A Nostalgic Look Back at Rush’s 1974-75 Tour with Kiss
In an upcoming concert documentary titled Time Stand Still, the members of Rush indulge in a walk down memory lane of their 1974-75 tour alongside Kiss. Spoiler alert: It’s as absurdly entertaining as that time you tried to explain to your grandparents what a TikTok is.
In a delightful clip, which you can witness above if you dare, frontman Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson reminisce about Lifeson’s infamous creation known simply as “the Bag.” Imagine someone dropping a paper bag over their head and shoving their hands into their pants. Voilà! Enter the Bag—doing more for backstage hilarity than an overpriced artisan cocktail at a hipster bar.
Interestingly, this bizarre bit was a major hit with Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley. “I’m pretty sure Ace found the Bag to be the pinnacle of comedy,” Lifeson confesses. Meanwhile, their more serious bandmate, Gene Simmons, was not laughing. “Gene was very, very upset with the Bag,” Lifeson reveals, as if Simmons had just discovered not all musicians take themselves too seriously. And that made Ace even happier, which is a nice way of saying Ace clearly appreciated the chaos while Gene preferred order—like a well-organized spreadsheet.
“Gene was straight,” adds Lee, which in rock star terms translates to “unfun.” “He wasn’t high like we were. He had a different sense of reality when he came into Ace’s room. We were drinking and smoking and generally being idiots.” It’s heartwarming to see that even legends have those glowing moments of idiot-hood that could easily be the subjects of judging looks from the next generation.
But fear not, dear Rush enthusiasts! The documentary isn’t just a highlight reel of humorous antics. In fact, Time Stand Still offers a “raw, intimate and vivid look” at their concerts, kind of like trying to see your favorite band’s sweat-stained shirts up close. It captures the essence of the R40 tour and the unique, albeit possibly dysfunctional, relationship the band shares with their fans. That’s right, folks, forget therapy; just watch your band make a mess of their lives on stage!
The documentary will also feature new interview segments, like the laugh-inducing nugget above, paired with concert footage that will remind you of those youthful days filled with questionable decisions and your HD projector. If you want to see it on the big screen, mark your calendars for November 3, the day it premieres with the subtlety of your mom asking if you’re still single.
For all the die-hard Rush fans—those brave souls who had the audacity to like music that doesn’t fit in your typical Top 40 playlist—be sure to check your local listings. You can thank your lucky stars if it’s showing somewhere nearby, or begrudgingly watch from the comfort of your couch, wearing your band t-shirt like a badge of honor.
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