Making Memories

When I saw Rush for the first time at Wembley in 1988, I wasn’t a fan. I went along out of curiosity and came out converted, engulfed by Rush as a live performance. I spent the next few months finding out as much as possible about the band, and to my disappointment discovered that I had missed 14 years of absolutely classic concerts.

As you can imagine, I couldn’t wait for the next tour, and when I discovered weren’t coming to England there was no dismay, simply excitement about going to see Rush in America. So plane tickets were purchased, and I settled down to a long wait until 19th April (“Fly By Night” to New York).

Towards the end of 1988 I was fortunate enough to interview Mike Portnoy of ‘Dream Theatre’ (along with Mick the editor); and he promised to stay in touch and let us know of any developments. Over the next few months we became friends (by phone), and when he heard about my American trip, he invited me to stay with him for a few days – how could I refuse?

Finally 19th April came and I flew out to Newark Airport, New York. My first show was to be on 20th, however Mr. Portnoy’s birthday took priority: so I sacrificed this show for beer/women/music and a good time.

Therefore I saw Rush for the second time at the Nassau Coliseum, two days later. They were everything I’d hoped for and more. Highlights were hearing ‘Marathon’ through front and rear speakers, going mad during ‘Xanadu’ and the Alex Lifeson surfing USA show. Two hours was too much and I left exhausted but satisfied – well worth it all.

Staying with Mike Portnoy gave me a good insight into the Dream Theater rock machine. I went along to rehearsals and saw them write the bridge passage for a new song, (they are currently without a vocalist, but are working hard anyway), and they played me some of the new material – look out for ‘A Change Of Seasons’ which is over twenty minutes long!.

The band are all great guys – Mike Portnoy is great fun; (he wakes up at 4pm and goes to bed at 5am), he owns a van with the plate ‘YTSE JAM’, John Myung is very quite and a frighteningly good bassist, John Petrucci is the one who hold rehearsals together, Kevin Moore is the joker who had us all in stiches. They rehearse in a basement as big as a small bed- room and are VERY loud. They are also big Rush fans.

On a day off, Mike showed me his Dream Theater scrap book, which runs from the day they first signed their current contract (7LPs) to the day Charlie Dominici left. It’s incredible how they achieved so much in such a short period of time, and sad they didn’t get the push they deserved.

I stayed with Mike Portnoy until the 24th April, when I moved on to Philadelphia for the show at the Spectrum. Remarkably, I got a seat in the 10th row on the day, and rocked out with over 14,000 other Rush fans. From close up (I hate to say it) I realised the band were all looking quite old now – this didn’t stop them from blowing us all away though: Geddy now has two keyboards, and Alex has a synthesizer on his side. Neil is using the same kit, but has had it painted a wonderful purple.

They delivered the goods with effortless grace, how they all managed two hours wearing sweaters is beyond me! Highlights were the women who got on stage and kissed Alex, the big bunny rabbits who bopped to ‘Tom Sawyer’, and the Peart extendo solo.

My third and final show was also at the Spectrum on 27th April. My seat was at a 90° angle to the stage, and I could clearly see Neil working away at his kit. Tonight there was a real buzz about the new material, and particularly ‘Superconductor’ which really worked well.

I haven’t gone into much detail about the shows because no doubt others will have done that in these very pages. It was a great thrill to see them in the States, and to realise they are at their best after so long. Alex’s hair is long again; and his guitar sounds so much better than on the last tour. Gedd looks a bit weird, with his shades and greased back hair, but he hit all the high notes and worked his bass well. He doesn’t spend so much time stuck behind keyboards, which is very encouraging. Neil is aging gracefully, but is still the professor and still catches those sticks everytime. They were, and still are, the best band in the world.

“It was worth every penny. Rush n Roll 1990: AWESOME••••••

Big thanks in the States to Scratcher, Dream Theater, Abigail, Ira and Chuck, Howard Ungerleider, Rene Portnoy, the Long Island posse, Philadelphia ticket centre and Budweiser••••••••

Andrew Field (The Analog Kid)