The music photography magazine gallery of
Rush concert pictures
`Rush` are a Progressive / Hard Rock band from Canada. Here they are photographed & captured in Analog from the stage & pit area during a concert in America in 1980. For more information & to follow the band on social media use the following external links.
Rush concert photography ~ Bill O’Leary
A word from the photographer
On “These” Nights: RUSH
I photographed one of my favorite bands, RUSH, 3 of the 4 nights they played the Palladium Theater in New York City in early May of 1980. This was their Permanent Waves tour and the New York City shows were very important, proving to the record industry people that RUSH had arrived at the top of their game. The final show of the American leg of this tour was a couple of weeks later at Nassau Coliseum, Long Island NY, some shots from that show also shown here. The single from the album, “The Spirit Of Radio” was a huge hit on radio and the band was on a roll.
Getting in the Zone
Over the many years of my concert photography career, I really enjoyed shooting band’s that I was a huge fan of musically. I found that “knowing” every song, every note, every solo, etc. further put me into the “zone” as I was looking through the viewfinder. Many people from magazine editors to professional musicians to fans and even some concert promoters have told me that I had a natural knack for knowing when to “pull the trigger” and get THE shot. I attribute that to passionately knowing the music, it definitely helps and makes it more enjoyable in my opinion.
Capturing one of greatest drummers in Rock history
Photographing RUSH 4 nights was a dream come true for me, and all 4 nights were from different angles achieving a variety of great shots of the three guys in the band. Shooting both Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson up front was a joy, more of a challenge was getting great action shots of drummer Neil Peart. Shooting drummers from the front pit area can be tough sometimes, more often than not, hidden behind the drum kit. Getting unbelievable images of one of the greatest drummers in rock history was a must. I hope that I achieved that as seen here.
The Rush tours
Now that RUSH have retired from touring and recording new music, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to have shot them during the classic period of their career, from the Hemispheres tour in 1979 thru the Moving Pictures tour in 1981. I have probably shot more images of RUSH then any other band in my career. When I look thru all of my images it brings back the best memories at that time.
Thank you
Lastly, I want to give a personal THANK YOU to David Gasson and his website Chasing The Light Art, for the opportunity to show my images to other photographers as well as fans of music photography that visit here. I cannot imagine all the hours and effort that go into this endeavor. I have also enjoyed attempting the art of journalism and writing about all of my concert experiences starting some 43 years ago. Thanks Dave. You rock.
Location and date of these concert captures
Palladium Theater / New York / America / May 1980
Photographer`s favourite shot
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Photographer
After enjoying the Rush concert pictures by Bill O’Leary then make sure to visit his GALLERY. You will find more of his work, social media links & websites.
Record label
Anthem Records / Roadrunner Records
All photographer`s images
View this photographer`s A to Z of ALL the bands & artists captured for Chasing The Light Art. Follow the links for more great Rock n roll concert images from this photographer.
Slideshow
Watch the slideshow of Rush concert pictures
