Someone on another forum received this email and posted it.
Hi guys,
Dubious apologies about the cross post
As a few of you know, I've
been plugging away over the past two and a half years on a new book
about Rush, to be called "Chemistry". It's now reached the stage
where its probably worth telling people about it, so below are some
words which you are very welcome to share with anyone you feel might
be interested.
FYI, the book will probably end up about 130,000 words, its already
more than that but expect some harsh editing!
Best,
Jon
"Seems to me it?s Chemistry?"
Against a background of disinterest from the media and a refusal to
compromise their music, Rush's success was by no means guaranteed.
Since the beginning, only the continued efforts and downright stamina
of the band members and those around them were sufficient to counter
the wall of silence. Sharing a single-minded determination to take on
the system and win, Geddy, Alex and Neil have never rested on their
laurels. Pushing themselves to achieve technical excellence, never
avoiding the challenge of taking on new musical influences, through
huge changes of fashion and major personal tragedy, the entity we
know as Rush has endured. Thirty years on, the band is still
creating new music and packing arenas and stadiums around the globe.
Meticulously researched over three years, ?Chemistry? draws on over
50 new interviews with those closest to the band. As the most
detailed biography of Rush ever written, this book pulls together the
threads and investigates the reasons that have enabled this band to
succeed against the odds.
?Rush ? Chemistry? is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2004,
with a release date of Easter 2005. The cover will be by Hugh Syme.
>From the preface
"You could not find three more different people, but they share
deeply held aspirations to create and to perform. There are plenty
of contradictions in such hopes, not least the paradox of recognition
which has led to the demise of many bands: Rush would likely have
broken up 20 years ago were it not for a third characteristic, an
amalgam of humility, humanity and friendship that has enabled the
threesome to ride out the disagreements and help each other through
the crises and traumas. In the chemical reaction that is Rush, this
was not so much the catalyst, for the reaction was already there;
rather, the tempering agent that has ensured a slow and steady
effervescence."
"Rush are more than a phenomenon. They are a statement, which runs
something like this: Music journalists, you were wrong. Observers of
mainstream culture, you were wrong. By complaining about the music,
the screeching vocals, the supposed political statements, you did
your industry a disservice. You felt you could dictate what people
listened to, and you failed."
About the author
Jon Collins is a writer and music lover, for whom Rush has occupied a
special place since his school and college years. After the chance
discovery that permanent employment wasn?t for him, Jon has turned
his attention to those subjects that interest him most. He passes his
existence in the Cotswolds with only his wife, two children, a dog,
two cats, four chickens and two hamsters for company.