Alex Lifeson Reflects On Rush's Legacy Amid A New Boxed Set Celebrating The Band's 50th
Marking 50 years since the band's self-titled album, a new 4-CD/7-LP retrospective, Rush 50, was recently released. Consisting of both studio and live tracks (some of them previously unreleased), Rush 50 is the most up-to-date anthology of the band's career: from their first-ever single, a 1973 recording of Buddy Holly's 'Not Fade Away,' to their final live performance with Peart from 2015 on 'What You're Doing/'Working Man'/'Garden Road' at the L.A. Forum.
On the occasion of Rush 50's release, Lifeson, now a member of his latest rock band Envy of None, says that he and Lee don't get involved much in Rush's album reissues. In the last several years, that program has seen the 40th-anniversary deluxe re-releases of such classic Rush albums as A Farewell to Kings, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures and Signals.
'We leave it up to the record company, and they always bring it to us,' Lifeson says. 'They don't have to, but they want our approvals on everything. So we know what's going on, and we look at the artwork. Hugh [Syme, who has worked on Rush's album art]
Lifeson says it was up to the record company to choose the track selection for this boxed set anthology. 'But they're aware of how we work," he says. "And Andy [Curran, my Envy of None bandmate] works his main job [in A&R] there at Anthem [an indie record label whose roster included Rush]. So you know he's there looking after our interests as well.'
Other never-before-heard live cuts found on Rush 50 include 'Bad Boy' and 'Garden Road,' both of them recorded from the band's early performances in 1974. Another unreleased live track, a performance of 'Anthem,' was taken from Rush's 1974 visit to Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
The new anthology comes as the group recently marked the 50th anniversary of their debut album Rush, which featured their original drummer John Rutsey. In retrospect, the record reflected the influence of such groups as Cream and Led Zeppelin with songs such as 'Working Man' and 'Finding My Way.' But it wasn't until Peart's arrival as their group's drummer and lyricist on Fly by Night from 1975 that Rush forged their distinctive progressive rock sound.
'Obviously, we were huge Led Zeppelin fans,' Lifeson says. 'A lot of material from that [first Rush] album is from 1970. And they were such a big influence on us. Just listen to Ged's hooks. But when Neil came in, he brought something new and fresh. And Ged and I were already leaning towards being more progressive in our music, less bluesy rock. And Neil was definitely aligned with that way of thinking. So we naturally fell into that longer tracks, more thematic. He was certainly an influence [and] definitely part of the ride.'
After a combined 30 studio and live albums — not to mention decades of touring — Rush's popularity still endures more than 50 years later. It's a milestone that Lifeson marvels at.
'Isn't it nuts?' he asks. 'It's crazy. When we first got our record deal in 1974, it was for five records. And I thought, 'This is amazing. This is going to fulfill our recording life and maybe 6-7 years of touring. This would be great.' And then 40 years later, we were doing the final show [in Los Angeles]. Who would ever thought that that would have happened the way it did?
'So it was a very unique experience for us,' he continues. 'And it blows my mind that even after 10 years of being sort of off the road and out of the scene, there's interest as keen as it was 20 years ago.'
