From the Beltway to Bristow: A Brief History of Rush Touring in the Washington, DC Region
By Jay Roberts, 2112.net/PowerWindows, November 2025
"The cities in the land all extend a welcome hand, till morning when it's time for us to go." - Rush, "Making Memories," Fly by Night
In October, the rock world got some exciting news. Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush announced their "Fifty Something" tour, a set of 58 shows next summer and fall. It includes two shows here in the nation's capital.
Thought it would be fun to look at the band's touring history here in the DMV. Certainly a learning process for myself, as only about a third of my Rush concerts were here in the Washington, DC area.
A big show of hands to Skip Daly and Eric Hansen for their terrific book Rush, Wandering the Face of the Earth, The Official Touring History, 1968-2015. Additional thanks to Hansen for all the articles he has transcribed at his website, "Power Windows: A Tribute to Rush." Many thanks also to John Patuto for his tour dates and notes at his website "Cygnus-X1, A Tribute to Rush."
Below is a list of the 26 Rush shows played in the DMV. Please note there were times when the band played in the greater region (Baltimore/Richmond/Hampton/Virginia Beach), but I do not include those in the total of 26. I do mention some of them in the text.
I have to say that even though I am a long time fan of Rush, and have always appreciated the band's long career of touring, I gained an even greater appreciation with this look. A number of times, as I was looking at the long list of shows at Cygnus-X1, and needed to find or verify some info, I scrolled quickly up or down.
As I watched the lines blur by and waited impatiently to arrive at a particular point, I was reminded that each of those lines was a show. How grueling it must be for bands, night after night spent away from home, long bus trips and jet lag, the isolation from family and routines, playing through illness, and the toll on the body.
Neil Peart described this draining of the body, mind, and soul as "the Vortex." The legendary drummer knew it all too well. During their final tour in 2015, he suffered from an infected foot that made drumming itself painful.
Rush would eventually pare things down to a manageable number of shows for each tour, but in the early years, Geddy, Alex, and Neil were road warriors. In support of their 1976 album, "2112," they played, in a span of 13 months, 245 shows. Their next two tours had a combined 305 shows.
I became a Rush fan in 1976. If at that time, someone would have said, this band is going to play and tour until 2015 (25 tours across 41 years), and then two of their members, after an 11-year pause, will hit the road again, I would have thought it something out of a science fiction story about the creation of a digital human.
But here we are. Like Neil once wrote - "Courageous conviction will drag the dream into existence..."
Rush
Release Date: March 18, 1974 (Canada), August 10, 1974 (US)
Tour Dates: March 1974 to December 1974
Date of Appearance: August 19, 1974
You always remember your first and Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson no doubt remember their first show supporting their first record. Before they had arrived at that point, the two best friends and drummer John Rutsey (1952-2008) had hundreds of shows already under their belt, mostly small gigs in and around Toronto.
"Rush," their eponymously titled first album, was released in Canada on March 18, 1974. About four months into the tour, Rutsey left the band. On August 14, at a show in Pittsburgh, Neil replaced him. Five days later the band arrived in Washington for what was supposed to be a show at Bogies in DuPont Circle.
Note: Bogies was located at 1214 Connecticut Ave, NW, DC.
Some listings have Rush playing there, and a promo ad shows DC Dog and Rush on the bill. However, the book, "Wandering the Face of the Earth" tells us they instead went to WDCA-TV (Channel 20) Studios at 5202 River Road in Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb of Washington.
There's a bit of a Rashomon quality to what took place in the studio. The band were prepared to perform on the Barry Richards Rock and Soul Show. Richards had made a name for himself as a DJ and producer in Washington.
In Wandering, the authors tell us Richards wanted the band to lip sync and mime, but Neil refused. Instead, Geddy agreed to a short interview. He touches on their appearance in his "My Effin Life in Conversation Tour Program."
"We arrived in Washington D.C. to do a daytime pop show on WDCA-TV called Barry Richards Rock and Soul, a corny traditional variety program for teens-the kind on which acts mimed their hits. Lip-syncing was never a big deal for me; pretending to play live was a fine tradition in rock and roll television, but Neil hated it and considered not even setting up his kit. Yet in the end he relented, playing at full-bore as if it were live."
Bottom line, it was an interesting start in the nation's capital for the band. They had the day off before the appearance, driving in from Charleston, West Virginia. Perhaps they visited the museums and such.
Show 1
Fly By Night
Release Date: Feb 15, 1975
Tour Dates: Jan 1975 to June 1975
Date of Show: April 6, 1975
Venue: Lisner Auditorium
In support of Kiss
Attendance: 1,506
Note: Lisner Auditorium opened in 1946. Located on the campus of George Washington University, the limestone box-shaped venue holds about 1,350.
