Rush played the Kia Forum in Los Angeles last night (or whatever the place is called these days).
I am so happy. I am so happy. I am so happy.
I said I wasn’t going to watch any clips but I am suspending that rule for this one thing. It’s the first thing that my social media algorithm madness sent my way. Pretty sure it’s the first song in the set. I haven’t watched it yet. I’ll post it here and then watch it.
I am so happy and I can’t wait for July 28th at Madison Square Garden. I cannot wait.
Tonight is the night. Rush returns to the stage in glorious fashion. Weirdly, they are starting this new tour at the same venue in Los Angeles as their final show back in 2015. Back then, Neil Peart wanted to retire. The other guys did not, but they went along and that was that. Then Neil passed away and time went on and eventually Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson started playing together for fun and eventually they brought in Anika Nilles to play drums and Loren Gold to play keyboards and now the tour is kicking off tonight.
So now, turning the attention back where it belongs… to me, we’ll be seeing the tour when it hits New York in late July. Boston wasn’t included in the initial tour announcement so we went with the closest city that was, and that was New York. I’ve seen Rush in New York a few times. If it weren’t for the fucking Yankees and the fucking Rangers and the fucking Mets and the fucking Islanders New York might be my favorite non-Boston city.
So the tour starts tonight but I still have nearly two months to wait before I can join in the fun. So what do I do? They have already stated that there will be multiple set lists so there’s a chance that even if I do get spoiled on that front there might still be surprises. I think I will try to avoid any foreknowledge though. Should I also avoid video clips online? I’ve only heard one song performed by this new lineup. They played Finding My Way at the Juno awards and it was freakin’ bliss. I don’t think I will be able to avoid all videos online, but I’ll probably try to avoid most… if I can… I don’t know.
Basically my point of view on this new Rush tour boils down to jealousy. I really wish we were in L.A. tonight. I’ve seen Rush 25 times. It would be pretty cool if 26 were tonight. I’ll happily wait my turn, but wouldn’t it be cool if around 7pm Pacific time or so… you know how it is.
Break a leg, Rush, both new members and old members.
We have a cat named Robin. She was not named after English guitar hero Robin Trower*.
Robin Trower had a US tour booked for this fall and he has a 50th anniversary expanded edition of his biggest record, Bridge of Sighs, due to hit the stores tomorrow. I did not buy tickets to his show in my neck of the woods, on October 5th (which is also my sister’s birthday), but I was thinking about it. Strongly. I saw him live once in 1988 (I think) and would love to see him one more time before he packs it in.
Unfortunately, just the other day he had to cancel the tour. He has a health issue that requires surgery and has the possibility of a long recovery period. It seems I may have missed my chance to see him one more time. Crud.
Get well soon, Mr Trower. Come back and see us soon, and maybe bring a Les Paul with you. I mean you used to play Gibsons back in your Procol Harem days. I know you’ve been pretty much 100% Strat since then, but maybe it might be fun to be nostalgic for the old days, eh?
*Robin the cat was not named after Robin Trower. She was named after Robin Sparkles.
Im feeling a little blue right now. If this is really the end for Rush as a touring act, then there are only two more shows. They are just about to hit the stage in Irvine, CA, and then the final show is in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Is this really the end? I knew it would come someday, but I guess I never really believed it. They say they aren’t breaking up. They say there will be more music. They say there might be performance alternatives to big cross continental tours. I sincerely hope so.
Still… Is this the end?
In all the excitement over the announcement of Rush tour dates yesterday I totally missed the announcement of ticket pre-sales starting today! I got word in time though.
Did I get tickets to the Boston show? Yes.
Did I get tickets to the New York show? Yes.
Did I get good seats to either show? Well….
Eh, not so good. Okay. Not great. We’re in the door though, that’s all that really matters. I’ve had much worse seats, once in the back row at Mohegan Sun and once in the back row at SPAC, and still had my entire head rocked clean off.
We’re going to see Rush again! Let’s celebrate!
Christmas!
New Years!
Easter!
Birthday!
