Rush Rings In New Year With Triple Platinum DVD 30th Anniversary Double DVD/CD Set Tops Charts

LOS ANGELES (Rush Official Website) - The spirit of Rush is alive and well. The band's new double DVD, "Rush R30" (Zoe Vision / Rounder) has been heralded by critics as their most stunning visual presentation to date, and clearly the fans couldn"t agree more. Debuting at No 2 on Billboard's video chart, the now triple platinum, double CD, double DVD set celebrates Rush's 30th Anniversary as a band which has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, and continues to be one of rock's biggest grossing touring acts ever. VH1 Classic salutes the band this coming weekend, as they present the U.S. television premiere of "Rush - R30," the concert performance from the band's sold-out 30th Anniversary World Tour, starting on January 13.

While the band has released numerous concert videos over the years, this set is the definitive one - the one fans have been waiting for. The first disc captures the group's $21-million grossing Tour and was filmed with 14 hi-definition cameras in 16x9 widescreen format at the Festhalle, Frankfurt Germany on September 24, 2004. The set spans the band's diverse 30-year career, and includes favorites "Hemispheres," "The Spirit of Radio," "Working Man," "Anthem," "Tom Sawyer," 'subdivisions," "Earthshine," "2112" and "Limelight" as well as "Crossroads" and 'summertime Blues," their 2004 covers EP "Feedback." All phases of the band's development are well represented through 22 electrifying songs.

"We had a great show that night," says singer and bassist Geddy Lee. "Everything clicked. The crowd was great and there were people from all over the world. It's amazing how far people will travel to see us. We shot it in the middle of the European tour, and we did it in Frankfurt because we had access to the kind of recording gear to shoot it in high definition."

The second DVD on "Rush R30" is a historical retrospective that features rare and classic performance footage dating from the 1970's to their recent 2005 Tsunami relief benefit concert. The disc also includes interview footage culled from the past three decades. The Deluxe Edition of "Rush-R30" also features two CDs with the complete soundtrack from the Frankfurt concert DVD, two limited edition Rush guitar picks and a souvenir backstage pass.
"Rush R-30" will air Friday, January 13 at 9 pm, Saturday, January 14 at 10 am and 10 pm and Sunday, January 15 at 9 am and 9 pm EST.

In addition, VH1 Classic will air encore presentations of "Hangin" With Rush," featuring in-studio interviews with band members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson discussing the Frankfurt concert, new album and their plans for 2006 and how they were paid only ten dollars for their first performance as a band in a church basement in 1968.
"Hangin" With Rush" will air Friday, January 13 at 3 pm and 3 am and Saturday, January 14 at 9 am and 9 pm EST.

Celebrated, critically acclaimed and respected worldwide, Rush is the most successful Canadian rock band of all time. The 30th Anniversary Tour gave North American and European fans an unforgettable chance to experience the band in some of the most exciting arenas around the world. This winter, Rush is expected to return to their rehearsal studio to begin writing their next album, which they hope to release in 2006.