+- Bubba's Bar 'n' Grill (http://www.neilpeart.net/bng_forum_beta)
+-- Forum: Sources, Tools and Techniques (/forumdisplay.php?fid=19)
+--- Forum: General Discussion and Other Off-Topic Interests." Caution"!!! This is NOT a band forum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=24)
+--- Thread: You KNOW that Bubba's on here... (/showthread.php?tid=396)
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133
RE: You KNOW that Bubba's on here... - Jetrow - 09-01-2011 01:54 AM
Not me. Like all of you I am thankful for all the stuff NP has done. I've read all his books now, seen the documentary and read what he has posted to his site here. If I ran into him I probably wouldn't even recognize him, but if I did, I would keep it to myself and go about my business. Maybe say good morning if that was in order. Make no mistake I would be gushing like crazy on the inside, but the public display of that really makes him uncomfortable and so, for all that he has given to me, and that has been an awful lot over the years, I would walk on by.
These three have been with me since I was about 16. I was hooked from the get go and after a year of listening to Rush I wanted to play music. Man oh man, I thought I would buy a drum kit like Neil's and get busy learning. Right up until I got up the guts to walk into a music store with the few hundred bucks I managed to scrape together. Then I saw the price of a small set of Slingerland drums and let me tell you, the wheels fell off that idea pretty quick.
I did have enough for a Fender knock off bass guitar that I did end up buying and a rental amp along with it. Just barely. So Me and Geddy entered into the relationship of idol and student for some ten years. Not that he knew about it but all their records were there. For five months I sat in my parents basement wailing away at it, blisters til I couldn't play anymore, couldn't sleep, wore out A Farewell To Kings and had to buy a new one. I got better as time went by, moved through a few bands learning to perform and perfecting all the things I heard Geddy play on bass.
La Villa Strangiato was my mountain to summit and once I did, all three of the guys were right there with me. Once I found other musicians who could play well enough to perform it, I hit a plateau and felt that if I can play this, then there isn't anything that I can't play. That was a moment for me.
I moved into blues and jazz but always played Rush songs on my bass. Not many other people could really play the songs correctly but there was always some fans of Rush who would be happy to listen to anything I could play even solo on bass. Seems to me, each one of those fans, like myself knew right off if there was a mistake or something missing. They would pipe right up and tell me about it too.
Moving on, as I got married, kids came along, work, mortgage, blah blah blah I let go of music and contented myself with just thinking about it. The theory, composition in my head, working out how this or that new Rush song works out on the bass. The time changes, the feel and the way the temps change through the songs. That was enough while I just kept my nose to the grind stone and kept the food on the table for my family. Anyone who has that same responsibility knows about those days you come home whooped and mentally drained. On days like that, these three guys would hit the turn table and help push that stone of mine along a little until I could get up and finish my lot.
One day, just like any other, I was dropping off a couple of buddies at home. Cutting through downtown, we were sitting at a light waiting for it to change when my mate riding shotgun suddenly left out the window. Some guys pulled him out and I could see they did waste any time getting to work on him. I though it was a bit of a punch up, maybe some drunks or something, you know, something stupid. So out I jumped to help out. I saw the couple of guys in front of me, but I didn't see the guys behind my van or the tire irons and bats they were carrying.
Well they got us pretty good and the next thing I remember was my dog barking like an idiot, lights in my face and people yelling like crazy and me sitting on the ground for some reason.
As I started to assess the situation, which seemed very surreal at the time, it was the dog barking that got me thinking. "What the hell is the dog going nuts for?" is the important question at the time. I reached up and grabbed his collar and told him to quiet down. He usually was a very reserved and obedient Doberman so all this was very odd. My head was kinda swimming but clearing and I see these cops all have their guns out, very frantic, freaking about the dog, and who exactly are they pointing the guns at?
Seem they were rather upset and nervous about this 85 pounds of very pissed guard dog who wouldn't let anyone near me. Ah, yes, hmm, uhuh, wasn't there a fight going on a minute ago or something? Yes that seems to be what I remember and I guess the fight is over at this point. Tried to get up, nope. All the yelling started to turn into words I could understand. People have to settle down here and let me figure this out for a minute. So I tell the dog to go sit in my van which he does because he was a very good boy that I love and miss so very much. I ask the police man to please put his gun away because I wasn't going to fight anyone and I sure didn't feel like I was going to get up and run away.
Things start to clear up from there on. We were mugged by some very angry young Indians as they were called at the time. Far as I could get out of anyone, this was some kind of pay back for what White people did to them and their ancestors in the past.
They would have killed us if the dog didn't start biting everyone and as it turns out, the hospital they took us to, also had three young guys come in with some pretty bad dog bites. One guy had his ear chewed up pretty good. They were arrested but released and fled before their court date.
As it turned out, they caused some damage to my back and cracked my skull around the orbit of my eye. Lucky bit is the scar sort of blends into my eye brow and so isn't really noticeable. The other two were banged up abit too but recovered alright physically.
