Note: I am taking a look at my Rush scrapbooks, album by album (studio only). This is Part Three, Hemispheres, and the first part of my second scrapbook.
Rush released Hemispheres, their sixth studio album, in October 1978. I was now stationed at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. My roommate was a guy named Boyce from Ohio. Pretty good fella. Wasn’t a Rush fan, but he let me use his turntable and headphones. Fell asleep more than once escaping to the little worlds Rush had created.
The concert in Greensboro (April 14, 1979) was awesome. Rush were now using video projections. They really enhanced the concert experience and matched up well with some of their songs. Rush were not the first to do so, but I think most if not all of the bands I saw back then weren’t doing video projections.
I bought the Hemispheres t-shirt at the concert, which is my most prized Rush possession. Might have been the first t-shirt I ever bought at a concert. Thought it might turn out to be a chick magnet (wider world view) but no. Rush would later attract more and more women to the shows, but back then it was still mostly guys.
What Geddy and Alex probably remember about Hemispheres is that they lived up to their name on the road. The 137 shows came on top of the 144 for AFTK. I’m sure they were exhausted towards the end.
Anyway, it’s slim pickings for my scrapbook. The only thing I have is a review by Joe Nick Patoski of Creem. It’s a tongue-in-check poke at the boys with some level of praise. Spelled Neil’s name wrong, but our guess is that was the mag’s bad. But once again, appreciate just having it, and love the nod to my other favorite band, Blue Oyster Cult...
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