TRS Fan History
My Story
Every Rush fan has a story to tell about how and when they got into the band. I’ll keep mine relatively short, with a few highlights. So here goes…
Band Discovery
My own fan history began in the summer of 1975 with the release of Caress of Steel. Despite often being cited as one of the band’s least favorite records, I have a deep appreciation for this important album. Not only is it a great record, it’s the album that introduced me to Rush. The moment I heard it, I knew I had found my band. Something about their particular sound just resonated with me—and still does to this day. In fact, at that time, Rush became a bit of an obsession for me. As a teenager, I felt like I was living my life between Rush albums and tours. Fortunately, Rush was so active back then, with new material always in the works, that I never had to wait too long for my next Rush fix.
The Search for Collectables
When Rush wasn’t releasing new material or touring—which was almost never—I began to collect anything significant I could get my hands on. The collecting obsession started around 1976. I placed small want ads in the local Scene Magazine, Canadian Musician, and Trouser Press Collectors Magazine (TPCM) in search of promotional items, rare pressings, and memorabilia. For any of you who have copies of these publications, you’ll find my listings in the classified sections in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
TPCM is where I found the most success. One of my ads reached a collector in Glasgow, Scotland. A guy there had nearly a dozen autographed Rush albums that he wanted to trade for Ted Nugent and Rupert Hine collectibles. (Yes, that Rupert Hine—a weirdly prescient coincidence in hindsight, and a polar opposite of Nugent. I didn’t ask.) As luck would have it, I had access to a bunch of promotional items through a friend who worked at a local record chain.
Scottish Connections
I traded back and forth with my Scottish friend for about a year, and we soon became great friends. So much so that I invited him and a friend to visit me in October 1981. In return, they invited me to stay with them in Scotland, which I did the following October, in 1982.
Travels Abroad
My new Scottish friends, Kenny and Ian, and their families turned out to be great hosts. They lived in the Glasgow suburbs of East Kilbride and Blantyre, respectively, and planned their vacations around my visit to give me a grand tour of Scotland (see the photos of our time in Foyers), along with a week in London, with Victoria Station as our home base. Not to mention, I got to learn all about penny pies, IRN-BRU, and especially the national favorite: Haggis. Look it up. Let’s just say it’s an acquired taste.
The Great Frog
During my stay in London, I came across a jewelry store on Carnaby Street called The Great Frog. On the wall was a photo collage of famous customers and friends of the store. To my surprise, there was a photo of the Permanent Waves album cover along with additional photos of the guys in Rush. Now my interest was really piqued, so I asked the guy behind the counter about the Rush connection. As it turned out, I was speaking to the owner and an old friend of Neil’s named Paterson Riley, a New Zealand expatriate who had relocated to England years before. Pat explained that Neil had worked right next door to The Great Frog in the early 1970’s managing a souvenir shop that sold posters and music-related novelty items a few years before joining Rush.
Gear
The store that Neil had worked in was called Gear. Pat asked me if I wanted to walk next door and check out the basement where Neil had sorted all of his posters. Pat had the key to the now-closed down store, so we went over and I made my way down the old stone steps to see a part of Neil’s former life—an experience that may well have inspired songs like Fly By Night and Circumstances.
Though it was dimly lit, I could see multiple racks of poster bins. It was also dank, musty, and a bit spooky, so I got a little creeped out and decided to head back up. As I did, I noticed Pat standing at the top of the steps with a big grin. I honestly didn’t know if he was trying to play a prank or end me, but thankfully it was neither. He assured me it was all true and could see how excited I was about the Rush connection. Keep in mind, not much was publicly known at the time about Neil’s pre-Rush history. This was also fourteen years before the internet was even a thing. To me, it was incredibly cool to randomly discover this obscure piece of Rush history. In hindsight, I did feel a bit guilty, knowing how protective Neil was of his privacy.
The Signals Tour
After I returned home from my overseas trip in late October, I barely had any time to catch my breath as Rush was busy winding their way through the second leg of their Signals Tour. I started by attending the Cleveland shows on November 3rd and 4th and was all set to attend the Dayton show on the 9th and the Toledo show on the 12th.
