Rush is the ultimate fan band, fans of the band (I am speaking for myself) don't care about critics or fashion or someone else's view of style. I care more about the music and the guys on stage. Again, I still have my original copy of 2112 and it is for me an astounding piece of music, from beginning to end, stands the test of time.
Gene Simmons' confusion about the band staying away from girls is funny but I always feel a bit irritated by people laughing at them - they were all married (or in long-term relationships) and Alex had a family! And they did their fair share of drinking and getting high, they weren't exactly choir boys. 😆
I love 2112, it is in my top 10 Rush albums. As for fashion as the guys got older and more established that wasn't a worry anymore. They wore what they wanted to which is fine with me.
So glad (and relieved) you're enjoying this!! They really worked hard to get to where they are! Whether you like them or not...Nobody can say they didnt earn it! Be well and God bless... from Texas!!
Neil Peart on being “styled” for photos (from his book *Far and Wide*): “Many people have tried to “style” me over the years. I recall in 1974, early on our first tour, our managers said they thought I might “do” as a drummer, but I “ought to dress different.” On a day off in Atlanta my bandmates made me try on some of their stage clothes. That-ladies and gentlemen of the jury-is how I ended up in a kimono.”😂😂😂 (He added later that his sole goal during photo sessions was “to look nice for my mother.”)😊
The whole first side of 2112 did get some radio play, late at night, college radio stations... Love the early concert vids. :) The parts with Gene Simmons always crack me up.
Totally agree about looks is everything. Especially now. I wouldn’t doubt that if people like Roy, Orbison, Steven Tyler, Mick Jagger, etc. we’re just starting off their music careers today, would be passed on by record labels because of how they look.
Agree the grand finale is an undervalued jam. Neil’s drumming was awesome and should be studied and showcased. The riffs were heavy for 1976. We have assumed control!!!!
It was a different time. The whole image or appearance was something many bands hadn’t discovered, Rush wasn’t alone in that regard. Music was the focus. An argument could be made that was the good old days, as image industry wise became important eventually, and the music suffered.
Me too. I think they got a lot of new fans who went for Kiss, but came away impressed by Rush. I loved both at the time, but was certainly more familiar with Kiss.
The photo at 15:32 is in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, a large seven or eight foot wall photo... right beside the washroom. The RRHOF still got a dig in after they were elected.
JP: Correct -- Geddy got his first Rickenbacker with the first album advance. He was a big Chris Squire fan, even if Rush didn't sound anything like Yes. The more interesting story is what happened to his original P-bass. By '76 it was pretty trashed so he handed it to a tech who cut it down to a teardrop shape, repainted it and Geddy would then use it occasionally for encores (it shows up in that 1976 Capitol Theater video.)
You may have noticed John Roberts at about the 15 minute mark, many will recognize him from his former gig as Chief White House Correspondent for one or more of the major networks.
Image has always mattered, but at that time it mattered a whole lot less for hard rock and prog bands. Prior to MTV I didn't even know what half of my favorite bands looked like until I bought their albums.
They did have a bright spot in fashion. I remember being obsessed with the audio recording of Exit Stage Left for a while, then finally got my hands on the VHS video of the show. In context of what else I listened to as a 13 year old, they were not prog just a different kind of heavy metal act to my ears. So it was totally unexpected to witness their stage "fashion" for that concert. But the more I watched the more ironically cool it was, because it was the uncool "we don't care". Only true contrarians with very little attention to what others thought of them could be pounding out loud heavy music like that while dressed in button ups, a red jacket, bow tie and a vest. It made all the other metal acts of that era just seem silly the more gritty they tried to appear, with the usual spiked wristbands, leather and torn denim and hair... sort of like an extension of high school level attention-getting.
I think we were pretty high when we made that record. Yes, you were most certainly high as a 🪁 Geddy when you made Caress of Steel. Then came the most EPIC record of all time 2112. "We Have Assumed Control"
I think the irony about Rush's insecurities about image and their look, is the fact that their photos were always there on tbe back or on tbe inner sleeve of every album cover. No matter what they were wearing, they looked like interesting dudes. Neil with his handlebar mustache and his intense gaze was an imposing figure. Geddy, of course along with his banshee voice brought to mind pointy hats and broomsticks, how much witchier can a rock singer be? And Alex was the blonde poster boy, Lol.. Whether Rush were comfortable with the rockstar tag or not..tbey were rock stars. Even nowadays tbere are Rush haters of all kinds and yet, they ALL seem to know who Geddy Lee is and what he looks and sounds like. Go figure..