Rush headlined a few times on this tour, but it was mostly still playing as a support act. The show at Lisner was their first in the DMV. Seems safe to say that most, if not all, of the fans were seeing the band for the first time. They did play in Baltimore on the first tour. Who they supported is a great trivia question. Hard to believe, but it was Sha Na Na, a doo-wop revival group.
It's worth the diversion to touch on that one. Wandering gives a terrific mini-oral history on the show, with accounts from crew members Ian Grandy and Howard Ungerleider, Alex, Neil, two members of Sha Na Na, and a short write up from a newspaper.
Alex and Geddy would probably like to forget this one, but it's a hoot now reading about their misadventure that day. Grandy said the truck had a flat on the drive down from Toronto and they got lost in downtown Baltimore. He also confirms the band got booed off the stage. By the way, the show was actually not in Baltimore, but in Catonsville, southwest of the city.
The band's pairings got better with "Fly By Night," including Aerosmith, Styx, and an up and coming band called Kiss. Rush and Kiss got along quite well. The road antics the two shared are fun to read about.
Reviewing the show at Lisner, Charlie McCollum of The Washington Post went easy on Heavy Metal Kids, but, typical of the reviews they were getting, it was thumbs down to Kiss and Rush. It's our guess the heavy metal kids in the audience had a good time seeing the three hungry bands.
Caress of Steel
Release Date: September, 1975
Tour Dates: August 1975 to March 1976
Date of Show: November 30, 1975 (Unconfirmed)
Venue: Capital Centre, Largo, Maryland
The book, "Wandering the Face of the Earth" points out Rush probably did not play this date. I checked The Washington Post and the review of the show by Larry Rohter confirms this by saying the three bands were Kiss, Mott the Hoople, and Styx.
Show 2
Date of Show: January 4, 1976
Venue: Capital Centre, Largo, Maryland
In Support of: Blue Oyster Cult
Attendance: 16,000
The "Caress of Steel" tour was a low point for Rush. The progressive and lengthy nature of the new songs didn't please everyone and the Canadian trio were still mostly a support act playing secondary markets.
But perhaps this show, attended by 16,000 at the Capital Centre, gave them a mental boost. It was billed as a "Holiday Spectacular, Six Hours of Rock and Roll." The impressive line up included Blue Oyster Cult, Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon, Leslie West, and Rush.
Geddy, Alex, and Neil were likely pleased they were headed home to Toronto after the show and had the next five nights off, followed by a show at the famed Massey Hall in their hometown. It was there in June that the band, across the span of three nights, would record "All The World's A Stage," their first live album.
Larry Rohter ("Heavy Metal: Sound and Fury") previewed the show in The Washington Post. The lengthy article featured a photo of Blue Oyster Cult. Guitarists Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma are seen sliding their guitars against each other, a signature part of their performance back then.
The band, which would gain the tag, "Thinking Man's Band," was a good match up with Rush. On the "2112" tour, Rush would play in support of Blue Oyster Cult, whose smash hit "Don't Fear the Reaper," would launch them into stardom that summer.
Reading the article, one can feel the excitement some of the fans must have had going to the show. The hard rock/heavy metal genre had taken a foothold across arenas in the US. Before the days of big video screens, fans seating in the nosebleed seats may not have been able to see the acts very well, but they could certainly hear the music.
Rohter notes the Capital Centre was one of the biggest arenas. From this tour forward, a span of two decades, Rush would play a total of 13 shows at the Capital Centre. Their average attendance was around 16,000.
Note: The Capital Centre was located just outside the Capital Beltway in Largo, Maryland, a suburb east of the city. Opened in 1973, this arena hosted the Capitals, Wizards and Hoyas. Its capacity for concerts was reported to be around 20,000. The arena was demolished in 2002. Its site is just north of the Largo Metro Station, which opened in 2004.
In 1997, a new arena, now named the Capital One Arena, opened in downtown Washington. Rush never played there, due to their shifting to playing the outdoor venue in Bristow, Virginia. The two forth coming shows will take place at the Capital One Arena.
Note: Attendance figures are notoriously difficult to gauge for accuracy. Some sources show 20,000 as the capacity for concerts at the Capital Centre, but the 18,000 for one Rush show was listed as sold out. Either way, the Capital Centre was one of the largest arenas in the US.
2112
Release Date: March, 1976
Tour Dates: March 1976 to July 1976
Rush did not play anywhere in the greater region for this first phase of the tour, but did play in Washington for "All the World's a Stage."
