Rush

For one of the most successful bands in history, Rush remains a pretty cryptic bunch. Formed in 1968, the Canadian trio of guitarist Alex Lifeson, drummer/lyricist Neil Peart (who joined in 1974) and singer/bassist/keyboardist Geddy Lee began as a Zeppelin-esque hard-rock combo before mutating into rock's most progressive, subversive A-lister. Despite such a formidable mystique, though, Rush has always possessed a quirky, heart-on-its-sleeve nerdiness, even when surrounded by intricate rhythms and consummate riffs. In addition to hits like "Closer to the Heart" and "The Spirit of Radio" as well as material from the upcoming Clockwork Angels, Rush's best-selling album from 1981, Moving Pictures, is being played in its entirety on the band's current Time Machine Tour. And now that the excellent, exhaustive documentary Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage has been released, Rush has never felt so accessible.