OTTAWA -- When rock critics said Canadian superband Rush would go down in history, the Canadian Museum of Civilization took them literally.
Yesterday, curator Carmelle Begin announced the museum has received a major gift of rock memorabilia from the Toronto-based arena-rock giants to be displayed in the permanent exhibition of popular culture.
The trio was one of the first of the generation of internationally renowned bands to come from Canada in the 1970s. In an industry dominated by bands from the U.K. and U.S., Rush became a global phenomenon that Canadian teens could proudly identify with.
The donation from singer/bassist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart includes guitars, drum kits and a samples of their gold and platinum records.
"We're glad to welcome Rush to our collection," said museum director Victor Rabinovitch. "This acquisition is part of an ongoing joint project ... to develop a national collection of popular music artefacts."
Rush was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994, received the Order of Canada in 1997 and a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in 1999.
"It's an honour for us to be included in the national collection," said Lifeson.
"To know that the spirit of our contribution to Canadian music will live on for years, and that it will be shared by so many, makes us very proud."
No date has been set yet for the exhibition's opening.