Shows 3-4
All the World's a Stage (Live)
Release Date: Sep, 1976
Tour Dates: Aug 1976 to Jun 1977
Dates of Show: April 17, 1977 and April 18, 1977
Venue: Lisner Auditorium
Max Webster in Support
Attendance: 1,490
Rush finally broke through with their 1976 album, "2112." Aided by all their touring, the LP went gold in November, 1977. "All the World's a Stage," their first live album, also went gold that month.
The band did not play in the DMV on the main "2112" tour, but did for "All the World's a Stage." In essence, this was the second leg of the "2112" tour.
This tour had some interesting contrasts. The band was headlining on some dates, but also still playing some in support. In places like Philly and Montreal, 18,000 plus packed it in, but there were a lot of shows with less than 10,000 and even smaller. In Washington at Lisner, the figure was 1,490. But that was a sellout and the demand created a second show.
Even though the schedule was mind-numbing, Rush likely had a good time on parts of this tour, as their support was fellow Canadians and great friends, the band Max Webster. Pye Dubois, lyricist for the band, would collaborate with Neil on "Tom Sawyer," Rush's smash hit off "Moving Pictures" in 1981.
On the other hand, the band was surely feeling the effects of life on the road. As we mentioned at the start, in support of 2112, they played, in a span of 13 months, 245 shows. These two shows at Lisner came towards the end of that stretch.
In Wandering, Geddy is quoted as introducing Neil for his drum solo as, "Farrah Fawcett Majors on the drum kit!" He also told the audience: "Thank you! There's a lot of people on or road crew and on our sound and personal crew that live right here in DC and the surrounding area, so we'd like to dedicate this next tune to them, "By-Tor and the Snow Dog."
Larry Rohter's review in The Washington Post was not favorable to the band, but he did note that they were well-received and the highlight was their "heavy metal opera 2112, performed in full with various special visual effects." He rightfully foresaw Rush as a band "bound for the Capital Centre."
Show 5
A Farewell to Kings
Release Date: August, 1977
Tour Dates: August 1977 to May 1978
Date of Show: December 3, 1977
Venue: Warner Theatre
City Boy in Support
Attendance: 1,847
Note: Warner Theatre has a capacity of 1,847. The historic downtown venue opened in 1924.
Rush were now headliners, but it was still no rest for the weary. In support of "A Farewell to Kings," their fifth studio album, Rush would play 179 dates. But their new album was selling well and went gold on November 16, 1977. What a day it must have been for everyone in the Rush camp, as "2112" and "All the World's a Stage" also went gold. This was two weeks before the show in Washington.
Perhaps the band was a bit disappointed in having to play at this small venue. The Capital Centre might have been available, but its 18,000 capacity might have been seen as not quite yet a good fit.
Rush also played in Baltimore at the Civic Center on November 13 in front of 4,665. They were supported by UFO, but for the DC show it was City Boy. UFO had played with Rush earlier in the tour. In his memoir, Geddy talks about having conversations with their bassist, Pete Way. Rush and UFO became great road pals.
There were no reviews of the show in DC. Turning to other newspapers, the Journal Herald provided one ("Rush strategy a winner") for the show (December 18) in Dayton, Ohio. There were criticisms, but Terry Lawson pointed out highlights included the "dry-ice and smoke machines," the title song with Alex playing a "pretty pseudo-classical acoustic introduction," and "intricate, graceful arrangements that keep the band on the listenable side of heavy metal."
Hemispheres
Release Date: December, 1978
Tour Dates: Oct 1978 to June 1979
Still no hit singles, but Rush was tapping into the prog rock fan base and "Hemispheres" went gold on release month. The band continued to tour non-stop, with 141 shows.
Given that high figure, it is paradoxical they did not play in the DMV. Of course, the Capital Centre had three tenants - the Capitals, the Bullets, and the Georgetown Hoyas, so perhaps there was a conflict. They did play in Baltimore, Hampton, and Salem.
Show 6
Permanent Waves Warm Up Summer Tour
Tour Dates: August 1979 to Sep 1979
Date of Show: August 22, 1979
Venue: Capital Centre, Largo, Maryland
Nantucket in Support
Attendance: 13,215
"Permanent Waves" would find Rush finally seeing some favorable reviews in the popular magazines. And fans in the Washington area finally got to see the band headline at the Capital Centre. And in doing so, they saw something unique, what amounted to the Permanent Waves Warm Up tour with only 19 dates.
