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All That's Left To Know About Rock's Greatest Power Trio by Max Mobley May 2014 |
Rush FAQ documents the amazing story of the worlds greatest Canadian prog rock power trio, from its origins in a church basement in Willowdale, Ontario, to its induction ceremony at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Covering 40 albums, 10 DVDs, thousands of mesmerizing live shows, and millions of rocks most loyal fans, the story of Rush is as epic and unique as its music. Rush has been maligned by the press for decades, and misunderstood by a legion of mainstream rock fans and rock glitterati. And yet only the Beatles and Rolling Stones have earned more gold and platinum records.
Few artists, if any, have been as influential as Rushs three virtuososbassist-keyboardist-vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer-lyricist Neil Peart. Rushs focus has always been about its muse and its music. As such, Rush FAQ studies the evolution of the bands sound, from the early days of Zeppelin-esque blues-rock to complex, synth-laden opuses to the return of concept-album bombast with the critically acclaimed Clockwork Angels. With wit, humor, and authority, music industry veteran and unabashed Rush geek Max Mobley examines the music, gear, personalities, and trials and tribulations of one of rock and rolls truly legendary acts. It is a story Rush fans will treasure and rock and roll fans will admire.
Backbeat Books (May 1, 2014)
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. Loud and Polite: How Three Nice Kids Learned to Rock Big and Loud
Chapter 2. The Ballad of John Rutsey: Rush's Unsung Steady Starter
Chapter 3. A Trio of Breakouts: Rush's Three Most Pivotal Albums
Chapter 4. What's with All the Keyboards, Man?: Rush's Love Affair with Technology and Sound
Chapter 5. Rush Milestones on TV and in Film: Prog-Rock Icons' Decades-Long Screen Test
Chapter 6. The Clubs of Rush: Big Music Requires a Big Tent
Chapter 7. All the World's a Stage — But Especially North America: A Double Live Introduction to Rush in Concert
Chapter 8. Exit...Stage Left — Enter "Xanadu": Stellar Live Performances and a Bit Too Much Polish
Chapter 9. A Show of Hands — and Technology: Pastels, Shoulder Pads, and Mullets, Oh My!
Chapter 10. Different Stages Amid Darkness: A Gift from the Past with an Uncertain Future
Chapter 11. Grace Under Pressure: Tour 1984: Rush Get the Eighties (in a Good Way...)
Chapter 12. Rush in Rio — The Boys Are Back Onstage: A Prog-Rock Carnival
Chapter 13. R30: Rush Celebrates Thirty Years the Only Way They Know How: Anniversary Anthems and a Well-Stocked Automat
Chapter 14. The Ssss—Zing of Snakes and Arrows Live: A Clean Shot at Being Hard, Heavy, and Happy
Chapter 15. The Time Machine's Mean Stride: "Tom Sawyer" Meets Jules Verne
Chapter 16. The Gospel According to Rush: The Words of Neil Peart
Chapter 17. Peart's Prose: And He's a Darn Good Travel Writer, Too
Chapter 18. Rush Collaborations: Key Contributors to the Rush Experience
Chapter 19. Clockwork Angels Live and in Studio: Rush's Biggest Live Production Heralds the Return to Bigger Stories
Chapter 20. Vapor Trails' Trials and Tribulations: Making Right an Important Wrong
Chapter 21. Le Studio — Rush's Abbey Road: Ruins of a Prog-Rock Holy Site
Chapter 22. Rush's Mainstream Acceptance Via the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Blah, blah. Blah blah blah, blah blah, BLAH!
Selected Bibliography