More Lessons From My Favorite Rock Band of All Time!

Pop quiz: What band wrote the following songs:

• Working Man
• Fly By Night
• La Villa Strangiato
• Far Cry
• Show Don’t Tell
• Subdivisions
• Tom Sawyer

If you answered, “Rush” congratulations! You win a hearty smile of approval from me. If you answered, “I have no idea,” then go watch the videos on this page now! Do not pass Go, do not collect $200, just go now!

Long time (and perhaps short time) readers of this blog know that Rush is my favorite band of all time. “Why,” you ask? For one reason: Because RUSH IS AWESOME!!!

The melodies are amazing, the musicianship is unparalleled, the lyrics are fantastic and thought provoking, and they are still the only band, who, every time I see them, makes me feel, for lack of a better tern, “inspired.” Just. Too. Good.

I recently had the immense pleasure of seeing Rush in concert from the 16th row! This was one hell of an experience – it cost a bit of money, but it was well worth it. I can definitely cross one item off my “bucket list.”

This tour was partly to promote Rush’s new documentary, “Beyond the Lighted Stage.” To prepare for the concert, I made a point to watch the documentary first. You can see the trailer here:

The documentary is awesome, and I learned quite a few things about Rush that I did not know. I also came across some things that really made me think.

You can not deny Rush’s talent, longevity, and business success. Whether you love their music or hate it, you would be a fool not to follow their example. Here are three lessons we can all learn from Rush:

Maintain Your Authenticity

One of the most interesting bits I learned from the Rush documentary was that their third album, “Caress of Steel” did not do sell well. This is because it was a departure from their earlier albums. Rather than simple radio friendly songs, they wrote longer pieces that told stories (yup, they’re nerds. Big ones!)

Their label came to their manager and demanded that the next album feature only shorter radio friendly songs. Wanting to keep the label happy, the manager said, “of course! Absolutely that’s what they’ll do!”

The three members of Rush then got together and had a talk about it. They ultimately said, “We’d rather go back to our old jobs than write music we don’t want to write. Let’s just write what we want.”

Rather than producing an album of short songs, Rush came out with “2112.” 2112 was a record who’s entire side one was one song – almost 20 minutes long! And it’s awesome too – check out the opening:

History now shows that this was a brilliant move. 2112 went on to be a huge hit – spurred on by just word of mouth since radios couldn’t play the song! Geddy Lee says, “2112 gave us free reign to do whatever we wanted after that.”

It can be so easy to get steered off course, to do something you don’t believe in, or to compromise on your dream just to make a few bucks or please someone else. But the path to true greatness lies in being true to yourself.

This is not to say that compromise is never the answer. You just need to decide what you really want and what you are really willing to do to get it. Rush’s gambit worked because a) they are really good at what they do b) they worked very hard to make 2112 great and c) they were truly willing to put it all on the line; it wasn’t a false decision.

When it comes to your dreams and goals, are you staying true to yourself? Are you willing to forgo short term gains for long term success? You can make money a lot of different ways, but there is only one way to being truly happy, and that is to maintain your authenticity.

Keep Improving

Neil Peart is considered by many to be the greatest rock drummer ever. Some quibble and say he’s the greatest rock “percussionist,” but whatever, he’s amazing! He has won numerous awards, and his name has to be in the discussions when you’re talking about greatest drummers ever.

You know what he did after 20 years of being at the top of the game? He studied with jazz instructor Freddie Gruber to revamp his style!

Yup. In 1974 he joined Rush. He won Modern Drummer Magazine’s “Best Drummer” awards in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1986. After winning all those, in 1994 he decided to “revamp” his style. (For a more complete list of his awards, check out the awards section on his Wikipedia page.)

Take a look at the master at work:

Astonishing. Here is a man (and a band) that understands the concept of constant improvement. How many bands fade into the background because they never learn or grow? Not only do the fans lost interest, but the band members themselves can get bored with it.

Are you constantly improving in your business and life? No matter how awesome you are, or whether you are at the top of your industry, are you still pushing yourself to learn more, be better, and try new things? If Neil Peart can go study with a jazz drummer after 20 years, I think we all could stand to improve our game a bit too.

Clean Living Helps

My favorite part of the documentary was learning that the members of Rush are kinda lame. In their early days they went on tour opening for KISS. After the show, the KISS guys would party all night long (I guess it would be more correct to say they like to “rock and roll all night and party every day”). Geddy, Alex, and Neil would go back to their hotel rooms, watch TV, and read.

Sounds dorky right?

Well, consider this: They have been together over 30 years, have 19 studio albums (the 20th is coming out in 2011), 24 gold records, 14 platinum records, and their sales put them behind only the Beatles and Rolling Stones for most consecutive gold or platinum studio albums by a rock band. They have never broken up, and no one has had to go to jail or rehab.

In a world where so many bands infight, break up, go to jail, get addicted to booze and drugs, etc., it’s great to see what simple “clean living” can do.

I am assuming you are not a hard core drug user, so what does this lesson have to do with you? Simply that clean living matters.

As I get older, I notice this more and more. A few drinks with dinner the night before and I am sluggish the next morning. Eat a bad lunch, and all I want to do is nap in the afternoon. Go too long without any kind of exercise (even a walk) and my productivity drops.

In order to achieve your goals, you need clarity of mind and energy! If you are content to wake up, shamble off to work, come home, watch TV, go to bed, and repeat, then this point doesn’t matter. But if you want to experience more of life than that, then a little clean living can go a long way.

I am not saying you should never indulge (believe me, I am the last person who would ever say that!) Just do it intelligently, and keep in mind what over indulgence may cost you in the long term.

There you have it. Three great life and business lessons from the bes band ever. If you have an even remote interest in Rush (or in things that are AWESOME!!!) I highly recommend you check out “Beyond the Lighted Stage” now!

P.S. For you rush neophytes, I created an “Intro to Rush” YouTube playlist for your listening (and viewing) pleasure.

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