Glasgow rock festival raises £30000 for cancer charities in honor of late drummer
A recent rock festival in Glasgow has successfully raised £30,000 for cancer charities in memory of the late drummer of Canadian rock trio Rush. The 13th edition of RUSHfest Scotland took place in Glasgow last month, attracting fans and musicians from around the world to celebrate the music of Rush and pay tribute to Neil Peart, Rush’s drummer and main lyricist, who passed away in January 2020 from glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer.
All proceeds from the festival were directed towards the Funding Neuro charity and the Beatson Cancer Charity, both based in Glasgow. The event was established in 2013 by guitarist Steve Brown, a member of the Rush tribute band Moving Pictures. Steve expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and generosity shown by the RUSH fans, emphasizing that this year’s festival had achieved unprecedented success in raising funds for charity. The event featured performances by Rush tribute bands and musicians from various countries, including Canada, the US, South America, and Europe. Notable past guests have included Rush producer Terry Brown, art director Hugh Syme, and members of the Rush family.
This year’s event at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow featured a headline performance by Moving Pictures, led by Steve Brown, and support from the Pink Floyd tribute band Mac Floyd. Moving Pictures, who typically perform around 70 shows worldwide each year, have previously participated in RUSHfest events in Brazil and Canada upon the request of Neil Peart’s family.
RUSHfest Scotland has collectively raised an impressive £189,000 for cancer charities to date. Plans are already in motion for next year’s festival, tentatively scheduled to coincide with performances by original Rush members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro. The festival organizers are optimistic about the future success of the event and remain committed to supporting cancer charities through the power of music and community.