![]() The release of the debut LP is delayed due to the oil crisis, so that the LP Rush will not be released until January 1974. They decide to write more of their own material in order to develop their own identity. Their very first song is called Losing Again.Īfter some changes in the line-up and even the temporary break-up of Rush, Alex, Geddy and John reform the trio Rush. Soon, some of their own compositions are added, with a preference for the blues. The young trio will rehearse a lot with covers by Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Jeff Beck, Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley as their repertoire. However, Geddy's debut suits everyone so well that they exchange Geddy for Jeff. Geddy accepts Alex's telephone invitation to fill in for Jeff this once. Geddy's first instrument was an acoustic guitar, but when the bassist dropped out of one of his groups, it was logical that Geddy took over. His official name is Gary Lee Weinrib but because of the pronunciation by his mother with her Yiddish accent, his nickname is Geddy. ![]() Alex calls a bassist he used to jam with and who he knows from Fisherville Junior High School. He prefers to go to a party of an acquaintance. Just before the next performance (they can now play on Friday evening in the Coff-In), Jeff calls. There are 30 spectators, including many friends and acquaintances. The first concert of the three adolescents takes place in a coffee shop called Coff-In. The trio will play hard rock songs under the name Rush, an invention of John's older brother Bill. In the fall of '68, Alex and John invite bassist/vocalist Jeff Jones to form a group. Neighbors Alex Lifeson (son of Yugoslav immigrants named Zivojinovic) and John Rutsey grow up together. The story of Rush begins in the second half of the 1960s. Which is a stark contrast to a few years before, when Rush was almost a thing of the past.īut first a bit of history. Rush appears to be very much alive in the late 1970s, and on their way to international recognition. Rush has won a lot of new fans at Pinkpop 1979. Unfortunately, still none of my prog friends share my love for Rush, and so on JI travel alone to see Rush at Pinkpop. I am delighted to read that Rush will perform at Pinkpop 1979, their first concert on Dutch soil. And I also wear the same kind of clothes as the members of Rush, always in jeans and T-shirts, which is a nice identification. Out of pride, I write the name Rush in big letters on my school bag, and on my diary. The album is much in the style of A Farewell To Kings, but the title track is sometimes a bit long-winded, in contrast to the songs The Trees and La Villa Strangiato, a unique and genius mix of hard rock and prog rock, Rush's trademark. The next Rush LP, Hemispheres (1978), does not change anything there. The new albums by Genesis, Rick Wakeman, Yes, and Pink Floyd are on their record players every day, no room for Rush with them. Unfortunately, my prog friends at school are more into the symphonic side of prog and don't share my taste, they think Rush is too loud and the vocals are terrible. And again, and again at night, it goes on like this all week. I buy the LP, rush home (pun intended) and go to my room to listen to the whole album. I go straight to my favorite record store, listen to some songs, and quickly get into an ultimate state of musical excitement. In short, all the ingredients for a fascinating album, somewhere between hard rock and prog rock. Author Kees Baars (he would eventually become a big Rush fan and personal friend to Geddy Lee) talks about atmosphere, tempo changes, inventive drumming, terrifyingly good bass parts, rousing rhythm guitar, the use of classical guitar and synthesizers. Rush at Pinkpop, courtesy of Alex van Loon / Ībout a year later, Dutch music magazine Muziekkrant publishes a very positive review on the new Rush album titled A Farewell To Kings. I have to get used to the sometimes screaming voice and after hearing the rest of the record I was not so convinced by side 4 with the more hard rock than progressive songs. It sounds like progressive hard rock and although played by three amazing musicians it sounds like there are at least four. It blows my mind! So dynamic and compelling, so many ideas. He let sme hear side 3 which has, of course, 2112. He is talking about a band from Canada named Rush and shows a double live album called All The World's A Stage. In their attic I first heard albums by Led Zeppelin - simply amazing.Īfter an hour or so, the little brother asks whether I would like to hear one of their latest discoveries. His younger brother also loves the music. I am visiting a soccer friend who introduced me to symphonic and progressive rock by the likes of Genesis, Yes, ELP, King Crimson, and Camel.
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