Rush is a popular Canadian progressive rock group known for its musicianship and philosophical lyrics. Progressive rock combines rock with elements of classical music, jazz, and other forms of music. Rush’s albums are among the best-selling in rock history. The group has won a number of Juno Awards for its music. Juno Awards are awarded annually by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements.
Rush was formed in Toronto in 1968 by the guitarist Alex Lifeson (Alex Zivojinovich, 1953-…), the American-born Canadian bassist and singer Jeff Jones (1953-…), and the drummer John Rutsey (1953-2008). Jones was replaced later in 1968 by bassist, keyboardist, and lead singer Geddy Lee (Gary Lee Weinrib, 1953-…). Rutsey left the group in 1974 and was replaced that year by drummer and percussionist Neil Peart (1952-2020).
Rush released its first album, Rush, in 1974. The album’s single “Working Man” received radio airplay in the United States. In 1975, the group released its second album, Fly by Night. It was the first album featuring Peart. The album’s title song became one of the group’s most well known.
Rush reached its height of popularity in 1981 with its eighth album, Moving Pictures. The album featured “Tom Sawyer” and “Limelight,” two of the group’s best-known songs. Rush’s ninth album, Signals (1982), featured the song “New World Man,” the group’s only top-40 hit in the United States.
Rush’s other notable songs include “Bastille Day” (1975), “Closer to the Heart” (1977), “Freewill” and “Spirit of Radio” (both 1980), and “Countdown” and “Subdivisions” (both 1982).
Rush was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994. In 1996, Lee, Lifeson, and Peart were appointed as Officers of the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honors. The trio became the first rock band to be so honored. Rush was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in 2013.
