That quote from Neil came from Rush Beyond a Lighted Stage and I believe the context was that Moving Pictures was a culmination of everything they'd learned and they'd been working towards as a band and individual musicians finally coming together on that record. I don't believe it was a commentary concerning their fanbase or the influence they had on aspiring musicians.
I agree PAF. AND if I were to take anything someone else says, ( especially the source, Neil) and to use how they explain something, as gospel according to "Chilipepper" etc would be foolish. I think my point about fan base in reply to Neil's Moving Pictures comment, was merely my reaction that if I heard Neil basically say this just after MP album and before all other future ones, I would sort of be looking at a snapshot in time up to that point there in 1981 ish after they finished Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures to say, " Wow, Neil is feeling like RUSH summited their level of talent and quality of work at that point." Essentially like Neil saying he felt they had made good stuff beforehand, but was feeling like MP was the shiz, their YEAH when we NAILED IT, YEAH Buddy, RUSH has arrived type thing" My thought basically was like that old expression of not being able to see what you really look like. Others see you better than you see yourself because you are your own worst critic.
I see YOUR perspective on exposure to RUSH being a certain number of years AFTER mine. Many here already know I was first exposed around 1979 when older middle school friends went to a concert, I went to a record store sometime shortly after that and decided to give them a try. Just by pure luck, I chose the 2112 album as my first. AND to add perspective, I bought the Archives set of their first 3 albums next, followed by Perm Waves and Moving Pictures and gfot to see concerts for those two tours. Enjoyed Farewell To Kings and Hemispheres from times with friends who had copies, and as all this was happening, I was getting exposed to Van Halen 1,2, Double Live Gonzo, Stones, Petty, Alice Cooper, Zep, Stones. BOC, and so many more.
As a kid with a modest income home, low funds self, and aspirations of college in my future, I could only wish for enough cash to buy All the albums from my favorite bands above. Owning 6 of Rush's first 8 albums was a pretty good testament to their pull on myself as a fan.
I am pretty sure no other band in my collection represented like they did, except for The WHO. I might have only bought 3 or 4 of their albums though. Some wealthy people might not understand this, but if I owned 25-30 Vinyl albums in my years from age 12 to 25, that sort of sums it up.
Having said all this, I reiterate, I liked albums that came after Moving Pictures and liked a number of them despite not buying them. Signals, Power Windows, Presto, Roll The Bones etc, I just have never had a plethora of extra cash to afford much of the luxuries of life, music and gear included. I guess this is why I really loved and appreciated all Rush put out, all I was able to own to listen to, and all I looked forward to hearing when they made new stuff.
Like I said, Thank you Neil Peart.