That cost me my career as a stone mason. There would be no more hauling stone and brick up ladders, any more and bending down was something best reserved for when I really had to pick something light up. I have a lot of respect for people who have to get around in wheel chairs now. I got just a small taste and it's no easy feat getting from A to B in a wheel chair.
So my wife went back to school, I invented the Stay At Home Dad, and we managed to get back to sort of a normal life. Counterparts was released. As usual Alex, Geddy and Neil were along for the ride. Stick it out seemed to come on the radio at the oddest moments and I admit I started to wonder about this being some sort of mystical message on a deeper level. So I made the choice not to hold onto the anger I had for the guys that attacked us. I think that made a big difference in getting over the changes and learning to adapt to learning to nurture our then 2 year old daughter and 9 year old son.
Such sage advice, from such a remote vantage point, how could I not bond with such talented and insightful guys?
So went to school with my kids, learned to bake and cook, sew and listen. All the things that Moms just seem to be so good at. Let me tell you men, they make it look so damn easy. I've had my eyes opened to a world that I didn't expect to see. That was an education in and of itself. I am very glad that I have had that experience. If no one has said it to you today, thank you Mom, for what you do and all you give you are always a special person because of it.
I got into computers as a way of teaching the kids new technology, loved it. Started building them, connecting them, understanding it more and more, my son always wanting to get on to play. I started a little business out of the house helping other parents buy computers, get them set up and serving as a help desk for them.
As that helped bring in a little extra money, my wife and I talked one night and she said she always regretted that I didn't keep playing music. That I had lost something because of our relationship and kids and all. Not that that was the case at all. Not too long after that, my friend came over and got to talking all about how he wanted to learn to play guitar and so on. Seems the next thing I know, we're in the music store buying my first acoustic guitar. A nice one, Canadian made, Seagull for those in the know. A long row to hoe hands wise. Man that was ten years ago I reckon. About five years ago my daughter, picked it up and asked me to teach her how to play something.
She is a monster this girl. I love her and I see in her that same drive we have all heard about that Rush had in the early years. A writing fool she has 50 some songs, lyrics and music down that she performs, all over Kensington Market and busking around Toronto. I think before long, she is going to find her Geddy and Neil and all I'll get is a post card or a phone call from some far off land like the USA with a quick word of all the adventure she is having. Oh my!
And so my fellow fans of the Bubba. I have arrived at my tertiary connection to Rush. This time it's Lerxt.
Neil made me want to be smarter. Reading those album covers and what he had to say sank in for me. Again reading all his books, taught me, that he isn't even close to done teaching me yet. I am his avid learner, giving into the learning. But I won't say thanks. I think he knows I am, like so many others very thankful for all that he has given me and in return, I will give him my deepest respect and let him be.
Geddy Lee on the other hand, I think I will, should I get the opportunity, say thanks for teaching me that perfection is a very good standard to set for any musician. It keeps you humble and forever working to make the music you make, a little better. There is no end to it like learning itself. There is always more no matter how far along you get.
Alex I have more now than ever such a deep respect for as a person and as a musician. I can't think of another musician that could balance a stage with these other two titans. The more I understand about guitar, the more I am in awe of how he feels it all through a set of strings on wood. And so I sit at the feet of the master, learning what they have to teach me and becoming a better person for it. Plus he kills me with the jokes this guy! I have to have lunch with this guy sometime. But he should pay. Ha! I could go on but you get the idea.
Good night Bubba.
RE: You KNOW that Bubba's on here... - VincentUlyssis - 09-01-2011 07:05 AM
I watched the documentary on 2112 and Moving pictures last night; very similar to "Beyond the Lighted Stage" but focused on these two monumental works (OPUS 2112/OPUS MP). Once again my admiration, inspiration and awe of their achievements was renewed. Yes, in some strange way I feel like I know him through his poetry and prose. I wish that I could express my gratitude and respect in person, but that would be about ten seconds. Once The Macallan is poured, I'd probably talk about birds, gardening, farming (I was a farmer for a year), The Who, Lond Island, St. Catherines, good food, baby girls (my baby is turning 16 this year!), drumming, marriage (we all struggle with the same things), childhood, being bullied (I was bullied more than you Bubba!), Rand, ancient texts, sailing (I have some stories too!), blah blah blah. I can talk to a stone...or just shut up and listen. I'm good at that too, especially when my wife says "just listen, don't talk."
The doc made me reflect. I had just turned 14 in September 1980. My step brother introduced me to 2112. I didn't like it at first. I didn't get it....but I was drawn to the text. In time I began to understand the music. When I bought Moving Pictures, I can certainly say that it became the soundtrack to my life throughout grades 9 and 10. Profoundly inspiring. That, along with the other works that I discovered one by one cvaused me to move my electives from visual art to music which led to majoring in music at Stony Brook University along with my other major in Italian (not inspired by Bubba). Music has been a part ofmy life since and now I do what I do as a direct result of Neil's "intervention."
Simply put:
I would not be who I am today without that influence. I'm not a fan. I'm a friend, whether I meet him or not.
Still, I think it would be appropriate for a "Bubba's Bar and Grill" gathering in a fine eating establishment with all of us. Why should he? Because we are not the "typical" "fans(I hate that word); I think we are cooler than that. Just sayin'.
