Interview with Ian Grandy - Rush's first roadie

A
Talk with Ian Grandy - Rush's First Roadie
If you are familiar with early
Rush history, you may have heard of Ian Grandy - Rush's first roadie who worked
with the band from 1969 up through 1983. Skip Daly (of RushPetition.com) tracked down Ian and
interviewed him for a recent
article at GuitarInternational.com. Ian shares his firsthand knowledge of
Rush history as he remembers it and has some very interesting tales to tell. His
point of view of the band's history is highly unique since he was present from
when Rush played high school gyms in the late '60s and early '70s on through to
when they were selling out massive arenas in the early '80s. In this excerpt Ian
describes being present for Neil Peart's audition for Rush:

Rush - Neurotica

You just don't get it what it is
Well, you're not really sure
You move like you're walking on thin ice
Talking like you're still insecure
Time is a spiral, space is a curve
I know you get dizzy but try not to lose your nerve

Life is a diamond, you turn into dust
Waiting for rescue and I know that you just don't get it
You just don't get it

Neurotica, exotica
It's just erotica, hypnotica
It's psychotica, chaotica
It's just exotica, neurotica

Just don't get it, baby
Don't you ask yourself why?
If you don't like the answer, forget it
You know I hate to see you cry
Fortune is random, fate shoots from the hip
I know you get crazy but try not to lose your grip

Life is a diamond, you turn into dust
Looking for trust and I know that you just don't get it
Well, you just don't get it

Neurotica, exotica
It's just erotica, hypnotica
It's just psychotica, chaotica
It's just exotica, neurotica

Snap, hide in your shell, let the world go to hell
It's like Russian Roulette to you
Snap, sweat running cold, you can't face growing old
It's a personal threat to you
Snap, the world is a cage for your impotent rage
But don't let it get to you, snap

It's just neurotica, exotica
It's just erotica, hypnotica
It's just psychotica, chaotica
It's just exotica, neurotica
It's just psychotica, neurotica
It's just erotica, neurotica

Nirvana members dismayed by 'Guitar Hero 5'

AP – FILE - This 1993 file photo shows Kurt Cobain. (AP Photo/Mark J.Terrill, File)

By DERRIK J. LANG, AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang, Ap Entertainment Writer – Fri Sep 11, 6:10 am ET

LOS ANGELES – Kurt Cobain's appearance in the latest "Guitar Hero" video game is not hitting the right notes with the surviving members of Nirvana.

Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl said in a joint statement Thursday that they were "dismayed and very disappointed" that an avatar of the late Nirvana frontman could be used to play songs by other artists.

"While we were aware of Kurt's image being used with two Nirvana songs, we didn't know players have the ability to unlock the character," they said. "This feature allows the character to be used with any kind of song the player wants. We urge Activision to do the right thing in 're-locking' Kurt's character so that this won't continue in the future."

Cobain's widow, Courtney Love, had been lashing out on Twitter this week about her late husband's inclusion in the game, calling it vile and claiming she would sue Activision, the game's publisher. Love claimed she never approved Cobain's digital likeness, and that she thought the grunge rocker would despise the rhythm game "let alone this avatar."

Activision said in a statement Thursday that they secured the necessary licensing rights from the Cobain estate in a written agreement signed by Love to use the singer's likeness as a fully playable character in "Guitar Hero 5," which includes "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Lithium" among its 85 tracks that can be played with instrument-shaped controllers.

Other real-life rockers featured in the latest edition of the popular rhythm game franchise for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and Wii include Carlos Santana and Johnny Cash. Previous "Guitar Hero" editions have featured the likenesses of Jimi Hendrix, Billy Corgan, Ted Nugent, Sting, Ozzy Osbourne, Travis Barker and members of Aerosmith.

___

On the Net:

http://gh5.guitarhero.com/

Rush Might Return in 2010

Rush fans take note -- the legendary progressive rock band could be back on the road with a new album in 2010. The trio would love to work again with Nick Raskulinecz, who co-produced the last studio album, 'Snakes & Arrows,' but he'll have to hang on a bit longer.
"I think Nick calls the office once a week," laughs guitarist Alex Lifeson, "just to make sure we're still planning on getting back to work at some point."
Lifeson, lead singer-bassist Geddy Lee and drummer/lyricist Neil Peart played 120 shows behind 'Snakes & Arrows' and "were pretty beat by the end of it," says Lifeson. "We'd been working constantly for the last eight years or so, and really needed a break, and decided to take a year off. We're sort of coming to the end of that period.
"Neil and his wife had a baby just a couple of weeks ago, so he's asked if we can just wait a little bit until he gets settled and see how he feels about getting back to work or when to get back to work. So we're sort of playing it open right now."
Lifeson says he's been doing a little writing at home in Toronto, "just getting myself back into the groove again with recording and stuff like that. I would guess that sometime in the early fall we would get back together and start writing again, and then hopefully by next summer, we'd be ready to tour."