All rolled into one! That’s what today feels like, for Rush has announced new tour dates for 2015! It is Celebration Day! They are touring to celebrate their 40th anniversary even though this summer marks 41 years. Well… as long as they can still count to 7 and play Cygnus X-1 I will forgive their math error.
Here are the dates:
| Date | Location | Venue | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2015 | Tulsa | BOK Center | On sale January 30, 2015 |
| May 10, 2015 | Lincoln | Pinnacle Bank Arena | On Sale Soon |
| May 12, 2015 | St. Paul | Xcel Energy Center | On sale January 30, 2015 |
| May 14, 2015 | St. Louis | Scottrade Center | On Sale Soon |
| May 16, 2015 | Austin | Austin360 Amphitheater | On Sale Soon |
| May 18, 2015 | Dallas | American Airlines Center | On sale January 30, 2015 |
| May 20, 2015 | Houston | The Toyota Center | On sale January 30, 2015 |
| May 22, 2015 | New Orleans | Smoothie King Center | On Sale Soon |
| May 24, 2015 | Tampa | Amalie Arena | On Sale Soon |
| May 26, 2015 | Atlanta | Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre | On Sale Soon |
| May 28, 2015 | Greensboro | The Greensboro Coliseum | On Sale Soon |
| May 30, 2015 | Bristow (DC Area) | Jiffy Lube Live | On sale January 30, 2015 |
| June 8, 2015 | Columbus | Nationwide Arena | On Sale Soon |
| June 10, 2015 | Buffalo | First Niagara Center | On sale January 30, 2015 |
| June 12, 2015 | Chicago | United Center | On sale January 30, 2015 |
| June 14, 2015 | Detroit | Palace of Auburn Hills | On Sale Soon |
| June 17, 2015 | Toronto (I) | Air Canada Centre | On sale February 6, 2015 |
| June 19, 2015 | Toronto (II) | Air Canada Centre | On sale February 6, 2015 |
| June 21, 2015 | Montreal | Bell Centre | On sale February 7, 2015 |
| June 23, 2015 | Boston | TD Garden | On sale January 30, 2015 |
| June 25, 2015 | Philadelphia | Wells Fargo Center | On sale January 30, 2015 |
| June 27, 2015 | Newark | Prudential Center | On sale January 30, 2015 |
| June 29, 2015 | New York | Madison Square Garden | On sale January 30, 2015 |
| July 9, 2015 | Kansas City | Sprint Center | On Sale Soon |
| July 11, 2015 | Denver | Pepsi Center | On sale January 30, 2015 |
| July 13, 2015 | Salt Lake City | Maverik Center | On Sale Soon |
| July 15, 2015 | Calgary | Scotiabank Saddledome | On sale February 6, 2015 |
| July 17, 2015 | Vancouver | Rogers Arena | On sale February 6, 2015 |
| July 19, 2015 | Seattle | Key Arena | On Sale Soon |
| July 21, 2015 | Portland | MODA Center | On Sale Soon |
| July 23, 2015 | San Jose | SAP Center at San Jose | On sale January 30, 2015 |
| July 25, 2015 | Las Vegas | MGM Grand Garden Arena | On Sale Soon |
| July 27, 2015 | Phoenix | US Airways Center | On Sale Soon |
| July 30, 2015 | Irvine Meadows | Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre | On Sale Soon |
| August 1, 2015 | Los Angeles | The Forum | On Sale Soon |
Opening night is my birthday. Too bad it’s in Tulsa, otherwise I’d say we should join the throngs of similarly obsessed fans and get ourselves there. But… it’s Tulsa. $5.00 says they did that on purpose. (sorry Oklahoma, said the proud Masshole)
Key dates:
June 23rd in Boston. Obviously.
June 29 in New York. We’ve seen them at Madison Square Garden twice. How about Garden Grady #3?
June 17 and 19 in Toronto. I’ve always wanted to see them do a home town show.
July 25 in Las Vegas. I’ve always wanted to go to Las Vegas. Why not go for Rush?
August 1 in Los Angeles. They aren’t playing in San Diego. L.A. is as close as they get. Is it close enough? Yes!
Inside the Red Head's Head 