Highly individual Canadian Rock act RUSH has carved its unique musical niche building a huge loyal fan base along the way. RUSH, who to date have sold over 35 million albums making them Canada's greatest Rock export, came to the fore with their epic lengthy workouts. RUSH remain to this day a massive concert draw and added to their musical ambitions the individual members musical dexterity, RUSH has often been called 'A three man orchestra', has placed the band at the forefront of the Rock scene for nearly three decades. The band was assembled initially in August of 1968 as a garage outfit in Willowdale, Toronto, comprising Jeff Jones on bass and lead vocals, guitarist Alex Lifeson (real name Alex Zivojinovich) and drummer John Rutsey. The fledgling band, taking the RUSH title upon the suggestion of John Rutsey's elder brother, got their first break with performances at the 'Coff-In' coffee house.

During September of 1968 the band usurped Jones in favour of bassist / vocalist GEDDY LEE (real name Gary Lee Weinrib), a man with a distinctive nasal twang. The new frontman's more commonly known name of 'Geddy' would come from his grandmother, her Yiddish accented pronunciation of Gary often mistaken for 'Geddy'.

The band then entered a period of flux as, in January of 1969, Lindy Young enrolled playing keyboards and guitar. This move would signal a switch in band title to HADRIAN. However, that May Lee exited in order to found his own band branded OGILVIE and HADRIAN drafted Joe Perna as substitute. By June, Lee's new outfit had adopted the revised title of JUDD, shortly thereafter pulling in Lindy Young, although this unit had faltered by the September. At this juncture, Lee, Lifeson and Rutsey re-forged RUSH. The group briefly operated as a quartet in February of 1971 as Mitch Bossi took on second guitar responsibilities but by May this candidate was out of the picture and RUSH persevered as the more familiar trio.

1973 would see the inaugural RUSH vinyl product in the form of an independently financed 7" single, the A side featuring a rendition of BUDDY HOLLY's 'Not Fade Away' with the Lee / Rutsey composed 'You Can't Fight It' as the flip. Unable to secure a recording contract the band established their own imprint, Moon Records, selling the single locally for a princely $0.69.

RUSH's album debut, released eponymously on the Moon label in 1974, reeked of late 60's British Rock influences but nevertheless took the band up the next rung of the ladder. Whilst the record undoubtedly displayed enthusiasm and rocked hard in places individuality was sorely missing, many first time listeners mistaking the record for new LED ZEPPELIN material. Canada did not at first take to the band. However, RUSH were soon to become a major force on the Cleveland music scene, courtesy of the enthusiasm from the radio station WMMS-FM and keen music fans that began picking the album up on import. The USA's inauguration into the RUSH sound was when WMMS music director Donna Halper handed DJ Denny Sanders the album and 'Working Man' was committed to air. The station had to patiently explain RUSH was in fact a new Canadian band, as callers had rung in inquiring when the latest Zeppelin album was in stores.

Several major labels got wind of the airplay but it would be Cliff Burnstein of Mercury Records that secured their signature. With their rapid progress Lee and Lifeson ousted Rutsey. The momentum behind the band had seen a marked increase in live performance and travel and Rutsey's diabetes had presented difficulties as the workload increased.

Meanwhile back in RUSH, auditions took place in July of 1974 order to fill the percussion vacancy. Former J.R. FLOOD drummer Neil Peart, a native of St. Catharine's, not only bought with him his extraordinary percussion skills but a mind steeped in philosophy and grandiose fantasy. It was ironically the later interests that were to transform RUSH into what may have been another Canadian also ran act into one of the world's stadium giants.

Peart's impressions were first felt on the late 1974 follow up album 'Fly By Night'. The drummer had taken over the lyrical mantle and with it heralded the era of the RUSH epic with the gargantuan and overblown 'By Tor And The Snow Dog'. Here Peart shifted away from his previous dungeons and dragons imagery and instead delivered 'Anthem', a track named after one of the works of right wing philosopher Ayn Rand.