Chad Smith of TRHCPeppers had this to say about 2112: ruclips.net/video/NGVCJtpieXY/видео.html (about 2 mins) Still the best statement of screw you ever given to a record company that paid off.
One thing I will disagree with you on is looks didn't matter for Rush. Clearly. Maybe for most bands but Rush did everything wrong from a fashion standpoint yet...... The bands that follow fashion trends or set fashion trends, how many of them had 40+ year careers? Very few. But I do get what you are saying as a band is a product above the music. Maybe Rush's product was bad fashion sense. And likely extended to the fans. I mean I don't wear my kimono often these days but I am sure I looked cool in college.
It’s interesting to hear from your prospective. But what you have to realize that there was nothing that sounded like 2112 in 1976. So at the time it was mind blowing. Now days you have so many great prog bands like Dream Theater, Transatlantic, Tool etc but back then you had great bands like Jethro Tull, Yes, King Crimson and ELP but they didn’t have the hard rock sound.
I remember a few like Led Zep, Pink Floyd, The Who, ELP, Moody Blues, Jethro Tull and probably a few others I'm not remembering now. I think ELO and a few others came along later that I liked but they didn't seem to stick. I'm only listing the bands I would classify as heavier rock and more progressive in their compositions - there's a lot of other bands that I heard.
It's crazy how bad some of those reviews are...obviously there were a few critics that were being intellectually dishonest when writing about Rush and others that probably didn't have enough musical knowledge to "get" what they were hearing.
Someone else said it in these comments that it was pretty likely that the music critics were just someone that got picked to go to the concerts and not necessarily a music lover and at that time probably not into progressive rock or hard rock and perhaps had never gotten into soul or blues music either or classical music (all of which definitely made it easier for me to understand and appreciate the complicated stuff that those long prog rock songs were trying to accomplish). If you just went to an opera without having any appreciation for it would you really get it or enjoy it? For me and that it took the movie Amadeus to give it a chance (and really not a huge amount of one since I don't really listen to opera even now, but I sure have more tolerance for musicals now than I had before...).
This is why the sensitivity about criticising the band, we grew up with that shit. Look doesn't matter, if you can play. For me, they looked cool, Kiss was uncool for me, any bands that were styled or tried to look cool, were uncool.
Image matters now more than it did back in the 1970s. As a kid I listened to the music without even knowing what the band looked like. What a band looked like meant nothing to me back in the 1970s. Like the Buggles said... video killed the radio star. MTV, more access to visual media, etc. has made image as important (and sometimes more important) than the music. This is why we get a lot of shit artists these days that look good but can hardly play or sing without getting their shit fixed by pro tools. Or they lip sync their concerts...
Look matters until you've earned the right to dress how you want, also I have no desire to see guys over 50 wearing clothes suitable for a 20 year old. ❤
LOL Every statement that Sebastien makes in this film is so inaccurate... He can't carry a story or concept across an aisle, let alone a room. Not "The Fountainhead" but Anthem. (Plus, the Rush Backstage Club was based in Las Vegas, not Toronto)
Now you’re really starting to see why Rush fans are so protective of the band! 😁
Rush is the ultimate fan band, fans of the band (I am speaking for myself) don't care about critics or fashion or someone else's view of style. I care more about the music and the guys on stage. Again, I still have my original copy of 2112 and it is for me an astounding piece of music, from beginning to end, stands the test of time.
Gene Simmons' confusion about the band staying away from girls is funny but I always feel a bit irritated by people laughing at them - they were all married (or in long-term relationships) and Alex had a family! And they did their fair share of drinking and getting high, they weren't exactly choir boys. 😆
It’s the tributes from the other artists makes this film even more special, I love Gene Simmons in this.
I love 2112, it is in my top 10 Rush albums.
As for fashion as the guys got older and more established that wasn't a worry anymore. They wore what they wanted to which is fine with me.
