Rush 5 - The early 1980s Trivia Quiz

Answer: January 1, 1980

Rush fans have always been quite proud that 'Permanent Waves' was one of the first, if not THE first, albums released in the new decade. Not only that, but it was certified gold by the RIAA on March 17 - less than three months after its release.

Answer: Le Studio, Morin-Heights, Quebec.

With the exception of 'Power Windows' and 'Hold Your Fire', all of Rush's studio albums during the 1980s were recorded in Quebec.

Answer: Spirit of Radio

Ironically, this criticism of commerciality in music remains Rush's biggest UK hit, reaching number 13 in March 1980.

nb: For some reason the song was titled 'The Spirit of Radio' everywhere in the world but the UK where it was simply titled 'Spirit of Radio'. As the question is about the UK charts, I've used the UK title.

Answer: Daisy the Dog

According to Neil Peart in the 'Permanent Waves' Tourbook, Daisy was a cocker spaniel who belonged to producer Terry Brown.

Answer: Different Strings

It is interesting to note that when Mercury came to release the re-mastered CD of 'Permanent Waves', they mistakenly credited Neil Peart with writing the lyrics to 'Different Strings'.

Answer: Dewey Defeats Truman

During the 1948 presidential election, the Chicago Tribune jumped the gun by printing the above headline, not knowing that Harry Truman managed to pull off one of the great combacks of all time. Even 30 years after the fact, the paper was still so embarassed that they threatened to sue the band if the headline was not removed.

In addition, Coca-Cola objected to their logo being displayed so close to the naked thighs of the woman on the cover that it also had to be removed.

Answer: 5

The 'Permanent Waves' Tour was the last of Rush's mammoth UK tours. Following this, they began to do less dates at larger venues.

Answer: 3

Along with 'Signals', 'Permanent Waves' is Rush's highest charting album in the UK.

Answer: 0

Although 'Spirit of Radio' was featured twice on 'Top of the Pops', the UK's leading music programme, Rush were never actually seen performing the song. The first time it featured, it was used as the background music for the chart run down. The second time it was aired, the BBC, in its wisdom, had the very mediocre dance troupe 'Legs and Co' gyrating to Rush.

Answer: Glasgow Apollo

Side two of 'Exit...Stage Left' was taken from the UK dates. Most noticably, there is a thank you to 'The Glaswegian Chorus' for their performance on 'Closer to the Heart.'

Answer: February 1981

Once again, Rush returned to Le Studio for this, their eighth studio album, and my personal favourite.

Answer: Witch Hunt

'Witch Hunt' was intended to be a studio-only production number utilising sound effects and over-dubs which, in 1981, made it impossible to perform live without the use of backing tapes or other musicians. However, by 1983 and the 'Grace Under Pressure' tour, on-stage technology had advanced sufficiently for the song to be performed as part of the complete 'Fear' trilogy.

This has resulted in 'Moving Pictures' being one of only three Rush albums where every song has been performed live - the other two being 'Hemispheres' and 'Grace Under Pressure'.

Answer: Red Barchetta

The Barchetta of the title is, as has been confirmed by Neil Peart, a Ferrari 166MM Barchetta. Only 38 of these cars were built between 1947 and 1953.

Incidentally, Geddy Lee pronouces the name of the car incorrectly - it should be 'Bar-KET-ta' not 'Bar-CHET-ta'.

Answer: Vital Signs

Surprisingly, Mercury did not elect to go with the more commercial 'Tom Sawyer'as the single as it did in the rest of the world. Sadly, 'Vital Signs' did not even feature in the UK top 40.

Answer: Kalamazoo

The tour opened at the Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo.

Answer: The Forum, Montreal

Unlike the album, which was a mixture of different concerts, the video was all taken from the one concert. Sadly, the entire set did not make it onto the final release.

Answer: 6

'Moving Pictures'was the second Rush album to enter the top ten in the UK. Worldwide it has been one of their best selling albums and had been certified platinum by the RIAA within 2 months of release. By 1995 it had attained 4xPlatinum status.

Answer: YYZ

Y-Y-Z is the aviation code used by Pearson International Airport in Toronto. The track 'YYZ' gained Rush their first Grammy nomination in the 1982 Best Rock Instrumental Performance Category.

Answer: Max Webster

Max Webster had supported Rush on a number of occasions and were signed to Rush's Canadian label 'Anthem.' 'Battlescar' was released as a single and was featured on Max Webster's 'Universal Juvenilles' album.

Answer: Louis the Warrior

Pye Dubois was the primary lyricist for Max Webster. However, he has collaborated with Neil Peart on a number of times in the past.