Dennis on Rush/2112

[Archetype]

Interesting- from his facebook page

Over the years I have read that some people believe Kilroy Was Here was a rip off of Rush's album 2112. Mostly Rush fans. So today for the first time ever I looked up 2112 and read the plot line and song list(have I mentioned were in the grip of a polar vortex here and...I'm bored).

Though I have great respect for Rush, I have never owned a Rush album and know them mostly from their songs that made the radio; Tom Sawyer, Fly by Night, Closer to the Heart. I was surprised to find that I didn't recognize any of the song titles on this album. I guess what I'm getting at is if there are ANY similarities between 2112 and Kilroy it's totally coincidental.

Remember great minds think alike, unfortunately so do mediocre and stupid ones. Neil Peart who wrote the lyrics and story of 2112 based his concept on an Ayn Rand book entitled Anthem. He has since denounced his love of her writings and blamed it on the musings of his youth. I have never denounced Kilroy, but I do regret not making him Chinese given the way there world has turned. Thank you very much Mr Roboto in Chinese is Fei Chang Xie xie Xiansheng Ji Qi Ren, catchy huh, on second thought.

Peart's vision of the future was about an intergalactic group of priests who utilize computers to dominate all areas of society kind of like the IRS but with zappers. On the other hand Dr. Righteous is simply a cable network owner whose part preacher and politician, though unelected. His goal is to simply ban rock music with a group of like minded anti first amendment thugs, increase his networks viewership and make himself rich. He even has his own brand of fried chicken. (He's Branding). In the original draft he was a failed rock musician who'd found the righteous path, so to speak.

2112 has the Red Star of the Solar Federation and the temple of the Syrinx. Neil's thinking big thinks here while Kilroy only has little old Dr Righteous and the Majority for Musical Morality. Wimpy by comparison. Hell Rush had the whole damn galaxy no wonder they are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Rush's hero finds a guitar learns how to play it and attempts to bring back the old ways but finds resistance from you know who, the Syrinx cat's. He becomes despondent and commits suicide. Bummer.

In Kilroy Jonathan Chance has the guitar passed to him by his mentor Kilroy and vows to fight to keep rock alive. ("Damn it Kilroy"). Does he succeed, who knows, but it's hopeful. However if current music trends are any indication, Miley Cyrus's tongue, Lady Ga Ga's designer and Bruno Mars fancy footwork have done more to kill rock music then twenty Dr Righteous's. Face it kids Pop rules!

I could keep blabbering on here but I noticed the sun just came out and it's nearly reached 10 degrees so in conclusion, I never ever knew anything about 2112 when I came up with the Kilroy concept (it would be fun to say it was all Neil Peart's fault) and to me the similarities are oblique at best, besides if you are looking for the originators of these kinds of ideas I suggest Fritz Lang's Metropolis and of course Orwells 1984. By the way Rush fans Syrinx...Styx...Syrinx...Styx...hmmmm I wonder. cheers ddy

[yogi]

That is REALLY REALLY funny!!

Even Dennis now has put into question TS acting chops -Damn it, Damn it

Will always love the concept and the tour. As for the album he should have gone the Chinese Roboto route.