On This Date in Rush History: Rush Perform in the U.S. for the First Time

Though Rush had been performing live as a group for six years, the band never ventured south of the Canadian border until they were invited to join a number of other groups for a music festival at the North Side Drive-In in North Lansing, Michigan. The music event, which took place on this date in 1974, was supposed to be massive, with thousands expected to attend. Unfortunately, due in part to unfavorable weather conditions, only about 1,300 people showed up.

Among the other bands who performed that day was Liverpool; a Beatles cover band that was also managed by Rush's then (and current) manager Ray Danniels.

In celebration of Rush's 40th Anniversary of their first concert date in the U.S., DJ Duran Martinez from Classic Rock 94.4FM posted the following article about the concert and presents and old concert photo from the event that was uncovered by Rush fan Wayne Rood.

Wayne and Duran have asked that other fans converge on the old drive-in theater today, located on US Route 27, to celebrate this momentous occasion in Rush's history. So if live in the area of North Lansing, MI, take a ride to the old North Side drive-in. The forecast looks far more favorable than it was forty years ago.

---