How exciting it must have been for the 13,215 fans to hear the band kick things off with "2112" (minus "Discovery" and "Oracle: The Dream") and the live debut of "The Spirit of Radio" and "Freewill." The former would become a fan favorite in concert and reached number 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
There was no local coverage of the show. The Quad-City Times reviewed the show in Davenport, Iowa, on August 17, which lifted the lid on the tour. Dave Schechter pointed out frisbees and beachballs "kept the audience amused before the concert." Playing for two hours, the band "delighted their audience with driving, high energy music."
Permanent Waves
Release Date: Jan 14, 1980
Tour Dates: Jan 1980 to June 1980
Rush did not play anywhere in the region for this main part of the tour, but as mentioned, they did play for the warm up tour at the Capital Centre.
Show 7
The Fall 1980 Short Tour (Warm up for "Moving Pictures")
Tour Dates: Sep 1980 to Oct 1980
Date of Show: September 26, 1980
Venue: Capital Centre
Saxon in Support
Attendance: 15,895
Released in February, 1981, "Moving Pictures" would blow the lid off for Rush. As one fan magazine writer put it, even housewives were calling in to request "Tom Sawyer," which peaked at number eight on Billboard's Top Tracks chart. "Limelight" soared even higher, reaching number four on the same chart.
Before entering the studios (the album released on February 12, 1981), the band went out for a short tour to warm up for the recording sessions. Rush fans in the DMV lucked out again, as they were one of sixteen shows.
This quickie tour previewed "Tom Sawer" and "Limelight," which would soon be rocking the airwaves. Fans in Hampton must have been over the moon, as the band started the tour at the Hampton Coliseum.
The bill had some good weight with Saxon in support. They were on the brink of success, and were part of the new wave of British Heavy Metal. The attendance of 15,895 was the highest of the 16 shows, topping Philly's The Spectrum (14,324) the night before.
The Washington Post did not cover the show, but the fans were surely pleased with hearing "Overture" and "The Temples of Syrinx" leading things off, the two new songs, and the encore of "La Villa Strangiato."
Shows 8 and 9
Moving Pictures
Album Release: Feb, 1981
Tour Dates: Feb 1981 to Jul 1981
Dates of Show: May 16, 1981, May 17, 1981
Venue: Capital Centre
FM in Support
Attendance: 18,626 for each show, sold out.
Rush was in high orbit now, giving fan magazines such as Creem and Circus the perfect contrast with party animals and so-called rivals Van Halen. Eddie and the boys from LA certainly were hotter than a firecracker, but Rush was packing 'em in, too.
Perhaps Rush fans in the DMV were worried that since the band played there in September, they would not come back for the "Moving Pictures" tour.
No problem. Geddy, Alex, and Neil played back to back shows at the Capital Centre, both sold out at 18,626. About two weeks earlier, "Moving Pictures" had gone platinum.
Wandering notes Alex spent some time before the second show flying his remote control airplane in the parking lot. After the show, Geddy hung out with FM's Ben Mink. Mink grew up in Toronto and like Geddy, his parents were Polish Holocaust survivors. There was a true bond of friendship between the two. In his memoir, Geddy writes: "When Rush was touring with Ben's band FM, he and I would crack up over old-country words." Mink would also play electric violin on "Losing It" on Rush's next album, "Signals," and co-wrote and played guitar on Geddy's solo album, "My Favorite Headache."
Exit...Stage Left
Release Date: October, 1981
Tour Dates: Oct 1981 to Dec 1981
Rush did not play in the DMV on this leg of the "Moving Pictures tour," but they did play in Roanoke and Norfolk.
Show 10
New World Tour (Signals)
Release Date: Sep, 1982
Tour Dates: Sep 1982 to May 1983
Date of Show: November 29, 1982
Venue: Capital Centre
Rory Gallagher in Support
Attendance: 18,698
Rush changed up their sound a bit with "Signals," but the fans and press coverage kept coming. On November 30, the day after the show at the Capital Centre, the band appeared on the cover of "Circus," which included an "Exclusive Interview." And around that time, many a Rush fan was glued to the tube while waiting for "Subdivisions" to appear on MTV's rotation.
When Rush rolled into town a few days after Thanksgiving, it was with the knowledge that "Signals" had earned platinum status three weeks earlier. They also had a week off before the show at the Capital Centre.
Wandering notes during the soundcheck, "Digital Man" was played. Instead of saying, "Love to spend the night in Babylon," Geddy sang, "Mr. Herns loves to babble on."
Note: Howard "Herns" Ungerleider was the band's lighting designer and director. He also served early on as the road manager. His Introduction in Wandering is a terrific and insightful read.
Richard Harrington's review in The Washington Post was not favorable, but he did acknowledge that "18,000 kids loved it."
