Editing 2112 (album) (section)

== Background ==
In January 1976, Rush ended its 1975–1976 tour to support 1975's ''[[Caress of Steel]]''. The band had enjoyed writing and recording the album. However, guitarist [[Alex Lifeson]] recalled the group was in a state of confusion after the tour, sensing the disappointing reaction from crowds after playing songs from it on stage.<ref name=40theditionnotes/> The album marked the band's foray into [[progressive rock]] with lengthy, story-based songs, more complex song structures, and hard-to-grasp lyrics, which made it difficult to receive radio airplay and promote effectively.<ref name=40theditionnotes/> Vocalist and bassist [[Geddy Lee]] said the band could not understand the underwhelming response, and later dubbed the tour the "Down the Tubes Tour" as they struggled to meet their $125-a-week salary while crowds declined.<ref name=guitarworld2013/> Lee added, "That really shakes your confidence. We were so confused and disheartened."<ref name=40theditionnotes/> In 1980, Lifeson, who had formed the band in 1968, said this was the only moment in its history when he felt close to giving up.<ref name=lifeson1980/>

In addition to their financial hardship, Rush's international label, [[Mercury Records]], considered dropping them. Peart recalled seeing label owner [[Polygram]]'s financial predictions for the forthcoming year, and the band were not listed.<ref name=CR2004>{{cite web|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20041000classicrock.htm#artrock|title=Grace Under Pressure|first=Philip|last=Wilding|publisher=Classic Rock|date=October 2004|access-date=February 18, 2024}}</ref> To help the situation Rush manager [[Ray Danniels]] flew to the label's head offices in Chicago to try to regain confidence and spoke highly of the band's ideas for a new album without having heard any of it. This followed the group's conscious decision to exclude Danniels from the writing and recording sessions, and only played the album to him when it was finished.<ref name=40theditionnotes/> Danniel's plea was a success, and Mercury approved one more album.<ref name=40theditionnotes/> Despite pressure from the label and management to make a more commercial record, the band ignored the advice and proceeded with material as they saw fit.<ref name=40theditionnotes/> Lifeson said, "I remember having these conversations about, 'What are we going to do? Are we going to try to make another mini-[[Led Zeppelin]] record or are we going to do what we are going to do and continue forward and whatever happens, happens?' ... We fully intended to [not] go down in flames but we were prepared to do that."<ref name=40theditionnotes/> Drummer and lyricist [[Neil Peart]] looked back on the situation: "We had been working towards something a little more ambitious on each of the previous two albums. We simply decided that ''2112'' would have to be the realization of all our hopes."<ref name=torontostar-jul1976/> Following the commercial success of ''2112'' and its tour, the band vowed to take full creative control of their music from that point on.<ref name="[[Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage]]">{{cite AV media | people = [[Sam Dunn]], [[Scot McFadyen]] (Directors) | year=2010| title =[[Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage]]| medium =Documentary}}</ref>