Sonatine

Lord Foul's Bane. The first book in "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever" trilogy by Stephen Donaldson

Brussel Sprouts - Satan's turds! Hated them with a passion when I was a kid and still dislike them 40 odd years on!

Bailey's Irish Cream or two... or three!

Have just finished a rather nice home-made salt & pepper chicken with basmati rice, curry sauce and a few chips.

Some 40 years ago a day didn't go by without me listening to PW, ESL, MP, Signals, PW, HyF and even the much maligned (by some) GuP. No other band came close, not even Halen, Maiden, The Who or Sabbath at the time. Therefore, up until about the turn of the millennium they were my No 1 band no question. Although having said that their 90s output was a little hit and miss and I never really fell in love with their 00s albums other than perhaps VT. They still rank in my top 5, but only for their 70s and 80s output by and large.

Tough choices primarily because I really haven't listened to MP or PW in quite awhile, unlike ESL which is an album I play at least once or twice a month. Therefore I've had to do a recap and played all three songs just a few minutes ago. I must admit, it was a close call between LSV and Freewill, but went for the former because of the slow build up and intense crescendo capped it for me. That said I might vote for Freewill tomorrow as I also think this is an under-rated but very well timed effort

ESL was my 2nd Rush album purchase back in 83/4 I think. Being a compilation album I was always entertaining trying to identify the albums with the symbolisms on the album cover with the woman from PW being the most prominent/obvious. Playing the album first on my cheapo music centre and then two years later on my far more expensive Marantz hi-fi and Wharfedale speakers and the difference in sound quality was hugely noticeable, especially on TS, CTTH, The Trees and LSV. LSV remains my most repeated song from that album. Always sends a shiver down my spine with the solos.

Probably around 1979/1980 during my time in 6th form and playing darts in the school common room. The common room had an old school record player which we played various albums at low volume. While playing darts someone put on Permanent Waves LP and "Spirit of Radio" I was absolutely taken by the song and Geddy's high-pitched singing. And of course the front cover of the album was "intriguing" also. I asked my friend if I could borrow the album and for the next 2 weeks I played it to death on my music centre until eventually I bought the album, and the rest is history as they say

Ghost Rider - Vapor Trails Its been around 5 years since I last listened to this under-rated song

I will always remember when playing "All the World's a Stage" and where Geddy says "The Professor on the Drum kit" - and for the next couple of minutes I was encapsulated with Neil's craftsmanship within the sealed confines of my headphones some 40 odd years ago. But strangely, and despite of all his truly awesome work over that time, there is one little 3 second extract from one of their relatively minor songs - Available Light - that still sends a thrill down my spine whenever I hear it. And that's Neil at 3m 09 seconds on the remastered version of the song. Nothing fancy at all: in fact incredibly simplistic for him. But it has lingered for me as his signature in almost 30 years! Complex pieces or simple, Neil cared either way!

I think I'm Going Bald, off Caress of Steel Oh dear

I couldn't quite believe the news that The Professor had died. But when it was confirmed, one of the first things I did was search for YYZ on YT, and just admire the man in action. Still can't believe he's gone, and listening to one of their most underrated songs "Losing It" just makes you wonder even the true greats are not omnipotent. Neil made me realise how integral a drummer was to a band - and watching him perform was a privilege

Losing It I always think if Neil and the poignant lyrics that seem apt somehow

Signals MP Power Windows ...Stage GuP (Yep, that's right. GuP)

Indeed they have aged with us, just like a fine wine. So many happy memories of great albums, great t-shirts, great concerts, and a general sense of what an awesome band they were, and I was lucky enough to find them an appreciate them. Long live, By-tor and the Snowdog

The Weapon, from Signals. A very underrated song, but really quite relevant back in the Cold War years of the early 80s

....the first Rush album I listened to in full was Moving Pictures, which was released more or less 40 years ago! I really can't believe that Rush have been around since 1973/4, and I wonder where the hell time went! All those classic albums such as "2112", "Fly By Night", "ATWS" and "PW". All those albums that I used to listen to on my old beat-up Marantz hi-fi system back in the late 70s early 80s, and here we are now some 40 years on and their music still feels relevant and inspiring. What was your first Rush album when you knew this band was something special?

Rush Presto Test for Echo Can't even remember a decent/memorable song from all three

Dog Years - that for me is their weakest link!

MP, but the cover album on Signals must rank as one of the best ever!

MP, is their most complete album!

Power Windows, for definite

Exit Stage Left, the album. And in particular "La Villa Strangiato" - possibly my 3rd or 4th favourite Rush song after Earthshine

Have been away from this site for quite awhile for various reasons. But even during that time I have been listening/watching old Rush DVDs and YouTubes, and it still amazes me what an utter master The Professor was on the drumkit. Right now I'm watching a YT clip of their R30 tour back in 2004, and specifically their Frankfurt, Germany gig, A great performance as always, but Neil made it look so easy, especially with complex/demanding solos. And right now I'm watching their Earthshine song, and I really do miss him!

Original HYF t-shirt and programme when the guys visited Birmingham NEC in 89- absolutely awesome night, and best Rush concert I have been too