Rush at 50 by Daniel Bukszpan

The band Rush are one of my all-time favourite bands. I like the songs as a whole: the tunes, the melodic guitar solos, the original bass rhythms and the creative and athletic drumming. Above all I love how the music manages to possess my being and emotionally move me. This is mainly down to the intelligent and perceptive lyrics and the power of the performance.

I didn't buy the first album that this book commemorates. At the time I was too young to be aware of such things as music albums or bands. The concept of this book - fifty milestone events that signify their career - is a popular theme at the moment, but it is a great way to bullet point the progress and development of the band. Easy to flick through, starting with the original line up and moving through albums, gigs and personal events such as fatherhood. There are lots of colourful photographs, some I have not seen before, as well as images of concert tickets, album covers and posters.

This is an insightful book that does include new information not previously published. It ends with an epilogue following the death of the drummer, Neil Peart, in 2020, thus the end of the band. A fun and very readable book, well organised and visually very appealing. The kind of book to leave on the table to dip into while listening to  A Farewell to Kings. Apt really.

Probably a book for fans of Rush and those who enjoy progressive rock, or people who collect band biographies.

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Published by Quarto Publishing Group - Motorbooks on 3 October 2024.
Advance review copy supplied by the publisher.

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