Rush (band)

Rush is an acclaimed Canadian progressive rock band comprising bassist/keyboardist/vocalist Geddy Lee (formerly Gary Weinrib), guitarist Alex Lifeson (real name Alexander Zivojinovich), and drummer Neil Peart (pronounced: 'Peert') who recorded their first album in 1974. The band was formed in the summer of 1968, in Sarnia, Ontario by Lifeson, Lee, and John Rutsey. They soon moved to Toronto to further their career. Peart replaced Rutsey on drums in 1974, to complete the present lineup.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Debate

The members of Rush have themselves noted that people "either love Rush or hate Rush", resulting in strong detractors and an intensely loyal fan base. Despite having completely dropped out of the public eye for five years following Peart's loss of his wife and daughter, and the band's being relegated almost solely to classic rock stations in the U.S., the 2002 Vapor Trails release shot up to #6 on the Billboard Chart in its first week of release. The subsequent Vapor Trails tour grossed over $24 million and included the largest audience ever to see a Rush show - 60,000 fans in São Paulo. The following year, the band released Rush in Rio, which the RIAA has certified gold, marking the fourth decade in which a Rush album had been released and certified at least gold.

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It is not surprising that Rush's loyal fanbase was on the whole not pleased to learn that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame had passed over Rush for induction in 1999 - Rush's first year of eligibility. The band has not been nominated since, calling the Foundation's requirements for induction into question for some, who wonder what qualifies an artist or band for the Hall of Fame; is it years of musical excellence and pioneering work, high record sales and fan popularity, or the approval of music critics?

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Another factor which some feel should be considered is that Rush has influenced countless musicians and bands, including Dream Theater, Iron Maiden, Metallica, The Manic Street Preachers, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Primus.

Related Topics:
Dream Theater - Iron Maiden - Metallica - The Manic Street Preachers - The Smashing Pumpkins - Primus

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