Detroit Reg. Semi Final 2 - Gong v. Rush

rogerthat wrote: Well, they were huge Ayn Rand fans so that kind of 'compensates' for their 'drug free' existence.  I love Rush, by the way, but I must say their dead serious attitude stands out, in a not so good way, compared to some of these older prog rock bands.

Neil was into Ayn Rand (not the other two, as far as I know) when he was in his twenties. He has long since turned his back to those ideas, as witnessed by some interviews.

As regards the whole drug question, I have never done any kind of drugs in my life, nor have I ever been interested in trying. In spite of that, I love many bands and artists who have never been shy about their use of various things of drugs - even the most dangerous ones, such as heroin or cocaine. In any case, there are a lot of musicians who don't do drugs, but drink like fish - and alcohol is as bad as drugs, if not even worse.

Like mickey stated on another poll, seems this one is about voting against the other band, not sure why though. It's like the reverse of fanboyism, vote against the big prog band. We saw it with Caravan/ELP...really?? Caravan wins 

Flight123 wrote: Oooh!  I wonder how many of our prog heroes have had a 'drug free existence'?  So the abstemious Rush over naughty Gong?  What a disingenuous argument to make!  It is neither here nor there.  Should we have a new prog genre called 'sensible prog' so at least Rush can be the undisputed champions?

Edited by Mellotron Storm - December 24 2014 at 12:08

Argonaught wrote: Flight123 wrote: Oooh!  I wonder how many of our prog heroes have had a 'drug free existence'?  So the abstemious Rush over naughty Gong?  What a disingenuous argument to make!  It is neither here nor there.  Should we have a new prog genre called 'sensible prog' so at least Rush can be the undisputed champions? That's a good point - a heartfelt honorable mention to the C-Prog flagship :) But really, all  the publicity Rush has ever received has to do with the music they make, which is kind of unique for such a popular band. I can't remember anything nasty; no messy divorces, no affiliations with unsavory characters or sinister cults, no pharmaceutical antics, no controversial "activism" etc ..

Alex Lifeson and his son had an altercation with a police officer in Miami, FL (I think) sometime in the past 10 years, and were arrested. But all sources I've read point to the fault of the officers.

But that's about it. When they were touring with KISS, Simmons and co. of course invited many groupies into their rooms after shows. On the other hand, Geddy, Neil, and Alex would go back to their rooms and watch TV.

Flight123 wrote: Oooh!  I wonder how many of our prog heroes have had a 'drug free existence'?  So the abstemious Rush over naughty Gong?  What a disingenuous argument to make!  It is neither here nor there.  Should we have a new prog genre called 'sensible prog' so at least Rush can be the undisputed champions?

The Bearded Bard wrote: qwiksand wrote: Saperlipopette! wrote: ˆI think you need to post 50 times first Ah, ok, thanks for the info. Pretty sure it's 40, not 50, so you're only 9 posts away from voting heaven.

Oooh!  I wonder how many of our prog heroes have had a 'drug free existence'?  So the abstemious Rush over naughty Gong?  What a disingenuous argument to make!  It is neither here nor there.  Should we have a new prog genre called 'sensible prog' so at least Rush can be the undisputed champions?

Only Eric Clapton is god.....Peart is the Professor.

Argonaught wrote: Hercules wrote: Argonaught wrote: ^ Yep, the PA-pulation in general treats Rush as a top tier prog band, which it, quite frankly, is not. Despite all the good work they have done throughout the past 40 years.    Of course Rush is a top tier prog band. Sales, longevity, influence - they qualify on all counts as top flight. OK, OK, a top tier it is. Sales and Longevity: These are tell-tale hallmarks of prog since when?  (Hint: since Michael Jackson, Bee Gees, Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra and James Last orchestra ) Influence: I am not educated in this matter. Care to elucidate?

Catcher10 wrote: There are no true "prog" bands anymore....but Rush comes as close as any band right now. Most are crossover bands that are heavy into electronic, indie, alternative, rock........