Neil Peart Gives Viewers a Sneak Peek Inside His Recording of The Hockey
Theme, Tonight on TSN

- Legendary RUSH drummer assembled team of top musicians and engineers to record all-new version of "Canada's second national anthem" -

- Fans get a look at recording session during tonight's Leafs-Islanders Game -

TORONTO , Dec. 9 /CNW/ - Armed with a team of top recording engineers and musicians, legendary Canadian drummer Neil Peart of Rush recorded a new rock version of The Hockey Theme on Monday for TSN. Peart recorded his percussion-focused rendition of "Canada's second national anthem" at the iconic Ocean Way Studios in Hollywood on Monday and Canada's Sports Leader was there to capture every moment.

Hockey fans get a look inside the recording session tonight during the first intermission of NHL ON TSN - NY Islanders @ Toronto beginning at 7 p.m. ET . For a preview visit TSN.ca.

The new rendition of The Hockey Theme features Peart accompanied by 17 musicians. The Stanley Cup was on hand to both inspire the musicians and to help symbolize The Hockey Theme's significance to the game. To further aid in instilling the hockey state of mind in his fellow musicians, Peart used a custom drum kit created by DW Drums that featured the logos of all 30 NHL teams.

In addition, Peart's trademark cap was specially adorned with the logos of the original six NHL teams. He also wore a hockey jersey featuring his 'Bubba's Bar & Grill' logo on the front with "RUSH" on the nameplate and the number three, in reference to the three members of Rush.

"Touring in Rush, we play all the same arenas as the hockey teams. Having travelled to and performed in nearly all of those arenas, some of them many times, and looking up at the championship banners and retired jerseys, you can't help but soak in the history of each city's team," says Peart.

Peart's version of The Hockey Theme will make its debut in the New Year and will be used during NHL ON TSN broadcasts throughout the remainder of the NHL season.

Peart is widely regarded as one of the world's most accomplished and respected drummers/percussionists. As Rush's drummer and primary lyricist, Peart has recorded 18 studio albums with the band which have sold over 40 million units worldwide. Along with his band mates, Peart has been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada .

    
    About The Hockey Theme
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In June 2008 , CTV Inc. acquired all rights to The Hockey Theme in perpetuity, preserving the song's legacy and ensuring it will be heard on national television for years to come. Created by Vancouver's Dolores Claman in 1968, The Hockey Theme is used during NHL broadcasts on CTV Inc.'s TSN and RDS specialty channels. The song will also be used as part of CTV's hockey coverage during the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. In September 2008 , CTV Inc. carefully restored The Hockey Theme and recorded a classic rendition featuring 54 members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Last year, Simple Plan and Barenaked Ladies recorded and performed their version of The Hockey Theme for TSN.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Greg McIsaac, CTV, (w) [phone], (c) [phone], [email protected]; Meghan Symsyk, Anthem Entertainment Group, (w) [phone], [email protected]