HOLLYWOOD (CNS) – The Canadian progressive rock trio Rush received the 2,412th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Saturday, drawing praise for their values and loyalty.
“I’ve been in the rock ‘n’ roll business for about 20 years now and let me tell you — these guys are the best of the best,” said Billy Corgan, the vocalist and lead guitarist for The Smashing Pumpkins said in the late-morning ceremony in front of the Musicians Institute on Hollywood Boulevard.
“They represent the value that the fan will listen and will care, that you’re not just a bunch of sheep out there, that you actually give a (obscenity) about what’s going on.”
Donna Halper, a former music director and radio personality at WMMS-FM (100.7) in Cleveland, the first disc jockey to play Rush’s music, said “for nearly four decades, the members of Rush have remained true to themselves and true to their music.
“They’ve never allowed success to spoil them,” Halper said. “They’ve never lost their integrity. In a world where it often seems the good guys never win, Rush are living proof that sometimes good people do finish first.”
Halper told of a man in Japan who learned English “so he could better appreciate the words of Rush songs,” along with similar stories from fans in Chile, Brazil, Finland, Israel and Mexico.
Geddy Lee, the group’s bassist and frontman, said “there are some times in life where you have what I would call a beautiful, surreal moment. This is one of those moments.”
Guitarist Alex Lifeson told the fans, who lined up on both sides of Hollywood Boulevard, “we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without you. It’s really special to us.”
The group’s third member, drummer Neal Peart, did not attend the ceremony, as he was riding his motorcycle Albuquerque, N.M., where Rush will begin its 37-city Time Machine tour Tuesday.
Rush drew what Leron Gubler, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s president and chief executive officer who presided over the ceremony, called “one of the most enthusiastic crowds we’ve had in a very long time.”
The ceremony came four days before both the start of its tour, which includes stops at the Forum in Inglewood Aug. 11 and the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine two days later, and the DVD release of the documentary “Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage.”
Beginning with its self-titled debut album in 1974, Rush has sold more than 40 million records worldwide. Only The Beatles and The Rolling Stones have more consecutive gold or platinum studio albums by a rock band, according to Recording Industry Association of America figures.
Rush’s most-acclaimed albums include “2112,” “Moving Pictures,” and “Test of Echo.” Some of its most popular songs include “The Spirit of Radio,” “Tom
Sawyer,” “Limelight,” “Closer to the Heart,” “YYZ,” “Working Man” and “Subdivisions.”
Rush is considered Canada’s most successful rock band. It was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994, Canada’s Walk of Stars in 1999 and Canada’s Songwriting Hall of Fame in March and was bestowed the Order of Canada in 1997.

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BIOGRAPHY

RUSH- Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart – honored with 2,412th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Honor Coincides With Tour, *Documentary and New Single
Guest speakers included Donna Halper, former radio personality at WMMS Cleveland where Rush received their first airplay with Working Man; and Billy Corgan, vocalist, lead guitarist and songwriter for The Smashing Pumpkins will participate as well.
6752 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Musician’s Institute
Friday, June 25, 2010.

Rush – is without question one of the most inventive and compelling groups in rock history, equally famed for both its virtuoso musicianship and provocative songwriting.

The honor comes as the progressive-rock trio comprised of bassist-frontman Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart gear up for their North American Time Machine tour and pre-releasing 2 new songs “Caravan” & “BU2B” from their forthcoming 20th studio album Clockwork Angels (due spring 2011)

Just last year, a career-chronicling Rolling Stone feature praised the band for its continuing artistic vitality, noting that “It’s true that Rush doesn’t mean today what it did in ’76 or even ’96. It may mean more.”

Rush’s enduring pop culture relevance is perhaps best evidenced by a pair of high- profile appearances – a rare national television performance and interview on Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report” in 2008 (the band’s first TV appearance since 1975), and a pivotal role in the storyline of the 2009 hit comedy, I Love You, Man, starring Paul Rudd and Jason Segal, where the band also made a memorable cameo in the film.

Beginning with their self-titled debut album in 1974, their extraordinary body of work – which includes such formidable works as 1976’s 2112, 1981’s Moving Pictures, 1996’s Test for Echo and the latest studio album “Snakes & Arrows”- made a triumphant debut on the Billboard 200 upon its initial release in 2007, entering the chart in the #3 spot. The album’s success marked Rush’s highest chart debut since 1993, as well as the group’s eleventh Top Ten album in the U.S.

Rush has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and garnered untold legions of devoted and admiring fans. According to the RIAA, Rush’s sales statistics place RUSH third behind The Beatles and The Rolling Stones for the most consecutive gold or platinum studio albums by a rock band. Some of their most popular songs include: The Spirit of Radio, Tom Sawyer, Limelight, Closer To The Heart, YYZ, Working Man and Subdivisons.