Such was the impact of 'Fly By Night' that RUSH manouevered themselves into the U.S. market signing with major label Mercury for 1975's 'Caress Of Steel'. Musically 'Caress Of Steel' found RUSH exploring new territory with involved time changes and complex almost jazz like arrangements that they were later to make their trademark.

Ayn Rand figured heavily on their next work '2112' by taking over no less than the entire first side of the album on one epic musical journey virtually retelling the entirety of 'Anthem'. A live album 'All The World's A Stage' was a fitting end to this chapter in RUSH's history.

1977 was ushered in by 'A Farewell To Kings' as RUSH now sharpened their creative tastes with shorter, sharpened bursts of energy. Not ones to let the progressive side of their nature drop completely the final track 'Cygnus X-1' was to continue onto their next album 1978's 'Hemispheres'.

Quite bizarrely RUSH faced mounting criticism from the British press when the lyrical content of the track 'Trees' was savaged by critics as being anti trade union! The band themselves were appalled at being labelled as 'Fascists' and stuck to their guns retorting that 'Trees' dealt with all extremes of social justice. Needles to say the general press had a field day at RUSH's expense.

Although 'Hemispheres' contained the trademark Peart epics RUSH were beginning to recognise the shift in music toward the 80's. During 1978 Canada gave official recognition to the band by declaring RUSH Canada's 'Ambassadors Of Music'.

1980's 'Permanent Waves' gave RUSH a platinum album and hit single 'Spirit Of Radio' soon became a live staple. Peart and Lee took time out the same year to guest on MAX WEBSTER's 'Universal Juveniles' album.

'Moving Pictures' continued the trend, backed by the hit single 'Tom Sawyer' (co-written with MAX WEBSTER's Pye Dubois), but for 1982's 'Signals' RUSH made a radical change shifting to more keyboard orientated poppier material. A great debate among RUSH fans raged but the band were set on their course, the days of the epic long gone. As if to highlight the band's lighter mood Lee guested on an American hit single 'Take Off' by comedy actors Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas credited to BOB & DOUG MCKENZIE.

1984's 'Grace Under Pressure' had RUSH reintroducing more guitar to their sound but retaining the more accessible of it's predecessor.

The following year Lifeson put in a very rare appearance outside of RUSH guesting on PLATINUM BLONDE's 'Alien Shore' album.

The band changed labels to Atlantic for 1989's 'Presto'. A lull in proceedings witnessed Lifeson adding guest guitar to GOWAN's 1990 album 'Lost Brotherhood'. 1991's 'Roll The Bones' witnessed another huge American tour and a top 5 album in America.

Lifeson guested on ex RED RIDER vocalist TOM COCHRANE's 1995 album 'Ragged Ass Road'.

In a rare departure outside of RUSH Lifeson issued a solo project album in 1996 titled VICTOR. Vocals came courtesy of I MOTHER EARTH's Edwin and bass from PRIMUS man Les Claypool. Lifeson also put in a guest appearance on I MOTHER EARTH's 'Scenary And Fish' album.

RUSH were out of action for 1997 as Peart recovered from the loss of his daughter who was tragically killed in a car accident.

The treble live album 'Different Stages' acknowledged the band's entire career featuring material from RUSH's 'Test For Echo' dates and vintage tracks from a 1977 concert.

The normally highbrow RUSH let their hair down a little in 1999 as Lee & Lifeson recorded a version of 'O Canada' for the 'South Park' movie soundtrack album.

GEDDY LEE issued his debut solo album 'My Favorite Headache' in 2000. Working with him were guitarist Ben Mink and SOUNDGARDEN / PEARL JAM drummer Matt Cameron. RUSH activity would be kept behind the scenes for much of 2001 as the band prepared a comeback album 'Vapor Trails', their first in over five years. Nu-Metal band DEADSY would provide a welcome reminder though by covering 'Tom Sawyer' for their May 2002 album.

'Vapor Trails' duly hit the US Billboard top ten on release, soon passing the quarter of a million sales mark. The band's fan base had remained intact as witnessed by a lengthy run of major North American shows throughout the summer. Such was demand for tickets that a second leg, commencing in Mexico City on October 5th, took the band through October and November. By the close of the year RUSH had grossed over 27 million dollars in ticket receipts.