RE: You KNOW that Bubba's on here... - desertbear - 09-01-2011 11:39 AM
I would also love to shake one of those big old talented paws... but I would feel terrible if I could not buy Him a nice 25 yr. Macallan to say "Thanks".
RE: You KNOW that Bubba's on here... - NWoBHM - 09-01-2011 01:58 PM
(08-31-2011 04:00 PM)Mufasa Wrote: Samuel Clemens wrote, "It is the epitome of war, that young men should die."
I correlate that loosely to the fact that individuals or groups that have a following, especially one that spans several decades, will inevitably fall victim to the, "Man - he/she/they let me down" factor.
I can only imagine how your pal felt upon the realization of his particular event truth. I do feel for him, and anyone that has been subjected to this. I wrote here once, that in some instances it may be more safe to keep your distance from a person(s) that you truly admire, in the event that you are sorely disappointed upon learning that they are, after all... only human.
As I also wrote, in all likelihood I would probably turn down the opportunity to meet Bubba, other than to say "Thanks - even if you stopped writing and playing and touring today, just... thanks."
What would I possibly talk about that would interest him? Paintball? My extremely cool dog? The favorite pair of shorts that Cujo wears around the house? It would be a short conversation. In all honesty, I believe that I would rather simply hold to what I know; The words and music mean a lot. Always have. Always will. Besides, I'd kick his arse on a paintball field.
They do say never meet your heroes as they will disappoint you!
RE: You KNOW that Bubba's on here... - old honda rider - 09-01-2011 02:33 PM
Frankly, it must be awfully tough to perform night after night, year after year. Must be even tougher to keep some simple semblance of a domestic scene back at home with the nuclear family.
Even though I would leap tall buildings at the idea of getting to meet NEP (or Lerxt or Dirk), there must be countless others wanting the same opportunity. If they did it for me, then they would be pretty-much duty bound to let others cross that line as well.
Even though I find it personally disappointing, I have to respect them for their decisions so they can get on with their personal and professional lives at their own time and in their own way.
If, on the one-in-a-million chance I were to bump into one of them at, say, a supermarket or the local BMW motorcycle dealership, what am I going to say? I'd probably become cotton-mouth and tongue tied anyway. Mufasa's idea of saying simply, "Thanks - even if you stopped writing and playing and touring today, just... thanks" might be a good idea, but I honestly don't know if I could squeeze that out, stammering and stuttering.
RE: You KNOW that Bubba's on here... - Jetrow - 09-01-2011 04:13 PM
I forgot to mention I would like to run into Brutus too sometime. Just to have a listen to some of his perspective on traveling with Bubba and the adventures they have shared.
RE: You KNOW that Bubba's on here... - Mufasa - 09-01-2011 04:33 PM
Ya - me too. el Brute' and I could drink Caipirinhas and compare scars and broken bones..
RE: You KNOW that Bubba's on here... - Mufasa - 09-01-2011 04:37 PM
BTW. Kat is struggling a bit in her first week, as only freshmen can struggle...
So after reading Bubbas notes on Aldous Huxley, I borrowed a Huxley quote that Bubba posted, and passed it on to my first born.
Ya know what the little twerp had the nerve to ask? "Dad - did NP send me this, or you?"
Women.
RE: You KNOW that Bubba's on here... - Boomer - 09-01-2011 04:59 PM
How do freshmen....nevermind. Maybe she is looking for her ATM of Dad Visa card and doesnt know how to use it yet?
I think she knows dad too well!
RE: You KNOW that Bubba's on here... - VincentUlyssis - 09-01-2011 06:44 PM
(09-01-2011 01:58 PM)NWoBHM Wrote:(08-31-2011 04:00 PM)Mufasa Wrote: Samuel Clemens wrote, "It is the epitome of war, that young men should die."
I correlate that loosely to the fact that individuals or groups that have a following, especially one that spans several decades, will inevitably fall victim to the, "Man - he/she/they let me down" factor.
I can only imagine how your pal felt upon the realization of his particular event truth. I do feel for him, and anyone that has been subjected to this. I wrote here once, that in some instances it may be more safe to keep your distance from a person(s) that you truly admire, in the event that you are sorely disappointed upon learning that they are, after all... only human.
As I also wrote, in all likelihood I would probably turn down the opportunity to meet Bubba, other than to say "Thanks - even if you stopped writing and playing and touring today, just... thanks."
What would I possibly talk about that would interest him? Paintball? My extremely cool dog? The favorite pair of shorts that Cujo wears around the house? It would be a short conversation. In all honesty, I believe that I would rather simply hold to what I know; The words and music mean a lot. Always have. Always will. Besides, I'd kick his arse on a paintball field.
They do say never meet your heroes as they will disappoint you!
I know, if you're expecting a superhuman hero in the spirit of Greek Idealism you'd be sorely disappointed.
I know that like me, sometimes he gets quiet and reflective, or loses his temper on the road, or says the wrong thing, or has one drink too many.
He's human...and he doesn't hide it. he doesn't try to act like some egotistical rock star. He's as real as I am and I like that.