Rush is a Canadian
rock band originally formed in August 1968, in the
Willowdale neighbourhood of
Toronto,
Ontario, composed of
bassist,
keyboardist, and
lead vocalist Geddy Lee,
guitarist Alex Lifeson, and
drummer and
lyricist Neil Peart. The band and its membership went through a number of re-configurations between 1968 and 1974, achieving their current form when Peart replaced original drummer
John Rutsey in July 1974, two weeks before the group's first U.S. tour.
Since the release of the band's
self-titled debut album in March 1974, Rush has become known for the instrumental skills of its members, complex compositions, and eclectic lyrical motifs drawing heavily on
science fiction,
fantasy, and
libertarian philosophy, as well as addressing humanitarian, social, emotional, and environmental concerns.
Musically, Rush's style has evolved over the years, beginning in the vein of blues-inspired
heavy metal on their first albums, then encompassing
hard rock,
progressive rock, and a period dominated by
synthesizers. They have influenced various musical artists, including
Metallica[Austin Chronicle Music Rush's 30th Anniversary Tour, Accessed 16 August 2006][ Geddy Lee and His Influence on Progressive Metal Music, Articlebase, 19 Aprril 2008. Accessed 7 July 2008] and
The Smashing Pumpkins[CNN.com Rush profile Accessed 17 August 2006] as well as
progressive metal bands such as
Dream Theater,
Primus,
and
Symphony X.
[Symphony X Official website FAQ Accessed 16 August 2006]
