This Schleich Eldrador set looks great! Just what are those creatures?
It reminds me of my favourite Rush album cover, Fly by Night, featuring the giant owl, which I've always thought was By Tor from By Tor and the Snow Dog, the stand-out track.
and the sleeve notes. But that's not an owl in the little sketch. Looks like a dragon?
It was with great sadness that I learnt this weekend of Neil Peart's death. Neil was Rush's drummer and always has been ever since I first heard them on Christmas morning in 1975. My Mum and Dad had got me their LP Fly By Night and I was simply blown away. Neil's drumming and his song writing were out of this world and I've loved them ever since.
Rush were my teenage youth, along with Budgie and Lynyrd Skynyrd. I rocked till I dropped to Rush's mystical tracks like By Tor and the Snow Dog and the amazing 2112 album. I formed my own band with their riffs in my ears.
I regret that I never got to see Rush play live and see Neil pounding his way through Anthem or In the End. I must have practised air drumming and air guitaring to those tracks till I knew them off by heart! Rush were a big deal for rockers in 1975 and I once had a heated argument with a mate about who was the best rock drummer around. For me it was Neil Peart. No contest. My mate said Cozy Powell. Neil ended up being officially the fourth best drummer of all time. Dunno what happened to Cozy.
Having suffered from cancer for three and a half years it's time to rest Neil. You made millions of us happy for 45 years with Rush and your music will live on forever. Hang up your sticks and rest in peace my friend.
Further to my Rush post earlier, here's another contender for the rock god podium.
By Tor and The Snow Dog
performed by Canadian rockers RUSH and written by one Nearl Peart.
As Seventies as Bilbo's monkey boots here are the best heavy rock lyrics ever, beginning with the superlative phrase that is The Tobes of Hades ...... I want this played at my funeral.
Enjoy!
I. At The Tobes of Hades The Tobes of Hades lit by flickering torchlight The netherworld is gathered in the glare Prince By-Tor takes the cavern to the northlight The sign of Eth is rising in the air By-Tor – Knight of Darkness, Centurion of evil – Devil’s Prince
II. Across the Styx Across the River Styx out of the lamplight His nemesis is waiting at the gate The Snow Dog – ermine glowing in the damp night Coal black eyes, shimmering with hate By-Tor and the Snow Dog Square for battle, let the fray begin…..
III. The Battle i) Challenge And Defiance ii) 7/4 War Furor iii) Aftermath iv) Hymn of Triumph
IV. Epilogue The battle over and the dust is clearing Disciples of the Snow Dog sound the knell Rejoicing echoes as the dawn is nearing By-Tor in defeat retreats to Hell Snow Dog – is victorious The land of the Overworld is saved again
and now maybe listen to it being played.
Prepare for the Rush of battling guitars, a skirmish of steel, a roust of riffs to split your drums to:
Given all the cool toys I had a s a kid this is a virtually impossible question but on reflection and based on the sheer longevity of the joy it has brought me right up to this day, I would have to say the Fly By Night LP by Rush. My old Mum and Dad got it me circa Christmas 1975, when I was a mere 14 years of age and dreaming of being the next Jimi Hendrix! I played it loud on Xmas morning on the family music centre and have loved it with a passion ever since.
