This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

Rush 101: Canadian Prog-Rockers Are Now A University Course

Rush 101: Canadian Prog-Rockers Now A University Course
circa 1980: Canadian rock band Rush take the stage fronted by guitarist Alex Liefson (left) with singer and bassist Geddy Lee. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Hulton Archive via Getty Images
circa 1980: Canadian rock band Rush take the stage fronted by guitarist Alex Liefson (left) with singer and bassist Geddy Lee. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

It only took 40 years, but this fall the notoriously complex prog-rock of Canadian legends Rush will the subject of a course at Tiffin University in Ohio.

As reported by the area's local newspaper The Advertiser-Tribune and fan site Rushisaband.com the 15-week course entitled Rush: Progressive Rock and Modern Society will focus on the music and styles of Rush and explore "the musical and cultural issues of the 1970s and '80s."

Course professor Nathan Santos says the curriculum will see students looking at the various changes the band went through over that time period. "It is a good lesson for our students who are pursuing a career in the music field," Santos told the local newspaper. "The band played an important part in our culture and heritage and the commercial music industry."

Other aspects of the course include touring, literature, album covers, songwriting, biographies and technology. Santos, who has taught at the institution since 1998, said he "always thought a course focused on [Rush] would be a neat idea, [but] never had the chance to do it." He also says the course is already filling up in terms of enrollment. "Rush is trying to communicate a message," Santos said. "We want to take that and look at where we are today and how we got there."

News of the upcoming course follows Lee, Peart and guitarist Alex Lifeson each receiving honorary Doctorate of Music degrees from Nipissing University in June. The band are currently off the road after touring in support of their latest studio album "Clockwork Angels."

Close
This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.