Rush Releases “R40” Commemorative Live Video Set Featuring Rare Footage
If you love Rush and don’t own many on the legendary Canadian trio’s live performance videos, the new R40 set could be up your alley.
The deluxe collector’s set celebrates the 40th anniversary of Rush’s (bassist/singer Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer Neil Peart) recording career in a 6 Blu-ray or 10 DVD box set. It includes “Rush In Rio”, “R30”, “Snakes & Arrows Live”, “Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland” and “Clockwork Angels Tour” in their entirety. There’s also as a bonus disc that includes the 7-part “2112,” the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a 1974 Laura Secord School performance with original drummer John Rutsey. There’s also a 52-page hardback book about the band and its performances included in the set.
Here’s one of the gems you’ll find on that bonus disc: “The Loser,” a previously unreleased track from the Laura Secord School show:
Lee admits in an interview at radio.com that he didn’t even remember playing that song until the video was unearthed. “So much for my memory! We wrote so many songs in the early days, and half of them fell by the wayside,” he said.
He also says in the interview that that it’s unlikely that the band will put more unreleased early music out there, because it’s not very musical. “Maybe after we’re dead and gone, if somebody uncovers those tapes. While we’re still alive, I don’t think we would want anybody to hear that stuff.”