Rush 50 arrived around the same time as the release of Envy of None's second album Stygian Wavz, both involving Lifeson. 'It just so happened this record took, I don't know, a year and a bit to make,' Lifeson says about the timing of the two releases. 'So it just kind of ends up occupying the same space. But it's kind of good. There's lots of talk about stuff that I'm part of.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Elle
a day ago
- Elle
Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau's Complete Relationship Timeline
THE RUNDOWN In late July, pop star Katy Perry and former Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau sparked dating rumors after being seen with one another on several occasions in Montréal. On August 2, a source stated that the 'romance is in very early stages.' Both Perry and Trudeau ended their long term relationships relatively recently. On July 3, Perry and actor Orlando Bloom announced their split after six years of being engaged in a joint statement to People, saying, 'Due to the abundance of recent interest and conversation surrounding Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry's relationship, representatives have confirmed that Orlando and Katy have been shifting their relationship over the past many months to focus on co-parenting [their daughter, 4-year-old Daisy]. They will continue to be seen together as a family, as their shared priority is—and always will be—raising their daughter with love, stability, and mutual respect.' Trudeau and his ex Sophie Grégorie separated in 2023 after 18 years together. In a statement posted on Instagram at the time, Trudeau wrote, 'Hi everyone, Sophie and I would like to share the fact that after many meaningful and difficult conversation, we have made the decision to separate. As always, we remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and for everything we have built and will continue to build. For the well-being of our children, we ask that you respect our and their privacy. Thank you.' Here's the complete relationship timeline of Perry and Trudeau so far. On July 28, the pair shared a long day of activities together, starting with a walk in Montreal's Mount Royal Park. TMZ obtained photos of Trudeau smiling alongside Perry as they strolled. They were then filmed eating at Le Violon in Montréal. In footage obtained by TMZ, Perry and Trudeau can be seen chatting, with the singer looking attentively at Trudeau. After their meal, they had drinks on the terrace of Taverne Atlantic. Shortly after TMZ published the dinner video, the outlet ran an interview with Le Violon's co-owner and co-executive chef, Danny Smiles, who served them. Smiles said Perry and Trudeau didn't show any PDA, and 'he didn't get any dating vibes from Katy and two friends enjoying a meal.' Perry and Trudeau enjoyed a series of courses from the chef's tasting menu, including lobster, tuna, lamb gnocchi, and beef tartare, according to TMZ. The meal was a few hours long, and Trudeau covered the bill. Smiles called them the 'perfect guests—super chill, extremely nice to the staff.' On July 30, Trudeau was seen at Perry's Lifetimes Tour stop in Montréal. The former Canadian prime minister was spotted by fans in the crowd. His daughter Ella-Grace, was also at the concert, per Daily Mail. Trudeau also sang along to Perry's hit song 'Firework.' A source speaking with People said that the pair definitely have a connection, but it is a logistical challenge to date. 'They are interested in each other, but it will take a while to see where this goes,' the insider stated. 'She is traveling around the world, and he is figuring out his life now that he is no longer prime minister of Canada, but there is an attraction. They have a lot in common.' The source added, 'Music is one of many things they can share. Both are idealists and still live in a world where they think they can make improvements, although it has gotten more difficult.' They both have full lives already, as well as kids they share with former partners. 'Their own personal responsibilities could make this relationship move slower than it would, but there are ways to see the other and still fulfill their parenting responsibilities,' the source said. 'For one thing, they each have an ex. So, duties are split in half. And long-distance relationships, while still hard, are possible for these two.' A second source told People, 'Justin is a [politician] who is used to living a secret life with his personal activity, and wouldn't put on a public display at this stag. He knows they were being watched and is smart enough to play it low-key for now.' '[The] timing seems good for them, although a romance is in very early stages,' the source added.
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Joanna Cassidy calls reconnecting with boyfriend Alan Hamel ‘miraculous'
Joanna Cassidy found love in Malibu. The actress, 80, reflected on her budding romance with the late Suzanne Somers' husband, Alan Hamel. While talking to People on Saturday, Cassidy said, 'It was sort of miraculous to run into Alan. I hadn't even seen him in 30 years.' Advertisement 8 Joanna Cassidy in April 2025. Getty Images for "Growing Daisies" Official US Premiere The couple debuted their romance earlier this summer, almost two years after Somers died at age 76 from breast cancer. Hamel, 89, agreed that he and Cassidy being brought together was 'a miracle.' Advertisement 'We met over 50 years ago. Joanna was a guest on my show in Canada, and that was in the late '70s, I think,' the entertainer told the outlet. 'The next time I saw her, she was doing a major mini-series with Suzanne and Anthony Hopkins. And then I didn't see her again until a few months ago.' 8 Alan Hamel and Joanna Cassidy grab lunch in matching caps. JISH / BACKGRID 'We connected, and I'm happy that we connected. She's a great woman,' Hamel gushed. 