Rush has also won a number of Juno Awards, been nominated for multiple Grammy awards, was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994, bestowed the Order of Canada in 1997, inducted into Canada’s Walk of Stars in 1999 and Canada’s Songwriting Hall of Fame in March of 2010. Consistently celebrated and respected worldwide, Rush is the most successful Canadian rock band of all time, and they remain one of the biggest grossing arena rock bands ever.

Rush has become known for the instrumental skills of its members, complex compositions, and eclectic lyrical motifs drawing heavily on science fiction, fantasy, and libertarian philosophy, as well as addressing humanitarian, social, emotional, and environmental concerns.

A special limited engagement big screen release of the documentary “Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage,” opened worldwide on June 10. Directors Sam Dunn with Scot McFadyen’s rock doc, which follows the band’s 40-plus-years career, premiered this past April at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival where it won the coveted Audience Award. The documentary includes interviews with some of today’s most respected rock artists such as Billy Corgan, Taylor Hawkins, Trent Reznor, Sebastian Bach, Kirk Hammett and Gene Simmons speaking about the influence of Rush. The doc is slated for release on DVD and Blu-Ray in the U.S. on June 29. *On the day of the ceremony there will be a special screening of the documentary at Mann Chinese 6 in Hollywood, just 2 blocks west of where the band will get their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The film will be featured on Friday June 25 as an all day event. The film will play at 2pm, 5pm and 8pm. This is a last chance to see it on the big screen Event tied in to celebrate the band’s honor of receiving the Star.

Four days after receiving the Hollywood Walk of Fame star, Rush will kick-off its “Time Machine Tour” on June 29, in Albuquerque, New Mexico and finish October 2, in West Palm Beach, Florida. www.rush.com

These individuals were chosen from among hundreds of nominations to the committee at a meeting held on June 14, 2010 and ratified by the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
 Penelope Cruz will be among the stars slated to be honored on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame for 2011.

The Walk of Fame recipients for the year 2011 are:

MOTION PICTURES: Penelope Cruz, Bruce Dern, Laura Dern, Diane Ladd, Ed Harris, The Muppets, Kenny Ortega, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ridley Scott, Sissy Spacek, Donald Sutherland and Reese Witherspoon.

 Staging for a Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony. Photo by Margie Anne Clark, Editor-in-Chief, City Life Communications

TELEVISION: Danny DeVito, Tina Fey, Simon Fuller, Neil Patrick Harris, John Langley, Ed O’Neill, John Wells, and Oprah Winfrey.

RECORDING: Melissa Etheridge, Los Tigres Del Norte, Rascal Flatts, Go-Go’s, Slash, Will i. Am, and Bebe & Cece Winans.
Posthumous: Buddy Holly and Louis Prima

LIVE PERFORMANCE/THEATRE: Joe Mantegna

“It was not an easy job to winnow down the extra large number of nominations this year to reach these 30 names,” said John Pavlik, chair of the Hollywood Walk of Fame Committee, “and many deserving names were left for future consideration. But the placement of stars for these famous celebrities will give fans and tourists some fun and exciting close encounters next year, such as a rare family dedication, when three stars will be placed during the same ceremony for actors Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd and their daughter Laura Dern. Next year will be another exhilarating year on Hollywood Boulevard.”

Posted by Margie Anne Clark, City Life Communications.

Robert A. Iger, president and chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company, joined Thomas O. Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, and Mickey Mouse to welcome the special VIP premiere guests.

“‘World of Color’ is a testament to the creativity, passion, innovation and talent of people throughout our organization,” Iger said. “The combination of water, light, fire, and music makes ‘World of Color’ a truly magical event that showcases beloved Disney characters in an entirely new way.”

Added Staggs: “‘World of Color’ transforms the landscape of the Disneyland Resort and marks a major milestone in the expansion of Disney California Adventure. It’s a spectacular show that is distinctly Disney, and unlike any attraction we’ve created before. It will captivate our guests with an end-of-day experience that is exhilarating, emotional and highly memorable. We are excited to debut this great, new experience for our guests and extremely proud of the talented team that drove its creation.”

There has never been a show like “World of Color,” the mega-scale, after-dark celebration of Disney storytelling. “World of Color” brings animation to life with powerful fountains that become stars of the show as they create one of the world’s largest projected water screens. In just under 25 minutes, “World of Color” immerses audiences in technological wonder and the enchanting magic of beloved Disney and Disney•Pixar characters, combining nearly 1,200 versatile fountains, dazzling colors, Disney music and an all-new kaleidoscope of audio and visual effects, taking water-based entertainment to a new level of artistry.