Show 11
Grace Under Pressure
Release Date: Apr, 1984
Tour Dates: May 1984 to Nov 1984
Date of Show: September 27, 1984
Venue: Capital Centre
Helix in Support
Attendance: 16,575
With the release of "Grace Under Pressure," Rush continued to be a top-grossing tour band. But life on the road had taken its toll. Management listened. No more grueling tours and the schedule built in more time off.
With a five-day break after two shows in their hometown, Rush played once again at the Capital Centre. Post reviewer Mike Joyce gave the show a mixed review. Lighting Director Howard Ungerleider, however, would have appreciated the thumps up to the light show.
Wandering points out during "Red Sector A," Alex "created a loud, otherworldly sound on his guitar."
Show 12
Power Windows
Release Date: October, 1985
Tour Dates: Dec 1985 to May 1986
Date of Show: December 16, 1985
Venue: Capital Centre
Steve Morse Band in Support
Attendance: 16,140
"Power Windows" was well-received by most critics, with Kerrang! magazine giving it a four (Korrosive!) out of five rating.
The night before playing at the Capital Centre, the band played in Richmond. The Richmond Times-Dispatch noted they were looking "fresh-faced and relaxed," and that it was "nice to hear a band that has followed its own musical instincts rather than commercial trends." Ungerleider and his team had upped the game with a "complex laser light show, complete with a huge screen for video accompaniment."
At the Capital Centre, the band played before 16,140. This was a bit of a drop from the previous tour, but still one of the best figures on this tour.
Wandering notes during the encore ending of "In the Mood," Alex and Geddy hooked arms and swung each other around in circles."
There was no review of the show in The Washington Post, but the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette provided one for the show there two nights later. Scott Mervis pointed out the videos included "films of a masked tribesman performing modern dance, a child flying on a missile a la Dr. Strangelove, and a book-burning affair." Neil's drum solo was "rock's finest display of how to use an expensive kit." (Note: maybe he meant "expansive").
Show 13
Hold Your Fire
Release Date: Sep, 1987
Tour Dates: Oct 1987 to May 1988
Date of Show: November 30, 1987
Venue: Capital Centre
McAuley Schenker Group in Support
Attendance: 15,770
With "Hold Your Fire," their twelfth studio album, Rush continued to enjoy the fruits of their success. The title of a review by Lance Laskosky ("Only Music," December 1987), said it best. The band were the "Premiere Progressive Rock Trio."
Geddy was quoted as saying: "I'm very happy with the point we're at and the way we're making records now. We're confident that we can make better records and are more aware of what good songwriting is than before."
With two nights off before this show and two after, and the knowledge the DMV fans had been so good to them, Rush had good reason to be in a good mood for this one.
In The Washington Post Todd Yasui gave a favorable review, noting the highlights were Neil's drumming, the projection screen, and the dropping of red balloons.
Wandering points out: "Neil demonstrated his new portable computer to friends and was very excited to discuss his latest writing project about the recent trip he had take through Africa." Note: Neil's book, "The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa," was his first and released on June 11, 2004.
And: "The concert was energetic, with Geddy's voice in fine form, and he didn't miss a beat with the lyrics."
Show 14
Presto
Release Date: Nov, 1989
Tour Dates: Feb 1990 to June 1990
Date of Show: May 5, 1990
Venue: Capital Centre
Mr. Big in Support
Attendance: 18,100
Rush was in a groove now, a comfy pattern of the new album going gold, radio play on AOR stations, continuing appearances on the cover of musician magazines, and 80 or so shows per tour. Their sense of humor was alive and well. On this tour, part of the show featured large rocking bunny rabbits on the stage.
An on-going challenge, however, was the set list. Familiar favs didn't always make the cut, but the set list remained a healthy one of about two dozen songs.
Once again Rush played the Capital Centre on the night after playing in Richmond. Attendance jumped back up to the 18,000 mark. No doubt the slog getting there on the Beltway drew sighs, but one could easily push in a CD in the car and rock out in anticipation.
Rush played in a total of four places in the greater region - these two and Baltimore (June 4) and Hampton (June 5). Wandering notes the May 5 date was originally scheduled for Hampton, but it was moved to June 5.
For the Richmond show, The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk) wrote: "Rush gave the packed Coliseum crowd a musical thrill ride."
The Richmond Times-Dispatch also covered the show. The review was mixed, but Mike Gangloff acknowledged the show delighted the crowd of more than 8,700, and the role played by the "gigantic rabbits."
Mike Joyce of The Washington Post reviewed the show ("Colorful Diversions From Rush") at the Capital Centre. By now Rush's light show, videos, and effects were part and parcel of the show and a production unto themselves. Joyce wrote: "What with cartoons and vintage films flickering on a screen behind them, multihued laser beams crisscrossing the arena, and giant inflatable bunnies popping out of huge top hats, there were diversions galore."
