Rush - Influences

I am not sure if there is anyone in world who has not heard of Rush. They have been a group of gentalmenly musicians that have pushed the boundaries of the rock genre since their inception.

Rush, the band born in 1968, was the brainchild of hockey buddies drummer John Rutsey, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and original bass player Jeff Jones. Long before the world came to know Geddy Lee as the voice and low-end powerhouse of Rush, it was Jeff Jones who helped shape the group’s earliest identity, grounding the young band during its formative basement-rehearsal and high-school-gym years. Jeff provided the original bass foundation and was part of the chemistry that allowed Rush to take shape as a real working band rather than just a casual jam project.

Jeff Jones was soon replaced by Geddy Lee, whose arrival completed the classic trio, but Jeff’s role in the story remains important — he was there at the spark, helping turn three teenage musicians into a band with direction and ambition.

With Lee now on bass and vocals, Rush became a rock trio that entertained crowds throughout Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe, where the influences of late-60s British and American rock were clearly reflected in their performances. John Rutsey’s hard-hitting, driving drumming pushed the music forward with youthful intensity, while Geddy Lee’s melodic, aggressive bass playing and high, chirpy vocals added urgency and sharpness to the group’s sound. Alex Lifeson’s jazzy, hard-edged guitar — drawing on the influence of Jimmy Page and Steve Howe — completed the sonic attack, giving Rush the distinctive energy and complexity that would soon set them apart from their peers.

Together, these early elements formed the raw blueprint of what Rush would become: a band rooted in youthful friendship, local gigs, and a passion for pushing rock music beyond its boundaries.

Donna Halper was the first to spin the single "Working Man" on  Cleveland's WMMS. This was a historical moment for the rock music genre. It was a virtual instant hit with the blue collared listeners of Cleveland. Understanding the hard hitting music, they immediately requesting the song over the airways.

Working Man performed in 1974;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZYr_J9H54I 

Unfortunately John had become ill and didn't seem too enthused about becoming a traveling musician as told in a 2003 interview with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, he could not fill the roll as the drummer of Rush. Enter, Neil Peart. Growing up in St. Catherines and playing the local grind with many bands in the area, he had known of Rush through radio and their proliferate performances in high schools, pubs and small hockey arenas in the area. Peart decided to answer the call for a drummer for Rush. He would sit and have a handshake session with the duo, Alex and Geddy. They were really not impressed at first saying "he is kind of nerdy". They finally began the jam portion of the audition. The first portion of the song "Anthem", off of "Fly By Night". Would be the chosen music to test the drummers ability to mesh with the band. The opening portion was written long before with John Rutsey. John never enjoyed playing along with it. He was a Bohnham-ish drummer, straight up beats that drove the music hard. When the duo played it with Peart, it was instant chemistry! They knew they had their drummer.

As the tour for "Fly by Night" progressed through the United States, Alex and Geddy realized that Peart read a lot! He would delve into his books and scribble poems on paper while on the bus from city to city. They discussed amongst themselves the possibility of Neil writing lyrics. Neil acknowledges, "Yeh, I'll give it a try.". Again making rock history. With the poetic lyrics Neil handed Alex and Geddy, they would sit in the basement drinking coffee and constructing the music to epic poems with a couple of acoustics and a tape recorder. Later bringing the music to Peart. After they decided what would work, they took to a studio in Toronto to record.

Rush would go on to record 18 studio albums with Neil Peart. These recordings would influence millions of listeners all over the world. It is amazing when you go to another part of the world and listen to a street musician play "Closer the the Heart" on an old beat up acoustic guitar with three strings, singing it with pride and love. Love of Rush, for bringing their music to the world in a gentamenly fashion. Only as a group of proud Canadians can!