The trio that constitute the band Rush have been together since 1974, but Rolling Stone is just now discovering them. As the band takes part in what is likely its last tour, they made the cover of Rolling Stone for the first time ever.
Granted, RS has interviewed the band before, including the 2008 cover with no text, just Barack Obama on the cover. But with the band getting a third or fourth wind it was harder to ignore them. In recent years Rush was the subject of a hit documentary, "Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage," featured in the comedy "I Love You, Man," and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Now, it looks like the end. Guitarist Alex Lifeson is dealing with worsening arthritis in his hands, bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee's voice sounds worse each year, and drum god Neil Peart has chronic tendonitis in his arms. So this tour is looking increasingly like the last big tour for the three.
One good thing from this tour: Neil's six year old daughter got to see dad at work for the first time.
Peart maintains a personal Web site, sort of. It's not in the typical blog style of quick hits every day. He writes very long updates every few months. And I mean long. 5000-6000 words. He doesn't ride in the tour bus between shows, he rides his motorcycle and keeps a journal of his travels through America, with his usual Canadian sensibilities thrown in.
In his most recent update, he wrote of his wife Carrie and 6yo daughter Olivia coming to New Orleans, making this the first time his young daughter got to see what daddy does for workand all the people who come to see him.
“There must be two-thousand-and-eighteen people,” she said.
Ray laughed and told her, “Actually there are about eleven thousand!”
Olivia looked puzzled, “Are they all here to see my dad and Uncle Alex and Uncle Geddy?”
When Ray assured her they were, she said, “That’s too silly.”
Wish I could have seen that.
Sources: 1, 2
