well, such is life. Love you JB! Did you get my fuckking cd yet???????? LOL Man! I think if you ever did coke, your mind would literally (and yes, I know the meaning of that word) explode! Me? I've never been caught doing it.

Neil had mental as well as physical issues. The sooner we fans accept that, the better. Overcoming and moving ahead meant more to 2/3 of Rush. But they were a brotherhood. What can you do?

Have I ever mentioned that RUSHHEAD666 is my hero?

I'll just say this: the man who played drums on 2112 didn't need lessons from ANYONE!

If two rock albums like PW and MP were ever produced back-to-back, I'll turn gay and open all my orifices

Another vote for PW as the greatest. I read Steve Gett's "Success Under Pressure" many moons ago. I qoute: "In Grace Under Pressure", they had succeeded in producing a near perfect Rush album." Now, GUP is fine and all, but compared to Waves...no sir. Two albums are close: 2112 and Moving Pictures, but I don't believe either combined the musicianship and raw energy like Waves. Every song hit you emotionally and with the "holy shit" of their musicianship. 2112 and Pictures were very close. Then, until Vapor Trails was released, they didn't come close.

What are you talking about? Vitale is a PTPer (Prime Time Player), baby!

It's a good series! It was made by Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen; the guys who went on to do "Beyond the Lighted Stage." There are some classic moments in it. I loved when they are talking with Iron Maiden about the naming of their mascot. "Of course we 'ad to name him Eddie! He's an 'ead! Awesome series! Coheed & Cambria deserve their own show. You Rush fans that haven't listened to them? You're cheating yourselves.

Gotta say, I love Rush's whole discography, but their early stuff is sooooooooooo f***ing underranked. These blistering opinions are aided by a little vodka...so be gentle.... Okay...that's not true..a good deal of vodka.

Gotta say, I love Rush's whole discography, but their early stuff is sooooooooooo f***ing underranked. These blistering opinions are aided by a little vodka...so be gentle....

Gotta say, I love Rush's whole discography, but their early stuff is sooooooooooo f***ing underranked.

And I still say "Anthem" was the most metal tune of '75. It didn't get the love of Sabbath or...who else...dare we say Zepplin? But Anthem was the heaviest, kick-ass song for its day. It kicks ass even now. Rush is undersold as pioneers of metal. They were f***ing metal before the US even knew metal had hit them!

Although maybe even getting mentioned in a doc that tracks the history of METAL should kind of make us feel proud. Not a lot of "metal heads" would even consider our boys as such. Rush didn't even consider themselves metal. But a lot of early metal bands DID. I find that awesome as hell.

Although maybe even getting mentioned in a doc that tracks the history of METAL should kind of make us feel proud. Not a lot of "metal heads" would even consider our boys as such.

So...been watching this enthralling show on MTVL off and on all afternoon. "Metal Evolution". They do a whole episode dedicated to prog metal in which Rush is front and center. Buuuut they seem to drop them after Hemispheres and claim they left the metal map after that album. Thoughts? Opinions? RUSHHEAD 666? I think MP rocked metal boundaries like 2112 before. The fact that they short-shrifted that and PEW kinda pisses me off.

My favorite lyricist is Cyndi Lauper, man...girls just want to have fu-hun. Oh, girls just want to have fun! It inspired me in its simplicity. Signed, Katy Perry

I never peaked. It was more like a gentle slope I just rolled over.

Personally, I didn't mind so much the fact that Neil's lyrics took on a different, more serious, existential tone as time went by as I did the "preachy", almost condescending at times, tone that resulted from the change. I consider Pratt to be almost nigh a misanthrope or, at least, a closet misanthrope. His disdain for adulation and fan-contact has often been dismissed by many Rush fans as a quirk in his character, or something he is unable to control (i.e. shyness). However, in my estimation, there is a wide chasm between shyness and veiled cynicism. His distrust of, and brackishness towards, others necessarily caused his move away from fantasy into reality. It was a natural progression in his lyrical growth. He is an unparalleled drummer, a matchless lyricist, however, as a human being, he leaves a great deal to be desired... All IMO, of course... I've read most of his books, and find him to be an interesting individual. But I have to agree with the shyness vs cynicism comment. I am introverted to a fault. Didn't even know what that meant until a few years ago. Once I started reading articles on introverts my life suddenly made so much more sense. Anyway, what I'm getting at is that while I find small talk a little painful and crowds exhausting, when one of my bands plays a show and someone wants to come up and chat afterward, darn it, I'll chat for a little bit. I'm just so grateful that they came and they stayed, you know? I take my hat off to you sir. Your behavior, indeed, demonstrates your introversion/shyness and certainly not the cynicism I ascribed to Pratt. Imo, there is no human condition that justifies the purposeful poor treatment of another. That Neil considers his fans meddlesome when their only aim is to thank him for the positive impact he has had on their lives is petty and narrow-minded. Contempt prior to investigation is not an action undertaken by the shy and introverted. It is behavior, however, exhibited by the brooding and standoffish... When reading Ghost Rider, what really bothered me was his obvious disdain for "common" people. He didn't even TRY to act like he didn't consider himself better than most people. I still love his talent, but that book really kind of knocked Neil off the pedestal he'd been on...at least for me.

Yeah, that's how it was for me as well. I caught the Newark show, followed by the Madison Square Garden show, which was my last time seeing them. I really took in every moment. I'm not even sure if I clapped or sang along. Didn't take a single picture. Just stood there and soaked it all in. My parking fee that night was 21.12 at the Port Authority. (I do have a picture of that). It was a great show and a fitting goodbye. $21.12 is crazy for parking...but very cool regardless!

I DIDN'T know. But, man...I enjoyed every last note!