Neil Peart News
by AndyO
This great picture of Neil Peart waving to the crowd at Madison Square Garden is courtesy of @OURoadWarrior, now a repeat "Photo of the Night" photographer. Thanks for sharing!
Labels: photo of the night, R40
This dramatic shot of Neil Peart is courtesy of Roman Dino. Thanks, Roman!
Labels: photo of the night, R40
This photo is courtesy of drummer Mike Portnoy. Mike, whom I had the pleasure of interviewing in 2013 on his Winery Dogs tour, is one of the biggest Rush fans you'll ever meet -- and an amazing drummer.
For the Boston R40 Rush show, Mike brought son, Max, drummer for the band Next to None.
Mike also posted this photo of himself and the R40 Retro kit on Twitter. Let's face it: This is what we'd all do if we could!
Labels: photo of the night, R40
For show number two in Toronto, Rush played "Losing It" with electric violinist Ben Mink. This was the first time the song has ever been performed live. And even if it doesn't stay in the set list, the song was captured for the next video release.
Photo of Rush and Ben Mink by @RushCon!
Labels: photo of the night, R40
As a longtime Rush fan (going back to 1981 for me), I never thought Geddy, Alex, and Neil would ever grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Well, my fellow Rushians, I'm here to tell you that's exactly what's happening, starting Tuesday, June 16, at 10 a.m. (ET) (online version), and Friday, June 19 (print edition).
Rush Finally Make Rolling Stone's Cover
Congratulations to Rush on finally ending up where they should have been in, say, 1981 (to Rolling Stone's credit, they did feature the band in a good article in 1981 by David Fricke "Power from the People").
After 41 years together and now in the midst of a likely last tour, the Rolling Stone cover is even sweeter than it might have been in 1981. This is a band that's stayed the course of artistic freedom and showed us all what's possible. They are exemplars of perfection through perseverance -- role models of modesty and graciousness. (When I thought they should reject their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Rush showed me there was another way. Even after all the bitterness and negativity thrown at them from Rolling Stone and publisher Jan Wenner, they took the high road -- not so much for themselves, but for all of their fans and the musicians who wanted to pay tribute.
So here they are now, these three Canadian musicians smiling on the cover: Alex's inviting smile, Neil's guarded grin, and Geddy Lee's raised eyebrow. Like Alex's "Blah Blah Blah" speech at the Rock Hall induction ceremony, that raised eyebrow opens up a world of interpretations. At the top of those interpretations, here's one I think is fitting: In this serious, historic moment, Geddy has chosen to reflect on the humorous side of Rush. And why not? Humor is what's kept them together all these years. It could even keep them together for a few more (if Rush fans have their wish).
Labels: Rolling Stone
Great photo of Neil Peart from @AAIILan on Twitter. Thanks for sharing!
Labels: photo of the night, R40
Neil Peart has posted a June update to his website entitled "Backstage Byways."
There's a lot of great stories in this one, including his daughter Olivia's first Rush concert in New Orleans!
It was also Olivia's first Rush concert, and she loved it. I had thought she might last a song or two, but she danced and air-drummed right to the end. Manager Ray arranged a "box" for them, high up over everything, and Olivia couldn't get over all the people.
"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."
Then she wondered, "Do they know he's my dad?"
Ray laughed and said, "They probably do."
There are also a lot of photos, including this one of Neil and his two drum kits for the R40 Live tour:
Labels: neilpeart.net, News updates, R40, written by NEP
This one is from Mary Cae @rushlove) on Twitter. Thanks for sharing your photos!
Labels: photo of the night, R40
