So...I’m digging around one day in my bag of Canadian rock. Ok, I don’t really have a bag with genre/region specific musical contents. For that matter, is there really such a thing as Canadian rock?
Perhaps we’re off to a bad start. One of the never-ending tortures of global culture consumption is the “hole in the wall syndrome” lurking around every corner.
Walking on this side of a particular street, two doors north of the drycleaner’s with the running stork on the overhead sign – that smell. Turns out it was Szechwan duck, and now you can’t walk this block without the nagging void...
If the archivists ultimately decide that there is in fact such a thing as a Canadian-rock genre, then the nearly 40 years and still running Rush would have to sweep in under the grandfather clause as de facto grandfathers to the Canadian rock scene; not counting of course, Neil Young, classic rock’s cantankerous great-uncle.
Realeased early in 1981 “Moving Pictures” saw Rush at the height of their influence and popularity. Following an epic series of comic delays, I arrived about ten or so minutes late to the Chicago Amphitheater for the opening band on the “Moving Pictures” tour.
Long before eventually finding our section I became permanently lost; overwhelmed by the heady roar of a monster sound that got people running to their seats. Thousands of blurry stitches, weaving through the menacing cavern, while being pummeled by a lead-heavy rock band spinning enough polish to be clearly heard - pushing enough watts to shake plaster from the acres of cement enclosing us. Everyone in such a focused hurry, and me being the youngest in the crowd – I didn’t bother to ask; I figured the answer lay just ahead - when they played the “hit” or lead-track or whatever from their latest record that the promoters thought Rush fans should run out and buy.
For the next forty or so minutes these guys - a four-piece – thundered forth a set of originals; clever-like-a-fox lyrics belted out in a rich tenor, built to stadium scale, over tricky rock licks with BIG chops. This was the gladiatorial “arena” phase in rock – punk was back on thin ground, and everyone showed up to see if you could play. Finally, for the encore (you bet there was an encore for the opener of one of the world’s biggest touring bands) Geddy Lee himself joins the mystery band, and they proceed to close the set with the immortal, though barely remembered “Battlescar.”
After a ten minute pause, the main act comes on and blah, blah, blah...
Max Webster was founded in 1973 by singer, lyricist, guitarist Kim Mitchell. Morphing through several early line-up switches, the band gelled for about a minute in 1977 or thereabouts, and began touring Canada. There were only a handful of records; from the self titled “Max Webster” to 1981’s “Universal Juveniles” was a regrettably short trip. Regrettable still, is the obscurity of these amazingly crafted albums; each brimming with hooks, licks and runs that pop off of the grooves.
My latest copies of “Mutiny Up My Sleeve” and “High Class In Borrowed Shoes” from ’77 and ’78 respectively, had to be purchased online as imports – not too expensive – what disturbed me was the lack of availability. Sure the world gets bigger and deeper, while the planet gets smaller and thinner – as time passes the archives yawn greater.
Such a shame so many would-be fans blinked during the Max Webster frame. Which only goes to show – even the brightest stars were dimmed in the murk of the bloated, corporate stadium rock scene. Well, back in the 70s, Rush liked ‘em...and they had lots of fans.
In the 80’s Kim Mitchell did what the times called for, and began a moderately successful, FM-friendly career.
So ends the road of so many notables from the 70’s; in the “Where are they now?” bin. If you happen to be in or driving through Toronto, tune in to Q107 Radio - Kim Mitchell does the afternoon show. If you can reach him there at the station, ask him where in town Max Webster albums can be found...
Scott Cramer - Scott lives in Chicago and is an insufferable know-it-all on certain topics. He writes fiction (primarily short stories) much of which ...
Join the Conversation