The Last Walk Off.

Rush drummer Neil Peart has died.  He was 67.  He had been fighting brain cancer for the past three years, which he managed to keep quiet about.  For those familiar with him that's probably not a surprise.  Despite being drummer for one of Canada's most successful rock bands Peart was a fairly private man.  He tended to let Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson do most of the PR side of things, and that tendency became even stronger after the horrifying double blow of losing his daughter Selena in a 1997 car accident, following the death from cancer 10 months later of his common-law wife Jacqueline Taylor.  The song "Limelight," from Rush's 1981 album Moving Pictures, reflected that introverted side of Peart.  He is survived by his second wife, photographer Carrie Nuttall, and their daughter Olivia.

Remembrance.

Given the number of celebrity deaths in recent days listening to this Rush tune seemed quite appropriate, although I didn't actually decide to listen to it for that reason.  But of course it's not just the famous who have just left us.  Hopefully you aren't facing a loss as you read this.

Fading Out.

If you've been paying attention to coverage of the death of Keith Emerson you probably know by now that he committed suicide.  This was apparently prompted by health problems in his hands that were increasingly effecting his ability to play.  Emerson had problems in the early '90s, but seemed to have gotten past them.  But that was 20 years ago, when he was 50.

It made me think of this Rush song, one of their lesser known pieces, from 1982's album Signals.  Ironically Rush themselves are currently trying to figure out their future as health problems make the rigours of touring hard on Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart.  We're going to be seeing this hit more and more rockers in the next few years. 

When I Rule The World 25.

All radio stations will have to play "The Spirit of Radio" at least once a day, regardless of format.

60.

The years roll on.  Geddy Lee turns 60 today.  In tribute, here's some ancient Rush.  I doubt the Geddy who did this ever imagined he'd still be at it 40 years later. (And no, despite the title, this isn't the Glenn Miller tune.)

Should Have Been.

It would be fascinating to know what processes bands go through when deciding to release singles.  Rush's 1990 album Presto produced 3 singles: "Show Don't Tell," the opening cut, "The Pass," and "Superconductor."  But if I'd had a say in the process, I would have tried to convince them to release "Available Light," the album's final track.



I really think this track could have been a hit.  For that matter it's a Rush tune that might actually do someone quite well if they covered it.  Unfortunately a hamfisted cover of "Tom Sawyer" is much more likely to be in some artist's plans.

Big Whoop!

So Rush is going to be indicted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  The only thing good I can see about it is the Rush fans who for some reason think this is important won't keep going on about it.  Being in the so-called Hall of Fame won't make peoiple who don't like Rush like them, or make their music sound even better.  So why should anyone care?

As you sit there thinking about what nasty thing to say to me for not thinking this is the most important thing to happen in music, EVAH! you can listen to one of my favourite Rush tunes.  Surprise, it's not "Tom Sawyer!"

John Rutsey, RIP.

The original drummer for Canadian rock legends Rush has died. John Rutsey was 55. He helped found the band in 1968 along with guitarist Alex Lifeson and bassist Jeff Jones. Jones was soon replaced by Lifeson's schoolmate Geddy Lee and the trio became the core members of the group. Rutsey appeared on the group's first single, a cover of the Buddy Holly tune "Not Fade Away" backed with the Lee and Rutsey penned "You Can't Fight It" in 1973. He went on to play on the group's self titled debut, released in 1974. After the debut album Rutsey left, citing his diabetes and a lack of interest in touring. Rutsey was replaced by Neil Peart, and drifted away from music. Some might call Rutsey the Pete Best of Rush, although Rutsey left of his own free will and there was no real indication Rush would go on to be one of the most successful Canadian acts of all time.

A Heads Up To Canadian Rush Fans.

If you haven't picked up the new Rush album Snakes & Arrows yet go to your local Music World. They've got it for $11.99, cheaper than HMV and CD Plus.

Here's a picture of interest to Rush fans. Geddy really hasn't changed all that much over the last 35 odd years, but Al's face seems to have changed somewhat.