Entering the Twilight Zone
With the great commercial success of the Moving Pictures album, Rush was now starting to capture a lot of mainstream attention though a little less so in smaller markets like Toledo, Ohio. With that in mind I had some confidence that I could likely get access to the sound check for that show if I played my cards right. I had some previous success doing this in prior years at similar venues like Hara arena in Dayton. So before the Toledo show I decided to prepare an envelope for Neil with a Twilight Zone Episode Guide from Starlog Magazine along with a brief letter asking about his time in England and his connection to Carnaby Street and the Great Frog.
Mission Soundcheck
The key to getting into a soundcheck back in to day was A) first have a ticket in hand so you would be assured of seeing the show. B) Get to the venue very early, no later than noon. Stage setup would often start around that time and this was also the time that the venue (in this case hockey arena) would have its box office open inside the hall. Often the entrances to the arena floor were open as well. If we were careful and acted like we belonged there, we could simply walk into the arena before setup. We would also be sure to pick some seats just off the floor and directly across from the soundboard. The idea was to hide in plain sight. (Note to would be sound checkers today - security these days is very tight for most events.
Why I love Swap Meets
Our only job for the soundcheck was to maintain our conspicuous camouflage, remain quiet and not move until the hall officially opened. Most of the roadies were too busy to notice and when they they did they just assumed that you belonged there. It just so happened that on this particular day it was easier than ever since the arena floor had been booked that morning for a swap meet. All we had to do was mingle our way though the crowd as the swap meet was loading out and the roadies were loading in. During the busy transition we slide right in and we’re home free. So we settled into our soundcheck seats for the day to watch the stage assembly
All the Worlds a Stage Assembly
All set with my envelope for Neil, we sat quietly for several hours and watched as the Signals Tour stage was set up. Like clockwork, the Rush crew descended upon the arena as truckloads of road cases were unloaded: lighting and sound rigs were hoisted into place, followed by drum assembly, keyboards, amps and special effects that were all put into their rightful place for the show. It was time now for the guys to check their sound.
The Band Arrives
Slowly the guys wandered onto the stage around 4PM and began their soundcheck coordinating with the stage manager as well as the lighting and sound engineer. My recollection is that they played Subdivisions, Analog Kid and most of The Weapon with lots of joking and silliness thrown in.
Put on your 3D Glasses
Following the soundcheck we heard talk of a new film segment that was being added to the show. The guys gathered around the sound console to watch Joe Flaherty as SCTV’s Count Floyd, while he introduced a Scary, Scary song encouraging the audience to put on their 3D glasses Everyone in the hall, including us, was apparently seeing this for the first time and the guys were cracking up at the new segment to be featured as the introduction of The Weapon.
Signal Transmitted
After the film segment ended, I found my perfect opportunity to approach Neil. Neil was the last band member to leave and was standing on the sound console riser. Just as he jumped down, I made my way over and politely handed him my prepared envelope. “Special delivery”, I said. Neil looking a little surprised, accepted the envelope, smiled and simply said, “thank you”. “Success”, I thought as I watched Neil walk away with my special mail delivery, in hand. I wondered what his reaction might be if he ever opened it.
Message Received
A week or so after I returned from my mini Rush tour run, I came home from college to find a stack of mail on the dining room table. I was told that there was a postcard for me mixed into the mail pile. Could it be? I hurried over and quickly shuffled through the mail, until I spotted a photo of the guys goofing off. My heart began to I race as I carefully flipped over the card to reveal a handwritten note from the professor himself! I was beside myself. He not only opened my envelope but replied, thanking me for the Twilight Zone Episode Guide with a brief answer about his time on Carnaby Street. I was overjoyed to receive a personal rely. (You can see an image of the postcard below.)
The Body Electric
This is the part of my fan history that gives me pause and makes me wonder aloud. For those of you familiar with the original Twilight Zone series that ran from 1959 - 1964, you might remember an episode from season three called, I Sing The Body Electric, written by Ray Bradbury. The episode was about a family who lost their mother and was replaced by a loving android mom. Neil had often talked about using source material for song inspiration during his travels on the road.
Now I know what you may be thinking. I am certainly not drawing any conclusions or making any claims, but the episode guide that I gave Neil did include a full synopsis of episode 100: I Sing the Body Electric. Could this little piece of source material have sparked an idea for the song on the next Album? Stranger things have happened. On Grace Under Pressure there is a song called, The Body Electric about an android on the run, “The Mother of All Machines”. While it’s likely just a coincidence, it is intriguing one and fun to think about nonetheless. Who really knew for certain besides Neil? Maybe no one.
