Since no established label wanted to offer the three talented guys from Toronto, Geddy Lee (voc, b), Alex Lifeson (g) and John Rutsey (dr), a record deal after years of sessions and live gigs, Rush's management SRO founded their own independent record company called Moon Records in 1973 specifically for them. In the same year, they set to work and recorded their self-titled debut album. In contrast to their later albums, Rush presented a hard-hitting blues rock with heavy metal elements and no progressive influences whatsoever. It was released in March 1974 in a small initial pressing in Canada.

Thanks to extensive airplay on the commercial rock radio station WMMS in Cleveland, Ohio, fans and labels became aware of the band, and Mercury re-released the album four months later. As a result, it became the best-selling debut album by a Canadian band through many further reissues. Due to the small print run of only 3,500 copies and the band's popularity, the original on Moon Records is now an extremely sought-after collector's item worldwide, fetching ever higher prices.