Book about Rush

[MusicHead]

Because of this thread, I just ordered Max Mobley's Rush FAQ. Huzzah!

[MusicHead]

Contents Under Pressure is a good place to start. I also enjoyed Roadshow which was a travel/tour book written by Neil on the R30 tour, gives you a great behind the scenes view of how Neil gets to the venues and gives some interesting tidbits about the group (like how they came up with their nicknames -Lerxst, Dirk and Pratt)

 

Groovy. Just ordered CuP too.

Edited February 6, 2016 by MusicHead

[jnoble]

Has anyone read the Rush bio by Bill Banaswiewicz Rush Visions?

I bought that in the early '90s when I first got into the band, pre-internet era, and it was the only book I could get my hands on about the band.

It's not a great book in hindsight. The author comes across as an annoying uber-fan suckup, it's poorly written in parts and it's horribly dated at this point (came out just before HYF was released)

But the pictures are good. By the way, the author was ex-communicated from the bands circle of friends after he stupidly leaked an early copy of HYF to a radio station as the story goes and broke their trust.

[Lorraine]

Has anyone read the Rush bio by Bill Banaswiewicz Rush Visions?

I bought that in the early '90s when I first got into the band, pre-internet era, and it was the only book I could get my hands on about the band.

It's not a great book in hindsight. The author comes across as an annoying uber-fan suckup, it's poorly written in parts and it's horribly dated at this point (came out just before HYF was released)

But the pictures are good. By the way, the author was ex-communicated from the bands circle of friends after he stupidly leaked an early copy of HYF to a radio station as the story goes and broke their trust.

 

Yes, I know Bill's story. In fact, a former TRF member was suspected (by some members) of being him. But, still, I was wondering if he provided any special insight into the band. I read the first chapter on the internet and was wondering if it was worth investigating the possibility of getting the book, but it looks like it is a collectors' item.

Edited February 6, 2016 by Lorraine

[ytserush]

What Rush books would you recommend to somebody who's read no Rush books?

 

What are you after? Books on lyrical interpretation? Philosophical and cultural discussions? Straight biography? Authorized? Unauthorized? Retrospectives?

 

There is a documentary DVD (Beyond The Lighted Stage) from several years back that touches on much of the above and no doubt brought in some new fans. That's definitely a good starting point if you're looking for a nice overview.

 

There are four bios and if you're just into the 70's and early 80's stuff they might be worth a look. The last one "Chemistry" (unauthorized) is more than 10 years old. The others (written in 1982, 1984 and 1987 ( Visions was authorized at the time)

 

Then you have the books lyrical interpretations, and the deeper connection with culture and philosophy which I won't bore you with (Although I'd be happy to)

 

There's also a retrospective looking back with the band from 2004 by the ubiquitous Martin Popoff called "Contents Under Pressure" which has the band looking in the rear view mirror at their 30 year career (to that point)

 

Not sure what is still in print and what isn't after taking a quick look at the shelf.

 

.

 

There's also a book called Rush FAQ (Don't have it) which is from a series of band FAQ books.(I have no plans to get that one myself.)

 

Oh, and if you really like punishment, there are compilation books like ("Mereley Players" Typo on the front cover...nice!) and Rush Chronology which are kind of "This date in Rush history" books which compile release dates, memorabilia and other useless facts for the obsessed fan (like me!)

 

 

Here's a quick list. As I said there may be a few missing from here.

 

Rush, Brian Harrigan (Cherry Lane Music: 1984)

 

Success Under Pressure"", Steve Gett (Cherry Lane Books: 1984)

 

Visions, Bill Banasiewicz (Omnibus Press: 1988)

 

Mystic Rhythms"", Carol Selby Price and Robert M. Price (Wildside Press: 1999)

 

Merely Players"", Robert Telleria (Quarry Music Books: 2002)

 

A Simple Kind Mirror, Leonard Roberto, Jr. (iUniverse (vanity press), 2002)

 

Contents Under Pressure, Martin Popoff (ECW Press: 2004)

 

Chemistry"", Jon Collins (Helter Skelter Publishing: 2005)

 

Rush, Rock Music, and the Middle Class, Chris McDonald (Indiana University Press: 2009)

 

Rush and Philosophy, Jim Burti and Durrell Bowman, editors (Open Court: 2011)

