Rush Timeline, Spring 1968 to Fall 1974

Coff-In: Site of first gig

Prior to releasing its debut album, Rush went through a number of line-up changes. Here’s a thumbnail account of those changes in the band’s first six years:

SPRING 1968
Guitar: Alex
Bass: Jeff Jones
Drums: John Rutsey

John Rutsey, Geddy, Alex

FALL 1968
Guitar: Alex
Bass: Geddy
Drums: John Rutsey

WINTER 1968
Guitar: Alex
Bass: Geddy
Drums: John Rutsey
Keyboard: Lindy Young

SPRING 1969
Guitar: Alex
Bass: Joe Perna
Drums: John Rutsey
Keyboard: Lindy Young
Ray Danniels joins as manager;
name changed to Hadrian

Joe Perna, Alex, John Rutsey, Mitch Bossi

SUMMER 1969
Guitar: Alex
Drums: John Rutsey
Hadrian disbands

FALL 1969
Guitar: Alex
Bass: Geddy
Drums: John Rutsey
Rush name brought back

Alex, John Rutsey, Mitch Bossi, Geddy

SPRING 1970
Guitar: Alex
Back-up guitar: Mitch Bossi
Bass: Geddy
Drums: John Rutsey

SPRING 1973
Vic Wilson joins as co-manager with Ray Danniels

SPRING 1974
Guitar: Alex
Bass: Geddy
Drums: John Rutsey
Debut album produced in late 1973 with David Stock,
later reengineered with Terry Brown and released in
January 1974

SUMMER 1974
Ira Blacker joins as U.S. manager

SUMMER 1974
Guitar: Alex
Bass: Geddy
Drums: Neil
Howard Ungerleider joins as stage manager

FALL 1974
First tour begins

Sources: Rush Visions and Merely Players

Photos: Rush is a Band

More “This and That”