On the day before the show, The Washington Post published, "Rush Climbs Rock of Ages," by Joe Brown. He interviewed Neil in a lengthy article. Peart touched on a number of things, including the "Presto" tour. He said, "It is staged like an elaborate magic show, with lots of rear projections and flash."
Show 15
Roll the Bones
Release Date: Sep, 1991
Tour Dates: Oct 1991 to Jun 1992
Date of Show: Dec 4, 1991
Venue: Capital Centre
Vinnie Moore in Support
Attendance: 14,070
It's never easy to stay hot as a touring band, but Rush continued to draw large crowds. At Philly, DC, and NY, the big three, they once again played to large packed houses.
In The Washington Post, Todd Allan Yasui reviewed the show. Rush was not his cup of tea, but he did write: "Regaining momentum toward the end, Rush kicked out the jams with a blitz of its best: "Tom Sawyer," "The Spirit of Radio," and appropriately, a song from their first album, "Finding My Way."
Also in the Post, Mark Jenkins reviewed "Roll the Bones." Interestingly enough, his other review on the same page was Nirvana's "Nevermind." Dave Grohl, who grew up in northern Virginia and played clubs in DC, had joined the band. Grohl has expressed how much he loves and respects Rush, and in fact, he introduced them at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in 2013.
Wandering points out that Rush debuted "Ghost of a Chance" at the show at the Capital Centre. The book also tells us: "A festive night brought home on the "Finding My Way" encore, where Alex did a few guitar windmills, a la Pete Townshend."
While the band was in Washington, Neil was interviewed over the phone by the Boston Globe ("Rush: Three Smart Rockers Loosen Up and Have Some Fun"). He told Steve Morse, "Touring is very much an interpretive, rather than a creative thing, so it can come to feel stultifying and repetitive. So I think you have to try to challenge yourself in other ways."
Show 16
Date of Show: June 16, 1992
Venue: Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
Mr. Big in support
Attendance: 11,600
With this tour, Rush began to make a notable change in their approach to touring. After playing in the indoor arenas, they now had a second leg that included a number of outdoor pavilions.
For the first and only time, the band played at the famed Merriweather Post Pavilion, located about 20 miles north of Washington in Columbia, Maryland. Fifteen years earlier, Jackson Browne had put the venue on the map with the live recording there of "The Load-Out/Stay." The song was a radio staple for a number of years and served as a tribute to his road crew and the fans.
Attendance was 11,600. One of them got a surprise greeting. As Wandering points out, as the person took their seat, Alex playfully tapped his watch and mimed, "You're late!" Alex further enjoyed the evening by "engaging in a foam-bow-and-arrow fight with members of the lighting crew."
Show 17
Counterparts
Release Date: Oct, 1993
Tour Dates: Jan 1994 to May 1994
Date of Show: April 26, 1994
Venue: Capital Centre (Renamed US Air Arena)
Candlebox in Support
Attendance: 14,746
With Counterparts, Rush stripped things down in terms of both the recording of the album and the amount of shows on the tour. Once again they picked up Primus, who had supported them on the "Roll the Bones" tour. But for the show at the Capital Centre and a number of others, Candlebox got the warm-up nod.
Note: Les Claypool, bassist for Primus, wrote a terrific Foreword for Wandering.
Although they likely didn't realize it, Rush fans were very fortunate. Geddy was ill, but made it through the show. The next night's show in Hampton was cancelled due to his still being sick.
Wandering note: Alex: "We were playing in Washington to 15,000 people and Geddy's voice was cracking up after the third song, and that's pretty tough for him - it's frustrating and embarrassing."
Show 18
Test for Echo
Release Date: Sep, 1996
Tour Dates: Oct 1996 to Dec 1996 and May 1997 to Jul 1997
Date of Show: November 7, 1996
No Support
Venue: US Air Arena
Attendance: 11,077
It was the end of an era in some ways, as Rush began to play the summer sheds on a regular basis. This tour would prove to be the band's last appearance at the Capital Centre (renamed US Air Arena). On the other hand, a first took place, "An Evening With Rush," with no support. They employed this approach for the remaining of their tours.
Rob Pegoraro reviewed the show in The Washington Post. Highlights were Neil's "lengthy, nimble drum solo, all 20-plus-minutes of its sci-fi saga 2112, and Geddy's visible delight in his work," which made it seem like he was "ready to dance a jig with Lifeson on "Closer to the Heart."