The inspiration for the show came from Walt Disney himself and “World of Color” features characters and images that span the history of Disney and Disney•Pixar moviemaking.

“Our entire team – from every corner of the Walt Disney Company – is thrilled to finally share ‘World of Color’ with our guests,” said Steve Davison, show director and vice president, parades and spectaculars, for Walt Disney Imagineering. “It’s very exciting to take audiences on an emotional journey as they experience laughter, drama and beauty in this breathtaking extravaganza.”

Disney cast members and crews built nearly an acre of superstructure to support the complex production. Walt Disney Imagineering and Creative Entertainment installed the massive infrastructure and revolutionary technology that created the stage for “World of Color.” On this stage, the team directs a unique variety of water effects, larger-than-life projections, lasers, fog, flames, surround sound and stunning images.

The sweeping story and stunning effects are created with:

* Nearly 1,200 powerful and programmable fountains with heights ranging from 30 feet to 200 feet (50 feet higher than Mickey’s Fun Wheel). Each fountain has multiple points of control to direct the lighting, color intensity, water angle and height.
* One of the world’s largest projected water screens – a wall of water 380 feet wide by 50 feet high, for a projection surface of 19,000 square feet.
* Nearly 30 high-definition projectors – 14 of them submersible.
* Synchronized flame projections, lasers and special effects that will flood the senses.
* A soundtrack performed by more than 100 musicians.

“World of Color” has been some five years in the making, beginning with brainstorming by show director Davison and his creative crew. As the concept grew, the Disney team sought out new technologies and multi-media to support a visionin which water and light could dance, change character and move the audience, becoming, in effect, the “stars” of the show.

Helping to tie it all together is a musical score that combines both familiar and new melodies and introduces a newly arranged version of the 1960s television theme for “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color,” originally composed by Richard B. and Robert M. Sherman, the Oscar-winning composers of “Mary Poppins” and “It’s a Small World.” The “World of Color” score was composed by Mark Hammond, and orchestrated and conducted by David Hamilton, both celebrated music industry professionals.

To see an interactive version of “World of Color,” guests can visitwww.disneyland.com/worldofcolor or www.worldofcolorcreator.com. For information on planning a celebration or vacation at Disneyland Resort, visit www.disneyland.com, call 866/60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents. To explore the expansion plans for Disney California Adventure, visit www.DisneysCaliforniaAdventure.com
About Disneyland Resort: The Disneyland Resort features two theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure park – plus the Downtown Disney District comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort’s three hotels are the luxurious, 948-room Disney Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the magical 970-room Disneyland Hotel and the 481-room Disney Paradise Pier Hotel with its “day-at-the-beach” fun. For information on new attractions and vacations at Disneyland Resort visit www.disneyland.com, call 866/60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.

Posted by Margie Anne Clark, City Life Communications.

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“We’re a little non-profit out in this area where there are more than 100 charities,” said Executive Director of the SCV Youth Project, Kim Goldman. “We are still here, the need is still here and we have more teens that are depressed and suicidal”

Dustin_Brown“It’s a great cause, how can you turn down taking your kids to an amusement park for the day for a great cause and helping these kids, it was a pleasure. We are so glad we did it,” added Alex Kapp Horner.

Dustin Brown the Captain for the LA Kings attended the event along with celebrities from television including; Alex Kapp Horner from The New Adventures of Old Christine, Eva La Rue from CSI: Miami, Alyson Stoner and Meaghan Jette Martin from Camp Rock, Billy Unger from Desperate Housewives, Allisyn Arm from Sonny With A Chance, Colin Ford from Supernatural, Taylor Dooley and Sascha Pieterse from The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D and Ryan Newman from Zeke and Luther.

Erin, a student who was helped by the SCV Youth Project, came forward to give her appreciation and thanks to the organization’s staff.SCVYouth_Magic_Mtn

“I was going through a lot in my life, and I didn’t realize how bad it was until I started talking about it,” she said. “They are very understanding, I love this program and without them I probably wouldn’t be in high school.”

ABOUT THE SCV YOUTH PROJECT

The SCV Youth Project helps kids facing such serious issues as drug/alcohol abuse, anger, divorce, peer pressure, grief/loss, suicide, depression, etc. The Youth Project offers free, bilingual, one-to-one or group counseling, distributes cards that include emergency numbers and leads a variety of specialized youth programs. For more information, about the SCV Youth Project, click here.

Posted by Margie Anne Clark, City Life Communications.