The massively influential and successful power trio of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart has been drawing lines in the sand of the rock 'n' roll desert for over 30 years. Their undeniable chops, complex arrangements, and Mr. Lee's high-pitched howl have made them a "love it or hate it" act on a global scale. These fellows have Top 40 hits loaded with non-standard time signatures, tons of analog synth, and lyrics inspired by the politics of Ayn Rand. It's more than a legacy, too.

Brand-new album Snakes & Arrows debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts. Perhaps that's because baby boomers can't figure out how to download music for free. Or maybe it's a testament to a band that sits comfortably behind the Beatles, the Stones, KISS, and Aerosmith with the fifth most consecutive gold and platinum records in history. But it is not album sales that make a band great.

Rush started out in Toronto, Ontario way back in 1968, playing hard-edged bar rock blues in the tradition of Cream, Hendrix, and the Who. By 1974, the band had a debut album, and a new drummer by the name of Neil Peart. Peart added award-winning percussion, fills galore, solos, chimes, timbales, marimba, and the kitchen sink. He also penned nearly all the fantasy and philosophy-oriented lyrics for the remainder of the band's career.

 From the success of the cult concept album 2112, to "Tom Sawyer," and to the recent and fiery Rush in Rio live album (recorded in front of a crowd of 40,000), the band proves that they will never go through the motions, do reunions, or beg for a much-deserved spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. What they do is get together, write smart and challenging hard rock records, and take their show on the road.