'The thing is that she will help anybody to do anything. She's amazing that way.' The Canadian film producer couldn't say the same for himself. Advertisement 'I don't have that DNA,' Hamel confessed. 'She does. It's amazing. It's admirable. Next to her, I feel like there's more I should be doing for the world.' 8 Alan Hamel and Joanna Cassidy step out in Malibu. JISH / BACKGRID The pair is now looking forward to making more memories together since first stepping out together in June. 'The aging process is great,' Hamel mused. 'People think that it's not, but it's great. You get a lot more out of each birthday, especially when you're celebrating after five years or 10 years.' Advertisement Cassidy is also looking to continue her decades-long career. She is ready to take on an action-packed role next. 8 Joanna Cassidy and Alan Hamel in conversation while walking to lunch. JISH / BACKGRID 'Well, having been in the original 'Blade Runner,' my sense of physicality [is important],' she told People. 'Before we did this interview, I just did a class that was one of the hardest classes I've ever taken. I came back, and my legs were shaking. Everything's shaking on me. And so that's a really important part of my life, is to be in the gym and work out and push myself physically.' 'I love to do that,' she added. 'And I want to be in another adventure movie. I want to be in a movie where I can show those attributes that I have. That's what I want to do.' Hamel couldn't agree more. 8 Joanna Cassidy on the red carpet in 2024. FilmMagic He dubbed his partner 'perfect to be an action hero.' 'The reality is, she's taller than most women and in great physical condition,' Hamel expressed before saying to Cassidy: 'You could probably do all your own stunts as well. And I think there's room for a female action hero out there.' Advertisement In June, Hamel shed light onto their relationship while chatting with Page Six. 'I don't know where this relationship is going,' he stated. 8 Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel. suzannesomers/Instagram At the time, the two were photographed sporting matching Malibu Beach Inn baseball caps while getting lunch at Broad Street Oyster Company. Advertisement 'I have known Joanna Cassidy for over 45 years,' Hamel elaborated. 'Joanna was a guest star on 'The Alan Hamel Show' in Canada in the '70s. She was a great guest and it was a dynamic show, and we liked each other, not romantically, but mainly with respect. Both of us were married at the time.' 'I ran into her in the mid-'80s many times during the production of Jackie Collins' 'Hollywood Wives,'' he recalled. 'It was very cordial.' 8 Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel smile for an Instagram picture. suzannesomers/Instagram This time around, Hamel's son, Stephen, played matchmaker. Advertisement 'My son met Joanna at a screening and after a long conversation suggested to Joanna that she and me would get along and should meet. Stephen did not know we knew each other.' Hamel knew he would have Somers' blessing since in her final days she urged him to move on. 8 Suzanne Somers gives her husband Alan Hamel a kiss. suzannesomers/Instagram 'Don't mope around,' he recalled the 'Three's Company' vet saying. 'Live your life. We will see one another after you cross over.' Advertisement Hamel, meanwhile, had nothing but praise for his current partner. 'Joanna is extremely accomplished,' he detailed. 'She is easily the hardest-working and most active actress in Hollywood for well over 50 years. She's a great mother to her adult children, turns up for many fundraisers for first responders and is staff for her four cats. She is no Hollywood BS, and we laugh a lot.'
Elle
a day ago
- Elle
Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau Are ‘Interested in Each Other'
THE RUNDOWN Pop star Katy Perry and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sparked romance rumors in July after being seen on what looked like several dates in Montréal. A source speaking with People this week has said that the pair definitely share an interest in one another, but there are some roadblocks to a potential relationship. 'They are interested in each other, but it will take a while to see where this goes,' the insider stated. 'She is traveling around the world, and he is figuring out his life now that he is no longer prime minister of Canada, but there is an attraction. They have a lot in common.' The source added, 'Music is one of many things they can share. Both are idealists and still live in a world where they think they can make improvements, although it has gotten more difficult.' Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire announced their split in 2023 after 18 years together. Perry ended her long term relationship with actor Orlando Bloom in early July. Though they're now both single and free to pursue a relationship, the source explained that certain logistics make it difficult. 'Their own personal responsibilities could make this relationship move slower than it would, but there are ways to see the other and still fulfill their parenting responsibilities,' the source said. 'For one thing, they each have an ex. So, duties are split in half. And long-distance relationships, while still hard, are possible for these two.' A second source told People, 'Justin is a [politician] who is used to living a secret life with his personal activity, and wouldn't put on a public display at this stag. He knows they were being watched and is smart enough to play it low-key for now.' '[The] timing seems good for them, although a romance is in very early stages,' the source added.
