Rush Guests Of Nasa At Kennedy Space Center

RPM Weekly, March 3, 1979, transcribed by pwrwindows

On Monday, January 29, rock group Rush took a day off from their World Tour Of The Hemispheres to visit the Kennedy Space Centre at the special invitation of NASA.

After a short flight from Memphis, Tennessee to Orlando, Florida, Rush were met by the space centre's Deputy Director Gerry Griffin, and were conducted on a VIP tour of the centre's facilities to view the space shuttle runway, a life-size mock-up of the space shuttle orbiter, the vehicle assembly building and the construction site for the launching pad. During an informal luncheon, Rush members Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart were presented with framed pictures of the space shuttle orbiter by NASA Director Lee Scherer. The day's visit ended with refreshments at the astronauts' Beach House, an isolated hide-away where astronauts spend a few peaceful days prior to take-off.

Before flying to Louisville, Kentucky, to resume their tour, Rush were extended an invitation to return to the Centre on November 9, to witness the launching of the space shuttle. Rush is the first rock group ever to be invited to the space centre by NASA.

Canadian fans can see Rush on March 12 at 7:30 pm, when they will appear on a segment of the Gene Taylor Show.