Beyond the Lighted Stage

Beyond the Lighted Stage is a great documentary and a must see for any Rush fan.  Even if you are only a casual fan I would recommend this film; you will learn plenty about the Canadian trio and gain much respect for their accomplishments over their 30 year career.

The movie takes us from the early days by briefly profiling each band member’s beginnings as school kids and young adults.  It contains interviews with family members and also has Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson walking around some of their old stomping grounds.  Bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson have been friends since childhood forming a close bond in junior high school.  World renowned drummer Neil Peart entered the scene a little later but his family life and beginnings as an artist are also profiled. 

The film moves at a very nice pace and we do not get bogged down with lengthy profiles of childhood memories and family life.  Soon it is taking us through the first tours and recording of the first few albums including the break through, 2112.  Many artists are featured throughout the film offering comments on Rush including Jack Black, Billy Corgan, Sebastian Bach, Trent Reznor and many others.  It is obvious that there early work was a huge influence on these folks as many of them were impressionable kids at the time.  Gene Simmons also weighs in on the band.  During Rush’s beginnings they filled the opening slot on a lengthy tour for Kiss.

The movie takes us through many phases of Rush’s career and there are several, which is part of the appeal of this band.  The different directions and sounds are all discussed throughout, again moving at a nice pace and never becoming boring.  Also featured in the movie is the band's mass appeal and their loyal fan base that has helped them stand the test of time.  Rush has never really been mainstream yet continues to be touring force playing to large crowds all over the world.

Towards the end of the movie it details a very dark time for the band as they were forced to deal with personal tragedy when drummer Neil Peart suffered the loss of his daughter and wife.  This horrific time is detailed as Peart goes on a bit of a spiritual journey leading him back to recording and performing with Rush after about a 4 year hiatus.

I have always been a fan of Rush and this movies solidifies what makes them so great.  Never fitting any sort of category, having their own unique sound yet continuing to change it and evolve, doing things their own way and continuing to be very relevant for three decades and counting. 

All in all it’s a great rock documentary about a great band!