John Petrucci of Dream Theater recently opened up about the band’s deep connection to Rush’s music in an interview with Guitarist magazine. The members of Dream Theater, including Mike Portnoy and John Myung, have always been avid Rush fans, with the band’s music significantly influencing their own.
Dream Theater, originally formed in 1985 under the name Majesty, initially drew inspiration from bands like Rush and Iron Maiden. The name Majesty was chosen after being inspired by the powerful ending of Rush’s song ‘Bastille Day.’
Reflecting on his early years, Petrucci shared how his passion for guitar blossomed during his teenage years, influenced by bands such as Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Rush. His dedication to improving his guitar skills saw him frequently incorporating covers of these bands’ songs into Dream Theater’s performances.
In the Guitarist magazine interview, Petrucci nostalgically recalled buying his first guitar with his own money as a teenager. He began playing at the age of 12 and met his future bandmate John Myung around the same time. During their early years, Petrucci and Myung played with friends who had varied musical tastes, ranging from metal bands like The Scorpions and Black Sabbath to classic rock icons like Jimi Hendrix and The Grateful Dead.
Petrucci also mentioned a formative band called Centurion, where he and Myung honed their skills by covering songs from a diverse array of bands, including Mötley Crüe, Rush, and Iron Maiden.
He recounted, “Around 14, I was playing with John Myung, my bandmate in Dream Theater. We actually met each other at 12. I used to jam with different people. One friend liked metal and classic bands like The Scorpions and Black Sabbath, so we played those songs. I also had friends who were into Jimi Hendrix and The Grateful Dead, so we jammed to their music.”
He added, “We had a band called Centurion where we covered a wide range of songs, from Mötley Crüe to Rush and Iron Maiden. John Myung and I made sure to learn every single song by Iron Maiden and Rush.”
It’s evident that both John Petrucci and John Myung have been dedicated to mastering the music of Iron Maiden and Rush since their early teenage years. Their deep-rooted connection to Rush’s music has undeniably shaped their musicianship, making them well-versed in the entire Rush catalog.
