On September 22, 1975, Rush released their third studio album, Caress of Steel. Coming off the momentum of Fly by Night, expectations were high. But instead of building on that success, the Canadian trio delivered a record that confounded critics, alienated many fans, and nearly derailed their career.
A Risky Experiment
Caress of Steel saw Rush attempting to expand beyond straightforward hard rock into ambitious progressive territory. The album contained lengthy suites like “The Necromancer” and “The Fountain of Lamneth,” alongside shorter tracks such as “Bastille Day” and “I Think I’m Going Bald.”
Unfortunately, the blend didn’t land. Critics dismissed the record as unfocused and indulgent. Sales lagged badly, and the band suddenly found themselves facing pressure from their label, Mercury Records, to deliver more commercially viable material.
Behind the Scenes Chaos
Years later, Rush themselves admitted that the recording process was not their most disciplined. Bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee openly acknowledged that “copious amounts of marijuana” during the sessions contributed to the lack of clarity and cohesion. What the band thought was their boldest work at the time was, to most listeners, a confusing mix of ambition and excess.
The “Down the Tubes” Tour
The album’s poor reception bled into their live shows. The subsequent tour, which came to be jokingly nicknamed the “Down the Tubes Tour,” saw the band struggling to fill venues. For a time, it seemed Rush might fade away before they ever reached their peak.
The Turning Point
Yet in hindsight, Caress of Steel was less a failure than a necessary step. It gave Rush the chance to experiment, to test their boundaries, and to learn from their mistakes. Without its commercial flop, the band might never have had the courage to double down on their vision.
That decision came with their next album, 2112. Embracing long-form progressive rock even more boldly, 2112 defied industry pressure and became a career-defining success. Many fans now see Caress of Steel as a fascinating prelude — flawed but essential.
Legacy of the Album
Today, Caress of Steel is appreciated by die-hard Rush fans as a cult favorite. Its darker tones and sprawling epics showcase a band searching for its identity, unafraid to fail on the way to greatness.
On this day in 1975, Rush stumbled — but in stumbling, they set themselves on the path to becoming one of rock’s most respected and enduring bands.