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Fanzine Archive |
When most Rush fans talk about the old fan-made "fanzines" of the pre-internet age, the conversation typically centers around the two major players of that bygone era. First there was The Spirit of Rush, which had an incredible run of 64 issues from 1987 all the way through 2003. And then there was A Show of Fans whose high-quality run of 17 issues were published from 1991 through 1997.
However before those two giants came to be, Rush fan Derek Barker, who now goes by the name of Derek Bacharach, published his own set of Rush fanzines appropriately titled Rushology. Derek's approach was to focus each issue on a specific Rush studio album, while inviting fans to comment and critique on the album. Derek's welcome letter introducing the fanzine spells out his intentions:
Dear Rush Fan,
Last March, I had an idea: I wanted to inform people about those three stooges that still remain an enigma to some people. So I decided that I would like to start a fan club. Each newsletter will be dedicated to one of their albums in chronological order. To enable you to participate in this newsletter, you are invited to evaluate each album. Simple, huh?
For each newsletter, my main job will be to blend together everyone's responses. And whenever I encounter an interesting statement, I will quote you.
Not only will there be an essay in each newsletter, but articles, contests, editorials, itineraries, pen pal lists and polls.
In March of 1986, more than a year before the premiere issue of The Spirit of Rush fanzine was released, Derek published his inaugural issue of Rushology which featured fantastic cover artwork by Jerry W. Brown. The fanzine would unfortunately have a short-lived run, spanning only four issues with the final offering coming out in December of the same year. In fact years later, in 1992, Derek would talk about his fanzine in an article that appeared in the fifth issue a A Show of Fans:
"...my membership peaked at thirty-seven, from Canada, United States, UK, W. Germany, Australia and Japan. Some fans were supportive, providing singular feedback while others never bothered to write after mailing their checks for seven dollars. Due to insufficient feedback and funds as well as my entrance into college, Rushology folded after four issues, spanning from the years before their debut album ("The Critical Period [1968-1973]") to Caress Of Steel..."
Today, Rushology lives again in this special archive that features all four issues along with some other material. Very special thanks go to Bob Nippert who provided the scans of each issue and, of course, Derek Bacharach who graciously granted me permission to post copies of his fanzine here.
I truly hope you enjoy this nostalgic look back at the mid-80's era of Rush.
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