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Why Rush Matters

Jeff Miers and Ray Wawrzyniak

What is Why Rush Matters? It’s a dedicated Rush podcast from Buffalo music journalist Jeff Miers and Rush historian Ray Wawrzyniak, created for listeners who want the deep cuts, the big questions, and the stories behind the sound.

Spun out of the most-listened-to Rush conversation on Why Music Matters, the series explores the albums, lyrics, musicianship, mythology, and emotional pull of one of rock’s most enduring bands.

With Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson returning to the road with drummer Anika Nilles, Jeff and Ray guide fans through this remarkable moment with insight, context, reverence, and joy.



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  • 5 episodes
  • Updated July 23

Episodes5

Newest first
  • July 23 · 1 hr 24 min

    A Garden to Nurture and Protect…

    As the 2026 edition of Rush continues to roll across the country, claiming one (not so) little victory at a time, Jeff & Ray dig through decades of intense fandom, personal experiences, and close listening, to defend their Rush top 10 lists. Interesting and sometimes intense discussion ensued! Before you listen and wonder why your own favorites ranked low or didn’t make the cut, remember that, as Neil once wrote, our differences make us interesting to each other, and “The spaces in between leave room for you and I to grow.” We look forward to you sharing your own ‘best of’ lists with us! ~~~ Follow us on Socials Instagram: / whyrushmatters Facebook: / whymusicmatterspodcast Title and Outro music by Jeff Miers Why Rush Matters is part of the Pantheon Media Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • July 9 · 1 hr 12 min

    The Echoes of Old Applause…

    As the Fifty Something tour rolls on, and Geddy, Alex, Anika and Loren navigate a bump in the road or two, Jeff & Ray look back on the Rush concerts from years past that formed and fostered their love for the band, reflect on”spontaneous relations and the long enduring kind,” and highlight through-lines in the trio’s illustrious tenure as a premier live band. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • June 25 · 1 hr 3 min

    The Road Unwinds Before Me

    With the Rush Fifty Something tour officially underway and the accolades rolling in, Jeff and Ray discuss the first run of shows, Ray’s first-person recollections of nights 1 and 2 in Los Angeles, the incredible grace under pressure exhibited by Anika Nilles, the Xanadu Lounge (honeydew and milk of paradise for all!), and the abundant surprises in the tour’s setlists so far. Welcome to Episode 2 of our shared journey. The road unwinds before us… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • June 11 · 1 hr 6 min

    The Underlying Theme

    Hey there, music lovers. Welcome to Why Rush Matters, a podcast dedicated to the music, legacy, and enduring power of the Canadian trio that changed the game and changed a lot of lives in the process. I'm your host, Jeff Miers, musician, music journalist, and since a January evening in 1980 at the Palace Theater in Albany, a devoted Rush fan who has never once looked back. Joining me, as always, is my friend and collaborator Ray Wawrzyniak, educator, collector, historian, and one of the most passionate Rush scholars on the planet. Ray and I met through our shared love of this band, and the kinship was immediate. If you've ever encountered Rush liner notes, tour books, or the documentary record of the band's history, there's a real chance you've already encountered Ray's work without knowing it. So: why does Rush matter? That's the question we set out to answer in Episode 1, and it turns out, for Ray and me, the answer runs pretty deep. We talk about our origin stories with the band, the albums that hit us hardest, and what it means, decades later, to still feel the music the way we did the first time. We also dig into the recent deluxe reissue of Grace Under Pressure, and we discuss Rush's landmark performance at the Juno Awards, the first public appearance of the new lineup featuring drummer Annika Niles, which left both of us, frankly, a little undone. It's Episode 1. We're just getting started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • June 8 · 4 min

    Welcome to Why Rush Matters

    A smart, passionate Rush podcast exploring why Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart, the band’s music, lyrics, legacy, and 2026 return to the stage still matter to generations of rock fans.