In Closing
Thanks for taking the time to read a little of my Rush Fan History. I hope you enjoyed it and are inspired to recollect your own experience as a Rush fan. Maybe you or someone you know also received a personal communication from Neil. He was often known to write back to fans that sent him letters.
The Future
It’s been a great ride so far. I am so glad that Alex and Geddy are going back out on the road. Of course it goes without say that Neil can never be replaced and is sorely missed by all. I am certain he will be well represented in every note on every stage where Fifty Something is performed. Hope to see you all there!
Arnold G - TRS - April 2026
The three Rush travelers: L-R, Arnold, Kenny, and Ian taking in the sights around the banks of Loch Ness at Uruquart Castle, in the town of Drumnadrochit, Scotland. Say that ten times fast! October ‘82 - Photo by AG ©2026 therushsculptor..com
Image taken near the town of Foyers at the driveway entrance to Boleskine Lodge in Scotland, on the banks of Loch Ness . Seen as it was in October of 1982. ©2026 therushsculptor..com
View facing the front entrance of Boleskine Lodge near Foyers, Scotland along the SE bank of Loch Ness. The woman approaching us was thought to be the wife of Page’s caretaker, Malcolm Dent. She was none too happy to see uninvited guests on the property. Being escorted by the head Constable of Foyers though (my friend Ian’s brother) gave us a little street cred. Mrs. Dent still wanted to know what we were up to on this typical rainy day in Scotland. Image shot in October 1982. - ©2026 therushsculptor..com
For context, I located this uncredited image of Jimmy Page standing in front of courtyard of his newly aquired Boleskine Lodge in the early 1970’s. Page purchased the property due to his interest in the infamous occultist Aleister Crowley who had owned the home in the early 1900’s.
A view looking back from the front courtyard of Boleskine Lodge facing Northwest towards storied Loch Ness. The area just behind this image is where Jimmy Page’s Fantasy sequence was filmed for the Song Remains the Same Movie released in 1976. Note the white Lizard looking demon statue in the foreground. I took this shot in October 1982 - ©2026 therushsculptor..com
A close-up side shot of the Lizard Women statue on the grounds of Boleskine Lodge. Not sure of its meaning or why it was there. But it does seem to align with Pages occult interest at the time. Shot in October 1982. - ©2026 therushsculptor..com
The Great Frog jewelry shop on Carnaby street that I stumbled upon during my travels in Britain to meet up with a Rush penpal. Inside the shop I noticed a collage on the wall with famous musician friends and customers, including Alex and Geddy , Lemmy and Jimmy Page. If you look carefully you can see Pat sitting behind the display showcase. Image taken in London, England in October‘82 - Photo Credit: AG ©2026 therushsculptor..com
Photo of the celebrity musician/customer collage I spotted inside The Great Frog on Carnaby Street in London. Note the shots of Rush and the Permanent Waves album. Image taken in October 1982 during my Rush, Penpal trip to Great Britain Photo Credit: AG - ©2026 therushsculptor..com
Promotional Poster on the wall inside The Great Frog. The owner, Paterson Riley explained to me the Rush connection. Pat had befriended Neil Peart when Neil worked at the shop next door selling posters and novelty items in the early 1970’s a few years before joining Rush. Photo shot be me in October '82, London, England. ©2026 therushsculptor..com
While visiting Carnaby Street in London, I happened upon a cool, silver jewelry shop called The Great Frog with a Rush connection. This was the envelope that they provided for small silver jewelry pieces like their rings. Yes, I did buy two rings which I still have to this day ©2026 therushsculptor..com
Handwritten address by Paterson Riley, Founder of The Great Frog and Neils friend from when he worked at the poster and Novelty shop next door on Carnaby Street. This is the address that they had for their second location in 1982. ©2026 therushsculptor..com
This is the cover of the issue of Starlog with the Twilight Zone Episode Guide that I gave to Neil referenced in the postcard. I met Neil briefly following the soundcheck before their show at the Toledo Sports Arena in November 1982.
Front of the Postcard that Neil sent to me with thanks for the Twilight Zone Episode Guide I gave to him after soundcheck at the Toledo Sports arena on November 12th, 1982. - ©2026 therushsculptor..com
This is the postcard that Neil send to me in response to my letter and the Twilight Episode Guide. At the end he references “those people”. Possible translation: Stay out of my business kid. Or maybe he just ran out postcard space. 😂 November ‘82. ©2026 therushsculptor..com