The world has witnessed many band feuds, but it’s surprising to think of Rush, known for their peaceful and cerebral approach to music, engaging in such pettiness. Renowned for dedication to their craft rather than rock star posturing, it seems odd that Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart would be involved in any enmity. However, as a world-famous trio, their music, like all art, isn’t for everyone, and even they aren’t immune to differences of opinion.
Just ask the former members of The Runaways. As an all-female rock outfit, they faced many obstacles both within and outside the industry. In addition to their brilliant music, this fight cemented them as one of the most influential acts of the 1970s despite only being active for four years. However, according to a couple of the ex-members, one of these snags was Rush.
During a 2010 interview with Jam Music, guitarist Joan Jett discussed the acclaimed biopic The Runaways, which starred Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning. Jett highlighted a particular scene where Stewart’s portrayal of her is mocked by an anonymous group while they are opening for them. In response, Jett’s character retaliates by urinating on one of their guitars in their dressing room. “Rush! They sat on the side of the stage and laughed at us,” Jett said. “That sort of stuff pisses me off.”
Recently, the group’s former vocalist Cherie Currie made more claims about playing with Rush and continued to cover the ‘2112’ trio in a negative light. This was a startling counterpoint to the stories of them sharing deep kinship with acts such as Primus when out on the road.
In a separate interview with The Metal Voice, Currie said that The Runaways had been treated “so well” by groups such as Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and Cheap Trick, both of whom had opened for them. However, Rush “sabotaged” their set when her band supported them.
Currie claimed that one night at Detroit’s Cobo Hall, Rush’s sabotaging almost had disastrous personal consequences. Allegedly, the three members were throwing pieces of paper onto the stage during The Runaways’ set. As Currie was wearing 6-inch platform heels, when she jumped off Sandy West’s drum riser, she hit one of the pieces of paper and slid across the stage towards the orchestra pit filled with photographers. Luckily, she managed to stop herself from falling down.
Emphasising the severity of the potential injury, she recalled: “I could have been paralysed. I’m not exaggerating, I could have been very much injured had I gone off that stage.” Unsurprisingly, because of what they allege occurred, both Currie and Jett still despise Rush: “They weren’t protecting us, they were sabotaging us that night, and they would be sitting there behind Lita [Ford]’s amp [snickering].”
With no concrete evidence of what happened that evening, the accounts from both camps conflict. Rush frontman Geddy Lee, known for his self-awareness and measured demeanour, attributes the problem to The Runaways and their general attitude. He told Prog in 2013: “The Runaways had a ginormous chip on their shoulders. I remember that show.”
He said Rush had trouble with their gear, so the soundcheck was delayed, meaning The Runaways never got one. He also maintained that his band were always kind to their opening groups, concluding: “We had no bias against them because they were girls – none of that bullshit. I know they said that we were laughing at them when they played, but quite frankly, they were too shitty to listen to. And 40 years later, they have a story to tell about it. Who knew?”
