Like Rush

[Keiferb]

Was cruisin' through channels while on vacation last week, and caught the end of some interview special w/Rush. My best friend growing up was a huge Rush fan, and had every album to date (as of the mid-80's). I was the the Styx fan (and I have everything, I think). In his house, Rush was played. In mine, you guessed it.

After all those years, I have to admit, I'd never become a big fan of Rush's music, and only have one album (Show of Hands...don't ask me why). My wife hates them emphatically (she thinks Geddy Lee sounds like the devil). Nonetheless, I have watched a few of their concerts (R30, and another one...forget which), and I have admit, I have an incredible amount of respect for what those 3 members have created, and how they perform live - even though I may not like it all. They are incredibly talented. Neal Peart must be the most prolific drummer alive. And they collectively sound great live (or at least in the version of live that I've heard - recorded & edited format).

Anyway, the part of the special I caught (along the beach in SC, doors open, an ocean breeze, and a drink in hand), the question at hand was how did they manage to stay together for 30+ years. I don't remember there being a straight answer, but it occurred to me that fact is probably what I respect the most. I'd have to imagine they had all of the same issues any other band runs into, yet they accomplished what only ONE band I cared about (Queen) could - they made it work. Some of my other favorites are Pink Floyd, Supertramp, Journey, the Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac (at least they recognized the error of their ways, even if it were only for the money).

Kudos to Rush, for accomplishing what is apparently near impossible. Too bad more weren't like them in that regard.

[cinj]

One of the things that makes Rush so unique, in terms of band make up, is that there is no "dominating" member. I don't mean that in a negative way - but if you were to make a "Pie Chart", each of the 3 guys would get a 33.3% slice.

Unlike a band like The Police that is primarily Sting (even though Stewart is darn good drummer) and Genesis that is primarily Phil Collins.

There also seems to be great chemistry between the Rush guys - I guess that's a lot easier with 3 guys than with 5.

Cinj

[dextertragic]

I've been a huge Rush & Styx fan since the 70's, and I think Rush has been around for so long for 3 main reasons - 1) They have always been on (or around) the same page musically, 2) They have split their royalties evenly since the beginning, and 3) They have been and remain to be good friends.

Styx, on the other hand, stopped being on the same page musically after GI, have never shared the royalties completely evenly (I know they used to share the publishing evenly...but I don't think they ever shared the songwriting royalties evenly), and as far as I know, were never really good friends. Tommy has said that Styx was more like a business relationship than a band.

Both bands have produced fantastic music...but if I had to pick the band to be in for a lifetime, it would definitely be Rush.

Hey, but what do I know?

Dexter

[FormerDJMike]

I just saw the Beyond the Lighted Stage Documentary on VH1 Classic. Excellent movie. Had me going back and digging out my 80's Rush discs (my least favorite ones) and giving them a listen again.

[Ash]

I've been a huge Rush & Styx fan since the 70's, and I think Rush has been around for so long for 3 main reasons - 1) They have always been on (or around) the same page musically, 2) They have split their royalties evenly since the beginning, and 3) They have been and remain to be good friends.

Styx, on the other hand, stopped being on the same page musically after GI, have never shared the royalties completely evenly (I know they used to share the publishing evenly...but I don't think they ever shared the songwriting royalties evenly), and as far as I know, were never really good friends. Tommy has said that Styx was more like a business relationship than a band.

Both bands have produced fantastic music...but if I had to pick the band to be in for a lifetime, it would definitely be Rush.

Hey, but what do I know?

Dexter

All good points. But the thing to remember is Styx is 5 guys. Rush is 3. Plus - the three guys in Rush were all the song writers. John and Chuck didn't contribute much from a writing stand point. Still - that's nearly double the agendas and egos than Rush had to deal with. Tommy was an outsider.... didn't know any of the guys prior to being in the band. Just a lot of "differences".

JY's major contribution was to "sound" but not as much to the writing - even though he did contribute more there early-on.

Rush were also far less concerned with writing hits than Styx. You had two different mindsets at play. Whereas I think Tommy and JY wanted to pursue the Rush angle and fade into commercial obscurity and artistic integrity - Dennis sought to lead the band into more commercial success. While Rush never really had a "Paradise Theatre"... by the same token, Styx never really had a 2112.

That said, even Rush dabbled in 80's synth - and I remember there being quite the bitching by Rush "purists" over the pop aspects of "Roll The Bones". Of course, I really like "Roll The Bones". Styx never survived long enough to get back to the "returning to their roots" phase of being a band. I would argue that even Cyclorama didn't return them to their roots. That album was very popish with a few prog moments.