This Canadian trio, hailing from Willowdale, Ontario (near Toronto, Ontario) is an influential progressive rock band.With 23 gold, 14 platinum and 3 multi-platinum albums awarded to them by the RIAA, Rush is a longstanding act. In fact, Rush is fifth in most consecutive Gold and Platinum albums, behind Kiss, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles .
Starting out as a bar band in 1968 in Willowdale, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and then drummer John Rutsey were perhaps the hardest working unsigned act of the day. Refusing to conform and play top 40 material, they were determined to play what they wanted to play, and on their own terms.
In 1974, after the release of their self-titled debut, Neil Peart took over for John Rutsey and soon proved to be not only an amazing drummer, but also an excellent songwriter. His often epic compositions fit perfectly with the band's playing.
From their metal edged, sci-fi tinged material of the early to mid 70s, Rush were on their way to the top. It wasn't until their late 70's / early 80s material that the band broke through. Rush's 80's output was far more radio oriented than previous material, but no less strong. Then in the 90s, Rush made a return to the three piece unit sound of their early days.
While they have not had many radio hits, few hard rock fans have not heard of the band's bigger hits like "Working Man", "The Spirit of Radio" and of course the enigmatic "Tom Sawyer", which catapulted the band into the limelight in 1981.