Rush Guitarist In New Year's Brawl With Police

[Jenya]

Rush Guitarist In New Year's Brawl With Police
Deputies use stun gun on legendary axeman Alex Lifeson

Friday January 02, 2004

ASSOCIATED PRESS

NAPLES, FL — The lead guitarist for the rock band Rush faces criminal charges after a New Year's Eve fight with sheriff's deputies.

Alex Zivojinovich, better known by his stage name Alex Lifeson, was arrested for what deputies described as drunken, violent behaviour at the Naples Ritz-Carlton hotel.

Deputies said they used a stun gun on Zivojinovich, 50, who faces six charges that include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and disorderly intoxication.

Also arrested were his 33-year-old son Justin Zivojinovich and wife Michelle Zivojinovich, 30.

Justin Zivojinovich said his father, who was still in Collier County jail late Thursday, had his nose broken by deputies.

He also said his father did not throw a female deputy down the stairs, as stated in arrest reports. She tumbled down the stairs as she pushed the guitarist down the stairwell, his son said.

The scuffle began when Justin Zivojinovich refused to leave the house band stage, according to the arrest report.

Rush's hits included Tom Sawyer, from the 1981 Moving Pictures, Limelight and Spirit of the Radio.


Alex Lifeson in a mug shot taken in
Florida, Jan. 1, 2004. He is accused
of being caught up in a New Year's
eve brawl.