On a personal note, this was my first Rush show in the DMV. My wife and I had moved to Alexandria in 1995. My good buddy and fellow Rush fan Derek came down from New Jersey and we went to the show. I distinctly remember Rush, for the first time, playing all of Side One of "2112." Hearing "Oracle: The Dream," blew us away. The next morning Derek and I both wrote a short review and posted it to "The National Midnight Star." Long before all the ways of connecting on social media, this daily mailing list was the place to be for Rush fans.
Show 19
Date of Show: June 20, 1997
Venue: Nissan Pavilion, Bristow, VA
Attendance: 10,929
With this show, Rush opened a new chapter in the DMV. With the move, it was "So Long and Thank You Maryland, and Hello, Virginia."
Note: The Nissan Pavilion, now known as Jiffy Lube Live, opened in June, 1995. It has a capacity of 10,444 with seats plus lawn seating. Bristow is an exurb in Northern Virginia, located about 30 miles west of Washington. As mentioned earlier, Rush never played at the new downtown arena, as they shifted to playing at Bristow.
No doubt there were mixed feelings about this change. The outdoor venue has a certain appeal, but being located 30 miles west of Washington made the getting there a bigger challenge for some.
On the other hand, the truck drivers and Neil surely liked the change. In his book "Roadshow," he expressed his love of riding in the mountains of Virginia, even saying, "Hmm... I could live here." The Bull Run Mountain range lies just five miles from the venue.
Of course, the change of location gave Geddy a bit of a challenge with his frontman duties. I remember at one of the shows he, instead of saying, Hello Washington, said something like, Hello, Virginia, Maryland, wherever you're from...
Note: For what it's worth, the term DMV had not yet caught on.
Show 20
Vapor Trails
Release Date: May, 2002
Tour Dates: Jun 2002 to Nov 2002
Date of Show: Jul 9, 2002
Venue: Nissan Pavilion
Attendance: 12,141
Five years had slowly done their healing for Neil and the band was triumphantly back after a five-year absence. Seven shows after the first one in Hartford, Rush hit the stage in Bristow.
I will never forget this show. As part of his healing process, Neil had written "Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road." The book was on sale at the merchandise table so I bought it. With about 20 minutes before show time, I took my seat and began to read the Introduction. It wasn't long before a tear or two fell from my eye.
Mark Jenkins reviewed "Vapor Trails" in The Washington Post. He noted the album was "punchier" and "lean" and acknowledged the personal challenges Neil faced.
Dave McKenna of The Washington Post reviewed the show ("Rush at Nissan Pavillion, Still Living in the Limelight"). He ended with a poke at a previous critic of Geddy. "Lee thanked the fans for their allegiance, and he did it in a very ordinary speaking voice."
Show 21
Feedback, R30, 30th Anniversary
Release Date: June, 2004
Tour Dates: May 2004 to Oct 2004
Date of Show: August 3, 2004
Venue: Nissan Pavilion
Attendance: 12,571
Oh, those backups getting to the Bristow shows were certainly long, but always worth the wait. The fan base, once young and mostly male, was becoming peppered with a great variety of ages and more and more women were joining the legion.
Mike Joyce reviewed "Feedback" in The Washington Post - "gleefully loud, affectionate and faithful."
Catherine P. Lewis reviewed the show in the Post, noting the highlights were Neil's 10-minute drum solo, Geddy and Alex "playfully roughhousing" during "By-Tor and the Snow Dog," and Alex "scatting deliriously" during "La Villa Strangiato."
Show 22
Snakes and Arrows
Release Date: May, 2007
Tour Dates: Jun 2007 to Oct 2007
Date of Show: Jun 23, 2007
Venue: Nissan Pavilion
Attendance: 12,203
With the band taking an extended break after R30, Rush fans waited almost three years for the next album and tour. But it was well worth the wait, as they toured for the album, and then a year later for the "Snakes and Arrows Live" album.
Once again the fans packed it in at Bristow. Wandering notes Alex closed out "Mission" with "a brilliant solo."
Catherine P. Lewis reviewed "Snakes and Arrows" in The Washington Post. She praised the band for showing it had not "lost its innovative spirit in its many years together."
Tricia Olzewski reviewed the show in the Post, pointing out the "whimsical touches of the South Park clips." Their set list "mingled fresh material with deep cuts." She added that the secret to the band's success was, "Hard to say, but a long intermission surely helped."
Note: If I recall correctly, on the "Evening With" tours, the band took a 20-minute intermission. Total time of the show was about three hours.
Show 23
Snakes and Arrows, Second Leg
Tour Dates: Apr 2008 to Jul 2008
Date of Show: Jul 19, 2008
Venue: Nissan Pavilion
Attendance: 10,784
Across the span of more than 20 tours, Rush had certainly made their mark in the US. But as late as this tour, they were still not exactly a household name.
