In Toronto Canada, something new was brewing in the late 1960’s. Guitarist Alex Lifeson was looking for better band mates and was introduced to bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee by drummer John Rutsey. With their original drummer John Rutsey they experimented briefly with a keyboard player, but that was dropped in favor of a power trio. Looking for a short and memorable name, they selected Rush and began playing small gigs in the Toronto area in 1971. Early efforts to record were unsuccessful. After their manager sold his company to raise the money needed, they released their self-titled debut album in 1974. The single “Working Man” made the airwaves and Rush signed onto the Mercury label. Drummer Rutsey left in the summer of 1974 due to health and direction issues. He was replaced by Neil Peart, aka “the Professor” whose playing and writing talents would help propel Rush to fame. Fly By Night and Caress of Steel were both released in 1975 and featured more complex arrangements thanks to Peart’s playing and science fiction lyrical themes. 2112, released in 1976 featured the 20 minute title track divided into multiple parts. The album was a success in Canada reaching platinum certification. 2112 was followed up with a world tour and the release of All The World’s A Stage double album, capturing the live energy of the band. After the 2112, the band decided to persue a more progressive layered sound. 1977’s Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres in 1978 reflected these changes. In 1980 they band pivoted once again and added synthesizers for the 1980 release of Permanent Waves. Shorter tracks such as “Spirit Of The Radio”, and “Freewill” found commercial success on the airwaves. Moving Pictures released in 1981 featured the bands best known hit single “Tom Sawyer” which climbed the charts both in the US and Canada. Rush heavily experiemented with synthesizers for during the 90’s but returned to their strength - the power rock trio with Counterparts in 1993 and Test for Echo in 1996. Rush epitomized the hard rock power trio and ontinued recording and touring until Neil Peart’s death in 2020. The band has sold over 40 million records. Rush are shown above, from left to right: Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart, and Geddy Lee. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over in Pasadena California in the late 1960’s, two young brothers were competing over who would play drums and guitar. Alex Van Halen finally won his brother over for drums after secretly practicing while Eddie was delivering newspapers to pay for their equipment. It was a wise decision. The brothers started playing high school gigs and changed names numerous times but laid the foundation for what was to come. In 1972 they met a charismatic singer David Lee Roth who allegedly came up with the idea to rename the band Van Halen believing it had marketing advantages. After gaining a following playing small clubs in the LA area, the band recruited singer/bassiset Michael Anthony Sobolewski a former classmate of Eddie’s. The band was now complete. The band started playing better gigs in 1974, including Gazzaris where The Doors had found success a decade earlier. Kiss’ Gene Simmons saw them play there and produced a demo tape known as “Zero”, but Kiss’ management was not impressed and the band continued gigging in the LA area undeterred. The original Van Halen lineup are below: from left to right: David Lee Roth, Alex Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen, and Michael Anthony. Producer Ted Templeman had been searching for a new rock act and in 1977 saw Van Halen play at a nearly empty at the Hollywood Starwood. With Templeman was a Warner brothers producer. The story goes they were so impresses that they signed Van Halen on a napkin and the rest if history. The ranks of classic rock bands were starting to become thin. In the same year The Rolling Stones released their pop hit “Shattered”, Van Halen released their self titled debut album creating a sonic boom heard around the world. Eddie had developed a new playing technique dubbed “finger tapping” using his left fingers to play notes along with his right hand picking. The band released a string of highly successful records ending with 1981’s Fair Warning. Eddie’s desire to change the sound of the band clashed with Dave’s more commercial tastes and Roth left in 1984 forming his own highly successful band. Sammy Hagar was introduced to the band in 1985. His singing and guitar playing allowed Eddie to play more keyboards and satisfy his need for a more sophisticated sound. The album 5150 released in 1986 became the bands first number one album featuring the hits “Dreams” and “Love Walks In”. Sammy would stay with Van Halen for another 10 years touring and with them until 1996 when he left. Van Halen was nominated to the Rock and Roll hall of fame in 2007. Eddie Van Halen is widely recognized as the most innovative guitar player since Jimi Hendrix. During the late 70’s, other than the above surviving bands classic rock appeared to be dying. New sounds and styles were being developed both in the States and UK. More to come… Additional graphics available at higher screen resolutions, such as tablets, laptops, and desktops.

