Gatineau, Quebec, April 1, 2003 - The Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC) is welcoming the recent acquisition of an important collection of popular music artifacts donated by the legendary Canadian rock band RUSH.
"We are glad to welcome RUSH to our collection," said Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Corporation. "This acquisition is part of an ongoing joint project between the CMCC and the Music Division of the National Library of Canada to develop a national collection of important popular music artifacts and archival documents."
The acquisition includes a complete stage set-up of vintage RUSH instruments and equipment - trademark double-neck bass and guitars from Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, an elaborate Neil Peart drum set, keyboards, amplifiers and famous stage props from various international tours. The collection also includes a number of the group's Juno Awards, gold and platinum album awards, and other memorabilia from its illustrious history.
The Canadian power trio has been among the world's most popular bands for more than a quarter of a century. The band was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994, received the Order of Canada in 1997, and was given its own star on Canada's Walk of Fame in 1999. The band was also inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame in February 2003.
"What an honour it is for us to be included in the national collection," said RUSH guitarist Alex Lifeson on behalf of his fellow band members. "To know that the spirit of our contribution to Canadian music will live on for years to come, and that it will be shared by so many, makes us very proud."
"The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio has already asked to borrow some of the instruments for a special tribute to one of Canada's finest groups," stated Carmelle Bégin, Curator of the CMCC's Ethnomusicology Programme. "They will be on loan for the next two years and will be seen by hundreds of thousands of visitors."
In honour of this year's Juno Awards, which are being held in Ottawa for the first time on April 6, the Canadian Museum of Civilization is presenting a special display: The Juno Awards from Our Collections. From March 28 to April 14, 2003, visitors can see RUSH's Junos side by side with ones awarded to pianist Glenn Gould and songwriters Jim Vallance and Bryan Adams, among others.
Artists, companies, organizations and private collectors who may be in a position to contribute significant collections or pieces of Canadian popular music memorabilia to the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation and the National Library of Canada are asked to contact Carmelle Bégin, who can be reached at (819) 776-8236 and carmelle.begin@civilization.ca, or the National Library's Richard Green at (613) 995-3400 and richard.green@nlc-bnc.ca.