Anthem: Rush in the ’70s
$26.95-
The definitive biography of the rock ’n’ roll kings of the North
Includes two full-color photo inserts, with 16 pages of the early days of the band on tour and in the studio
With extensive, first-hand reflections from Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart, as well as from family, friends, and fellow musicians, Anthem: Rush in the ’70s is a detailed portrait of Canada’s greatest rock ambassadors. The first of three volumes, Anthem puts the band’s catalog, from their self-titled debut to 1978’s Hemispheres (the next volume resumes with the release of Permanent Waves) into both Canadian and general pop culture context, and presents the trio of quintessentially dependable, courteous Canucks as generators of incendiary, groundbreaking rock ’n’ roll.
Fighting complacency, provoking thought, and often enraging critics, Rush has been at war with the music industry since 1974, when they were first dismissed as the Led Zeppelin of the north. Anthem, like each volume in this series, celebrates the perseverance of Geddy, Alex, and Neil: three men who maintained their values while operating from a Canadian base, throughout lean years, personal tragedies, and the band’s eventual worldwide success.
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Martin Popoff has written more than 80 books, including three on Rush. He has also worked on various projects for Banger Films, including the award-winning Rush documentary, Beyond the Lighted Stage. Popoff has published more record reviews in books — approximately 7,900 — than anybody in history.
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Published: May 2020
ISBN: 9781770415201
Dimensions: 5.75 x 8.75 in.
Pages: 360
Reviews
“Popoff provides a comprehensive appreciation of Rush’s music, focusing on its formation in 1968 through the 1970s … This will thrill Rush’s huge fan base.” — Publishers Weekly
“Popoff (who worked on the Rush documentary, Beyond the Lighted Stage, 2010) charts Rush from their early years playing bars around Ontario up through worldwide success and the creation of their first seven albums.” — Booklist
“This 375-page hardcover book paints a fascinating picture of the band’s early years, and is easily the most in-depth Rush tome I’ve read.” — BraveWords
“Anthem: Rush in the '70s is an enjoyable read, an excellent way to find out about music, in what is arguably the greatest decade for progressive hard rock, from a band that stuck to its guns and forged a singular, unique path for 40 years.” — Vintage Rock
“The first of a planned trilogy, Anthem digs deep into the Canadian trio's early days, often through Popoff's firsthand reporting and relationship with the group.” — Oakland Press
“VERDICT A must for Rush fans and an intriguing examination of how small musical groups coalesce. Also a fitting memorial to drummer Neil Peart, who died this past January.” — Library Journal
“Popoff mainly steps out of the way to allow Rush (as well as their moms) to tell their own story. That storytelling is consistently interesting.” — Psychobabble
“It takes an inquisitive researcher's mind to properly tell such a rich history, and on these 354 pages, Popoff more than proves that he's the man for the job. Part of a trilogy that will include also the upcoming Limelight: Rush in the '80s and Driven: Rush in the '90s, this is likely the deepest dive into the band's history, and one that would please casual and diehard fans alike.” — Sonic Perspectives
“Fashioned like a bible, Anthem is a truly stunning book. Such attention to the visual gives a certain definitive quality to Popoff's work, even before opening it. This is the Rush biography you need. . . Ultimately, Anthem marks an incredibly strong and insightful first entry that will leave you very much excited for parts two and three to Popoff's latest saga.” — Spill Magazine
“Straight from all the sources that matter, the book reads as an oral biography. Swaths of paragraphs are conversational and anecdotal, putting you in the room, on the stage, and in the mindset of unfolding events. What’s not to love? Whether you’re a fan or not.” — The Aquarian