{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fswiss\fcharset0 Arial;}} {\*\generator Msftedit 5.41.15.1503;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\f0\fs24\tab Throughout the years many rock and roll bands have risen to stardom. Some have remained there, while others took a quick nose dive into obscurity. However, one band for the past 30 years has hovered just below the number one spot in record sales: Rush. Originally consisting of bassist and lead singer Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer John Rutsey, early in the band's history Rutsey left and was replaced by Neil Peart, who also took on the task of lyricist. The band has been actively producing music ever since and has not shown any interest in stopping. They are one of the most talented and dedicated bands in history.\par \par \tab One of Rush's defining features is its unique musical style. While most bands of the 70s and 80s took a fast and loud approach, Rush's music had a slow and mellow feel, resembling bands such as Pink Floyd and The Cars. Mixed in with this style is the creative use of a synthesizer and a wide range of percussive instruments. The songs "Tom Sawyer" and "Manhattan Project" are perfect examples of the style and insturmental lineup Rush uses frequently and to great success. However, Rush is not without their upbeat tunes. The songs "Limelight" and "Freewill", while still retaining the aspects of their instrumentals, have a tempo and spirit that is closer to bands such as Boston and 38 Special. In addition to these two styles is one resembling operas or symphony concerts. Songs such as "2112" and "Fountain of Lamneth" extend to as long as 20 minutes and spread across a wide number of musical genres.\par \par \tab Further contributing to their legend is the lyrics of Neil Peart, who is a major contributor to the band's success through both writing and drumming. His lyrics break away from the standards set by rock in its earliest forms, not being about love and rock and roll itself, but rather exploring political themes and oftentimes fantasy worlds far in the future. "Red Barchetta" is the story of a man who illegally races his uncle's antique car around the countryside, blatantly ignoring a ban on all motor vehicles set by the US government. Also, the song "2112" details events in the future in which a single group regulates all forms of media, making the control of the masses easier. Long after humanity has any memory of how music used to be, a man finds a guitar behind a waterfall, perhaps the last in existance, and attempts to re-introduce the idea of creative music to the world. \par \par \tab Of course, their most identifying qualities of Rush would be the voice of their lead singer and bassist, Geddy Lee. High pitched and smooth, many have confused Lee as a woman when first listening to the band. Early in the band's history this was often used as leverage against the band in magazines such as Rolling Stone, who accused him of trying to mimic the vocals of Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant. Eventually listeners grew accustomed to this, and accepted Lee's vocals as one of Rush's core elements. \par \par \tab Their final member, the guitarist Alex Lifeson, while not as honored as Peart and Lee is essential to the band as a whole. Although the middle period of the band's history was dominated by Lee's use of the synthesizer, their earlier songs and their most recent have relied on the expert shredding of Lifeson. Songs such as "YYZ" and "By-tor and the Snow Dog" remain as some of the most incredible uses of the electric guitar. Of course, such things are expected of a musician who claims Jimmi Hendrix and Pete Townshend of The Who as his primary influences.\par \par \tab Seventeen albums have hit the market since the band's debut (not counting live concert recordings and singles), with another on its way early in 2007. All but their most recent album Vapor Trails, released in 2002, have gone gold and about half of them have gone platinum. Ontop of that two multiplatinum albums, 2112 and Moving Pictures, sold 3 million and 4 million copies, respectively. \par \par \tab\f1\fs20\par }