Legendary U.K. Graphic Designer STORM THORGERSON Dies

According to BBC News, legendary U.K. graphic designer Storm Thorgerson, who has worked with PINK FLOYD, LED ZEPPELIN, BLACK SABBATH, DREAM THEATER and AUDIOSLAVE, among many others, has died at the age of 69.

His
family released a statement saying he passed away peacefully on
Thursday surrounded by family and friends. "He had been ill for some
time with cancer though he had made a remarkable recovery from his
stroke in 2003," it said.

"He is survived by his mother Vanji, his son Bill, his wife Barbie Antonis and her two children Adam and Georgia."

PINK FLOYD guitarist and vocalist Dave Gilmour released a statement in which he said the artworks Thorgerson created for the band had been "an inseparable part of our work".

He said: "We first met in our early teens. We would gather at Sheep's Green, a spot by the river in Cambridge and Storm would always be there holding forth, making the most noise, bursting
with ideas and enthusiasm. Nothing has ever really changed.

"He
has been a constant force in my life, both at work and in private, a
shoulder to cry on and a great friend. I will miss him."

Official RUSH Stamp Unveiled By Canada Post

Just in time for the celebration of Canadian music and musicians at the JUNO awards next week, Canada Post has given Canadians a preview of this edition of the Canadian Recording Artist stamp series, to be released in July, featuring for the first
time, Canadian bands. RUSH, BEAU DOMMAGE, THE GUESS WHO and THE TRAGICALLY HIP will be spotlighted in this fourth issue in a series created to honor musical legends.

"This year's series features Canadian bands that have shaped the music industry in Canada," says Jim Phillips, Director of Stamp Services for Canada Post. "Each band has achieved national acclaim, along with international radio airtime and extensive tours."

The Canadian Recording Artists stamp series will be available from Canada Post retail outlets starting July 19 or online at canadapost.ca/shop.

RUSH is among the 2013 inductees to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held tonight (Thursday, April 18) at
L.A.'s Nokia Theater. A truncated version of the evening's events will
air on HBO on May 18.

RUSH Inducted Into ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of FOO FIGHTERS inducted RUSH at the 28th annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony, which was held last night (Thursday, April 18) at the Nokia Theater L.A. Live. Grohl said in his induction speech, "From day one, the band built its
following the right way. No hype, no (baloney), they did it from the
ground up without any help from the mainstream press… Their influence is undeniable and their devoted fan base is only rivaled by the GRATEFUL DEAD. Look at you people, all of you people, right here! And their legacy is
that of a band that stayed true to themselves no matter how uncool they
may have seemed to anyone."

According to The Pulse Of Radio, RUSH drummer Neil Peart, normally the most reclusive member of the band, gave the first and most eloquent of the three members' speeches, followed by bassist/singer Geddy Lee. But it was guitarist Alex Lifeson who brought down the house with a speech consisting entirely of "blah
blah blahs," changing the tone of his voice to exhibit a range of
emotions — with everyone understanding what he meant, especially when he "described" getting the call that the band was being inducted.

Lee was asked on the red carpet if he thought the acclaimed documentary on the band, "Beyond The Lighted Stage", played a role in the groundswell of support for the band's induction into the Hall Of Fame. "Oh, I think it probably did have an effect to a certain degree because of the way the filmmakers put that story together," he said. "I think
it really showed what a vast and diverse audience that we do have and
what the effect of our music has been on young players. And one of the
criteria of the Hall Of Fame is influence, so I think it's easy to see
that in that film."

Peart said that the band's fans had a
personal stake in seeing the band inducted. "The thing is, with our
fans, is that we grew up together," he said. "We always say 'the
soundtrack of your life' is a phrase that I love, but it has been that
case and we have evolved naturally in our music and our lyrics and our
songs and all that, of our experiences from our past and our present as
grown-ups, and we've expressed all that through our songs. So a lot of
them have grown up with that in a very real, true way, so they share it
and they feel like they're part of the team, and our team should win."

Lee thanked "the most passionate, incredible fan base around the globe …for not only supporting and encouraging our musical progress over the
years, but for the insistence of their voices, which has most certainly
led us to this evening."

The ceremony will be broadcast on May 18 on HBO at 9 p.m. ET/PT.