YYZ

The Zoo Crew is spinning the instrumental classic "YYZ" by Rush from their 1981 album Moving Pictures, and Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this prog-rock gem. The song’s title comes from the IATA airport code for Toronto Pearson International Airport, Rush’s hometown hub. Drummer Neil Peart was inspired by the Morse code rhythm of "YYZ" (▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄) broadcast by the airport’s VHF omnidirectional range system, which he heard while the band flew in, as guitarist Alex Lifeson piloted the plane. This rhythm forms the song’s iconic 10/8 time signature intro, with the band creatively weaving the Morse code into the arrangement. Peart and bassist Geddy Lee often noted in interviews, like one with The Plain Dealer in 2011, that seeing "YYZ" on their luggage tags was always a joyful moment, symbolizing homecoming.

Another fun tidbit about "YYZ" is its unexpected afterlife in video games. Geddy Lee mentioned in the same 2011 interview that the song’s inclusion in games like Guitar Hero: Smash Hits and Rock Band introduced Rush to a younger audience, with 11- to 13-year-old fans showing up at their concerts. The song’s complexity, with Alex Lifeson’s bizarre harmonics—created by playing off his pick and thumb, as he explained in a 2004 Guitar World interview—makes it a fan favorite. Lifeson also revealed on WNEW New York in 2002 that the crashing sound in the guitar solo breaks is windchimes tied to a 2x4 slapped against a table, adding a quirky texture. Posts on X, like one from @prattaaron in April 2025, highlight the song’s origin as a jam session, showcasing the band’s raw chemistry. The animated music video for "YYZ," released in 2022 for the Moving Pictures 40th anniversary, features a Toronto heist with Easter eggs like a “Fried by Night” fast-food joint, nodding to Rush’s album Fly by Night.

Rush, formed in Toronto in 1968, began as a gritty rock outfit with a shifting lineup. The band’s core—Geddy Lee (vocals, bass, keyboards), Alex Lifeson (guitars), and Neil Peart (drums)—solidified in 1974 after their self-titled debut album. Originally, John Rutsey was the drummer, but health issues led to his departure, paving the way for Peart, whose lyrical depth and technical prowess elevated the band. Their early sound, heard on albums like Fly by Night (1975), blended hard rock with emerging progressive elements, influenced by bands like Led Zeppelin. The commercial struggles of Caress of Steel nearly ended their career, but the breakthrough of 2112 (1976) cemented their reputation for complex, narrative-driven music. Rush’s evolution through the late ’70s and ’80s, incorporating synthesizers and new wave influences, culminated in the polished yet powerful Moving Pictures, their commercial peak.

Fans can connect with Rush’s legacy through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where updates on reissues and tributes are shared. The fan site Rush is a Band offers detailed news, like Alex Lifeson’s recent work on a Triumph tribute album. Fan communities thrive on platforms like the Rush Fans Facebook group, where enthusiasts discuss everything from setlists to Peart’s philosophical lyrics. Though Rush disbanded in 2018 after Peart’s retirement and his passing in 2020, Lee and Lifeson’s 2022 performances at Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts, playing "YYZ" with drummers like Danny Carey, hint at their enduring passion, as noted on X posts from the time.