My Rush purchases started with Power Windows which I bought on cassette from Our Price on my 18th birthday, purely because it was on sale cheap.
What an album!
From then it was full speed ahead. A Farewell To Kings was next and I still listen to that a lot. Cygnus X-1 is still my favourite track. Needless to say I have all the studio albums, all the live albums/DVDs (Rush in Rio being a favourite) and have managed to see them a few times, from the Hold Your Fire tour through to the Clockwork Angels tour.
I think they chose the right time to stop though. Geddy's voice on the R40 tour was gone. Alex had arthritis in his hands and feet and Peart had carpal tunnel problems.
A sad loss of a very talented drummer and lyricist.