Rush to be presented with the keys to Toronto
Toronto is set to honour its prodigal sons Rush by giving them the keys to the city.
Mayor John Tory announced on Thursday afternoon (15th September) that Toronto raised Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee and Hamilton born Neil Peart will all be given the freedom of Toronto in recognition of their contribution to music.
Alex and Geddy will be handed the keys when they open Lee Lifeson Art Park, named in their honour, in the Willowdale area of the city at 1pm on Saturday. Neil isn’t expected to be present.
“Rush’s sound, famous across the world, has helped shape Toronto’s own musical identity, which always has been and continues to be a unique hybrid of styles and influences,” Mayor Tory’s spokesman, Amanda Galbraith, said in a statement.
“Very few bands can claim to have influenced a genre of music — but Rush can legitimately say they’ve done just that.”
> RUSH will receive Key to the City this Saturday at opening of Lee Lifeson Art Park. 1pm at 45 Princess Ave #KeytoYYZ pic.twitter.com/H0cWlq7Tuw > > — John Tory (@JohnTory) September 15, 2016
Mayor Tory tweeted: “For 40-plus years, Rush has rocked the world with 39 albums and 70-plus singles and are third all-time for most consecutive gold or platinum albums. They have also given back to community through charitable work for UNICEF, United Way and Toronto Food Bank.
“From Willowdale to the world – the key to the city is theirs. Congratulations Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart!”
The honour – Key To YYZ – has been named after the seminal 1981 Rush instrumental ‘YYZ’, which took its name from the airport identification code of Toronto Pearson International Airport.
The Lee Lifeson Art Park is a community park with an emphasis on the art of sound. It includes an amphitheatre and both permanent and temporary art works within its urban setting.
There is also a huge mosaic of Alex and Geddy, which you can check out below:
> Lee Lifeson Art Park: The new park in Toronto (Willowdale) is almost done and it's looking good! Close by too. Nice. pic.twitter.com/kwmQ2Ee2pG > > — Conneely (@DesignSame) September 1, 2016