"I wonder what their mothers think," is a frequent thought expressed by your correspondents mother when he listens to music that features eyebrow-raising language. It makes us wonder what mothers think when their children become huge rock stars. Some are clearly comfortable with the fact, as was evidenced this weekend when the moms of Dave Grohl and Geddy Lee hung out at a Foo Fighters show in Toronto.
This was Virginia Grohl's second appearance onstage at one of her son's band's shows as part of its North American tour. Last weekend, the frontman brought his mother onstage as he played "Arlandria," a song that references her by name. The guitarist once again claimed that he had two special guests, and made it clear that somehow it was tied to Rush, icons of both progressive and Canadian rock. After all, the conversation that led into the announcement included drummer Taylor Hawkins pointing out that there were more Rush T-shirts in the audience than ones for the actual headliner.
Although Rush itself was on tour in Kansas at the time of the concert—preventing members Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart from attending—Virginia and Mary Weinrib (Lee's mother) came out instead for "Arlandria." The band also played a bit of Rush's "Tom Sawyer" so Weinrib could glow with maternal pride as well.
Lee took control of the Rush Twitter account to give a shout-out to the American rockers: "Thanks @foofighters & Dave's Mom for making my mom's night at your show...surreal!" The post included a photo of the two women offstage...and Weinrib is adorably similar to her son in terms of appearance, despite maintaining her hair a tad more.
The Foo Fighters are noted fans of Rush, and introduced the band during its 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Grohl and Hawkins wore kimonos in the style of Rush's classic 2112 album.
