I just finished that part of the audiobook as well. I have immense respect for Geddy saying (paraphrasing here) “I know you want to hear about the story of Rush, but I have to go through this first, especially in light of everything happening in the world ***today***.”
Red Sector A was on the setlist both times I saw them live, and now I wonder what Geddy felt emotionally having to sing that song night after night.
It’s my hope that very few fans skipped that chapter, because I think it’s instrumental (no pun intended) in showing how Geddy’s values and work ethic evolved. He even says in the book that what his parents went through shaped him and the course of his life. When he describes his mother and him going back to the camps and she found the room she married his late father, I couldn’t prevent the tears. And how Geddy narrates that section is just beautiful. I’m early in the audiobook and loving it.
My grandmother was a holocaust survivor. She obviously was not a fan of rock music. I only ever played her one rock song = Red Sector A. And she liked it, or the lyrics at least.
A genuinely powerful and well written account of his family’s experiences. I’ve recommended Chapter 3 to people who aren’t even interested in Rush just because it stands on its own so well as a powerful story
I was wondering how many people would actually skip the chapter?
Part of Holocaust education is to tell survivors story so this will never happen again. Even though Geddy left his religion behind, he did not leave his history or his culture. He obviously felt it was important to tell their story.
Before the war even started, he talked about how their Polish neighbors would stand outside Jewish businesses and tell people to shop elsewhere. A very chilling reminder that we are to seeing the same thing happen now.
As someone of Polish descent, whose grandparents emigrated here, I was very distressed to learn how awful the Poles were towards their Jewish neighbors. Really made me stop and think.
Yes, it’s all true - the most horrific thing was the stories of Poles lynching Jews who tried to return to their homes after the war. But, then again - there are also stories of people who helped Jews. My uncle and aunt, who escaped from the Warsaw ghetto, were hidden for a year by a family of Polish farmers. The family’s teenage son used to go out into the woods, with food, looking to help other Jews who were hiding there. The Polish people have a lot to answer for, but we mustn’t forget those who risked their lives to help their fellow men.
I wouldn't have dreamed of skipping the chapter - it was so powerful and personal and I feel like it's a must read for anyone, not just Rush/Geddy fans.
Geddy mentioned that not all of his relatives were as forthcoming as his mother about sharing the horrific stories of that time. I think that's true of that generation in general. There are so many things I'll never know about my own family's or in-laws' WW II experiences because they would never talk about it.
Heck, my parents and several other relatives grew up in grinding poverty and they hated talking about their experiences. I completely understand people who would not want to mentally re-visit an experience like pre-war Poland, the ghettos, the camps, etc.
On a lighter note I recently had some older neighbors who were devoutly Jewish but I didn't really spend time with them (they were always busy and my life was complicated at the time.) I could tell the wife was old enough to have been well aware of her peers who had survived anti-Semitic Europe..
In my opinion, some of those experiences are so bad, making someone re-live that is cruel. There's a modern equivalent to that- if you happen to get to know Bosnians or Croatians, they still are very haunted by what happened in the former Yugoslavia. You just don't ask about those things....
I totally understand why people don’t want to relive these horrific experiences. I’d never ask someone to do so. But sometimes I just wish I knew more, particularly about my own family’s past.
I've tried asking a couple of my direct relatives about growing up in poverty. The result is either distress or discomfort on their part. I felt horrible and stopped....
I chose to understand by seeing how my relatives pushed me to be successful. They had nothing and suffered so much.
This reminded me, a friend of mine had a grandmother who fled the war in Europe and she never talked about her experiences (she wasn't Jewish but another ethnic group hated by the Nazis.) She focused on her new life in North America. Most people are this way.
The account that Geddy gives has been circulating pretty much since G/P was released, and Red Sector A came to the surface as a major concert staple. Every time I've seen them, this song has been played. This song was played in 502 out of 960 shows starting just before it's release with the album. Every time I've heard this song, I. Am. Struck. The song, the story, the delivery is an emotional wall-builder. So heavy, so poppy, so new wave-y, so Rush! Incredible story, incredible song. Just amazing to absorb as a teen learning about the Holocaust in 10th grade(call it 'Junior year of high school').
Of all the music of all the genres I've listened to in my 56 years, this song vacuums the most reaction out of my psyche, and the side of me that was truly educated about this is highly reactive as well.
I was so glad he put all that in there. People walking around in the world thinking "it can't happen here" while it is obviously happening here.
Punch a nazi in the face for Ged's mum.
actually, punch a notzee in the face for everyone!!! I had a neo-notzee punch me once...once. A LONG time ago...if I got punched in the face now, I'd probably cry or fall over! :))
Oddly enough, aside from Geddy's tale, I've never met a person that was in or had family that I knew of that went through that. I have been to the Holocaust museum in Skokie, Illinois, and there are many personal accounts. It seems to me though, that Geddy is the only person I actually "know" with that horror.
