Rush Honored By Canadian Government

By Tralee Pearce, MTV News, March 4, 1997


Rush, the power trio who brought us the sweeping epic "Tom Sawyer," was honored by the Canadian government last week as Geddy Lee, Neal Peart, and Alex Lifeson were reportedly named officers of the Order of Canada.

While fellow rocking Canadians Bryan Adams, Bruce Cockburn, and Neil Young have received the honor, which acknowledge "significant achievement in important fields of human endeavor," this reportedly marks the first time an entire rock band has been tapped in the 30 year history of the honor system.

"I'm just going to wear it all the time and see if it gets me better tables at restaurants," Lee reportedly said after receiving a medal from Canadian Gov. Gen. Romeo LeBlanc.

"It kind of touches you in a place that none of these other things do touch you," Lee is quoted as saying. "It's not so much music related as your country saying thank you... something about our home country has kept us here and moments like this make you feel like you've made the right decision."

Lee, Peart, and Lifeson have now earned the right to place the title O.C. after their names as Officers of Canada.