Rush

RUSH. Canadian rock band first formed in 1968. They are known for their musicianship, complex compositions and eclectic lyrical motifs drawing heavily on science fiction, fantasy and philosophy. The band's musical style has changed several times over the years, from a blues-inspired hard-rock beginning, later moving into progressive rock and including a period marked by heavy use of synthesizers. In the early 1990s, Rush returned to a guitar-driven hard rock sound, which has continued to the present. According to the RIAA, they rank 86th with sales of 25 million units in the US although total worldwide album sales are not calculated by any single entity, several industry sources estimated Rush's total worldwide album sales at over 40 million units as of 2004. The group has been awarded 24 gold / 14 platinum and 3 multi-platinum albums. They have received nominations for seven Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Over their careers, the members of Rush have been acknowledged as some of the most proficient players on their respective instruments, with each band member winning numerous awards in magazine readers' polls. Rush announced plans to cease large-scale touring at the end of 2015.