Big Honor Eh?

RUSH: Homeland Honor

Rush received Canada's Governor General's Performing Arts Award over the weekend in Ottawa -- it's similar to the Kennedy Center Honors presented each December in Washington, D.C. Geddy Lee says, "Being a Canadian and seeing how our country treats artists, I think this is a great program to inspire young artists, and I'm very proud to be a part of it... I'm so proud of Canada for doing such a thing. To value artists and to celebrate art is a real pat on the back for artists." In addition to commemorative medals, each member got a check for $25,000 from Canada Council for the Arts.

At the ceremony, South Park co-creator Matt Stone took the stage to say a few words about Rush. "I remember buying their cassettes, tearing home on my BMX, running inside and throwing them into my Walkman, and sitting down to my drum set and just destroying my mom's afternoon. Rush was definitely the first band I ever loved."

Also honored was playwright Des McAnuff, who directed the Broadway version of The Who's Tommy. Pete Townshend flew in to surprise his friend, and performed "Pinball Wizard" and "Listening to You."