During the early 70’s, a Boston MIT Engineering graduate named Tom Scholz was hard at work in his basement studio writing and recording music. Scholz was very determined to create a new sound and using his engineering knowledge, created new pedals, effects, and techniques. He recording several demos playing all instruments except drums but these were rejected by the major labels. Undeterred, Scholz recruited members for a new band and polished the demos further. With their new sound and polished harmony vocals, the finished project attracted the attention of Epic records and the new band signed on. Epic wanted the band to record in their own Los Angeles studio and the band save Scholz went there. While they were away, Scholz finished most of their debut album, the remainder being done in the LA studio. Boston’s 1976 debut album was a smash hit and became one of the hottest debut albums in American history and remained on the charts for over 100 weeks. Almost every track got radio play, while chart topping hits such as “More Than A Feeling”, “Peace Of Mind”, and “Rock And Roll Band” topped the charts for months. Even the band logo on the front of their album was a hit; a guitar spaceship. The band followed up with highly successful tours and the band began working on a follow-up album Don’t Look Back in 1978, featuring the hit singles “A Man I’ll Never Be”, and “Amanda”. Original band members below: from left to right Brad Delp, Tom Scholz, Sib Hashian, Fran Sheehan, and Barry Goudrou Their third Album was delayed by legal and technical issues as Scholz continued working in his basement studio which was prone to flooding. Scholz later created his own electronics company, Scholz R&D which built amplifiers and effects from his own inventions. Scholz is recognized as a technical genius and innovator, although he shunned the fame in interviews. Boston’s music is still popular today and have sold over 30 million albums. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also in Boston, during the same timeline another band formed from the combination of two others. Steven Tyler who played drums at the time, agreed to the formation of a new group on the condition that he become lead singer, and the band agreed. Playing local gigs around the Boston area in 1971 the band gained a following and signed with an agent. Aerosmith paid out of their own pockets to play at Max’s Kansas City, where the president of Columbia Records was present. Aerosmith signed with Columbia in 1972 and released their debut self-titled album in 1973. With straight-up rock style mixed with blues influence little could stop them. Tracks like “Dream On”, “Mama Kin”, and “Walking the Dog” made it to the airwaves and drove the album to gold status. Get Your Wings followed in 1974 and Toys in the Attic in 1975 which propelled them into international fame and they became concert headliners. Rocks released in 1976 continued their string of chart topping hits and was ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the top albums of all time. By 1977 the bands’ excesses were taking their toll on their creativity. Aerosmith would continue touring and recording for decades to come and continue making hits although they were not as consistently successfully as the early years. One unique quality of the band was their loyalty to each other, only briefly changing members. Aerosmith are shown below; from left to right: Tom Hamilton, Joe Perry, Steven Tyler, Joey Kramer, and Brad Whitford. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Flint Michigan during the late 1960’s, Mark Farner, Don Brewer, and Mel Schacher had been working in other bands and decided to put a three piece power trio together. Mark and Don both had great singing voices, and with Mark playing both keyboards and guitar they had a lot of talent. Grand Funk Railroad, a play on words using a local rail line was selected for their new name. After playing the Atlanta Pop Festival they were signed by Columbia records and released their first LP On Time which went gold in 1970 and charted well in America. They also earned a reputation for sensational live performances. Their hit single “I’m Your Captain” from the album Closer to Home received widespread airplay and was a major hit for the band. They followed up with E Pluribus Funk in 1971 and released “Foot Stompin’ Music” which also received airplay. Despite solid record sales and extensive touring, for the second time in just a few years the band found themselves broke and manager Terry Knight was fired, starting a protracted legal battle. In the end, Knight won royalties for all their music, but the band was allowed to keep their name. With nothing but their name to show for all their work, they decided to do what they do best: start over. in 1972 musician/producer Todd Rundgren was hired for their next record. Additionally, keyboard player Craig Frost was brought in to allow Mark to concentrate on guitar. We’re An American Band released in 1973 featuring the smash hit single of the same title became their first number one hit. In 1974 they followed up with Shinin’ On’ with the hit singles “Locomotion” and “Walk Like A Man”. It was one of the greatest comebacks in Rock N’ Roll history! Tensions in the band and the pressures of their contracts began to wear on the band. Lack of success for their follow-up records and negative press weighed heavily on the band, and after Don Brewers wife died in 1976 the band broke up. The band would reunite and tour in the 1980’s and 90’s but no new material would be released and disagreements in the band and solo careers continued to cause issues. Today Grand Funk is considered one of the 70’s best rock bands and have sold over 25 million records. The original Grand Funk Trio. From left to right: Mark Farner, Don Brewer, and Mel Schacher. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------