Rush
This Canadian heavy rock band comprised of Geddy Lee (b. 29 July 1953, Willowdale, Toronto, Canada; keyboards/bass/vocals), Alex Lifeson (b. 27 August 1953, British Columbia, Canada; guitar) and John Rutsey (drums). From 1969-72 they performed in Toronto playing a brand of Cream inspired material but they gained more recognition when they supported the New York Dolls in 1973. In 1974 they took the name Rush and released RUSH on Mercury Records following its success on the independent Moon Records. The same year, Neil Peart (b. 12 September 1952, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; drums), who was to be the main songwriter of the band, replaced Rutsey, and Rush undertook their first full tour of the USA. Rush's music is typified by Lee's oddly high-pitched voice, a tremendously powerful guitar sound, especially in the early years, and a great interest in science fiction and fantasy. This is most notable in the now classic 1976 concept album, 2112, based on the work of novelist/philosopher Ayn Rand, which has as its central theme the idea of freewill and individualism. By 1979 Rush were immensely successful worldwide, and the Canadian Government gave them the title of official Ambassadors of Music. As the '80s progressed Rush altered their image from the science fiction dominated tracks to become more sophisticated, clean-cut and undoubtedly intellectual music-makers. Some early fans criticised the band's seeming determination to progress musically with each new album, while others lauded their very iconoclasm. Now major artists worldwide, they still sell large numbers of records despite rarely playing outside their native Canada. Often criticized for being lyrically pretentious, Rush have weathered the storm and remain Canada's leading rock band.