Rush Visions: The Official Biography

by Bill Banasiewicz

Genres: Biography, Music, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1990

Reviews

[PRJ Greenwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author (who fell out of favour with the band ages ago) likes to name-drop his acquaintance with Rush throughout this work. That detracts from it as a biography, as there's this aura of haha I know them, you don't haloing everything. Hell, the band did thank him on a few records, Power Windows to name one, and Banasiewicz was undoubtedly a lucky fellow to get the access to the group he did. As an insight to Rush up to 1987 (Hold Your Fire era) it's excellent and it is to be commended in that regard.

Shame the author had to believe he was the Ian Stewart of the band though.

[Bill Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in San Diego, CA and went to college in Worcester, MA. As such, I was aware of Rush, but never listened to their music. One day they were playing Tom Sawyer for an event and people seemed to be impressed. I asked who the band was and people said, “Rush.” From that moment on, I was hooked and purchased every CD they made and went to every concert I could. Last year, I got a copy of Rush Visions. It was an excellent account of their beginnings and it gave a lot of insight into how a band broke into music. I was especially impressed how the band drove from gig to gig in their beat up old van. It really made me appreciate their struggle and that the driving factor of their struggle was to play great music. To me this was a special book that gave a lot of insight into the heart of their story.

[Phil Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can see a more complete biography being written at some point, but this was a great first try. Rife with pictures and inside information, it might seem a bit dated since so has happened with the band since the book's publication.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

The B-Man left me wanting more. Too many personal anecdotes of him hanging out with the band and being good pals with Geddy, Neil, and Alex.