 

Rush: The Illustrated History, Martin Popoff (Voyageur: 2013)

 

Rush FAQ, Max Mobley (Backbeat: 2014)

 

Rush: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Excellence, Robert Freedman (Algora: 2014)

 

Experiencing Rush, Durrell Bowman (Rowman & Littlefield, 2014)

 

 

 

 

Books: Neil Peart

 

The Masked Rider, ECW Press: 1996

 

Ghost Rider, ECW Press: 2002

 

Traveling Music, ECW Press: 2004

 

Roadshow, ECW Press: 2007

 

Far and Away, ECW Press: 2011

 

Far and Near, ECW Press: 2014

[Day of Light]

Thank you for the detailed rundown, ytse!

 

I've already seen the documentary, and I don't care for interpretative books: when I read books about Rush, I want to read about their members. The interpretation I can do myself. I think I'll start by checking out Contents Under Pressure and go from there.

 

I have this vice where I am irresistibly drawn to drama and gossip, and reading about it, which unfortunately there isn't a lot of with Rush. Oh well. :)

[ytserush]

Thank you for the detailed rundown, ytse!

 

I've already seen the documentary, and I don't care for interpretative books: when I read books about Rush, I want to read about their members. The interpretation I can do myself. I think I'll start by checking out Contents Under Pressure and go from there.

 

I have this vice where I am irresistibly drawn to drama and gossip, and reading about it, which unfortunately there isn't a lot of with Rush. Oh well. :)

 

No problem. No, not much "drama." in that sense.

 

Alex spent some time in jail once and I'm sure someone here can point you to the legal documents and other unpleasantness surrounding it.

 

 

Over the years much as been forgotten while new information will sometimes surface.

[Digital Dad]

Roadshow is fetching outrageous prices. Wish I had known I would have picked up a copy new for a ton less.

[MusicHead]

My pristine, flawless copy of Rush FAQ just arrived ! Huzzah!

[ytserush]

Roadshow is fetching outrageous prices. Wish I had known I would have picked up a copy new for a ton less.

 

Why? What's so special about it? I like it a lot, but it's not that much better than any of his others that would warrant the outrageousness. Is it out of print?

[Day of Light]

Roadshow is fetching outrageous prices. Wish I had known I would have picked up a copy new for a ton less.

 

Why? What's so special about it? I like it a lot, but it's not that much better than any of his others that would warrant the outrageousness. Is it out of print?

 

It being out of print doesn't explain this:

 

http://i.imgur.com/xnTm0Jr.png

 

They do have physical copies lying around in warehouses, it's just that it's 60$ at Chapters. They're trying to limit the supply for some reason. The rest of Peart's books are available for 15-25$

Edited February 13, 2016 by Day of Light

[ytserush]

Roadshow is fetching outrageous prices. Wish I had known I would have picked up a copy new for a ton less.

 

Why? What's so special about it? I like it a lot, but it's not that much better than any of his others that would warrant the outrageousness. Is it out of print?

 

It being out of print doesn't explain this:

 

http://i.imgur.com/xnTm0Jr.png

 

They do have physical copies lying around in warehouses, it's just that it's 60$ at Chapters. They're trying to limit the supply for some reason. The rest of Peart's books are available for 15-25$

 

Not sure which edition you may be after, but there are some less expensive copies here:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Books-/267/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Roadshow%20peart&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

[Digital Dad]

Roadshow is fetching outrageous prices. Wish I had known I would have picked up a copy new for a ton less.

 

Why? What's so special about it? I like it a lot, but it's not that much better than any of his others that would warrant the outrageousness. Is it out of print?

 

It being out of print doesn't explain this:

 

http://i.imgur.com/xnTm0Jr.png

 

They do have physical copies lying around in warehouses, it's just that it's 60$ at Chapters. They're trying to limit the supply for some reason. The rest of Peart's books are available for 15-25$

 

Not sure which edition you may be after, but there are some less expensive copies here:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Books-/267/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Roadshow%20peart&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

 

Thank you. Just found it for a very good price.

[ytserush]

Roadshow is fetching outrageous prices. Wish I had known I would have picked up a copy new for a ton less.

 

Why? What's so special about it? I like it a lot, but it's not that much better than any of his others that would warrant the outrageousness. Is it out of print?

