By John Katsilometes
Last night I saw Rush perform “Tom Sawyer” in concert.
For the 11th time. And the fourth in Las Vegas.
There are a half-dozen entries for “Tom Sawyer” on my iPod, and it’s not even my favorite Rush song. It isn’t even in the top 40. I favor four songs on “Moving Pictures” (“Red Barchetta,” “Limelight,” “Vital Signs” and “Witch Hunt”) before “Tom Sawyer.” No real reason why, other than I have always felt “Tom Sawyer” to be a bit clunky (most of my fellow Rush heads disagree, which might be an online battle later).
But when Rush played “Tom Sawyer” last night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, I whooped it up with my fellow band mates from Fly By Night (for explanation, go to the print version of this week’s Las Vegas Weekly, page 66). I’m crazy-go-nuts for Rush. Over the years I’ve seen Rush perform at such diverse concert halls as the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, the Cow Palace in San Francisco, Arco Arena and the Cal Expo Amphitheater in Sacramento, Lawlor Events Center in Reno, and the Thomas & Mack Center and MGM Grand Garden Arena here in Vegas.
I have seen Neal Schon open for Rush. Fabulous Thunderbirds, too. And Mr. Big.
But these days Rush flies solo, knocking out shows at three hours apiece with a break between sets. And this is a band whose members are all in their 50s, as are most of their fans. Last night the arena was not quite filled to capacity, but those who were in attendance were fairly bonkers. Those on floor level stood for the entirety, even as the band pitched out six consecutive songs from its latest CD, “Snakes and Arrows,” which is largely a castigation of organized religion throughout the world. Simply put, it is music to think to. The band also dusted off “Entre Nous” from “Permanent Waves” (1980) and “Circumstances” off the breathtaking “Hemispheres” album (1978). But those who still view Rush as a late-70s curiosity would be surprised at how good the new CD is. I can speak with authority; over the past two weeks I have listened to that and KNPR and nothing else.
As I was watching the band blast through familiar territory -- “Freewill” “Spirit of Radio,” “Subdivisions” and “YYZ” were among the favorites on parade of 26 songs spanning four decades – I recalled the bands and artists who were also touring when I first saw Rush in 1981: Queen. Billy Squier. Foreigner. The Steve Perry-era Journey. The David Lee Roth-era Van Halen. AC/DC. Bad Company. The pre-unearthed Police and Genesis. Yes. Pink Floyd. Great acts, all, but none has been able to sustain nearly as high a level (or in most cases, any level) of quality and productivity as Rush. These guys are better than 90 percent of the rock bands out today, and if they really wanted to bitch they could make a solid case for enshrinement into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
I mean, if Steely Dan has forged a spot in the Hall …
But that is not Rush’s style. They are too busy, making modern music. I hope we have not seen the last of Geddy, Neil and Alex.
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In the aftermath of NBA referee Tom Donaghy’s betting activity and alleged gambling on games he officiated, a column in last week’s Sacramento Bee made an argument – a forceful, symbolic argument -- that the NBA should cut ties with Las Vegas. In a commentary that has drawn fire from Las Vegas sports writers (including the eminent Ron Kantowski of the Sun), Bee columnist Ailene Voisin has called for NBA Commissioner David Stern to “respond with a forceful, symbolic gesture” and end its friendly relationship with our city. Putting aside the debatable notion that a gesture can be at once “forceful” and “symbolic,” the NBA should embrace Las Vegas’ knowledge of sports betting and utilize the city’s gaming resources to help the league better track curious gambling trends. Pulling exhibition games from the Thomas & Mack Center might look good to fans in Sacramento, but will do nothing to prevent unethical, debt-riddled officials from tinkering with games.
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The more I look at the vacant Neonopolis project, the more I think those empty spaces would look great if they were filled with art exhibits. I would not be surprised if someone in the Las Vegas art community shares that thought.
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Great damning-with-faint praise comment from Gregg Covin, the 38-year-old developer who has purchased the Gold Spike downtown and plans to turn it into a boutique hotel. Of the Gold Spike building, which is as aesthetically challenged as any hotel on or near Fremont Street, Covin says, “To me it seems good. I’m used to working on buildings built in 1920.”
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John Abbas, one of the new owners of Rejavanate Coffee Lounge, says the business is implementing a “Charity of the Month” program beginning next week. First up is the Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada. The organization’s goal is to draw people who want to donate time to the community, and act as a clearinghouse so those people can find ways to do just that. Rejavanate will provide literature and spread the word about the Volunteer Center throughout August. And I’m hearing the new murals at the coffee pub are great. I’ll check them out and report back.
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“Phantom of the Opera” star Brent Barrett is serving as a guest artist at the Red Mountain Music Company’s first youth music camp, set for next Sunday. The Boulder City company is bringing Barrett on to teach a master class and perform at the camp. It is a rare opportunity to see a true master at work; call 837-8998 for information.
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Vegas moment: A guy who we will know as “The Idiot,” in line for the men’s room at the Rush show last night, saying, “There are a lot of Jews here tonight!” He also said something disparaging about Asian women, and we can only hope The Idiot doesn’t vote.
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Release me: The news release announcing Jenny McCarthy’s appearance as the first Bunny Dealer at the Playboy Club inside the Palms describes the former Playmate of the Year as, “… actress and New York Times best-selling author Jenny McCarthy.” That is right – McCarthy wrote the best-seller “Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth About Pregnancy and Childbirth,” which was evidently a funny book about her pregnancy. Maybe the Playboy Club can start an entire series of best-selling authors as dealers: Up next, J.K. Rowling …
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Pl8 in my head: In tribute to Rush, ROCKEM on a Silver Lincoln Navigator.
Fabulous Las Vegas appears at this Web site. John Katsilometes can be reached at 990-7720, 812-9812 or at [email protected]