From the largest newspaper in the Netherlands, De Telegraaf:

Translated by Ron van de Leygraaf.

Rush: Phenomenally unfashionable

Being successful for thirty years with unbelievable non-commercial symphonic music. The Canadian band Rush accomplished that and the numbers tell the real story. The illustrious threesome has never had much media attention, but with 35 million records sold and a trophy-cabinet full with gold and platinum records, we can easily call Rush the most successful cultband ever.

Last Friday, for the first time in 11 years, the trio visited the Netherlands again and provided a chockfull Ahoy a memorable exercise which lasted well over three hours. The band remains a strange phenomenon, because how is it possible that an antique symphonic rockband still sells out stadiums and arenas after thirty years? Singer/bassist Geddy Lee himself answered this question earlier this week: "Because we managed to be and remain extremely unfashionable all those years." That is absolutely true. The three intellectuals have always succeeded in staying current musically. Each album contains something new which kept millions of fans all over the world alert and refrained them from losing interest. Furthermore, in the rock music business, Rush has a reputation as a live band which really no other band can match. In Rotterdam we saw three superior men in their fifties, working loosely, sometimes almost casual, playing the most ingenious compositions.
Enhanced by a tasteful videopresentation during which their 30-year career was shown in an amusing way, Rush opened with an instrumental medley of old favourites. "The Spirit Of The Radio" set the tone, after which a string of pearls followed. The majestic "Red Barchetta", with a tremendous guitar solo from Alex Lifeson, was a highlight, just like the instrumental tour-de-force YYZ. Of course they played "The Trees" in which the gents hid the Beatles song "Daytripper" nicely. After an amazing cover of The Who's "The Seeker" the fire was literally lit and, after a short break, the band pushed the accelerator a little further down. The animations on the screen became more expressive, the lightshow became more colourful and Rush kept on firing classic after classic at the frantic crowd. "Tom Saywer" and "Red Sector A" formed the vestibule for the still impressive drumsolo from the rarely laughing Neil Peart, who was supported on the screen by a dancing Louis Armstrong. Because Rotterdam was the last stop on a gigantic world tour, the "Grand Finale" became extra emotional and impressive. The roadies offered the band a signed pirates bane and the DUtch fans waved the trio farewell. Forever? Hopefully not, because the music industry cannot do with the phenomenon Rush for the time being.

Jean-Paul Heck



I hope my translation errors are not too disturbing. The 11 years and The Spirit of the Radio mistakes are in the original article, btw.

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Today, October 5th,in another Dutch paper, called the Algemeen Dagblad (nation wide), there is another Rotterdam review.

I translated it into English.

Superior Swan Song from RUSH

Concert * * * * *

Heard: Ahoy Rotterdam 1-10
By: Robert Haagsma

Rotterdam – Ahoy in Rotterdam may be the scenery of spectacular concerts more often, but rarely the audience will have left the venue so euphoric as after the show from RUSH.
The band made the impression to set something right. And they had to..For more than 12 year the Canadian trio seemed to have forgotten Europe. That the memory of the Dutch proved to be a lot better, when the concert in Rotterdam was sold out in no time.
The show was a part of the 30m year anniversary of RUSH. In those three decades the band scored hardly any hits. In spite of this the band got a lot of fans worldwide and made records full with renewing pop, rock and symphonic music, in which the virtuose play- especially from drummer Neil Peart- and the intelligent songtexts – again from Neil Peart – cought the eye.
RUSH compensated their long absence perfectly with a concert which lasted three and a half hours. Songs of all their studio albums were played. An observant RUSH fan knows that only the album Presto from 1989 wasn’t represented.
And so, in a with infatuated fans filled sportspalace, a show unfolded from which most passionate fans only could have dreamt for years.
The tremendous effort from the band made the evening extra special.
It must have been a war of attrition on stage; the music of RUSH is very complex. Nevertheless the show didn’t reduce for any moment. Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson (guitar) often walked to eachother, made jokes, played solo’s and worked very hard.
Hidden behind a drum set, so big that it’s worth a mention in the Guinesss book of records, Neil Peart proved to be one of the best rock drummers of all times. Powerfull, tastefull and subtle he layed the foundation for the more than 30 songs passing the show.
The Rotterdam gig was the last of their world tour. RUSH played as if this was their last show ever. And perhaps it was…