u/overall_chemist1893

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It's Alex Lifeson's Birthday!

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It's hard to think about, but Neil Peart left this world on January 7, 2020. Yet, in a way, he never left. Those who love him, and whose lives were changed by his songs, miss him & remember him every day. I remain grateful for having known him. May his memory continue to be an inspiration to us all.

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I never missed an issue of Mad Magazine. In an era that was still conservative, Mad used humor (& satire) to poke fun at politics, popular culture, the rich & famous, and the hypocrisies the writers saw in society. Some of it was juvenile, but some of it was ahead of its time. Were you a fan of Mad?

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On June 25, 2010, in front of a cheering crowd, Rush received their well-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I had led a committee of loyal fans (along with the Purdy brothers from St. Louis) to make this a reality. And Rush asked me to deliver a speech. Photo by Neil's good friend Craig.

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I'm a former rock deejay, and yes, I met Ozzy Osbourne a long time ago. His passing made me think about all the classic rock stars we've lost in the past few years. I wonder whose death has touched you the most, and why? In my case, it would be the death of Neil Peart of Rush. And what about you?

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One of my favorite 1970s movies was (and still is) Blazing Saddles. Not sure it could be made today, but I still think it's hilarious-- great satire too. Are any of you fans of Blazing Saddles, or of Mel Brooks' films from that era?

⋅ ⋅ #and-still-is

It's amazing to note that I've known Alex for 51 years, and we still keep in touch. I love his sense of humor, and I love his dedication to creating excellent music. And of course, I love his loyalty to Geddy-- that kind of friendship is rare. So, happy birthday Alex and may you have many more! 💕

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You may disagree, but I think we all looked pretty cool in 1974 when this was taken, at WMMS-FM in Cleveland (I'm the one in the hat and the long dress).

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Mickey by Toni Basil was a song everybody loved to hate. It reached #1 in 1982 and everyone I knew was sick of it; but to this day, when I hear it on the radio, I want to sing along. Did you like Mickey? Are there other 80s hits you may have hated but couldn't help singing along with? 😉

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Happy birthday Geddy. I am so glad that I know you. I am so glad we've stayed in touch for fifty years. May your special day bring you joy, and may all your birthday wishes come true!

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I've posted this photo before, but it remains one of my faves, taken by one of Neil's closest friends. As most of you know, had Neil lived, today would have been his birthday. I'm among the many who still miss him every day. Happy birthday to a man whose lyrics changed so many lives for the better.

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I remember when the Beatles were on the Ed Sullivan Show, Sunday February 9, 1964. I always watched Ed's show with my parents, & they didn't like rock & roll (neither did Ed, I'm told). To me, it was a big event: I was so excited to see the Beatles live on TV & millions of folks watched it. Did you?

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Let me be among the first to wish Alex Lifeson a wonderful birthday. Over the years, he and I have always kept in touch, and I cherish that communication. A talented musician, a compassionate person, and a very amusing guy who enjoys making people laugh. Happy birthday Alex, & lots of love!

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A friend asked me a great question, & I thought I'd ask you. Ever see a band long before they became famous? Who did you see, where & when? And did you just know they'd one day be stars? In my case, Rush in late June 1974 in Cleveland, 3rd on the bill. (And yes, I believed in them from day 1.)

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Rosalie Trombley was music director at CKLW (Windsor/Detroit) and one of the most influential music directors in top-40 radio. Bob Seger even wrote a song about her, & many artists were grateful to her for helping them to have huge top-40 hits. (Look at all those gold records in her office!)

⋅ ⋅ #Windsor-Detroit #Windsor #Detroit

Seems like only yesterday but it was April 15, 2011 & I was invited to Cleveland to watch Rush perform during the Time Machine tour, which was being recorded. I went into the crowd, where people showed me a lot of love. Perhaps you were there? (My thanks to Todd for the sign & Anita for the photo!)

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I doubt I'm the only person to take note of this, but today is the anniversary of when Billie Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge. There have been so many interpretations of the lyrics, but what do you think he was throwing off the bridge? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv33eaygVDQ

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I was a rock and roll deejay when a lot of these songs came out. How many of them do you remember?