Rush gearing up for new album and tour in 2010?

Rush gearing up for new album and tour in 2010?

September 9, 2:15 PMCanada Music ExaminerRobert Rheubottom

Rush live during their 30th Anniversary tour.

Good news for Rush fans. There’s word circulating that the Canadian progressive rock trio may be gearing up for another album and tour.  The band has been on hiatus since touring behind their 2007 studio release Snakes and Arrows.  At least 2 of the band members, singer/bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson are anxious to get back to work on new material.

It’s possible drummer Neil Peart may have a different idea. Peart’s wife Carrie Nuttall recently gave birth to their first child which the band announced on their official website:

“The Rush family congratulates Neil and his wife Carrie on the birth of their healthy, beautiful daughter Olivia Louise Peart.”

With Peart under the thrall of domestic bliss, it may take some persuading on Lee and Lifeson’s behalf to crowbar their drummer away from his family.

But a recent post from NoiseCreep.com hints that the power trio may resume work soon and, if things go smoothly, have a new album ready in time for a tour next summer.

Rush co-produced Snakes and Arrows with producer Nick Raskulinecz and it appears he may be onboard to produce the next album as well.  “I think Nick calls the office once a week just to make sure we’re still planning on getting back to work at some point,” says  Lifeson.

The band had been working hard for 8 years leading up to their highly successful Snakes and Arrows tour.  But the tour, consisting of 120 shows performed at venues around the world, took its toll on group members. Afterwards, the band decided it needed to take a year off to relax and recuperate.

Although the band has not released an exact time frame on when they will regroup in the studio, Lifeson says he has been doing some writing and hopes he will get together with fellow Rush members soon to start planning their next album. “I would guess that sometime in the early fall we would get back together and start writing again, and then hopefully by next summer, we'd be ready to tour."

It might be a bit premature for fans to start booking hotel rooms for a Rush tour next summer tour, but it’s gratifying to know that it appears Rush aren’t ready to hang up their instruments anytime soon. It’s not a matter of “if” they’ll be back, it’s just a matter of “when?”

Rush in concert.

Great shots of Rush in action live from their Snakes and Ladder Tour and from their 30th anniversary tour.

View Slideshow »

More About: Rush · hard rock · progressive rock · classic rock

The Beatles Stereo Box Set remasters

The Beatles Stereo Box Set, The Beatles, Music CD

 

The Beatles - Within You Without You (Sgt. Peppers)

We were talking-about the space between us all
And the people-who hide themselves behind a wall of illusion
Never glimpse the truth-then it's far too late-when they pass away.
We were talking-about the love we all could share-when we find it
To try our best to hold it there-with our love
With our love-we could save the world-if they only knew.
Try to realize it's all within yourself
No-one else can make you change
And to see you're really only very small,
And life flows ON within you and without you.
We were talking-about the love that's gone so cold and the people,
Who gain the world and lose their soul-
They don't know-they can't see-are you one of them?
When you've seen beyond yourself-then you may find, peace of mind,
Is waiting there-
And the time will come when you see
we're all one, and life flows on within you and without you.

The Beatles - Elanor Rigby

Ah, look at all the lonely people
Ah, look at all the lonely people

Eleanor rigby picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream
Waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door
Who is it for?

All the lonely people
Where do they all come from ?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong ?

Father mckenzie writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear
No one comes near.
Look at him working. darning his socks in the night when there's nobody there
What does he care?

All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?

Eleanor rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name
Nobody came
Father mckenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave
No one was saved

All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?

The Beatles - Nowhere Man

He's a real nowhere man,
Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody.

Doesn't have a point of view,
Knows not where he's going to,
Isn't he a bit like you and me?

Nowhere Man please listen,
You don't know what you're missing,
Nowhere Man,the world is at your command!

(lead guitar)

He's as blind as he can be,
Just sees what he wants to see,
Nowhere Man can you see me at all?

Nowhere Man, don't worry,
Take your time, don't hurry,
Leave it all till somebody else
lends you a hand!

Doesn't have a point of view,
Knows not where he's going to,
Isn't he a bit like you and me?

Nowhere Man please listen,
you don't know what your missing
Nowhere Man, the world is at your command!

He's a real Nowhere Man,
Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody.
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody.
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody!

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