On the night of July 16, they certainly got a big boost. This was three nights before playing in Bristow. They appeared before a live studio audience on the "Colbert Report." This marked their first television appearance in over 30 years.
For this second leg, Rush replaced "Entre Nous" with "Ghost of a Chance," "Secret Touch" with "Red Barchetta," and "Circumstances" with "The Trees."
The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg noted "it was impressive to see so many people sang along, and with the beat, no less."
Show 24
Time Machine Tour (Two songs played from Clockwork Angels)
Tour Dates: Jun 2010 to Oct 2010 and March 2011 to Jul 2011
Date of Show: September 18, 2010
Venue: Jiffy Lube Live (Formerly Nissan Pavilion)
Attendance: 13,999
After seeing the band five straight times in Bristow in the summer months, the fans got a cooler mid-September date for this one. They also got sneak previews of "BU2B" and "Caravan," which would appear on their forthcoming album "Clockwork Angels." Attendance was 13,999, the highest since playing in Bristow.
Catherine Lewis wrote a lengthy and favorable review of the show in The Washington Post. Highlights include noting Geddy's quip about the band getting old and needing the intermission, playing all the songs on "Moving Pictures," the two new songs, "Working Man" in the reggae style, Neil's 8-minute drum solo, and the "brief film featuring Jason Segel and Paul Rudd reprising their Rush-adoring roles from the film "I Love You, Man."
Neil deserved a special thank you. Wandering quotes him as writing: "Michael and me made it through almost 7,000 miles of motorcycling. At the last one at the Bristow amphitheater, I was under attack from a bug that gave me stomach cramps, general malaise, and lightheadedness, but everyone else seemed to have a good one."
Perhaps for some or many, a fav highlight was the hilarious opening video, "Rash: The Real History of Rush." Off all their such productions, I think that one is my favorite.
Show 25
Clockwork Angels
Release Date: May, 2007
Tour Dates: Sep 2012 to Dec 2012 and Apr 2013 to August 2013
Date of Show: September 9, 2012
Venue: Jiffy Lube Live
Attendance: 10,345
The masterpiece that is "Clockwork Angels" found the band reaching another pinnacle. Rush fans in the DMV did not have to wait long, as this was the second show of the tour.
As Wandering points out, Rush took a different approach with the set list. The first set drew from songs in the 80s, including rarely played "The Body Electric" and "Middletown Dreams." The nine-piece "Clockwork Angels" orchestra came out for the second set. This marked a first for the band. They played nine songs from the album, the most ever from one album. The set list also alternated with certain songs.
Rolling Stone gave the show a favorable review and noted the band, "eschewed signature songs in favor of nine tracks from its new album and a bevy of 1980's synth-era super deep cuts like "Middletown Dreams."
Show 26
R40 Live 40th Anniversary
Tour Dates: May 2015 to Aug 2015
Date of Show: May 30, 2015
Venue: Jiffy Lube Live
Attendance: 16,579
What an amazing touring career it had been for this band and it all came down to the final one. Forty years after that first appearance at Lisner on the "Fly By Night" tour, the band arrived for their swan song in the DMV. With Neil hurting, the tour consisted of just 35 shows.
Bristow had been very good to Rush and for this last tour, they packed it in with 16,579, the high mark of the eight appearances. After the show, the band had an eight-day break coming, so perhaps that made them feel good.
In wanting to keep things fresh, Rush created seven different set lists. Chronicling their career, they started with "Clockwork Angels" and worked their way backward to the first album. For the Bristow show they played Set List "C." Perhaps for some, they were thrilled it included "Natural Science."
Fans at Rush's official site praised this show, with one saying: "I've been to a lot of rock shows, but never to one that was at once so tuned in to the music's vibe, yet so family friendly. A lot of people brought their kids, and it turned out to be a great idea."
The website "DCist" wrote a review that acknowledged the impact Rush has had on their fans - "We saw fans with their children-and in a couple cases grandchildren."
The show concluded with "Working Man." How appropriate for this amazing band whose legacy includes 26 shows in and around the nation's capital, and with two more to come. That should be quite the sight and another first - Rush fans from all across the DMV hopping on the Metro to see them at the downtown arena. It's located only about a mile from their first show at the Lisner Auditorium.
That's close enough to say they will have come full circle...
- Jay Roberts and his wife live in Alexandria, Virginia. He's a lifelong Rush fan, who has attended more than two dozen of their shows, including his first, the "2112" tour in 1976. In writing this article, he took a number of "intermissions..."