So glad (and relieved) you're enjoying this!! They really worked hard to get to where they are! Whether you like them or not...Nobody can say they didnt earn it! Be well and God bless... from Texas!!
Alex was usually pretty fashionable. He usually wore a suit from the 80s on, or at least a jacket.
Neil Peart on being “styled” for photos (from his book *Far and Wide*):
“Many people have tried to “style” me over the years. I recall in 1974, early on our first tour, our managers said they thought I might “do” as a drummer, but I “ought to dress different.” On a day off in Atlanta my bandmates made me try on some of their stage clothes. That-ladies and gentlemen of the jury-is how I ended up in a kimono.”😂😂😂
(He added later that his sole goal during photo sessions was “to look nice for my mother.”)😊
SO grateful they stuck to their guns!!
Thank you Alex, Geddy and Neil!! ❤
The whole first side of 2112 did get some radio play, late at night, college radio stations...
Love the early concert vids. :)
The parts with Gene Simmons always crack me up.
Discovered this. Putting thumbs up on all and moving this to the big screen.
Totally agree about looks is everything. Especially now. I wouldn’t doubt that if people like Roy, Orbison, Steven Tyler, Mick Jagger, etc. we’re just starting off their music careers today, would be passed on by record labels because of how they look.
Agree the grand finale is an undervalued jam. Neil’s drumming was awesome and should be studied and showcased. The riffs were heavy for 1976. We have assumed control!!!!
It was a different time. The whole image or appearance was something many bands hadn’t discovered, Rush wasn’t alone in that regard. Music was the focus. An argument could be made that was the good old days, as image industry wise became important eventually, and the music suffered.
I saw that RUSH/KISS tour
I'm pretty sure I did too.
Me too. I think they got a lot of new fans who went for Kiss, but came away impressed by Rush. I loved both at the time, but was certainly more familiar with Kiss.
The photo at 15:32 is in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, a large seven or eight foot wall photo... right beside the washroom. The RRHOF still got a dig in after they were elected.
Caress of Steel is a great album...needs a better listen than once in the back of a van.
Yes. I hope all my brain cells can remember it as a get older. :) Regularly on the playlist.
JP: Correct -- Geddy got his first Rickenbacker with the first album advance. He was a big Chris Squire fan, even if Rush didn't sound anything like Yes. The more interesting story is what happened to his original P-bass. By '76 it was pretty trashed so he handed it to a tech who cut it down to a teardrop shape, repainted it and Geddy would then use it occasionally for encores (it shows up in that 1976 Capitol Theater video.)
Interesting how Geddy's style has evolved into him being the coolest looking guy in Rush and pretty cool looking in general.
Nerdy and geeky became much more popular the past 20 years than it was before.
My wife says he finally grew into his nose... 😁
@@Mike80528 LOL
Gotta love Alex the “Bag” on the KISS tour.
That was cool.
Fun watch! Love learning about these fellas made Lemonade out of lemons.
You may have noticed John Roberts at about the 15 minute mark, many will recognize him from his former gig as Chief White House Correspondent for one or more of the major networks.
Image has always mattered, but at that time it mattered a whole lot less for hard rock and prog bands. Prior to MTV I didn't even know what half of my favorite bands looked like until I bought their albums.
They did have a bright spot in fashion. I remember being obsessed with the audio recording of Exit Stage Left for a while, then finally got my hands on the VHS video of the show. In context of what else I listened to as a 13 year old, they were not prog just a different kind of heavy metal act to my ears. So it was totally unexpected to witness their stage "fashion" for that concert.
But the more I watched the more ironically cool it was, because it was the uncool "we don't care". Only true contrarians with very little attention to what others thought of them could be pounding out loud heavy music like that while dressed in button ups, a red jacket, bow tie and a vest. It made all the other metal acts of that era just seem silly the more gritty they tried to appear, with the usual spiked wristbands, leather and torn denim and hair... sort of like an extension of high school level attention-getting.
