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Words to live by.
Monday, March 17:
As I was trying to pull all of my SXSW observations together, I got a call from John Castellano, a fan of the band Rush who's been circulating a petition begging Geddy Lee and buddies to play a show in Denver. "This may be their last tour," Castellano declares. "I flew out to San Jose to see them last November, and they were just phenomenal. So if there's anything I can do to get them to stop here, I'm going to do it." He proceeded to tell me that petitions are available for signing at numerous music stores in the area, including Wax Trax and First Bass; Rush maniacs can also e-mail their support to Castellano at jvccjco@AOL.COM OR SNAIL-MAIL HIM AT 4945 SOUTH PEARL STREET, ENGLEWOOD 80110.

AT FIRST I SAW NO CONNECTION BETWEEN CASTELLANO'S QUEST AND MY REACTIONS TO THE CONFAB; AFTER ALL, I'D RATHER HAVE MY EYEBALLS PLUCKED OUT BY A FALCON THAN SIT THROUGH AN ENTIRE RUSH CONCERT. BUT THEN I REALIZED THAT WHAT CASTELLANO GOT OUT OF RUSH WAS WHAT I WANTED FROM SXSW--TO FEEL EXCITED ABOUT MUSIC AGAIN. EVEN THOUGH IT TOOK ME 71 BANDS TO EXPERIENCE THAT SENSATION, I FINALLY DID. AND IT WAS GREAT.--MICHAEL ROBERTS

BACKBEAT'S E-MAIL ADDRESS IS: Michael_Roberts @westword.com. While you're online, visit Michael Roberts's Jukebox at www.westword.com