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Since we were recently talking about the R40 tour, I saw Rush in Boston on June 23, 2015. I hung with Howard, spent time backstage with Alex, and enjoyed an amazing concert. I blogged about the show later on: https://dlhalperblog.blogspot.com/2015/06/just-another-mad-mad-day-on-road-some.html

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Just a quick thank you to everyone on this sub. I came to Reddit over 100 days ago, not expecting to stick around, but finding r/rush was amazing. The warm welcome I received has really meant a lot to me. Thanks for the excellent conversations, and for your love & loyalty to Rush. I'm glad I'm here!

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Where were you in 1972? These were the biggest top-40 hits in late June 1972; the survey is from WMEX in Boston. How many of these songs bring back memories for you?

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Few top-40 stations were more influential in the late 60s/early 70s than CKLW (Windsor-Detroit) and few music directors could pick hits better than Rosalie Trombley. Here's a survey from early January 1973. How many of these songs do you remember?

⋅ ⋅ #Windsor-Detroit #1973 #40

Since we were talking yesterday about the anniversary of Neil joining the band, this is one of the earliest photos I have of the new guy with Rush; I believe it's from late September 1974. Poor quality, but great history.

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Before I became a deejay, I taught English at Hyde Park High School, near Boston. This is my official photo for the faculty section of the yearbook; it was taken in early 1973. I wonder how many of you still have yearbook photos-- do you like the way they came out?

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I was a rock & roll deejay and our listeners didn't like disco at all; but some new-wave dance music did very well for us. One of my faves was from 1983: Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran. We played the long night version and our audience loved it. It still sounds great! Were you a fan?

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Can't Believe it was 50 years ago today when I placed the Rush album into regular rotation at WMMS in Cleveland.

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I'm tired of this POTUS & his team berating the press and trying to intimidate reporters. It's only because of good journalists that we know what his administration is really doing. So, name a reporter you respect, who stands up for facts. I'll start: Jacob Soboroff, MSNBC, reporting on immigration.

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And on this day in 1974, Neil Peart officially joined Rush. Geddy writes about it in his recent book, but suffice it to say it was the best decision the band could have made. So many people's lives were changed for the better thanks to the songs Neil wrote.

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When I was growing up, a lot of folks were talking about Moxie, mostly because celebrities like Ted Williams were doing testimonials about it. Frankly, I always heard that Moxie was an acquired taste. (I never tried it.) So, did any of you drink it? Did you like it? And is it still available?

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Unexpected concert pairings: I was not expecting Bob Seger to be on the same bill as Rush, but there they were at this March 1977 show in New York. How about you? Ever been to a concert where two (or more) very unlikely classic rock acts were on the same bill?

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It's Thanksgiving in the US, and even in difficult times, it's good to express some gratitude. I'm grateful I got to meet Geddy's mom (and his sister too). I'm grateful that I'm still in touch with Geddy & Alex. Do you have something specifically Rush-related that you're grateful for?

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One of the good things about being a rock deejay is I saw a LOT of concerts over the years. But unfortunately, I was never able to see the Beatles live. Is there a classic rock band you were never able to see, and you really wish you could have?

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On May 24, 1974 I put the 1st Rush LP, on Moon Records, into rotation at WMMS. I blogged about it several years ago (https://dlhalperblog.blogspot.com/2017/03/moments-to-remember.html). Perhaps you have your own important Rush date that you remember: a concert? Meeting the band? Feel free to share!

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Did you ever have a song running through your mind for no apparent reason? Tonight, I'm thinking about a Rod Stewart song from 1971, Mandolin Wind. We played it a lot at the stations where I worked. Maggie May was the hit from the album, but Mandolin Wind brings back a lot of memories for me.

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Do any of you remember The Living Legend, Bruno Sammartino? I used to love watching him. He was a proponent of scientific wrestling, but he could also be tough. Bruno was WWWF Heavyweight champ several times. I had the privilege of meeting him: a really nice person. So, do you remember him?

