Rush is a Canadian progressive rock band comprising bassist, keyboardist and vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. Rush formed in the summer of 1968, in Willowdale, Ontario (now part of Toronto) by Lifeson, Lee, and John Rutsey. Peart replaced Rutsey on drums in July of 1974, two weeks before the group's first US tour, to complete the present lineup. Since the release of their eponymous debut in 1974 the band has become well-known for their instrumental virtuosity, complex compositions, erudite lyrics, and inspirational camaraderie. Rush's three decades of continued success under their current lineup of Lee, Lifeson, and Peart has earned the band the respect of their musical peers, and their supporters are often cited as some of the most intensely loyal in rock. Rush has influenced various rock artists such as Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins and Primus, as well as notable progressive bands such as Dream Theater and Symphony X. Rush has been awarded the Juno Award several times and was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994.

Read the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rush_%28band%29

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1356: Hundred Years' War: Despite a shortage of arrows, English and Welsh forces led by Edward the Black Prince decisively won the Battle of Poitiers and captured King Jean II of France. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Poitiers_%281356%29)

1692: Giles Corey, who had refused to enter a plea, was pressed to his death during the Salem witch trials. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_witch_trials)

1893: New Zealand became the first country to introduce universal suffrage, following the women's suffrage movement led by Kate Sheppard. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/women%27s_suffrage)

1982: ":-)" and ":-(" were first proposed by Scott Fahlman for use as emoticons . (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/emoticon)

1995: The Manifesto of "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski was published in The Washington Post and The New York Times, almost three months after it was submitted. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Kaczynski)

_____________________ Wikiquote of the day:

"His voice rose under the black smoke before the burning wreckage of the island; and infected by that emotion, the other little boys began to shake and sob too. And in the middle of them, with filthy body, matted hair, and unwiped nose, Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy." -- William Golding (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_Golding)