A good music documentary is one that you don’t want to shut off if a) you hate documentaries or b) you hate the band that is being documented. A good documentary it is then with Beyond the Lighted Stage – a film that explores the 35 year career of Rush – band many consider the "world’s greatest cult band." It’s easy to argue whether Rush is actually a cult band, since you can’t turn on classic rock radio without hearing “Tom Sawyer,” “Limelight,” Freewill” or “Spirit of Radio,” but nonetheless the film explores the eccentric and humorous personalities of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart – showing what really lies beneath the concept suites, manipulative synthesizers, inhuman drum fills/ solos and guitar hero movements.
From their suburban upbringings outside Toronto, Beyond the Lighted Stage, showcases the lifelong friendship and musical partnership of Lee and Lifeson, whom developed a gnarly Canadian Zeppelin sound in the early 70’s with original drummer John Rutsey and later found their progressive holy triumvirate calling, following the addition of Peart behind the kit and lyrical sheet. Along with the cameos from the trio’s parents, Jack Black, Billy Corgan, Trent Reznor, Sebastian Bach, Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Kirk Hammett, Tim Commerford and Gene Simmons add insightful opinions and verbal tributes to Rush. From learning that Bach was the number three member of Rush’s Backstage Club” and that Corgan learned the entire lengthy 2112 album on guitar in his bedroom, it’s a who’s who of artists that experienced their “Rush phase."
Most revealing are Simmons’ memories of touring with Rush in the mid 70’s, roasting that while KISS would be entertaining the opposite sex after a gig, the Rush trio would retreat to their hotel rooms to read books – setting the underlying theme of the film portraying Rush as a thinking man’s rock band or in less rewarding terms – “a nerd band for the everyman."
Like most documentaries, Beyond the Lighted Stage curates the course of Rush’s career through their album releases, revisiting how 2112 saved them from going back to their day jobs, while Permanent Waves got them on mainstream radio, and how the keyboard era of Grace Under Pressure through Presto alienated many fans but championed them as a band of progress and change. Although Rush doesn’t need an y new super fans, the power of Beyond the Lighted Stage will undoubtedly bring some new ones along for the ride.
