Back in 1980 I remember getting the album (on vinyl, thank you very much) 2112 by Rush for my birthday. Up to that point I had no particular interest in progressive rock. I mean, I wasn’t even a teenager yet, so what did I know about music? I was into Ratt and Motley Crue, and just getting my feet wet on the guitar. I don’t know what prompted my friends at the time to get me the record from an obscure power trio from Canada, but to this day I thank them for unknowingly shaping my entire musical future. To this day Rush has and forever shall remain the most important band in my life and, in my opinion, the greatest band ever!

40 years since its inception, Rush continues to defy the odds and push the envelope, with their legions of fans champing at the bit for any and every piece of music and information they can get their hands on. Recently, two die-hard Rush fans took on the responsibility of chronicling the band’s history. The result is a two-DVD masterpiece called Rush – Beyond the Lighted Stage.

BTLS, as I have come to affectionately call it, literally goes from day one of the band’s history up until the present day. Never before seen video footage and pictures with original drummer John Rutsey, some audio interviews, and lots of pictures paint a very clear picture of how the band got started. It was very interesting to see video footage of the band with John playing drums, as well as bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson going back to the schools and churches they used to play.

I learned a lot about the band I love so much, such as the reason why Rutsey had to leave the band after their debut album. Interviews with other bands and musicians show the huge influence Rush has had over the years; Billy Corgan, Jack Black, Gene Simmons, Trent Reznor, Mike Portnoy, Les Claypool, and others pay homage to the band that inspired them.

There is also a lot of live concert footage, interviews with Lee and Lifeson, and a virtual album-by-album discussion of Rush’s history. I was especially pleased with the discussion of my favorite Rush album, Hemispheres. I was also happy to see how the producers handled the delicate topic of drummer Neal Peart losing his daughter and wife within the same year. It was a very difficult period for Peart, and at that time no one knew (not even the band) if Rush would ever record again. I was glad to see that this period in their history was included, and that it was handled delicately and honestly.

Even if you are not a big fan of the band, you would benefit from learning about how this band went from playing church basements to being the #3 in the world for most consecutive gold and/or platinum CDs (behind The Beatles and The Rolling Stones). Yeah, bet you didn’t know that, did you? I highly recommend you pick up this DVD and check it out. You will not be disappointed.

On a side note, the fact that Rush has not yet been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is both sad and alarming. It would be nice if the committee – whose collective heads are obviously up each other’s asses – would finally admit to and recognize the significance and influence this band has had on generations of fans and musicians. To ignore their contribution is a travesty and just goes to show you how clueless “the man” really is.