Rush vs Led Zeppelin

Gerinski wrote: Respecting the fact that LZ were a main influence for Rush (and so many others), I find that the alumns have greatly surpassed their teachers.   Geddy has become a better bassist than JPJ (ok not a better keyboardist), Lifeson has become a better guitarist than Page and Peart has become a better drummer than Bonzo, and they have composed many more hours of great music than LZ ever did.   So Rush without a doubt.   I'm actually baffled that the poll result is being so even.

I would even double-down on what you said: to a considerable degree, the Zeppelin's name recognition is linked, unfortunately, to what is nowadays politically-correctly called "controversies" (no such thing as bad publicity). Mention Led Zeppelin to a bunch of random people who grew up in '70s-80s and ask them what comes to their minds, and I guarantee, half of them will say either "Bonham, quaffing vodka for breakfast' or 'Sweet Satan, ever so cleverly backmasked in Stairway to Heaven' (wink, wink).  

At the same time, Rush is probably one the sanest and best-behaving bands in the world. No messy divorces. No drugs. No occult stuff. This means that 100% of Rush's fame has to have been earned by just making music, which is a great achievement. 

Led Zeppelin

 

Dayvenkirq wrote: So far I haven't heard a single Rush song that actually works for me (Maybe save for 'Limelight' ... maybe).

Tom Sawyer is usually mentioned as "the other hummable one".

However, the true worshipers of Rush are said to be able to hum the 20 minutes of The Fountains of Lamneth, forwards and backwards. 

But seriously, compared side-by-side, I think the only category Zeppelin can claim victory in would be innovation, because they essentially co-fathered the whole genre of hard rock and heavy metal. At the same time Rush, while being enormously prolific and influential band, haven't really co-fathered anything I know of.  

In other categories Rush wins (in my book, anyway)

  

Argonaught wrote: Some may disagree, but I think the Led Zeppelin folks attracted much publicity for the wrong reasons, like drug abuse, dabbling in the occult and drinking vodka for breakfast.    Has to be Rush

That might have played a small part in the myth making 40 years ago, but they are remembered.. sometimes revered because of the quality of their music.
Physical Graffiti is probably my favourite album of all, so i am perhaps a little biased. That said I prefer Rush overall.

Dayvenkirq wrote: ^ There is no end to this poll ... but ... [shutting my eyes, stretching my arms out] I see ... a tie ... again ... .

my two favourite bands - but rush sneak in by a Geddy's nose because they are still producing music that i like whereas Zep haven't brought me anything new (that I really liked) since 1979.

Alitare wrote: Actually, Rush ripped off Led Zeppelin for years before finally realizing that ripping off other bands took less effort. Not that Led Zeppelin were golden heroes. I'd rather listen to Metal Machine Music most days.

Being influenced it's quite different from ripping off, and speaking of "ripping off other bands", Led Zeppelin did quite well ripping off Joan Baez and Willie Dixon. 
I kinda like Zeppelin, but I think they're just an overrated dad rock band, and I seriously disrespect Plant and Page, because of the fact that they ripped off so much musicians in their so "important musical influence" to "today's rock", although, I respect Bonham and Jones, for bringing on the solid rhytms that made listenable Zeppelin for me.

'cause I'm obviously a fan, my vote would go to Rush (but I can't vote, maybe because I'm a newbie in the forum :P), they are a far more credible musical act.
After 40 years, they are still doing tight flawless live shows, and constantly making credible music, music that doesn't relies in their older glories. 


Edited by TheWatcho - June 19 2012 at 20:31

smartpatrol wrote: Dellinger wrote: OK, Rush is a very well apreciated band here in PA. I just got my first album from them (moving pictures), and found them to be hard rock in a big measure, which made me compare tham a bit to Led Zeppelin. I still don't know enough Rush to vote myself, but I'm curious about what will you say.   You just got your first Rush album? Where the f**k did you get lost?

Well, it's been a while since I started the Thread, so by now I already have all albums from 2112 to Moving Pictures, except for Permanent Waves, which they sold at the store just before I got to buying it and haven't re-stocked it yet. I guess I'll have to end up buying in on Amazon or something. And, of course, I have found them great, but still I'm not sure I would put them above Zeppelin.

I'll go for Rush as I find Led Zeppelin too sloppy. Still Led Zeppelin got groove.

Rush never made an album like Coda or In Through/Outdoor.....very non Led Zeppelinesque albums.