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Rush is a Canadien progressive rock band from Toronto, Ontario. The band was formed in 1968 by guitarist Alex Lifeson, drummer John Rutsey and bassist /Vocalist Jeff Jones. After playing their second show Jones was replaced by Geddy Lee a schoolmate and friend of Alex Lifeson. Rush released their debut album Rush in 1974, but before starting their U.S. tour they had to replace drummer John Rutsey with Neil Peart do to health concerns. In addition to becoming the band's new drummer, Peart also became the band's lyricist. Fly By Night released in 1975 was the band's first album with Peart. It featured the songs By-Tor & the Snow Dog and the title track Fly By Night. The band's next album Caress of Steel released that same year in 1975 was not a commercial success do to the lack of radio friendly songs. The album was consisted of five songs, two which were conceptual pieces, The Necromancer and The Fountain of Lamenth and took up two thirds of the albums running time.

The band's next album 2112 released in 1976 was the band's first commercial success. The first side of the album was a concept piece, 2112 broken up into different seven parts. The album also featured the songs A Passage to Bangkok, Lessons, and Something for Nothing. The 2112 album is one of the band's best albums along with Moving Pictures, Permanent Waves, and Power Windows. The band released two more albums over the next two years Farewell to Kings in 1977 and Hemispheres in 1978. They both featured experimentation with synthesizers and other instuments and a more progressive sound. The album Permanent Waves released in 1980 featured New Wave and Reggae elements to it and the increased use of synthesizers. It was the the band's first top five album on the U.S. record charts. The album featured the hit songs Spirit of the Radio and Freewill. The album also was a more radio-friendly album and transitioned from the band's more conceptual style on previous albums. Rush's next album was their most successful to date. Moving Pictures released in 1981 featured the band's most known song Tom Sawyer. The album also featured the hit songs Limelight and Red Barchetta.

Over the next decade the band released four more albums that were heavily synthesizer based, Signals released in 1982, Grace Under Pressure in 1984, Power Windows in 1985 and Hold Your Fire in 1987. It wasn't until the release of the album Presto in 1989 that the band started to transition back to a more guitar oriented sound. Over the years Rush has proven to be one of the most innovative bands in rock history with their ability to change their style and sound from hard rock, to a more synth sound, and then to a more progressive metal sound to their music. Rush has been a major influence on bands like Metallica, Dream Theatre, and Smashing Pumpkins. If you want to learn more about Rush check out their website Rush.com.

Rush Albums

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