Geoff Barton

[Slim]

Geoff Barton was Sounds magazine's principal Rush enthusiast back in 1977 when I was first a Rush fan. I read his review of a gig at Sheffield a couple of days earlier on the train on the way to my first Rush gig, and he wrote the notes for the tour programme that I bought when I got there.

So I have a real sentimental fondness for Geoff's writing, and an abiding respect for his place in the UK perspective of Rush fandom from that time.

Yet I lost confidence in his own perspective quite quickly.

Geoff wrote the most positive review imaginable of A Farewell To Kings; a florid piece brimming with improbable superlatives, in September 1977. I read it the day before I got my hands on the album myself and it had piqued my anticipation off the scale. But when I heard it for myself, I realised that he'd been spouting rubbish. It was a flat, crude, misstep of a record, not the "total, out-and-out, honest-to-God, five star studded, complete, utter, unmitigated triumph" I had been led to expect.

Conversely, a little over a year later, Geoff reviewed Hemispheres on its release. He was decidedly lukewarm and disappointed, yet in truth it was a stunning, genuine, breathtaking, dazzling return to form - finally a worthy successor to 2112. I was so excited by the prospect of a new Rush album that I'd actually phoned the Sounds offices to speak to him, after he'd mentioned in an earlier piece that he had an advance copy. And when I asked him what it was like he said "it's alright, I suppose".

I've just found this piece written by Geoff this year, in which he describes how he "fell out of love" with our favourite band. While I can't understand his point of view at all, it was a real pleasure to read this - I always enjoyed his distinctive, tongue-in-cheek style.


https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-i-fell-out-of-love-with-rush

[David L]

I also gravitated towards the witterings of 'Deaf' Barton in Sounds. He'd sort of fallen out of love with Rush by the time I was reading the paper weekly but his completely over the top love of Kiss amused me (along with the mocking it attracted from his Sounds colleagues). Also the way he championed Congleton's 'poundshop' version, Silverwing, was equally amusing.
I'm not sure he was the originator of that tongue-in-cheek style but it was copied by others in Sounds and later in Kerrrang!
Of course, as I'm sure you remember, after Geoff dropped Rush like a stone, they were still featured a lot in the paper, supported by the likes of Mark Putterford

I've read that piece before (I'm sure it was before last April), however it does put a smile on the face, doesn't it?
Great writer and I do share his disappointment and bafflement at the way Cygnus X-1 Book 1 was (clumsily) concluded.

[The Picnic Wasp]

I'll always remember the full page, colour picture of Geddy on the cover of Sounds one week, holding a paper plate with Barton You Lose written on it. I think James posted it on here before when I couldn't find it in my attic.

[The Picnic Wasp]

I don't remember being particularly annoyed by the tenuous Cygnus angle at the time. I was still playing catch-up with Rush releases and was too obsessed with the bass playing and stratospheric singing to notice.

[David L]

I also gravitated towards the witterings of 'Deaf' Barton in Sounds. He'd sort of fallen out of love with Rush by the time I was reading the paper weekly but his completely over the top love of Kiss amused me (along with the mocking it attracted from his Sounds colleagues). Also the way he championed Congleton's 'poundshop' version, Silverwing, was equally amusing.
I'm not sure he was the originator of that tongue-in-cheek style but it was copied by others in Sounds and later in Kerrrang!
Of course, as I'm sure you remember, after Geoff dropped Rush like a stone, they were still featured a lot in the paper, supported by the likes of Mark Putterford

I've read that piece before (I'm sure it was before last April), however it does put a smile on the face, doesn't it?
Great writer and I do share his disappointment and bafflement at the way Cygnus X-1 Book 1 was (clumsily) concluded.

Silverwing were actually from Macclesfield (I must've remembered Geoff's review of their Congleton gig). I got to see the legends supporting Diamond Head in 1981 at Banbury Winter Gardens. Eventful night. Got chased out of Banbury by some locals who pulled up behind Ozzy's MK1 Escort at some temporary lights, driver got out, got Oz to wind down his window and duly smacked him in the chops! Great daze!

Geoff shares fond memories in an edition of Kerrang!

https://yperano.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Silverwing-presentation.jpg

[captainkurtz]

I remember Geoff's favourite record of 1986 was Poison's debut.  Read into that what you will.

[David L]

I remember Geoff's favourite record of 1986 was Poison's debut.  Read into that what you will.

W⚓️?