A double live DVD, 'Rush in Rio', released by Sanctuary Visual Entertainment in 2003, would prove the second best selling music DVD in North America, shifting over 240,000 copies. The band would figure highly in the ranking of bands donating their services to the mammoth 30th July 2003 'Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto' event intended to boost tourism in Toronto and southern Ontario after the SARS virus outbreak. RUSH shared the stage with Rock n' Roll heavyweights AC/DC, the ROLLING STONES, THE GUESS WHO and FLAMING LIPS.

Quite incredibly the year would close out on a distinctly sour note with the arrest at a Florida New Year's Eve party of Alex Lifeson. The guitarist was charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and disorderly intoxication. Also arrested in the same incident would be Lifeson's son 33 year-old son Justin Zivojinovich and his wife. Arresting officers used a stun gun on both Alex and Justin. Reports suggested the RUSH star had his nose broken in the fracas.

RUSH geared up for a mammoth 30th anniversary tour in 2004 with dates running from May until August in the USA before shows in the UK. Neil Peart raised a massive $60,000 for the charity Child Advocates Inc on these dates by having special drum sticks made by Pro-Mark Corporation, which were used onstage then auctioned off upon the tour's completion.

June would witness the surprise drop of an album of cover versions, a very first for RUSH, entitled 'Feedback'. Featured tracks would be EDDIE COCHRAN's Rock n' Roll staple 'Summertime Blues', the YARDBIRDS 'Heart Full Of Soul' and 'Shapes Of Things', THE WHO's 'The Seeker', BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD's 'For What It's Worth' and Mr. Soul', ROBERT JOHNSON's 'Crossroads' and 'Seven & Seven Is' by LOVE. 'Feedback' sold 48,006 copies in its first week of release to debut at no. 19 on the Billboard album charts. On 3rd August 40 lucky competition winners witnessed an acoustic mini set of 'Resist' and 'Heart Full Of Soul' performed by Lee and Lifeson at XM Radio studios in Washington DC.

In the wake of the December Indian Ocean tsunami disaster RUSH recorded a brand new version of 'Closer To The Heart' with fellow Canadians Ed Robertson of BARENAKED LADIES and actor Mike Smith. The song, a benefit for various relief organisations, was broadcast from the at the CBC broadcasting center on 13th January 2005.

In June the Recording Industry Association of America revealed RUSH had sold over 24 million albums in the USA. RUSH commenced work on writing for a new record in early 2006. That same year Alex Lifeson featured as guest on several tracks on the third solo album from former I MOTHER EARTH frontman EDWIN, entitled 'Try This At Home'.

An unusual set of collaborations manifested with THE BIG DIRTY BAND a one-off 2006 union featuring guitarist Alex Lifeson and bass player Geddy Lee alongside ex-THE TEA PARTY drummer Jeff Burrows, Adam Gantier of THREE DAYS GRACE, THORNLEY and BIG WRECK's Ian Thornley, and singer Care Failure of Toronto band DIE MANNEQUIN. This union recorded their version of Sonny Curtis' 1965 BOBBY FULLER FOUR's 'I Fought The Law' to the soundtrack to the Trailer Park Boys movie 'The Big Dirty'. The soundtrack also featured RUSH and a performance of 'Liquor & Whores' by BUBBLES & THE SHIT ROCKERS, which also included Lifeson.

RUSH commenced work on album recordings billed as 'Snakes & Arrows' in November, working with co-producer Nick Raskulinecz. By mid January 2007 the band was engaged in mixing sessions in Los Angeles. Neil Peart also published his fourth book, 'Roadshow: Landscape With Drums: A Concert Tour By Motorcycle', chronicling his adventures and experiences travelling from concert to concert across America. 'Snakes & Arrows' was given a May release date.

In May 2008 RUSH have donated $100,000 from the sale of tickets to a Winnipeg concert to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. 

A guesting Alex Lifeson performed a two song encore with fellow Canadian rockers THE TRAGICALLY HIP at the conclusion of their six-night stand on 19th May 2009 at Massey Hall in Toronto, Ontario.