Phantom

Vinne is a fine drummer.. but my choice (not to replace Neil in Rush, but to drum with G&A on a side project) would be Gavin Harrison.

Hmmm..I can't find it.

Was waiting to see if this would be posted. :-)

The facepalm is strong in this one..... Because I don't like 2112? Yes, that was my original intention....I deliberately didn't mention your Hitler avatar as I didn't want to give it the oxygen of publicity, but seeing as others have weighed in on it.... Hitler was an emotionally retarded and sexually repressed man who nursed a bitter and festering envy of anyone he perceived as more successful, better looking or financially more secure than him...you just have to read some of his retarded ramblings in Mein Kampff to literally feel the Freudian inadequacy screaming through his crappy prose. He did however possess a keen poltical brain, and some genuine charisma as an orator and was quick to see the advantage of using minorities as a scapegoat to distract the populations attention away from what he was really up to....So some of his policies could be described as left wing?...indeed they could, but that was only so that he could retain central control of the means of production...there was no way that this power was going to be shared amongst the workers. His Aryan Race campaign was laughable at best, as he hardly possessed any of it's characteristics being short, round and physically unimpressive, so clearly just another control mechanism. However, his absolute indifference to human life and suffering, and his willingness to sacrifice millions to retain power was the most sickening thing about him...whatever his so called ideals were, supporting someone who initiated the Holocaust is simply untenable. The only thing which partially excuses your views is the rigidity of the youthful mind, and a certain emotional immaturity that wants to go for shock value. Me?.....post your damn avatar, doesn't make a lot of difference to me except to know I can safely ignore most of your posts, but don't be surprised if you get called out on it. I would choose your idols a little more wisely if i were you. One of the best quotes I've ever read is "There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest" I oppose use of an avatar of a butcher responsible for the systematic murder of millions of people and feel that it is in extremely poor taste...especially on this forum given that Geddy's family were among the victims. If the choice to use it was made in youth, without regard for how it might offend, that's a simple enough mistake and easily rectifiable.

I met him (and Alex) at a q107 radio interview...hosted by Kim Mitchell. Kim spent and hour or two interviewing them.. Afterwards, g&a headed to the back of the room, sat at a table, and signed any item that a fan brought. During the interview, Ged spoke about a child's wedding, so when it was my turn for an autograph, I simply congratulated him on it...his face lit up...BIG smile...it was so nice! I met Al in a restaurant years later...SUPER nice guy...

I respect the fact that Geddy respects Neil's decision... Especially given that if it were up to Ged, Rush would seemingly have a more clear future. For years, Neil toured when he didn't want to. As Ged says, if the 3 of them aren't on board, they don't move forward as a unit. The fact that Ged means it is very admirable (IMO)

Interesting thread... What is it that I love about my favorite Rush album? It's simple. It's personal. To me, my favorite Rush album (and most of their music) feels like it's a personal gift to me. The lyrics and the music feel like they were customized for me. They strike a chord deep within me and it feels like it's mine. I suspect that's how many hard core fans feel about them. While I appreciate all kinds of music and lyrics, only Rush's work holds that special place in my heart and I don't imagine that ever changing.

When I was a kid, I loved watching the odd couple. When it comes to acoustic guitar, this performance left a huge impression on me.

Of all the intro and outtro videos from their tours, these were my favorites..

Agree completely... I believe that as it stands atm, he has no plans to continue....However my guess is that way in the back of his mind, he's keeping the option open...

I never bought into that. If that were the case, why create an R30 set list that is so close to that of Rio?

I was at this gig.

I think that during R40 it became clear that the end was near. Liam said as much on Time Stand Still. During Neil's hiatus, the band was in the middle of it's life span so I can see why they'd have been in a holding pattern back then. Given that R40 was understood to be their twilight, I believe they had/have a contingency in place with regard to their equipment.

Totally agree..there's always two sides to every story. I love that Ged mentions in Time Stand Still, that regardless of how he feels about things, their collective agreement is such that if the 3 of them don't agree on something, they don't do it. That makes them the consummate band IMO.

I understand your point but I see it a bit differently. Suggesting that a life long friend wouldn't do that also suggests that neither Ged nor Al would do anything of the sort to Neil. My take on it is that Neil was often put in a position of being pressured (indirectly or directly?) into touring when he really preferred not to...especially on R40. And I think he did so over and over over again. I don't doubt the sincerity of the friendship and the genuine affection between all 3 of them. I just think that the easy thing to do is blame Neil. When I try to think of the situation from each band members perspective, I see a bigger picture. I can see how Neil might feel like he's tired of giving into what Ged and Al have wanted to do. Just my opinion.

I was never a fan of them..but I like the guy..so no big deal. I wasn't a fan of blah, blah blah either, but it's Big Al...it goes with the territory.

Moving Pictures... And for me, it's not that close.

loved geds instgram pic of ged and al having dinner together celebrating als bday,Can only hope they were discussing working together on new music as part of their dinner discussion

I'm on the other side of this one..love the lyrics to Double Agent.

It's hard to imagine that we won't hear anything new from Ged and or Al...even if it's just some new written/recorded material. Neil I'm not so sure about.

I'd reiterate that Rush's music, played live, is much more physically demanding for Neil than drumming is for most other drummers of that era. Don't hang on too long I say.. Go out while you're in great form.

I knew of the drinking issues, but didn't know of the depression brought on by 9/11. He's certainly managed his way through his challenges...

I thought I read somewhere that Billy's drinking days are behind him but like many, he's channelled his habits in mostly more constructive areas.. Motorcycle manufacturing for one...cooking for another....I understand he spends Sundays cooking and trying home made Italian food... Not a bad way to spend the day.

For me, all Rush albums are above average when compared to other bands. But if the benchmark here is Rush, measured against themselves, then for me, from the above list, GUP through RTB would classify as average or below average and i might include caress and fbn. From those not on the list above, I'd classify MP, Permanent Waves, Farewell, Hemispheres,2112, Counterparts, Clockwork and maybe Snakes as all well above their average... Imo