A primer on Rush ... whew, where to start, without simply raiding Wikipedia:
I first heard them on an album while in High School, and remember being dismissive of them. I thought that these guys were just another wannabe Led Zeppelin. It's a Canadian ailment in our psyche, that we're often less proud of our own countrymen's achievements than those of folk from elsewhere. Then I sat down with their album "Fly by Night", and started listening to the arrangements, timing, and creativity behind what appeared to be (on the surface) just another 3-piece metal band.
I was also impressed that they purposely avoided "stoking the star-maker machinery" (Joni Mitchell) and resolved to make their music, on their terms, for their fans. After packing arenas worldwide for almost 40 years, the powers-that-be finally succumbed to fan pressure, and inducted Rush into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2013). Still not really caring about what many would consider a pinnacle of honor, they accepted the award tongue-in-cheek, as evidenced by Alex Lifeson's acceptance speech, i.e., the now-famous "blah, blah, blah" in 2013:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKuO1FpCWRI
To cap my impressions of the group, I've been further enamoured that they have never taken themselves too seriously. Their performances are rife with humour and "down home fun", and their real life personas are perfectly aligned with the faces they show to the public spotlight. Indeed, there is a whole lot to like about this talented trio.
I'm not crazy about progressive rock, but can get into it... when the mood strikes just right. Jethro Tull is certainly one I could listen to more than some others. 
