From my teenage years to middle age years there has always been one band that has been there and meant more to me than any other band in my lifetime, RUSH. To say I was a Rush fan before being a Rush fan was cool is putting it mildly. At a time when I had all their albums I would mention Rush and the general reaction would be "who?"...you know...Tom Sawyer..."Oh yeah! ya they rock" in which I would then put on something more normal to the band (most of the time 2112). I would typically here "Does the song ever end?" at which point I'd realize they were only into top 40, throw on New World Man and be done with it. I have since referred to these people as "Tom Sawyers". Though I once was the one to have had the same reaction to someone asking if I knew RUSH. Until my cousin Larry introduced me to their other songs I also was a "Tom Sawyer".
I came to truly know rush at age 16 (around 1983). My cousin had Moving Pictures, Hemispheres, 2112 and a couple other albums. As a guitarist and a musician who wanted to put musicianship as a priority, I was amazed by the timing and synchronicity of the band. Not to mention top notch musicianship. Though I had little to no experience playing with a band at the time, I knew the music was something that would be very difficult to perform. RUSH having the ability to replicate their albums almost exactly during live performances all while being a trio made it even more impressive. Add to that they are masters of their instruments makes Rush a must for any musician.
I then proceeded to buy every album they had made prior to '83 starting with their first. I would go on to buy every album after on through the years. It was a lonely existence being the only rush fan in small town Texas that knew more of them than the occasional song that would creep into the top 40. But I didn't care. In fact, it kinda made it more personal to me. I listened to, and had great appreciation for, something no one else did. Which kinda made me as unique as the band.
"It's been a little over two years since Rush last toured. We have no plans to tour or record any more. We're basically done. After 41 years, we felt it was enough." - Alex Lifeson
While speaking with The Globe and Mail, Alex Lifeson was quoted as saying "It's been a little over two years since Rush last toured. We have no plans to tour or record any more. We're basically done. After 41 years, we felt it was enough." As well as I know and follow the band, the news was somewhat expected. One of those things that you know is going to happen but dred hearing none the less. It has been 43 years since RUSH's debut album. For a band that never technically "hit the big-time" and hasn't had a member change since their first album, That is one hell of a run. It also speaks volumes about the band members character and their unique relationship with their fans.
Does this mean the band is "Broke up"? I wouldn't call it that, to break up is to imply disagreement or band members not being able to reconcile their differences. I prefer to think they chose to "Take Off to the Great White North". Honestly I never imagined back in the day that Rush would be recording and touring as long as they have. Though I could also never see them breaking up. In fact I can be quoted back in the 90's when Alex and Geddy were making solo albums. Many had assumed they had broke up. My response was "Impossible! RUSH will NEVER break up, they are too good of friends. They may stop recording and touring together as often but they will NEVER 'Break up' "
As a life long fan in RUSH Geek-dome, I want to say thank you to RUSH. You have given me so much inspiration over the years through your music and through being just flat out good guys. Your music is legendary and your lyrics, words to live by. A RUSH quote that I use quite often as I always have a hard time coming to a decision is "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice" - Free Will, Permanent Waves. I will use it again here...I choose not to think of them as broke up, but simply not going to make anymore albums as a band in the near future....Just taking off into the Great White North.