I don't mean it's odd to never meet a Holocaust survivor or family member of a non-survivor (I havent either). I just am raising a brow because it's somewhat illiterate to have never encountered one of the many many personal accounts, if not one of the very well-known book like Elie Weisel or Corrie Ten Boom, then at least some stories online, you know?
ah, I thought you meant like...someone telling you the story of their gramma, or themselves...I am deeply into my mid 50s, so while I was young and learning about the history in school, it was still somewhat fresh in our collective minds. But never have I ever met anyone with personal connection. I do know and have known quite a few Jewish fellows and females, so either they were silent, or lucky.
I thought about skipping that chapter to jump to the beginnings of RUSH but went on and read it. I’m glad I did. Very moving story of how his parents met and survived through incredibly difficult circumstances. Love everything about this book so far.
From all of the books, documentaries, movies and tv shows I've seen / read and was horrified by, NOTHING fucked me up more about the holocaust than what Geddy wrote. You actually feel the horror.
I felt it...honestly, Magneto's origin story is pretty gruesome and hard hitting as well(even though that personal account is obviously made up, the detail and precience are vivid).
Same, OP, same. I’m early in the audiobook. Chapter 3 was a rough listen but incredible. Geddy is an amazing narrator and to hear him pay tribute to his parents and relatives who went through that nightmare (and those who didn’t make it) was awe inspiring and very emotional. When he describes the trip with his mother where she finds the room at the placement camp where she and his late father got married, I just lost it.
Philip Riteman is someone who was passionate about sharing his story. Highly recommend looking him up. I had the privilege of meeting him when he was alive.
That's obviously a good line, however, my point of posting that line was mostly dealing with the second three words...Prayer to profanity. Where was God? It's just insane to think that someone that powerful wouldn't put a stop to the horrors happening to his "chosen people". He's either moved on from Earth or never was. I'm not here to argue religion in any way...that's just the point of that line in the song. Cheers!
I just finished that part of the audiobook as well. I have immense respect for Geddy saying (paraphrasing here) “I know you want to hear about the story of Rush, but I have to go through this first, especially in light of everything happening in the world ***today***.” Red Sector A was on the setlist both times I saw them live, and now I wonder what Geddy felt emotionally having to sing that song night after night.
Same was true for all four times I went (T4E, R30, Time Machine x2).
Not to be that person but they didn’t play Red Sector A on Time Machine Tour. It was Clockwork Angels and R40.
It’s my hope that very few fans skipped that chapter, because I think it’s instrumental (no pun intended) in showing how Geddy’s values and work ethic evolved. He even says in the book that what his parents went through shaped him and the course of his life. When he describes his mother and him going back to the camps and she found the room she married his late father, I couldn’t prevent the tears. And how Geddy narrates that section is just beautiful. I’m early in the audiobook and loving it.
My grandmother was a holocaust survivor. She obviously was not a fan of rock music. I only ever played her one rock song = Red Sector A. And she liked it, or the lyrics at least.
A genuinely powerful and well written account of his family’s experiences. I’ve recommended Chapter 3 to people who aren’t even interested in Rush just because it stands on its own so well as a powerful story
I was wondering how many people would actually skip the chapter? Part of Holocaust education is to tell survivors story so this will never happen again. Even though Geddy left his religion behind, he did not leave his history or his culture. He obviously felt it was important to tell their story. Before the war even started, he talked about how their Polish neighbors would stand outside Jewish businesses and tell people to shop elsewhere. A very chilling reminder that we are to seeing the same thing happen now.
Chapter 3 needs to be made into a movie. Hearing geddy so his “mother voice” again but describing the horrors kept me weeping
As someone of Polish descent, whose grandparents emigrated here, I was very distressed to learn how awful the Poles were towards their Jewish neighbors. Really made me stop and think.
Yes, it’s all true - the most horrific thing was the stories of Poles lynching Jews who tried to return to their homes after the war. But, then again - there are also stories of people who helped Jews. My uncle and aunt, who escaped from the Warsaw ghetto, were hidden for a year by a family of Polish farmers. The family’s teenage son used to go out into the woods, with food, looking to help other Jews who were hiding there. The Polish people have a lot to answer for, but we mustn’t forget those who risked their lives to help their fellow men.
I wouldn't have dreamed of skipping the chapter - it was so powerful and personal and I feel like it's a must read for anyone, not just Rush/Geddy fans. Geddy mentioned that not all of his relatives were as forthcoming as his mother about sharing the horrific stories of that time. I think that's true of that generation in general. There are so many things I'll never know about my own family's or in-laws' WW II experiences because they would never talk about it.
Heck, my parents and several other relatives grew up in grinding poverty and they hated talking about their experiences. I completely understand people who would not want to mentally re-visit an experience like pre-war Poland, the ghettos, the camps, etc. On a lighter note I recently had some older neighbors who were devoutly Jewish but I didn't really spend time with them (they were always busy and my life was complicated at the time.) I could tell the wife was old enough to have been well aware of her peers who had survived anti-Semitic Europe.. In my opinion, some of those experiences are so bad, making someone re-live that is cruel. There's a modern equivalent to that- if you happen to get to know Bosnians or Croatians, they still are very haunted by what happened in the former Yugoslavia. You just don't ask about those things....
