will- sorry man, dont want to burst what you got going on, however a band releasing a bunch of old covers is the final dagger. They can join the ranks of the Stones and Kiss, maybe they are just tired of actually creating something new. Maybe they cant any more. Any one can make an entire album of covers and make them sound better then the orig. The only band from that era still doin their thing is Aerosmith.
Although Simon and Garf just released some new stuff along with remaking half their old stuff, does that count. Love Rush but come on.

Mine would be U2. Their musical evolution from 1979's "Boy" to "All that you can't leave behind" is amazing. They will always do it for me. The day they break up will be a sad one for me.

Definitely The Clash...alas, no new music from them. Thankfully they have whole albums I will never tire of.

Uh, Pete, didn't Aerosmith release an album of blues covers this year?

Yes - from 1970 to 1978.

I know, I know... Jon Anderson was (and is still) a bit creepy/other worldly and his lyrics can best and most kindly described as "sound poetry".

But man, the virtuosity!

No one living or dead can top Steve Howe as a blues, jazz, classical, rock and folk (and I mean transversing all of those styles) guitarist.

What's cool for me (and a bummer for my wife) is that my 16 and 12 year old sons both love Yes. In fact, they brought me back to enjoying Yes by listening to my copies of "Yessongs" and "The Yes Album".

Amazing that my two boys (and their friends) are listening to the same music I was at their age.

Royce, the wife and I got free tickets to Yes's Atlanta date last month. I had extremely low expectations (I'd seen them play on cable around 2000, and it was just painful; Howe couldn't keep up with his own parts), but I'm happy to say that we were both pleasantly surprised and very much entertained (and she's a classical musician who wasn't familiar with most of Yes's catalog).

They've all got their chops back these days, and the setlist was great (which for me means, "not a replay of the greatest hits album"). A very entertaining show all around. Catch 'em if you can.

Will- Yes they did, but it followed their new album, with new songs. Im a lover of the music mentioned here but where is the stair way to heaven of today. If I hear it again Ill puke but please dont tell me all we have to look forward to is what justin timberlake is going to crap out. Tell me rush can still create another limelight or tom sawyer, a new anthem, I'll bet if Freddy Mercury was still alive he would be making new stuff.

Thats my answer for favorite: QUEEN

Pete, I'll be curious to see what the next album (if there is one) sounds like. They spent way too much time in the studio on Vapor Trails (for numerous reasons), and the music got lost along the way. I think they've got it in them to bounce back, but we'll have to wait and see. The "new" EP is a hopeful sign from where I'm sitting; hearing a rawer, more live sound is a blessed relief after the last record's massive over-production.

I hear what you're saying about Queen. It's too bad very few people have heard "The Show Must Go On" from their last record. Sends chills down your spine, particularly knowing that Mercury was dying (and well aware of that fact) while recording it.

So the question is, Mr. Green, will you be attending one (or more) of the 30th anniv. shows?

Salt Lake City is tomorrow night :-)

Status Quo. Don't ask me why.

I like ZZ Top. A good Texas band. I must admit I don't follow what they are doing, so I don't know if they have retired yet or not, they are that age.

David Allen Coe still plays, and he is well past retirement age. I don't know if he still goes into the studio. He shouldn't need to, he has way more than plenty of material to do a good show.

Can't speak for Mr. Green (I think his favorite band is Steely Dan), but I'll definitely be at the Atlanta show on August 1.

ZZ Top is still a great live act. I catch them every chance I get. Forget the cheesy MTV stuff; it's two and a half hours (minimum) of Texas blues most shows.

ZZ Top is still around. They're actually playing at the Common Ground music festival next week in Lansing, MI. I'm stoked!

Over The Rhine.

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

I'd have to go with U2 as well for favorite band, and they still have it.

I'm starting to develop an appreciation for Heart that I didn't have when they were in their prime time. Ann Wilson's voice kicks ass, and I didn't realize as a kid just how unusual it was for women to rock like that. (Same with Pat Benatar; there is no equivalent today; sexy, tough, killer voice, no slutiness.)

