UPDATE - 9/15@7:17PM: Note that the Rush.com press release clarifies that Neil Peart will also be receiving the honor, although he will not be at the presentation.
UPDATE - 9/15@5:30PM: Some more details regarding the presentation have been revealed, including confirmation that it will take place at the Lee Lifeson Art Park Saturday, September 17 at 1PM, and that Jacob Moon will be performing a "Rush classic" (pssst... it's Subdivisions) at the ceremony as we had first reported 2 weeks ago. From the Rush.com press release:
... The new park, part of the Willowdale Park footpath corridor, features new trees, grass, benches and unique music-themed art installations. To celebrate on Saturday, Jacob Moon will play a Rush classic in a small performance space made for acoustic concerts and George Stroumboulopoulos will interview Lifeson and Lee for the audience. ...
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The Toronto Sun reported last night that Toronto Mayor John Tory will be presenting the key to the city to Rush's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson in a special ceremony this coming Saturday. From the Toronto Sun (thanks jupeguy):
... Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson ... will receive the honour during a special ceremony on Saturday. The duo, who were both born and raised in Toronto, will also have a park in Willowdale named after them at the event honouring their achievements over 40 years in the music industry. "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," Tory's spokesman, Amanda Galbraith, said in a statement to the Toronto Sun Wednesday.
"Very few bands can claim to have influenced a genre of music - but Rush can legitimately say they've done just that." ... "Their massive international fan base has helped to spotlight Toronto as a music capital for decades," Galbraith said. "It's amazing to know that all their success started right here in Toronto in a neighbourhood in Willowdale." ...
We learned last week that an inaugural launch event at the Lee Lifeson Art Park will take place Saturday, October 1st. From the City of Toronto's Celebrate Toronto newsletter:
On October 1 from 1 to 5 pm, join Cultural Hotspot and North York Arts at the kick-off to the inaugural season of the Lee Lifeson Art Park in Willowdale. Create a community arts piece, join an Aztec dance workshop lead by performer Jesus Mora and fellow dancers, and watch the Live Arts Youth Showcase, featuring spoken word, music and dance. Visit toronto.ca/culturalhotspot for information
You can get all the details at the official event page here.
