Having set the groundwork, the template was subtly shifted for Fly By Night, with Peart’s arrival as super drummer and lyricist. Much loved by fans for its more idiosyncratic bluesy styling, the album contains early classics like the self-explanatory ‘Finding My Way’, the blue-collar anthem ‘Working Man’ and ‘In The Mood’. The debut Rush was coloured by elements of Cream and boasts a fine crisp production, harbinger of the outfit’s insistence on technical excellence.

The group now concentrated on their instrumental skills, spending hours in rehearsals. Originally influenced by exposure to the heavy end of the British blues boom, specifically, the sounds of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple et al, Rush carved out a loyal local following but struggled to break out until 1974 when their self-titled debut was swiftly followed by Rutsey’s departure and the arrival of Peart. It wasn’t long before Lee replaced Jones and Lifeson jumped on board. They have played countless benefits in their homeland, where they are simply musical gods and that acclaim spreads across the globe.įollowing fledgeling performances in their native Willowdale, a neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, the origins of Rush took shape when Lee joined forces with original drummer John Rutsey and then frontman Jeff Jones. In keeping with their auxiliary work above and beyond the call of duty these good guys are actively involved in philanthropic causes, ranging from UNICEF liaisons to human rights activism.

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