R35 for me, R40 for Rush

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Went on a road trip to see a concert on what it probably Rush's final tour. We saw them Saturday night in Bristow VA, because we had already booked our vacation to FL when they announced their Columbus date next week. It was certainly worth the 7 hour drive. When I have time later, I'll try to recap one of the best concerts of my life.

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So I don't know if there is anyone left here that has heard of Rush, let alone any Rush fans. I'll be polite and say there might be some spoilers here for anyone who may be planning on going to a show and wants to be surprised. It is billed as their "R40" tour as they're celebrating their 40th anniversary as a band. It was "R35" for me as my first concert was in 1980 when they were touring on their 1979 release "Permanent Waves."

I've been lucky in that a few times in the interim, I've been pushed and encouraged to continue my love for them. Traditionally thought of as appealing to male geeks (I never knew that then), Mrs. T is a huge fan. And The Kid is also a big fan. What was interesting to me was that technically, this wasn't the best Rush show I've seen. That would be the Time Machine stop in Cbus about 5 years ago. The sound was perfect, the crowd electric, and Alex owned the room like I've never seen a guitarist own a room before. And I've seen Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and BB King.

But I digress. This show was going to be a reverse history. They started with their last release, Clockwork Angels in all its "Steam punk" theme. Slowly as they moved backward through their albums, workers dressed in Rush coveralls slowly deconstructed and reconstructed the stage while the band played. Eventually it looked like it did when they made their Vapor Trails comeback after the sad 5 year hiatus. They played an emotional "One Little Victory" Alex with his hi-tech Hughes and Kettner stack, Geddy with his tongue in cheek clothes dryers. Although we were laughing at the dryers, I could see tears (and maybe look through a few), as we realized how close this came to not happening. After the 1996 release and tour of Test for Echo, drummer and lyricist Neil Peart suffered 2 unimaginable family tragedies and effectively retired and rode his motorcycle for several years to heal. We cried in sadness as we were reminded of his loss, and in happiness for his recovery and the rebirth of the band.

They kept going backwards playing interesting picks from their early '90's and late 80's releases. The beginning of the second set started with the ever present Tom Sawyer. Neal now playing his old traditional double base kit complete with bells, and gongs. Alex with a giant stack of Marshalls, and Geddy with his own stack of Randalls. The crowd was immense and totally into it. 50 year olds jamming like 20 year olds at a Green Day show. Mothers and Fathers jamming with Sons and Daughters, hanging on every word. I mean we cheer for the drum tech when he steps over to the kit to hand Neil a hammer for the gongs. We cheer for the Rickenbacker when Geddy comes out with the famous bass. We cheer for Alex's old white highly modified hollow body Gibson, or his iconic double necker. At one point they both had their double neckers. They played over half of Permanent Waves, my first Rush album, including both Natural Science and Jacob's Ladder. I don't think I'd ever heard Natural Science at a concert.

Slowly the amp stacks got smaller as the songs got older. They played both Cygnus and Xanadu, 2112 of course and added a couple more of the movements to it. Finally the set is just a couple of cheap lights on a pole, and one small amp for each of them on a chair. It looks like they're playing in a gym, or a church basement, just like they actually started out.

A video of Eugene Levy comes on as he plays a swarmy '70's host introducing this "young Canadian Band." Mrs. T. was beside herself when they played Lakeside Park off the horribly overlooked Caress of Steel. Then Anthem. Geddy says, "Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Alex Lifeson on Lead Guitar." What You're Doing and Working Man erupt as does the crowd. As they salute the audience and acknowledge the appreciation, a video starts to play. Ever the comedians, it shows them back stage trying to get into their dressing room, which is locked. A marionette opens the door and won't let them in because they're not on the list. The room is filled with all of the characters from all of their albums and tours just partying away. The marionette says, "Sorry guys, I don't pull the strings here," and slams the door on them. They walk off into the darkness. It was a great run. A band where the music mattered, the message mattered. No behind the music stories on VH1 of scandals, drug addictions, or arrests. Just three brilliant men, fantastic muscians, and the best of friends, having a great time. And giving their all to their fans, knowing it was us, and only us that kept them going.

[Sigma_Orionis]

I'm green with envy

[Swift]

So I don't know if there is anyone left here that has heard of Rush, let alone any Rush fans.

I'm not a big Rush fan, but of course I've heard of them, and even remember some of their songs (the earlier stuff). I like the idea of the backwards in time show. It sounds like a blast; glad you had fun.