Note: I am taking a look at my Rush scrapbooks, album by album (studio only). This is Part Five, Moving Pictures.
And then came Moving Pictures.
It was so great and joyous to see Rush finally getting the attention they deserved. Moving Pictures went to number one in Canada, number three in the US and the UK, and four times platinum. That’s not an eye-popping level, but it put them in the highest gear they ever reached and propelled them into the top tier of the rock music world. Moving Pictures is also one of the greatest transition from prog rock to hard rock.
I will never forget when the album came out in February, 1981. The Air Force sent me, along with a likable fellow named Dale Garrow, to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada for Red Flag. (Annual training exercise for fighter pilots). Pope sent two C-130s cargo planes (no loops there). Dale and I had the temporary duty as the two supply guys. There was a radio in the hangar office and I started hearing Limelight and Tom Sawyer. Life was real good.
I also remember buying the record there, taking it back to our hotel room, and checking it out. Couldn’t play it so I had to wait until we got back to Pope. I also bought a portable 8-track player and played it that way (Ah, good old D-size batteries).
Once again, Rush was touring their butts off. The MP tour spanned from September 1980 to July 1981. I actually saw them on the ESL tour (October 29), which came after a well-deserved three-month break. I will never forget them opening with 2112. Talk about goosebumps. And that setlist that I see now, maybe the best ever.
Rush played a number of big cities multiple times, including three in London and what might be unique or rare for a top-shelf music act. They played a grand slam in North Carolina. Charlotte at the start of MP tour and then Charlotte, Fayetteville, and Greensboro where Robert and I saw them on December 6.
Rush was so hot it took Circus two long articles to tell the story. Richard Hogan wrote a great review with a number of noteworthy things to say.
Man for man, Rush was making itself the biggest North American rock group of spring, 1981.
Programmers and even housewives couldn’t resist the new Rush sound.
When the powerhouse returns to record in Canada in 1982, bands like Van Halen will have to gird themselves more tightly.
Don Myers also wrote a terrific article. Of Neil he said:
"Peart gets many of his ideas for stories and lyrics while he’s on the road. “I keep a notebook in which I record different impressions, story ideas and word combinations.” He gathers data on the road but does most of the actual writing at his farmhouse near Toronto."
Geddy was quoted as saying:
"We lock into a groove or a feel and stay there."
Talking about the song Vital Signs Alex said:
"It’s the first time I’ve done something like that (not double tracking). It’s a very clear, bright sound.”
Myers also makes a great point about why Rush was gaining in popularity.
"Young people are spending a great deal of time with visual images because of television. They have also become accustomed to being excited by giant cinematic extravaganzas like Star Wars. Rush has all the latest digital sound equipment.”
Moving Pictures indeed...
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