Rush… some final thoughts.
“Nite Fite” has ignited a debate throughtout the internet: Is Rush is heavy metal? The answer to this question is irrelevant (they are). What’s more important is that Rush is awesome.
Ok, this is just my opinion (and Penalty’s… and also a legion of fans.) I thought I’d write a blog about my own connection to their music.
I was introduced to Rush in the same way that so many others were… through my older brother (see below photo). Sometime around 7th grade I began hearing the reality-shredding wail of Geddy Lee through the walls of the house. Soon enough my brother had learned to play the axe riffs of Alex Lifeson on his Fender. It was all contagious and in no time I had cassette dubbed every Rush album for myself.
Look at these concert stubs. I’ve seen them four times.
Now my brother can play every Lifeson guitar line. We even formed a cover band called Rutsey with another set of brothers and ended up on a Rush tribute album. Click here to listen to our version of “Need Some Love”
One more thing: RUSH IS HEAVY METAL…Sometimes. Not every song but some songs. Those who say they aren’t clearly only know their radio hits and haven’t listened to their mid 70’s albums. It’s as heavy as anything from the time. BAM. That’s what it is.
Dan
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On October 18th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Bam Indeed sir. Bam indeed.
-JX!
On October 18th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Oh for the good old days. BAM? Sounds familiar.
On October 18th, 2007 at 12:00 am
btw, you owe me $40 bucks for the 1991 and 1992 tickets.
On October 18th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I too heard the dulcet sounds of Geddy Lee which shook the house but I love you and Ben just the same although it was trying; glad you all live on your own now so you can blast those sounds to your heart’s content and only need to respond to others who share your space!
On October 18th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Ahh! I’m one of those who said that they are not Heavy Metal, and I listened to those 70’s albums as well. My feeling is that while not entirely Heavy Metal, RUSH is 100% ROCK. (And probably a little Prog Rock from the onset of their career.) By the way, I went to one of their concerts in ‘87. Woot!
Just my honest opinion here, of course.
On October 18th, 2007 at 12:00 am
To mis-quote the dubious logic of Nite Fite: “Without Rush there would be no heavy metal. Therefore they are heavy metal….and they WERE heavy metal.”
Ahh well the debate continues forever. Thanks for being a good sport, Ward!
PS: Check out “Anthem”, “Bastille Day”, “Something For Nothing”… that’s heavy.
On October 18th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I’m honored to be mentioned in this blog as the primary influence for your interest in Rush. On the first day of school, freshman year of high school, I was handed a walkman on the bus and listened to Before and After. It blew my mind man. I’ve been a fan ever since and I still think they are the most talented heavy metal band around. They are as heavy metal as Led Zeppelin or Van Halen but not dark metal like Sabbath or Judas Priest. They are their own category really.
On October 18th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Yes Rush IS Meavy Metal!!
Big Brother influence here as well!!
Hemispheres!! Now that’s an Album…YEP Album!!!
On October 19th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I’m of an age where Rush is frightening, be they heavy metal or not. But Dan and Mark, for one minute and fifty five seconds, you made me care. Thanks buds.
On October 19th, 2007 at 12:00 am
My friend’s older sister loved Rush. She had a bumper sticker on her car that said “I (heart) Geddy Lee”. Its important to note that she looked JUST like Geddy Lee.
On October 22nd, 2007 at 12:00 am
Dan, you forgot to mention that Neal Pert is the best drummer alive. I must say, though, Rush is Prog Rock, and not heavy metal. They’re in the vein of Yes and Dream Theater. Black Sabbath is heavy metal, as is Megadeth, Iron Maiden, etc. But Rush? Nope. Not heavy metal. Freaking awesome, yes.
On October 23rd, 2007 at 12:00 am
Rush is prog-rock — a much later entry into the genre, but they were consider progressive rock back in those days, along with Yes, Gentle Giant, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, King Crimson, and the Perter Gabrial version of Genesis. I don’t recall hearing the term “metal” until the 80’s.