Rush Retirement Rumors: Your Thoughts.

Catcher10 wrote: Epigones? Makes no sense, does not apply...Unless you want to apply that to many, many bands then ok. Clearly you don't know how they almost were shut down early in their career by the record label, wanting that "hit" record along the lines of traditional hard rock, being told by execs "no more long songs!" 2112 is that album that went against this grain you speak of and they did what they thought was best...make their own music.  After CoS the label wanted the hit record as they did not understand the progressive rock/metal stuff they were doing...So what does the band do?? They go with the grain and create an album with a side long epic with a dystopian storyline set in the year 2112....Yea that was not "going against the grain" Are you kidding me!!  Also you have to remember this was in the mid 70's....Rush were not that huge as you say with followers, they were still an opening act for bands like ELO, BOC, Aerosmith, Kansas, Nazareth and Kiss. It's best you just say "I don't like them" and be on your way, that will garner you more positive comments.

I don't care about positive comments. And yes, there are many more bands that I call "epigones".

And you obviously don't get what I mean by "going against the grain". The music of Rush is in my opinion easy to listen to and not challenging at all. And that's why it does not go against the grain.

As to your advice: I think it is best you say "I like them" and be on your way.

Epigones? Makes no sense, does not apply...Unless you want to apply that to many, many bands then ok. Clearly you don't know how they almost were shut down early in their career by the record label, wanting that "hit" record along the lines of traditional hard rock, being told by execs "no more long songs!"

BaldFriede wrote: They jumped on the prog rock train when it was almost out of the station. I call that "epigones".

but epigone has such a negative connotation to it, an inferior creator, an imitator which in my opinion Rush has never been.

BaldFriede wrote: I don't care at all because I never liked them (which is no secret here). In my opinion they are epigones. Sorry for being negative, but you asked for my thoughts.

how are they epigones?

you don't like them, ok, fine, but "epigones"?

Ancient_Mariner wrote: I know people who hate Rush just due to Geddy's vocals.  Most of them horrific taste in music though. ;) Personally I love them.  But I love wailing metal singers like Halford, Dickinson, and Tate.  Geddy has a unique character to be sure. I was watching Rush in Rio and even then you can tell time has taken its toll, but not as much as the 2013 CWA video.  They could drop vocals all together and I'll still dig them.  Actually that would be sweet, an instrumental album... I can dream.

This is a very good idea. The idea of vocals (always) for rock is a very outdated idea. As most popular music has become a non-commercial proposition then being, uh, progressive (doing things different) would be interesting. The only downside is not hearing the lyrics -n the case of Rush. In other cases... brilliant.

Anyway it's Neil Peart whose hung up his sticks - arthritis.

While I'm (really) glad to have seen Rush twice the DVDs are a much better idea.

If he improves they may do selected and smaller tours. Webcasts, DVDs and even, radio might even reach an audience. Better to do what they can if they can and do it well than not at all. But if there is a compromise and he makes his arthritis worse then it's time to move on.

He could be a, er, proper writer.

If they don't want to retire.
I'm gonna be happy with it.
But if they want to retire.
I understand.
Because they did great job.
And the legacy will live on.
That's it.

Edited by kjtheguitarist - February 18 2016 at 21:43

I really hope the boys aren't throwing in the towel.

I'm no Rush fan.....far from it, but I love digging up the early stuff once in a while - especially side 1 of Caress and side 2 of FBN...and Hemispheres was a hoot.....can't forget MP and 2112.....and Exit and ATWAS.....I even saw them twice in two days in Worster, Mass. in '84.....blistering shows.  But I'm not a fan....far from it. 

Finnforest wrote: Ann Wilson could still knock em dead last time I saw her sing.

Ann Wilson could still knock em dead last time I saw her sing.