 

It being out of print doesn't explain this:

 

http://i.imgur.com/xnTm0Jr.png

 

They do have physical copies lying around in warehouses, it's just that it's 60$ at Chapters. They're trying to limit the supply for some reason. The rest of Peart's books are available for 15-25$

 

Not sure which edition you may be after, but there are some less expensive copies here:

http://www.ebay.com/...=p2045573.m1684

 

Thank you. Just found it for a very good price.

 

Awesome! Glad you found one.

[phillyflash]

Has anyone read Experiencing Rush: A Listener's Companion from a couple of years ago? It's only 194 pages, but is listing for $40 on Amazon. Is it worth that much money?

 

http://www.amazon.com/Experiencing-Rush-Listeners-Durrell-Bowman/dp/1442231300/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456063632&sr=1-1&keywords=rush+listener%27s

[Day of Light]

Has anyone read Experiencing Rush: A Listener's Companion from a couple of years ago? It's only 194 pages, but is listing for $40 on Amazon. Is it worth that much money?

 

http://www.amazon.co...rush listener's

 

Nah it's not worth it. I'd skip it.

[ytserush]

Has anyone read Experiencing Rush: A Listener's Companion from a couple of years ago? It's only 194 pages, but is listing for $40 on Amazon. Is it worth that much money?

 

http://www.amazon.co...rush listener's

 

Actually I'm about 40 pages in now (I'm so far behind!) and I think it's one of the better Rush books I've read so far.

 

Here's more about it.

http://rushvault.com/2014/08/10/new-book-rush-life-liberty-and-the-pursuit-of-excellence/

 

$40 seems very steep to me though. I'm going to guess you can probably get one for around $25 or less. It only came out like two years ago. I can't imagine it being highly sought after (although I think it's a great book.) Maybe the author (on the website) can get one more reasonably for you?

[hcm]

I've pretty much read all the Rush books, two of my greatest loves, Rush music, and reading, including the Professors' stuff. Edited February 23, 2016 by hcm

[ytserush]

I've pretty much read all the Rush books, two of my greatest loves, Rush music, and reading, including the Professors' stuff.

 

How did you like the Jon Collins book?

Far from authorized there were quite a few things that I didn't know about.

I also like the chapter with the bios of all of those associated with the band. Even though I knew where most of the band quotes came from, it was still pretty cool.

[blueschica]

I've pretty much read all the Rush books, two of my greatest loves, Rush music, and reading, including the Professors' stuff.

 

How did you like the Jon Collins book?

Far from authorized there were quite a few things that I didn't know about.

I also like the chapter with the bios of all of those associated with the band. Even though I knew where most of the band quotes came from, it was still pretty cool.

 

So "Rush: Chemistry: The Definitive Biography" is worth reading? It is $4.00 used on Amazon. That is a little more than I like to pay because I if there are not a lot of good photos I give them to someone else afterward but if it's interesting I might get it or order it from interlibrary loan at the library. :) I got "Traveling Music" by Neil for 99 cents on Amazon last month and I am enjoying it very much!

[ytserush]

I've pretty much read all the Rush books, two of my greatest loves, Rush music, and reading, including the Professors' stuff.

 

How did you like the Jon Collins book?

Far from authorized there were quite a few things that I didn't know about.

I also like the chapter with the bios of all of those associated with the band. Even though I knew where most of the band quotes came from, it was still pretty cool.

 

So "Rush: Chemistry: The Definitive Biography" is worth reading? It is $4.00 used on Amazon. That is a little more than I like to pay because I if there are not a lot of good photos I give them to someone else afterward but if it's interesting I might get it or order it from interlibrary loan at the library. :) I got "Traveling Music" by Neil for 99 cents on Amazon last month and I am enjoying it very much!

 

I think it's worth reading (but I'm a geek/nerd or whatever) Chemistry isn't a book for photos and the ones there are low resolution so if that's what you're looking for, this isn't a book for you.

 

I liked Traveling Music too, but I'll read anything Neil writes.

[ytserush]

Say what you want about Visions, but it just might be the most comprehensive account of the early years through to about 1977 or so.

 

It's not likely any future accounts will be as detailed as Visions for that era of the band.

 

There really was insider access during that project.