I think we were pretty high when we made that record. Yes, you were most certainly high as a 🪁 Geddy when you made Caress of Steel. Then came the most EPIC record of all time 2112. "We Have Assumed Control"
I think the irony about Rush's insecurities about image and their look, is the fact that their photos were always there on tbe back or on tbe inner sleeve of every album cover. No matter what they were wearing, they looked like interesting dudes. Neil with his handlebar mustache and his intense gaze was an imposing figure. Geddy, of course along with his banshee voice brought to mind pointy hats and broomsticks, how much witchier can a rock singer be? And Alex was the blonde poster boy, Lol..
Whether Rush were comfortable with the rockstar tag or not..tbey were rock stars. Even nowadays tbere are Rush haters of all kinds and yet, they ALL seem to know who Geddy Lee is and what he looks and sounds like. Go figure..
I read The Fountainhead in the smoking area at high school while smoking weed 😁
Alright. Fashion. Now we're getting to the meat and potatoes of what made Rush a great band.😂
You talked over Gene Simmons doing his Geddy impression 🙂. Yea oooh yea!
Chad Smith of TRHCPeppers had this to say about 2112: ruclips.net/video/NGVCJtpieXY/видео.html (about 2 mins) Still the best statement of screw you ever given to a record company that paid off.
One thing I will disagree with you on is looks didn't matter for Rush. Clearly. Maybe for most bands but Rush did everything wrong from a fashion standpoint yet...... The bands that follow fashion trends or set fashion trends, how many of them had 40+ year careers? Very few. But I do get what you are saying as a band is a product above the music. Maybe Rush's product was bad fashion sense. And likely extended to the fans. I mean I don't wear my kimono often these days but I am sure I looked cool in college.
It’s interesting to hear from your prospective. But what you have to realize that there was nothing that sounded like 2112 in 1976. So at the time it was mind blowing. Now days you have so many great prog bands like Dream Theater, Transatlantic, Tool etc but back then you had great bands like Jethro Tull, Yes, King Crimson and ELP but they didn’t have the hard rock sound.
I remember a few like Led Zep, Pink Floyd, The Who, ELP, Moody Blues, Jethro Tull and probably a few others I'm not remembering now. I think ELO and a few others came along later that I liked but they didn't seem to stick. I'm only listing the bands I would classify as heavier rock and more progressive in their compositions - there's a lot of other bands that I heard.
Image just an eyeless game
...played with knitting needles and spiders...
read the fountainhead coz of neil not a easy read
It's crazy how bad some of those reviews are...obviously there were a few critics that were being intellectually dishonest when writing about Rush and others that probably didn't have enough musical knowledge to "get" what they were hearing.
Someone else said it in these comments that it was pretty likely that the music critics were just someone that got picked to go to the concerts and not necessarily a music lover and at that time probably not into progressive rock or hard rock and perhaps had never gotten into soul or blues music either or classical music (all of which definitely made it easier for me to understand and appreciate the complicated stuff that those long prog rock songs were trying to accomplish).
If you just went to an opera without having any appreciation for it would you really get it or enjoy it? For me and that it took the movie Amadeus to give it a chance (and really not a huge amount of one since I don't really listen to opera even now, but I sure have more tolerance for musicals now than I had before...).
This is why the sensitivity about criticising the band, we grew up with that shit. Look doesn't matter, if you can play. For me, they looked cool, Kiss was uncool for me, any bands that were styled or tried to look cool, were uncool.
Image matters now more than it did back in the 1970s. As a kid I listened to the music without even knowing what the band looked like. What a band looked like meant nothing to me back in the 1970s. Like the Buggles said... video killed the radio star. MTV, more access to visual media, etc. has made image as important (and sometimes more important) than the music. This is why we get a lot of shit artists these days that look good but can hardly play or sing without getting their shit fixed by pro tools. Or they lip sync their concerts...
It suks Rush sold out after the Signals record, Grace wasn't much and Power Windows was nauseous to me the techno digital electric drums.
Look matters until you've earned the right to dress how you want, also I have no desire to see guys over 50 wearing clothes suitable for a 20 year old. ❤
no haircuts for jobs.
LOL Every statement that Sebastien makes in this film is so inaccurate... He can't carry a story or concept across an aisle, let alone a room. Not "The Fountainhead" but Anthem. (Plus, the Rush Backstage Club was based in Las Vegas, not Toronto)