upstateNYfan

This was over at RIAB....apparently, golfer Rocco Mediate is close with the band via Alex. He reports that Neil is still "hesitant," but is playing a fundraiser with Alex next month. At that point, there are supposed to be more discussions about future plans.

 

To be clear, it's ALEX and Rocco who are playing in the fundraiser. Honestly, I think the best we can hope for is a new album - but why would they?

 

I hope I'm wrong.

Sounds like a great night! I wish I could be optimistic. Everything since last August points to a golden retirement road for Neil, including his own writings. Then I ask myself why they'd make an album without touring - so much work for essentially nothing, and Clockwork Angels is a perfect metaphorical end too.

It was only a metaphorical end? Thank god, I really thought they were done!

 

Nice one. You caught my mistake. :martini:

Sounds like a great night! I wish I could be optimistic. Everything since last August points to a golden retirement road for Neil, including his own writings. Then I ask myself why they'd make an album without touring - so much work for essentially nothing, and Clockwork Angels is a perfect metaphorical end too.

Nothing against the guy really, but he is a shockingly bad writer.....

Shockingly bad? I'd love to see your work. Heaven forbid he has interests outside music. Ever notice that really bright people are interested in a lot of things? Being famous helps getting one's work noticed, but being famous for something else doesn't make your work less worthy. And no, I'm not a fanboi.

 

I couldn't give a flying f**k what he is interested in...I think his writing stinks and am perfectly at liberty to say so. I find it tediously boring and stilted and this has nothing to do with him being a member of Rush.

 

Also, I'm not trying to sell my work in the public arena, so my writing skills are a moot point.

 

I'm not interested either whether you are a fanboi or not...knock yourself out.

You're missing the point. Many people ARE interested in his adventures and hobbies, and because he's famous and has some money it's easier to make one's work available. Good for him. That's the way it is.

 

So because you think "good for him" the man and his work are beyond criticism?......give me a break.

 

In no way do I think he's beyond criticism. But to see posts that write "terrible" and "shockingly bad" are wholly without merit. One can see the level of care (allusions, appropriate quotations as examples) and detail (wildlife and geography as examples) he puts into them - even if they're not universally loved.

His work is essentially travelogues. His quoting of lyrics in Ghost Rider, for example, reflect the tenor of the chapter and serve as a sort of autobiographical "life imitates art." Letters to Brutus got a bit slow sometimes, but again reflected his mood and fragile state. I have no way of knowing, but wouldn't be surprised if he consciously tries to avoid or minimize Rush/drumming talk when writing.

 

Is he a better drummer? Sure, but so what? Success has given him the ability to pursue other avenues he's interested in, and that has to be a wonderful feeling. I do scoff, however, when people lament his work as "terrible" or the like. Ridiculous. Bright people tend to be very detail oriented, and plenty of people are simply not interested in the cacti species prevalent in Arizona. That's fine. Put the book down.

Nothing against the guy really, but he is a shockingly bad writer.....

Shockingly bad? I'd love to see your work. Heaven forbid he has interests outside music. Ever notice that really bright people are interested in a lot of things? Being famous helps getting one's work noticed, but being famous for something else doesn't make your work less worthy. And no, I'm not a fanboi.

 

I couldn't give a flying f**k what he is interested in...I think his writing stinks and am perfectly at liberty to say so. I find it tediously boring and stilted and this has nothing to do with him being a member of Rush.

 

Also, I'm not trying to sell my work in the public arena, so my writing skills are a moot point.

 

I'm not interested either whether you are a fanboi or not...knock yourself out.

You're missing the point. Many people ARE interested in his adventures and hobbies, and because he's famous and has some money it's easier to make one's work available. Good for him. That's the way it is.

The point I was making is he wouldn't be selling any books at all if he wasn't the drummer from RUSH. The publishers know a lot of his fans will buy his stuff therefore he gets a contract.

 

this is exactly right. he's a f***ing terrible writer and absolutely no one would pay for his writing if he wasn't the drummer of rush.

Even if he was a talented writer the odds of him getting published would be slim if he was unknown, but being in a successful rock band with a loyal fan base guarantees that he gets published. He could probably send them his used toilet paper and get it in print.

Agree regarding his work being published. But it's anything but prattle.

Nothing against the guy really, but he is a shockingly bad writer.....

Shockingly bad? I'd love to see your work. Heaven forbid he has interests outside music. Ever notice that really bright people are interested in a lot of things? Being famous helps getting one's work noticed, but being famous for something else doesn't make your work less worthy. And no, I'm not a fanboi.

 

I couldn't give a flying f**k what he is interested in...I think his writing stinks and am perfectly at liberty to say so. I find it tediously boring and stilted and this has nothing to do with him being a member of Rush.

 

Also, I'm not trying to sell my work in the public arena, so my writing skills are a moot point.

 

I'm not interested either whether you are a fanboi or not...knock yourself out.

You're missing the point. Many people ARE interested in his adventures and hobbies, and because he's famous and has some money it's easier to make one's work available. Good for him. That's the way it is.

The point I was making is he wouldn't be selling any books at all if he wasn't the drummer from RUSH. The publishers know a lot of his fans will buy his stuff therefore he gets a contract.

 

this is exactly right. he's a f***ing terrible writer and absolutely no one would pay for his writing if he wasn't the drummer of rush.

"Terrible"? That's ridiculous, and if you really believe that, tell us why. I'm curious.

