Release of the Rush Debut album in the United States compilation of Online information.

On page 66 of Billboard Magazine July 20, 1974 this blurb appears as written,

TORONTO Mercury Record artists Hearts - field will accompany Rory Gallagher on his Canada tour. ... Rush has been signed to American Talent International in New York for exclusive representation in the U.S. The deal was negotiated by Ray Daniels of SRO Productions, Toronto and Ira Blacker of ATI. A September tour of the U.S. is expected for the band. Their debut album is top 10 at WMMS -FM in Cleveland and the albums are being directly imported from Canada into that market.

A particular date of July 17th as the signing date in the US comes to mind from a Mercury Press Release on the Power Windows website entitled:

RUSH' Press Kit

Mercury Records Press Release, July 17, 1974, transcribed by pwrwindows

http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19740717mercurybio.htm

Billboard Magazine dated August 10, 1974 on page 66 an ad entitled:

“Rush, Merc U.S. Deal” it states,

MONTREAL - Canadian rock trio Rush has just been signed to Mercury Records for the U.S. and their first album will be rush-released in that market in a week. The album is already available in Canada on the band's own label. Moon Records, with Canadian distribution being handled by London Records. Moon is a division of S.R.O. Productions headed by Ray Daniels. With the U.S. release of the album on Mercury, distribution will be turned over to Polydor in Canada. The LP has already sold close to 5.000 units in Canada, with most of the sales originating in the Toronto - Hamilton area. The album has broken out regionally in the U.S. with 7.000 records sold already in the Cleveland area alone from copies exported from Moon Records in Toronto. The group has had success in concert appearances both in the Cleveland area and Canada and Mercury feels that they could develop the sales potential of the other Canadian hand on their label. Bachman- Turner Overdrive.

It is this ad that may be the reason August 10, 1974 is used as a date of release in the US for the Rush debut album on the Cygnus-X1 Website. It makes sense.

By the time the Billboard August 24th issue is posted, a review of the Rush debut album is advertised.

RUSH -Mercury SRM.I.1O11 ( Phonogram), Many in the popular music world seem to be attempting to a more simple way of doing things, including some of the biggest names in the business, and Rush fits into this category. Trio serves up a dose of good ham rock highlighted by the often Robert Plant. Like lead vocals of Geddy Lee and Ike powerful guitar work of Alex Lifeson and solid drumming from John Rutsey. Good material here for AM or FM play. Only complaint might be the strong similarity to Led Zeppelin, but this canal really be considered a complaint when one examines the success Zeppelin has and does enjoy. Best cuts: Finding A Way." "Need Some Love, "In The Mood," "Before And After" Dealers: Playing This one in the store will arouse lots of curiosity and questions.

Under “cashbox/ news”, August 10, 1974, page 28.

BTO, Paper Lace Spark Mercury's August LP Releases:

Another Canadian band, Rush, was signed within one day of the product being introduced to the label. The album "Rush," which is the name of the LP as well as the group is being released in the U.S. within three weeks of the signing. The three man group has been booked by ATI, for tours through -out the U.S. and Canada... Radio ads have been prepared for the Rush album to coincide with their American dates, in addition to specially selected print ads.

Record World Borderlines by Gary LeBlanc, August 24, 1974, page 24.

Due to Mercury's re- cent signing of Rush, Polydor is rush -releasing the group's record Ip in Canada. The group will tour cross-country in November

Record World September 7, 1974.

Rush on the Move:

This month caps off a whirlwind summer for Toronto -based Rush. They've spent a good part of the last two months in the U.S. touring with Uriah Heep, Savoy Brown, Kiss, Z Z Top, Rare Earth and The New York Dolls. For six years the group worked on the local circuit until they signed a booking agreement with American Talent International two months ago. Following the tie-up with ATI came a recording contract with Mercury Records. Mercury has issued the band's 1st album, aptly titled "Rush," which had previously been released on the Canadian independent Moon Records. The trio consists of Geddy Lee (bass and lead vocals), Alex Life - son (guitars and vocals) and Neil Peart (drums).

We can see by this date the US and new Canadian releases of the Rush debut album have occurred by this publication in September and that sometime in August the album was pressed and released for distribution. However, at the time of publication of this article, I cannot determine precisely an exact date in August of 1974 for the US release of the Rush debut album.

Written by Alice Csuka Monday March 18, 2025 on the 50th Anniversary of the Canadian release of the Rush debut album in Canada.