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A year ago, 11/19/2023, I was on stage with Geddy in Cleveland. It was a magical night, and if you want to know how it all happened, I blogged about it once I got home. Thought you might find the story interesting: https://dlhalperblog.blogspot.com/2023/11/oh-places-youll-go-or-how-i-ended-up.html

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I was thinking about how cooking shows became popular on TV. In Boston, channel 2 (educational TV) debuted a new French cooking show hosted by Julia Child in late July 1962. People loved her right away; her show soon became a hit & was later syndicated nationally. Did you ever watch her?

⋅ ⋅ #educational-TV #TV #1962 #2

On June 15, 2008, Rush stopped in Mass. during their Snakes & Arrows tour. Neil rarely showed up for the Meet-and-Greets, and this was no exception; but it was wonderful to see Alex and Geddy before the show. If you saw Rush during that tour, where did you see them? (I saw them in both MA & CT.)

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I was working in radio in NY in 1975 and got tickets to this live show nobody knew much about. I enjoyed it (the seats were great too) but at the time, it wasn't a hit. Then, the movie came out, & it gradually became a late-night sensation. Did you see the musical or the movie? Were you a fan?

⋅ ⋅ #the-seats-were-great-too

Hard to believe Neil passed on this day, Jan. 7, 2020. It was a privilege to know him and I hope for the day when the kind of cancer that took him (and his brother Danny) will be cured. I like this photo because it shows Neil focused, doing what he loved best. May his memory, and his music, live on.

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I have a big collection of old top-40 surveys, and here's another one, from 24 April 1969. Do any of these songs bring back memories for you? These Eyes was a favorite of mine, and so was Nothing But a Heartache, and Get Back was brand new on the charts.

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Howard (Herns) Ungerleider & me, June 23, 2015, at R40 in Boston. I sat with Howard in the booth for a while, watching him work his magic with the lights & special effects. (I've known him almost as long as I've known Rush.) That last tour was emotional for everyone, even the members of the crew.

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A good day for memories: on June 25, 2010, something that many of us had worked hard for finally happened: Rush got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I just blogged about it, but here's a photo from Neil's friend Craig. An amazing day. Perhaps you were there?

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I'm a media historian and a former deejay; been going through my old top-40 surveys and I was struck by how many album rock artists had hit songs on this 1984 top-40 survey. Some really good songs, a few of which I still love. How about you?

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Eve of Destruction reached #1 in late September 1965. It was a very controversial song, one of many mid-60s hits that dealt with current issues like the Vietnam war or racial prejudice. Do you remember other 60s hits that were about current events?

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On October 24, 2012, Rush played Boston, on the first leg of their Clockwork Angels tour. Such a privilege to be there: a great concert, & I saw so many wonderful fans. This photo shows me, my journalist friend Meg (a big Rush fan), along with Alex & Geddy. Did any of you see that tour?

⋅ ⋅ #a-big-Rush-fan

I was just thinking about Neil this morning, and thinking about how the lyrics to The Garden apply to his life. And when I remember him, I often look at this photo, in which he seems to be smiling. (It was taken by his longtime friend Craig.)

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After I posted a top 40 survey, several folks asked me about posting an album rock survey from that same year (1984). Happy to do it! So, here's what Boston album rock giant WBCN was playing in mid-August 1984.

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I was thinking about fan conferences the other day. In late August 2004, I was one of the speakers at RushCon; it has been 20 years, but I still remember what a great time we all had! I wonder if any of you have attended fan conferences or events. This photo is me and a loyal Rush fan named Holly.

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So, where were you in 1966, and how many of these hit songs were favorites of yours?

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I don't know how many of you are baseball fans, but even though I'm from Boston, I began following the Toronto Blue Jays because Geddy liked them. This is my 1992 World Series shirt: Geddy got a kick out of it! (He's also a big supporter of the Negro Leagues Museum, as some of you probably know.)

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I'll never forget seeing Rush at the Agora in Cleveland, 16 Dec. 74. They did some stuff from their new LP, & the crowd loved it. Geddy even gave me a shout-out, which I didn't expect. (And I've still got my original Agora pass.) Is there one Rush concert that you will never forget?