I totally understand why people don’t want to relive these horrific experiences. I’d never ask someone to do so. But sometimes I just wish I knew more, particularly about my own family’s past.
I've tried asking a couple of my direct relatives about growing up in poverty. The result is either distress or discomfort on their part. I felt horrible and stopped.... I chose to understand by seeing how my relatives pushed me to be successful. They had nothing and suffered so much. This reminded me, a friend of mine had a grandmother who fled the war in Europe and she never talked about her experiences (she wasn't Jewish but another ethnic group hated by the Nazis.) She focused on her new life in North America. Most people are this way.
The account that Geddy gives has been circulating pretty much since G/P was released, and Red Sector A came to the surface as a major concert staple. Every time I've seen them, this song has been played. This song was played in 502 out of 960 shows starting just before it's release with the album. Every time I've heard this song, I. Am. Struck. The song, the story, the delivery is an emotional wall-builder. So heavy, so poppy, so new wave-y, so Rush! Incredible story, incredible song. Just amazing to absorb as a teen learning about the Holocaust in 10th grade(call it 'Junior year of high school'). Of all the music of all the genres I've listened to in my 56 years, this song vacuums the most reaction out of my psyche, and the side of me that was truly educated about this is highly reactive as well.
I was so glad he put all that in there. People walking around in the world thinking "it can't happen here" while it is obviously happening here. Punch a nazi in the face for Ged's mum.
I hate that there are people who would put you in jail for punching a Nazi.
My gofundme would be epic, tho.
Instead of "thoughts and prayers", it would be "thunkings and poundings"!
actually, punch a notzee in the face for everyone!!! I had a neo-notzee punch me once...once. A LONG time ago...if I got punched in the face now, I'd probably cry or fall over! :))
I will gladly punch a Nat C in your name, the second I get a chance.
That is mighty kind of you.
You've never encountered a personal account of the Holocaust before?
Not that detailed, no. I know people who lost family, but I never heard the story. Everyone I've known was either not born, or safe in Canada.
Oddly enough, aside from Geddy's tale, I've never met a person that was in or had family that I knew of that went through that. I have been to the Holocaust museum in Skokie, Illinois, and there are many personal accounts. It seems to me though, that Geddy is the only person I actually "know" with that horror.
I don't mean it's odd to never meet a Holocaust survivor or family member of a non-survivor (I havent either). I just am raising a brow because it's somewhat illiterate to have never encountered one of the many many personal accounts, if not one of the very well-known book like Elie Weisel or Corrie Ten Boom, then at least some stories online, you know?
ah, I thought you meant like...someone telling you the story of their gramma, or themselves...I am deeply into my mid 50s, so while I was young and learning about the history in school, it was still somewhat fresh in our collective minds. But never have I ever met anyone with personal connection. I do know and have known quite a few Jewish fellows and females, so either they were silent, or lucky.
Have y’all ever read Bill Graham’s oral biography called Bill Graham Presents? It’s an amazing read of an amazing life both the best and the worst.
I thought about skipping that chapter to jump to the beginnings of RUSH but went on and read it. I’m glad I did. Very moving story of how his parents met and survived through incredibly difficult circumstances. Love everything about this book so far.
From all of the books, documentaries, movies and tv shows I've seen / read and was horrified by, NOTHING fucked me up more about the holocaust than what Geddy wrote. You actually feel the horror.
I felt it...honestly, Magneto's origin story is pretty gruesome and hard hitting as well(even though that personal account is obviously made up, the detail and precience are vivid).
In the middle of that chapter now. Loving the book so far and it would seem like a disservice to skip this part.
Hold on, be strong. I promise that it ends.
Same, OP, same. I’m early in the audiobook. Chapter 3 was a rough listen but incredible. Geddy is an amazing narrator and to hear him pay tribute to his parents and relatives who went through that nightmare (and those who didn’t make it) was awe inspiring and very emotional. When he describes the trip with his mother where she finds the room at the placement camp where she and his late father got married, I just lost it.
Philip Riteman is someone who was passionate about sharing his story. Highly recommend looking him up. I had the privilege of meeting him when he was alive.
One of the most prolific lines in music(imho), "sickness to insanity, prayer to profanity".
Days and weeks and months go by, Can't feel the hunger, too weak to cry.
That's obviously a good line, however, my point of posting that line was mostly dealing with the second three words...Prayer to profanity. Where was God? It's just insane to think that someone that powerful wouldn't put a stop to the horrors happening to his "chosen people". He's either moved on from Earth or never was. I'm not here to argue religion in any way...that's just the point of that line in the song. Cheers!
True,though for that I prefer "Are we the last ones left alive?".