Rush. Never another band like them, for better or worse.
I don't have to tell you the story, because there's a movie about it: Beyond The Lighted Stage free on youtube. Worth a watch.
Two best friends who went to grade school together decide to drop out and start a band. They are joined by a drummer who might be an alien. 45 years after their first gig, they are still together. They inspired your favorite band. Bass players regard Geddy as the best bassist in rock. Drum players regard Neil as the best drummer in Rock. Guitar players wish they could smoke as much weed as Alex.
Here is an 80s song about growing up a weird kid in the suburbs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYYdQB0mkEU
*Growing up it all seems so one-sided
Opinions all provided
The future pre-decided
Detached and subdivided
In the mass production zone
Nowhere is the dreamer
Or the misfit so alone*
In their 40s, wanting to rock out a bit more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jPondwDDOE
Driven day and night in circles
Spinning like a whirlwind of leaves
Stealing in and out back alleys
Driven to another den of thieves
Neil's wife and daughter died. He got on a motorbike and drove into the wilderness for a few years. Eventually he showed up for work with "Vapor Trails", which is both a song and an album about his travels. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0ZS7HSy6cw
*Silence all the song birds
Stilled by the killing frost
Forests burn to ashes
Everything is lost
Washed away like footprints in the rain
In a vapor trail*
Here they are at 60, reflecting on life's lessons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsBNzf5JlZA
*The treasure of a life is a measure of love and respect,
The way you live, the gifts that you give
In the fullness of time,
It's the only return that you expect
The future disappears into memory
With only a moment between.
Forever dwells in that moment,
Hope is what remains to be seen.*
When people tell me they don't like Rush, I take it as a challenge to find them one track that they love. With 40 years of music, it isn't hard.