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I was thinking about the Cryan' Shames tonight. Their album A Scratch in the Sky is still one of my favorites, even though it came out in 1967. The band was huge in Chicago, but not in many other places. Are there other bands you can think of who were big local stars, but unknown in other cities?

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When did you know you were a Rush fan? For me, it was right after I heard Fly By Night. The 1st album resonated, thanks to Working Man & by late May '74, it was our #2 most requested. But once I heard Fly By Night, I knew for sure this band was going to be a success. So which album made you a fan?

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I can still recall driving to western MA (130 miles from Boston) in August 1969, to see Jefferson Airplane, B.B. King, and the Who in concert at Tanglewood (a venue best known for classical music). Seats ranged from $4 to $6.50. Can you imagine what tickets to a concert like that would cost today?

⋅ ⋅ #a-venue-best-known-for-classical-music #m #130-miles-from-Boston #130

I was going through some of my old magazines, and I found this one from 1976. Remember when Rush looked like this? They've had many looks over the years. Does anyone have a favorite (or, for that matter, one they didn't like as much)?

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I was going through some old emails and found the poster for the premier of Beyond the Lighted Stage, in New York City back in late April 2010. I had the privilege of attending. To this day, I think it's a wonderful and insightful documentary. Did you see it?

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I can still remember my first Rush concert, at the Allen Theatre in Cleveland, June 28, 1974. It was about a month before Neil joined the band. As I recall, Rush was third on the bill, and Geddy was pleasantly surprised that there were some WMMS fans who cheered when the guys played Working Man.

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Showing the first Rush album some love

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While the 60s are often thought of as kind of wild, the early 60s were still very traditional, compared to the late 60s. Here's a good example: this 1960 ad shows a housewife & her daughter (both wearing dresses), & the family dog. And look at that brand new vacuum cleaner. No wonder they're happy!

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In the 70s and 80s, getting a positive review from a rock critic was unusual. This one, from January 1986 in Circus Magazine was more positive than most. See if you agree with the critic's assessment of Power Windows.

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So many cities had great baseball announcers. They made you feel like you were at the game, even if you were just listening to it on the radio. Here are Mel Parnell, Ned Martin, & Curt Gowdy, who did the play-by-play in Boston in the mid-1960s. Which play-by-play announcers do you remember?

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I saw both of Geddy's book tours: the first in 2019 for his book about the bass (this photo was taken at the Brookline Booksmith), & the second in 2023 for his autobiography. I'm curious: do you have either or both of his books? If so, what do you think of them? A quick book review, if you please!

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I've always been grateful for tribute bands. It seems that every city has one, and they've kept Rush's music alive. In New England, the best-known Rush tribute band is Lotus Land. But what about where you are? Got a favorite tribute band? If so, which one & where have you seen them perform?

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Joe Pyne was perhaps the first shock jock, a conservative talk show host who began on radio in the 50s & moved to TV in the 60s. He frequently argued with guests (or even insulting them); you never knew what he'd say next. A heavy smoker, he died young, but he changed how talk shows were done.

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Something I'm curious about: when I was in the green room, waiting to be on stage with Geddy, there were refreshments available. They kindly got me a burger & fries & veggies & iced coffee. But this was in the room too. I don't drink; so, have any of you had Rush beer? Is it any good?

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On June 23, 2015, Rush came to Boston during their R40 tour. I had the opportunity to hang backstage with Alex before the show. It was a very emotional time for the band-- and for the fans too. I'll never forget that concert, and I'm so glad I was there, but it was also bittersweet...

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I love this promotional photo, another great one taken by the late Andrew MacNaughtan, after Rush left Mercury Records and signed with Atlantic. Andrew knew how to get the guys to relax and enjoy a photo shoot!

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The Fun of Being a Rush Fan

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Merch!!! Well, Neil thought these were amusing, and if he liked them, how could I not like them too? But seriously, got a favorite piece of Rush merch or memorabilia?

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