You want to look at someone who kept the creative juices going well past middle age, even while doing covers, then the paradigm of that was Johnny Cash. (Soloist, not a band, I know.)

I used to be that way with the Stones, but the last time I bought a Stones album was 1978 when I bought "Some Girls" on the first day it was available. Now I'm a bit of a maniac about King Crimson and Oregon, and I also buy everything that the late Frank Zappa's family puts out.

I'm torn between Led Zep and Pink Floyd, though I lean to Floyd. I played "Animals" and "Wish You Were Here" on vinyl till they wore out. Now I have "Shine On," the box set and sometimes, I just can't pull myself away. I think it'll be a cold day in hell before Floyd puts out anything new, but if the Eagles can get back together, who knows?

The cover songs in the Rush 30th anniv. tour are well done. I saw the opening night of the tour in Nashville. I was disappointed that they played covers, though, I would have rather had them do Rush songs.

Peart just put out a new book so that may be partly why they are releasing a covers album instead of new material. The man's prolific, but even he has his limit! The title of the book is "Traveling Music: Playing Back The Soundtrack To My Life And Times." Based on the title, it's not a stretch to think the book might have had something to do with their decision to do a cover CD.

I used to think it would be cool for a band to do an album of covers. Then I heard the Metallica album of covers. Ugh. Have not picked up the Rush covers album yet, but my expectations are not high. I'm really looking forward to Peart's new book and a new Rush CD.

Yes? Rush? ZZ Top? Pink Floyd? King Crimson? Aerosmith? How old are you people? I thought the blogosphere was youth-driven. (I'll let you guys slide on The Clash -- my first two concerts were Clash shows -- and U2.) I am personally awaiting The Pixies tour. I saw them in 1988 (opening for The Cure). Without The Pixies, there might be no Nirvana, the best band of the 1990s by far.

I agree with Mike: Tom Petty and the Hearbreakers.

I'm sorry Will, I'm pretty tolerant of different kinds of music, and Rush is the ONLY band that if I hear on the radio I switch stations ASAP (even if it requires a leap across the room). The guys voice is worse than fingernails on a chalkboard.

tibor -I'm 43--on behalf of us old folks, sorry for intruding into your blogosphere .

I see lots of younger people at the concerts I attend, though I go to fewer than I used to because I get sick of having to stand in some dank club getting shoved around by morons.

I could pretty much take or leave Nirvana, but I wouldn't turn the channel if they came on the radio like I would with all hip-hop. [ Sorry, but rhythmic bragging over a thumping noise doesn't thrill me. ] If I'm in the mood for "grunge" I'd rather hear Neil Young & Crazy Horse, "Ragged Glory" and "Reactor" being particular favorites. U2 would be a good band if they got a less annoying singer, IMO.

It so excites me to hear someone talking about Rush! I love them, and it was awesome to see them earlier in the summer in Virginia. Have heard many complaints about the covers, but I thought they were fun, and they really seemed to enjoy playing them at the show. Have a great time at the show in Atlanta. Thanks for a great blog!

"Ladies and Gentlemen!
From New York City!
Blue Oyster Cult!!!"

I've got a fever, baby, and the only perscription, is more COWBELL!!!!

When I look at my faves, I seem to prefer bands who self-destruct--through alcohol, drugs, or a band member or two croaking due to alcohol or drugs. Instead of having drummers that spontaneously combust, they have entire rosters bent on destroying themselves. And damned if they don't turn out good music before they do...

I am surprised nobody mentioned the greatest band on earth ever: Emerson Lake and Palmer. Their recordings (not all), after twenty years, still blow me away.

I would say the only other band which I still love so much after such a long time is Discharge (English punk band).

Vilmos

I had several friends who were monster Rush fans. I really liked them, more than the average fan, but in no way was a rabid fan who knew all their songs. But, I did see them four or five years in a row in Atlanta starting in about '88 (at the old Omni, no less which was a great place to see a show. Had floor seats once too!).

