This statement comes from the unconventional, enduring members of one of the great progressive rock groups, Rush. With a huge fan base it could be said that many people love Rush.

Rush

"People either love Rush or hate Rush."

This statement comes from the unconventional, enduring members of one of the great progressive rock groups, Rush. With a huge fan base it could be said that many people love Rush.

The Bedrock Group of Canadian Rock

With 14 platinum records (3 being multi-platinum) and 24 gold records, Rush is fourth, behind Aerosmith, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones, for the most consecutive platinum or gold rock albums. Pretty good for a group of guys who began playing in Toronto, Ontario's Willowdale neighborhood in 1968. Between 1968 and 1974 they underwent a couple of staffing changes to become the band known as Rush.

On the US Scene

By May 1971 the original group was formed, Keyboardist, Bassist, and Vocal Lead Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer John Rutsey. They signed with a local manager, Ray Daniels. In 1973 they released their first single, a cover of a Buddy Holly song, Not Fade Away. When local record companies didn't take interest in their work the group decided to form their own independent label, Moon Records. In 1974 Rush released its first , self-titled album in Canada. The album met little popularity or notoriety until Donna Halper, DJ and music director for WMMS in Cleveland, Ohio picked it up and added the single, Working Man to the station's regular play list. The song was wildly popular and the album was re-released in the US under the Mercury Records label.

Changes, Changes

Citing medical problems and dislike of touring, Rutsey resigned in 1974. Auditions were held and Neil Peart was eventually selected as his replacement. He officially joined the group just two weeks before the band was to start its first US tour. With the addition of Peart the group had added a new lyricist as well, leaving Lee and Lifeson to focus on the group's musical style. Due to Peart's fascination with science-fiction and fantasy the lyrical style and theme of the band changed dramatically, although their first post-Rutsey album, Fly By Night (1975), still had much of the bluesy feel of their first album.

Quickly after the release of Fly By Night they released their next album, Caress of Steel (1975), which did not garner the attention either the band or their label had hoped for. Their next two albums, 2112 and the live album, All The World's a Stage, led to the group changing their style and heading in a new direction.

1977-1981 Progress

The next phase of Rush's development saw them producing albums like A Farewell to Kings (1977) and Hemispheres (1978), both produced in Wales, at Rockfield Studios. They began using more progressive elements in their music during this time. Increased synthesizer use, use of other instruments such as the glockenspiel, cow bells, and twelve string classical guitar, along with longer, story songs and concept songs moved the group in a completely different direction.

New wave and reggae elements appeared in their next album, Permanent Waves (1980). Songs on this album, such as The Spirit of Radio and Freewill, tended to be shorter, more radio-friendly. In 1981 Rush released the album Moving Pictures. This was the last Rush album to contain an extended song, the ten and a half minute The Camera Eye.

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