Here are a few items I've been meaning to send out the past two weeks.
Postcards from Neil
I've created a new section called Postcards from Neil. This section highlights postcards that Neil Peart sent to people who wrote to him through Modern Drummer. I've seen a few of these postcards, but had never seen one that was handwritten like what Neil Peart had sent to Neal Scanapico. (Thanks for letting me post this, Neal.)
If you received a postcard from Neil and want to share it with other fans on this website, please send me an e-mail.
New photos in the 1980s gallery
I've posted five amazing photos that M. Hayden sent to me from the Hold Your Fire tour. (Thanks to M. for letting me post these to my site.)
Snakes & Arrows updates
As of this writing, Rush has performed 39 shows on this tour. The tour has been extremely successful so far, both financially and critically, and many fans have said this is the best tour they've ever seen. I would have to agree.
Here are a few links you might be interested in:
I've posted two stories about the Rush shows I attended on my personal blog. You can read them here:
I've continued to update the Snakes & Arrows section of my site.
I've continued to track and tag information about this tour using del.icio.us, a social-bookmarking site. I've turned a few of these tags (or categories) into feeds that are now available on this page.
New auctions
My friend has posted more Rush items to eBay. You can check these out at the Featured Rush Auction Items page. This week there are a few rare items.
Paragon Diamondback cymbal now available
I found the new Paragon Diamondback cymbal at one online music store location. The list price for this cymbal is $449, but you can buy it for $269. If anyone knows when this cymbal will be available in other locations, let me know.
Only four 30th Anniversary Commemorative kits remain
I saw on Guitar Center's website that there are only four of the 30th Anniversary kits left. According to the site, these kits are in the following Guitar Center stores:
For those of you using Firefox or Safari, you might have had problems reading The Latest News in HTML format. A few weeks ago I updated this blog so that it will now work with these browsers. If you have any other problems, please e-mail me.
Below are a couple of items you might be interested in. I've highlighted both of these before, but because they've both changed I wanted to send out another note.
Rush auctions--My friend continues to post interesting Rush auction items. This week there are no less than 5 items, including one ticket to the Rush show in Seattle (White River). Most of these are ending either this Saturday or Sunday. You can look at the current status of the auction on this page: http://andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/rush_auctions.htm or view the items and their bids as of Friday, 5/25/07, 12:30 p.m. (PDT) here:
NeilPeartDrumsticks is sponsoring a Neil Peart Drumsticks 2007 contest. If you haven't entered yet, there's still time! Michael DF Lowe, who runs this site, has continued to add items to the contest, which closes on June 15, 2007.
Here's the third-place prize list, just so you can see all the stuff you could win. Go to NeilPeartDrumsticks.com to see the latest list of prizes.
One pair of Neil's current 747 drumsticks
One - Screened Pro-Mark T-Shirt
One - Embroidered Pro-Mark Hat
One - DRUM! June 2007 Magazine
Two - Pro-Mark Lanyards
Two - Pro-Mark Equipped Stickers
Four - Pro-Mark 50th Anniversary Stickers
One - 2007-08 Pro-Mark Catalog
While you're on the site, check out the article of Michael in the June 2007 edition of DRUM! magazine (the one with Neil on the cover).
Here is Andrew's intro from his website. The intro also includes some information about the documentary he directed, which will be included on the DVD version of "Snakes & Arrows."
Hello Everyone!
For years, I've wanted to make a documentary of Rush in the recording studio, and tell the story of the process of making an album. So, it was the opportunity of a lifetime to be a "fly on the wall" and capture rare footage of the guys at work on their upcoming release, Snakes & Arrows. The documentary, entitled The Game of Snakes & Arrows, was filmed over the course of 20 days at a beautiful studio in New York's Catskill Mountains.
The band gave me unprecedented access into their creative process and I had the privilege to witness first hand the writing and recording of their songs. In fact, I was able to capture on film a rare moment of Geddy jamming on his bass as he created a new song for the album.
To complement the documentary and to celebrate the release of the new CD, Rush have agreed to sign a very limited edition of prints to raise money for several of my favorite charities. These photos were shot exclusively at the studio sessions, during the filming of the documentary. This is a rare opportunity to own a little piece of Rush history, and it's all for a good cause!
I wanted to report a few changes to this website that will (hopefully) help you find information faster.
New right-side navigation
After not being able to find a few things on my own website(!), I decided to create new right-side navigation. This navigation allows you to explore the site by categories. Click a section to expand or collapse it. It's located on the Neil Peart home page.
"Snakes & Arrows" section
I've continued to add information to the "Snakes & Arrows" section of the site. It will continue to expand as the new CD/DVD releases, tour starts, etc. Stop in and check it out periodically.
Rush auction page
As I state on the auction page, my friend has one of the best Rush collections in the world. They are selling a lot of their duplicate items -- some of them very rare and unique. There are new items every week. The auction page is located here.
And now for something just a little bit different.
For a limited time I'll be linking to some auctions that my friend is hosting on eBay. My friend has one of the best Rush collections in the world, and I thought some of you might like to see these items.
