Updates and other random Rush stuff May 23, 2008
The 2008 Snakes & Arrows Live tour is back in full swing and heading to the East. Rush played Moline on Tuesday and St. Paul last night. This weekend and through next week they’ll be back in the Motherland to play dates in Winnipeg, Regina, Edmonton and Vancouver. Attendance continues to be relatively low but I think that’s more due to an overloaded summer concert circuit and a poor economy than anything else. Despite this, the feedback from fans and critics alike remains very positive. The only new official attendance figures that I have are for the Los Angeles shows at the Nokia (thanks Mark S). Billboard Boxscore for some reason lumped the attendance and sales figures together for these 2 shows since they were back to back. They have the attendance listed as 9,861 out of a capacity of 12,616 with gross sales totaling $1,185,575. That averages out to around 4,930 per night although the first night was close to sold out. That second night must have been very intimate indeed. One other tour-related note; apparently Neil’s riding buddy and head of Rush security Michael Mosbach took a spill on his bike back before the Oklahoma City show and sprained his wrist (he’s fine now). So Chris Stankee of Sabian Cymbals filled in as Neil’s riding partner and - for the last couple of shows - also helped out as Neil’s drum tech because Lorne Wheaton had an emergency appendectomy! Quite a lot of drama. You can read some more details at this Counterparts thread and at the This Gig Sucks Blog.
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St. Paul open thread May 22, 2008
Date/Time: Thursday, May 22nd @ 7:30PM
Show Number: 19
Venue: Xcel Energy Center
Place: St. Paul, MN
gallery: [view] [upload] [bootleg videos]
reviews: [reviews]
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Alex Lifeson makes Roadie Crew top guitarist list May 21, 2008
Thiago Sarkis of Brazilian heavy metal mag Roadie Crew recently organized a poll in which 330 prominent guitarists were asked about their favorite guitarists of all time. The results were published in the May 2008 issue (#112) and Alex Lifeson came in at #34. You can see the complete list and all of the participants at Blabbermouth.net. Thanks to Peart#1 for the heads up.
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Moline open thread May 20, 2008
Rush is back in action tonight after their 9-day break. They’ll be playing the i wireless Center in Moline, IL. This will be their first show since the unfortunate death of original Rush drummer John Rutsey. No word on whether they’ll do any sort of tribute or acknowledgment of any kind. They had posted a message on Rush.com late last week. For those of you going, have a great time and let us know how it went.
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Alex Lifeson interview; No setlist changes, Rolling Stone and Rush May 18, 2008
Rush Redux
Alex Lifeson was interviewed for a recent Star Tribune article previewing Thursday’s show at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Alex pretty much puts to rest the idea that they might change up the setlist for the 2008 leg at some point:
Rush Redux
… “Once we’ve established what the set is for the tour, it stays that way,” Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson said recently during tour rehearsals in Puerto Rico.…
Original Article syndicated via RSS from Rush is a BandOfficial Rush statement regarding John Rutsey’s death May 17, 2008
Rush.com has released an official statement from Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson regarding the death of Rush’s original drummer John Rutsey:
Our memories of the early years of Rush when John was in the band are very fond to us. Those years spent in our teens dreaming of one day doing what we continue to do decades later are special. Although our paths diverged many years ago, we smile today, thinking back on those exciting times and remembering John’s wonderful sense of humour and impeccable timing. He will be deeply missed by all he touched.
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Original Article syndicated via RSS from Rush is a BandUpdates and other random Rush stuff May 16, 2008
Rush played their last show on the tour before a nine-day hiatus last
Sunday in Irvine. They’ll pick it up again this coming Tuesday at the iWireless Center in Moline, IL. On the same day of that last show in Irvine Rush’s original drummer and founding member John Rutsey died at the age of 55 from a heart attack brought on by complications from diabetes. You can read the obituary here. Donations may be made in John’s memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He played an integral role in establishing Rush back in the early days and will be sorely missed. Thanks for the music and rest in peace John.…
Original Article syndicated via RSS from Rush is a BandNeil Peart news update
NEWS, WEATHER, and SPORTS - May, 2008: South by Southwest
Just like on the 2007 leg, Neil Peart has taken advantage of the band’s first extended break on the tour to compose another News Update to his website. Neil chronicles his motorcycle adventures over the first part of the tour, riding his way from east to west from Puerto Rico to California. There are a number of especially good photographs included in this update as well. Neil’s also very pleased with the tour and how the band is playing:…
Original Article syndicated via RSS from Rush is a BandJohn Rutsey obituary May 15, 2008
As I’d posted a couple days ago, Rush’s original drummer John Rutsey died this past Sunday from a heart attack brought on by complications from diabetes. A short obituary which includes information for charitable donations in John’s name was published in today’s National Post.
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Original Article syndicated via RSS from Rush is a BandNeil Peart spotted at Freddie Gruber’s 81st birthday party
Jazz drumming legend Freddie Gruber turned 81 years young recently and his friends threw him a birthday bash at La Ve Lee jazz club in North Hollywood Tuesday night. JoesMechanic over at the House of Drumming forum was at the party and spotted Neil Peart. Neil studied under Freddie back in the mid-90s and has remained good friends with him. You can read about JoesMechanic’s experience at the party and check out some pics/videos at this link. You can see Neil in the video below sitting next to Freddie as someone sings him Happy Birthday.
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