upstateNYfan

Rush will always have a big place in my life. But when Neil passed away their magical dynamic also died too. I think deep down Geddy and Alex realize this. Rush just wouldn't be the same without him.

 

What motivation would they have to hit the road? It's exhausting and expensive, and we all have limited time.

 

I view Geddy's wonderful book tour as a victory lap and a thoughtful and articulate farewell.

 

What a run.

 

 

Asking about Dream Theater was certainly bold. Reading an interview with Mike Portnoy about the matter really soured me towards Mike. After Terry contributed to the album, it would be entirely reasonable and customary for him to be compensated, either as a flat fee or a performance royalty. It says a lot about DT that Terry was not written into the contract, and then thrown under the bus by at least Mike.

 

As for Rush post Signals, he's obviously on good terms with the band. The band is on record multiple times saying they just wanted something different.

 

Terry seems like a very kind and classy guy. Cheers!

Can you imagine what they could of left behind if only they were like the grateful dead?

 

Allow taping in designated areas?

 

Mixing up the set list nightly?

 

Completely different kinds of bands with completely different music.

 

Rush acknowledged their own standards and knew their audience. If they mixed it up more they would have been unsatisfied if it was rough, and they understood that plenty would complain, "man, (so and so) was sloppy and missed (x)..."

 

 

 

 

Incredible.

I was just surprised, not moved, that he wasn't a fan, that's all. He's the biggest name in radio, like him or not.

Thanks for setting the record straight Claude. I wasn't aware of this as I've only seen video clips online, not whole segments. Kind of a bummer because I like Howard...

Apparently Howard isn't a Rush fan at all. While watching a clip of all the things during 2020 he "hates", he mentioned Rush. "I hate Rush. Even though people tell me I look like Geddy Lee." I'm paraphrasing but it's pretty close.

 

Surprised given his knowledge of music, his age and that's he's a bright guy. Last year they had a Bonham vs. Peart comparison with Lars Ulrich as guest and I don't believe Howard said anything negative at all.

 

His producer Gary is a huge fan, as are other staff. Seems like a curious disconnect.

 

https://www.youtube....GIdUUF9WgqY At :19

I've seen, and own, authentic autographs and have been a fan for decades.

 

The Alex sig looks real.

 

Geddy sig is likely fake.

 

Neil sig is definitely fake.

 

I've seen signed Rush memorabilia many times where the owner claims it's signed by whole band but has only one or two actual real sigs. I've also seen total counterfeits unfortunately.

 

 

There's so many things that made Neil great. I consider him the most influential drummer of all time, because he had the heart of a lion, never forgot where he came from, outworked those with more talent, and played at an impossibly high level for decades. He always challenged himself even when he didn't have to and always appreciated his good fortune. I miss him dearly.

There's so many things that made Neil great. I consider him the most influential drummer of all time, because he had the heart of a lion, never forgot where he came from, outworked those with more talent, and played at an impossibly high level for decades. He always challenged himself even when he didn't have to and always appreciated his good fortune. I miss him dearly.

I highly doubt it. When Far and Wide was released, I got the distinct impression it was his farewell - not from life, but from a life as a revered rock musician. I am guessing he received the incredibly sad diagnosis coupled with incredibly unfortunate timing not long after it was published. He essentially waved goodbye in Los Angeles and might have had a year with his family. Then he got sick.

They never sold out in the pejorative sense. They always made and played the music they wanted to. And they also acknowledged how fortunate they were to be able to do that.

 

Selling their rights several years ago was a business move - a retirement payout essentially. While they were a touring band they did want they wanted.

They never did. Commercial success doesn't necessarily equate with selling out, and it certainly did not for Rush. If an artist is true, genuine and original, then all that success is so much sweeter.

 

Neil said I think on Beyond the Lighted Stage in 2010, on 2112's surprising success: "No, you can't tell us what to do, and no we don't care." They knew all along how rare their chemistry and sound was, and they never took it for granted. They knew just how fortunate they were.

 

A better question might be along the lines of, "If the lyrics weren't so smart/complex/nerdy... If they had a traditional singer... If they just played straight ahead rock..." Would they have been successful at all?

I call BS. He didn't ride motorcycles then.

So glad to see this. A wonderful hometown honor.

 

...It's not that he hated compliments, it's that he was uncomfortable when people made a scene or fawned over him. He's on record saying "it embarrasses me", but when people approached him in a civilized and non-invasive manner, he appreciated that. He mentioned it was the biggest compliment when one would say "your words are the soundtrack to my life", and that it's "awfully nice" to get praise. He just was shy about it.

Neil would have never considered himself a great jazz drummer at all. What is significant is his willingness to try, and try so many things so many times.

 

He never sat on his laurels.

 

No question when you're at the top people will try to tear you down.

 

Again, for every person who thought he was stuff, couldn't swing... fine. A hundred others would love him. And they should.

 

His influence is as great as it gets.

I would not say that Neil was polarizing, because for every jazz snob or player with no chops who said he overplayed, there were 100 who looked up to him.

 

What made Neil so incredible was that not only was he a pioneer but he never stopped learning and was never afraid to step out of his comfort zone. His strength and compositional skills were unparalleled, to say nothing about the length and influence of his career.

 

He was one in a lifetime.

What are the chances Geddy and Alex show up?

Front is great. The back isn't to my taste. I'd either delete the back entirely or maybe add a small inukshuk about an inch under the collar.

I am sure he wanted to live as much as he could when he could, and to have a small and private send off when his time came. It's tragic he's gone, but I'm sure everything was planned. If there are silver linings, it's that we have his music and words forever, and that he also had a couple of years to... plan.

I doubt he wrote or played drums - what more would he want to say? In his last book, he bid a beautiful farewell, at least to drumming and the road.

 

I was a little surprised to hear nothing for years, and was thinking we'd hear about an adventure or a car or motorcycle or a new hobby.

Man will I miss his work... 3 weeks later and I find myself still... off.

 

If I had to guess, I think the last time he picked up sticks was the last show. I don't think he was sick then, but had so many other things he wanted to do. In a tragic twist of fate, if he was diagnosed a a year later, I would bet he spent as much time as he could with his family and on his hobbies while he could. It's awful to think about. Honestly, after reading his last book, and knowing his broad interests, I'd say he didn't want to drum again. He had other mountains to climb. In every sense.

I'd like to chime in as far as Neil being a recluse, rude, etc... I never did meet him, but through his books and online journals I came to feel like I understood a lot about him.

 

He shared a tremendous amount, even his innermost thoughts during his Ghost Rider days.

 

It's not that he didn't appreciate praise (he's on record saying it's "awfully nice" and how he especially values praise from his peers and from the "praiseworthy"). It's that he didn't enjoy the gloating and interruptions during his private time. There is a huge difference here that I think was often lost on fans.

 

It's not that he didn't want to talk drumming, but he didn't want someone to make a scene when he was gassing up his car or at the bar. He certainly would have enjoyed a smile on a trail and a, "hey, I love your work - great solo last night!" He appreciated class, decorum and balance.

An incredible drummer. An incredible mind. An incredible life.

 

It still doesn't feel real.

Those sites are guesstimates based on industry data. They're not actual accountings. Frankly they all seem way high. Either way, they're comfortable.