Rush was a Canadian rock band consisting of Geddy Lee (bass, vocals, keyboards), Alex Lifeson (guitars) and Neil Peart (drums, percussion, lyricist)….which was formed in 1968….as the band went through several configurations until arriving at its longest and classic line-up when Peart replaced original drummer John Rutsey in July 1974, two weeks before the group’s first tour of the United States.
Rush is known for its musicianship, complex compositions and eclectic lyrical motifs drawing heavily on science fiction, fantasy and philosophy….as the band’s musical style has changed several times over the years….from a blues-inspired hard rock beginning…..later moving into progressive rock….while including a period marked by heavy use of synthesizers. In the early 1990’s, Rush returned to a guitar-driven hard rock sound….which continued for the rest of their career. Rush announced plans to cease large-scale touring at the end of 2015, following the conclusion of their R40 Live Tour…..when after nearly three years of an uncertain future, Lifeson reluctantly announced in January 2018 that the band was not going to continue…..then Peart died of brain cancer at the age of 67 on January 7, 2020.
According to the RIAA, Rush ranks 88th with sales of 25 million units in the U.S….and albeit total worldwide album sales are not calculated by any single entity….there are several industry sources estimating Rush’s total worldwide album sales at over 40 million units as of 2017…..while the group has been awarded 24 gold, 14 platinum, and 3 multi-platinum albums.
Rush has been nominated for seven Grammy Awards…..while winning several Juno Awards….and they won an International Achievement Award at the 2009 SOCAN Awards. The band was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Over their careers, the members of Rush have been acknowledged as some of the most proficient players on their respective instruments….with each band member winning numerous awards in magazine readers’ polls.