 

As for his work being published, the world isn't fair. People get jobs, for example, simply because of where they went to school or their last name, not necessarily at all based on knowledge or merit or work ethic.

Nothing against the guy really, but he is a shockingly bad writer.....

Shockingly bad? I'd love to see your work. Heaven forbid he has interests outside music. Ever notice that really bright people are interested in a lot of things? Being famous helps getting one's work noticed, but being famous for something else doesn't make your work less worthy. And no, I'm not a fanboi.

 

I couldn't give a flying f**k what he is interested in...I think his writing stinks and am perfectly at liberty to say so. I find it tediously boring and stilted and this has nothing to do with him being a member of Rush.

 

Also, I'm not trying to sell my work in the public arena, so my writing skills are a moot point.

 

I'm not interested either whether you are a fanboi or not...knock yourself out.

You're missing the point. Many people ARE interested in his adventures and hobbies, and because he's famous and has some money it's easier to make one's work available. Good for him. That's the way it is.

I like Neil's updates. I thought it was pretty clever to slide the bikes under the barricade; I never would have thought to purposely put mine on the ground :D

 

I'm looking forward to what he says about the LA show.

 

it will be interesting to see if he says anything meaningful or if he does his usual "tell you enough to pique your interest but not enough to give you any insight" thing.

 

He probably won't tell us a whole lot only because he's saving it for his book.

His last gasp money grab.

 

Please. Maybe he likes doing something OTHER than drumming.

Yeah but does he need fans of his drumming to buy his books?

No. He doesn't NEED anyone to. He is sharing is love for adventure and writing. That he can sell some is a bonus.

Nothing against the guy really, but he is a shockingly bad writer.....

Shockingly bad? I'd love to see your work. Heaven forbid he has interests outside music. Ever notice that really bright people are interested in a lot of things? Being famous helps getting one's work noticed, but being famous for something else doesn't make your work less worthy. And no, I'm not a fanboi.

I like Neil's updates. I thought it was pretty clever to slide the bikes under the barricade; I never would have thought to purposely put mine on the ground :D

 

I'm looking forward to what he says about the LA show.

 

it will be interesting to see if he says anything meaningful or if he does his usual "tell you enough to pique your interest but not enough to give you any insight" thing.

 

He probably won't tell us a whole lot only because he's saving it for his book.

His last gasp money grab.

 

Please. Maybe he likes doing something OTHER than drumming.

I thought Rush was one of those bands that really didn't mind their fans doing stuff like that? They slap this photographer with a C&D, but they're okay with fans recording literally every show on the R40 tour?

 

Yeah, it's complicated. My guess is that part of it is that with the photographer selling photos on Etsy for a set price, it is there in black and white that he is trying to profit from the band's name or personality or what ever. With a bootleg recording, who knows where it will go? If someone was blatant enough to make a stack of bootlegs and actually sell them for a set price on eBay or something they might here from the lawyers also ??? (or robertrobyn :) bless his heart for looking out for us :) )

 

Not complicated. He wants to profit on someone else's likeness without permission. The internet makes his intentions clear to a world audience (he isn't hawking photos at a strip mall once a year).

It's their work, so they call the shots. It's almost impossible to control hundreds or thousands of recordings (audio and video) today because almost everyone has the instant ability to do either. The difference here is the selling. (He's using their likenesses to profit.)

 

Granted, it's not something I'd pursue, but from a legal perspective it has merit.

I don't even think we'll see another album. There's no money in albums. If Neil runs out of petty cash, maybe he will agree to a few nights at one arena.

 

Does anyone know if Neil still practices every day?

 

I'd bet $1000 he hasn't played since August 1st. Why would he? He's got 27 other interests outside the band. I'd also wager he sees drumming as a "job" now. If he's retired, so be it. He recently alluded to summiting his mountain (drumming).

Another thought: If Neil gets antsy, why not look at touring differently and bring his family along? Ditch the demanding riding and relax and travel well.

I love the idea of a couple shows in Toronto and New York. I seriously doubt it will happen though.

 

Too many logistics for too few shows.

Regarding Neil's comment about hoping the photo makes the web:

 

I think he's come full circle, and in some way might see it as closure. He can relax - no more tours, no more pressure. He's retired now and might feel he can reflect on the last 40 years with a wink and a drink.

Writing the way someone apparently spoke is in no way racist. Where was he mocking? Where was he being disparaging? Lest we forget, he bought the guy dinner and a room - at least $100, and all in the name of... empathy.

 

What I believe he was trying to get at by putting it in parentheses was to demonstrate the language barrier and paint a picture of a heavy Asian accent. He's traveled a lot in Asia. Most of us have not.

 

Context.

A wonderful and fascinating read on many levels.

 

Happy travels, sir!

Yeah, I'd fly from NY to London for that!

 

Dream trio of shows: Massey, RCMH and RAH.

Rhetorical question: Have Bard or FOH been inaccurate ONCE?

 

Another question: There was mention of a specific number of additional dates - says who?

The only thing I can guess is that there hasn't been a lot of communication between the guys since August. I could be completely wrong.

 

But everything from Neil, his tech and apparent insiders strongly indicates no more Rush.

 

Fin.

Something tells me Geddy knows more than we do about what Neil is thinking. Time will tell.

 

I dont think so, not this time. Why? The multiple sources, consistency of information, and his own daughter saying dad is "retired". Hell, even his tech's twitter says farewell, essentially.

...something tells me this contradiction between Neil and Geddy's statements is going to turn into a PR nightmare.

ALL signs point to Neil being DONE.