They did put on a fantastic show and while I'm no musician, Neil Peart is damn talented. Most bands had a guitar solo. Rush had the drum solo, that was always the same. Not just random jamming, but an actual song that was nothing but the various drums that the guy had. I really enjoy Rush and it's good see them still going strong. I thought heard that Peart had like a nasty bout with carpal tunnel, but I guess that was just a rumor. And, it was pretty cool when Geddy Lee did "Oh Canada" at the '92 World Series.

But, as for favorite band, well, that's a tough one. It was Queen for awhile. I even had a thing for Styx (I'm not proud) in the early 80s. Then I was in hair metal phase (Def Leppard baby IN THE ROUND!). After the hair metal phase, I grew to love Pearl Jam and I still totally dig GnR (a highly underrated band but not enough of a discography to enter the discussion).

I would say Jimmy Buffett, but he's more about a lifestyle and his own little niche (and no he's not just singing about getting drunk). I still get every new album, but haven't gone to a Buffett concert since he moved mostly indoors and started displaying a touch of liberal elitism.

Very tough question indeed. Music is like politics though, good friends can get really nasty when discussing it. Surprisingly, this has been a civil discussion.

wow, now I feel like a young'in.

My favorite group/artists are Wu-Tang Clan and Bjork, color me twenty-four, I guess....

Saw BOC in Palmer, AK at the State Fair in '99, I think it was. Worst outdoor venue you can imagine (crappy stage, one of those school-band modular platforms, not even a bandshell), but they sounded studio-clean and played brilliantly. I was shocked.

There are a lot of great groups listed here but I think it depends on the era.

late 60's early 70's

Rolling Stones

Late 70's to early 80's

Yes / Rush / The Tubes / Pink Floyd

Late 80's to Early 90's

Prince / Metallica / Motley Crue, sorry I am a product of the 80's pop culture.

Since then the music has died, the only song I really liked rather than tolerated was "Steal my Sunshine" and that is for personal reasons and an inside joke.

Sounds like we are about the same age. I've been a Rush fan since the late 70's and saw them for the first time on the Moving Pictures tour in '81. I've seen them two other times since and I have tickets to the 30th Anniversary show for this Friday. Rush is definately one of the great rock bands of all time and , from what I understand, still not members of the rock and roll hall of fame. That's just wrong folks, whether you're a big fan or not! I found a great tribute site that actually has the playlist for the anniversary tour and I guess they are sticking to it. But I'll respect your wishes and not say anymore. Bottom line, I'm with you on this band. They're simply awesome and I can't wait for this show!

I'm a 42 year old guy who's always liked the more progressive stuff, and metal. for the past 5 years or so I wasn't really excited about anyone, but recently stumbled onto a Canadian genius by the name of Devin Townsend. I'm blown away by his band but also frustrated because I know that it will never get any mainstream airplay and that in turn, reminds me of just how bad radio has gotten since the late 70's. It's not that music has died, it's just that most of the good stuff has been excluded by mainstream, demographic-fearing radio execs.

tibor- Oh my god!
Nirvana?
I'm in hell when nirvana and the best of anything is in the same sentance.
First it wasn't the pixies fault, they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The only tru reason we had to endure the band that killed metal was due to a band called Mother Love Bone who by the way we can truly call the original grunge sound. Second, Nirvana was no Rush, ever hear of a little thing called Musicianship. Any true fan of the pixies should be able to tell the difference.

I'm pretty much an anti-Nirvanite myself, but credit where it's due: Dave Grohl is a legitimate musician. Can't speak for the other two guys...

Reverend Horton Heat, Social Distortion, Mermen, Pixies, Jimmy Eat World, Danzig, Jane's Addiction, Sonic Youth, The Cult, DI, Descendents, Bad Religion, Rollins Band, Flogging Molly.

I guess I'm a relative youngster too, at 26...

Last concert I saw was A Perfect Circle....but I'm seeing Rush next week. Does that make me an oldster or.....what was the question, again?

Been a Rush fan since the late '80s, and eventually got most of the CDs. I saw all the Montreal shows since the Roll the Bones tour in '91, and already have tickets for myself, the wife and best friend for the August 1 show here in town. Huzzah! :)