Canada has always been famous for its athletes. The best hockey players and skiers who conquered the world were born in this country. But the rock impulse that began in the 1970s managed to show the world the talented trio Rush. Subsequently, it became a legend of world prog metal.
There were only three left
An important event in the history of world rock music took place in the summer of 1968 in Willowdale. It was here that virtuoso guitarist Alex Lifeson met John Rutsey, who played the drums beautifully.
The acquaintance also happened with Jeff Johnson, who owns a bass guitar and sings well. Such a combination should not have disappeared, so the musicians decided to unite in the Rush group. The guys had intentions not only to play their favorite music, but also to earn more.
The first rehearsals indicated that Jones's vocals were excellent. But not very suitable for the style of the new Canadian trio. Therefore, a month later, Geddy Lee, who had a specific voice, took the place of the vocalist. It has become a hallmark of the group.
The next change of composition took place only in July 1974. Then John Rutsey left the drums, giving way to Neil Peart. Since then, the styles of the group, its sound have changed, but the composition has remained unchanged.
For the first three years, the musicians of the Rush group found their niche and did not perform in front of the general public. Therefore, their official history began only in 1971. Three years later, Canadian prog metallers embarked on their first US tour.
Despite the fact that the band is considered representatives of prog metal, you can always hear echoes of hard rock and heavy metal in the songs. That has never stopped bands like Metallica, Rage Against the Machine or Dream Theater from citing Canadians as their inspiration.
The wisdom of the ages under the laser show
Rush's first self-titled album made the world listen to Canada, where, as it turns out, there are similar talents. True, initially with the disc turned out to be a funny incident.
Not expecting anything worthwhile from the newcomers, many fans mistook a high-quality album for the band's new work. Led Zeppelin. Later, the error was fixed, and the number of "fans" continued to increase.
The original feature of the group was not only the vocals of Geddy Lee, but also lyrics based on the works of philosophy and taken from fantasy and science fiction. In the songs, the Rush group touched upon social and environmental problems, military conflicts of mankind. That is, the musicians behaved like respectable rockers, rebelling against the system.
The group's performances deserved special attention, in which there was not only a combination of prog metal with hard rock, heavy metal and blues, but also amazing special effects. Geddy Lee sang on stage, played bass guitar and made unreal sounds with the help of a synthesizer.
And the drum kit could fly up above the stage and rotate, arranging a laser show for the spectators fascinated by such miracles. It was these features of the concert activity of the Rush group that prompted the release of video albums, which increased the love for the group.
Losses are inevitable in the Rush team
During its existence, the Rush group managed to release 19 full-fledged albums. The works have become a treasure trove for fans of progressive rock and world rock music in general. Everything was fine until the 1990s, which forced society to look differently at familiar things and radically changed the tastes of the public.
The Canadian trio did not stand aside, trying to change their sound to suit the times, applying new "chips" at concerts and continuing to record high-quality albums. But the beginning of the end was the personal tragedy of one of the band members. In 1997, drummer and lyricist Neil Peart's daughter died under the wheels of a car. His beloved wife died of cancer. After such losses, the musician did not have the moral strength to continue playing in the group. And also record albums and go on tour. The group disappeared from the musical sky.
Then many rock fans put an end to Rush, because their last album was released a year earlier, and then there was complete silence. Few believed that the Canadian prog metallers would still be heard. But in 2000, the group not only gathered in the usual line-up, but also recorded new songs. Thanks to the compositions, the band resumed concert activity. The sound of the Rush team has become different. Since the musicians abandoned synthesizers and took up more calm hard rock.
In 2012, the album Clockwork Angels was released, which was the last in the band's discography. Three years later, the Rush group suspended touring activities. And at the beginning of 2018, Alex Lifeson announced the completion of the history of the Canadian trio. However, it all ended in January 2020. It was then when Neil Peart could not overcome a serious illness and died of brain cancer.
Rush legends forever
Yet the world of rock is amazing and unpredictable. It would seem that Rush is an ordinary band that managed to reach the heights in progressive rock. But at the global level, something more is needed to look decent. But even here Canadian musicians have something to show. Indeed, in terms of the number of albums sold, the group entered the top three, giving way to groups The Beatles и The Rolling Stones.
The Rush collective has 24 gold, 14 platinum and three multi-platinum albums sold in the US. The total sales of records worldwide exceeded more than 40 million copies.
Already in 1994, the group received official recognition in their homeland, where the Rush group was included in the Hall of Fame. And in the new millennium, prog metal legends became members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame organization. Even in 2010, the group was included in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
These achievements include numerous music awards. And also the fact that the members of the Rush group have been repeatedly recognized as the most professional performers who masterfully own their instruments.
And even though the group ceased to exist, it continues to live in the hearts of its fans. The musicians are among the brightest representatives of progressive rock. And the modern conquerors of the musical Olympus have a lot to learn from the legendary musicians who have received immortality in world rock history.
