Rush guitarist arrested for battery
Alex Lifeson also cited in Florida for disorderly intoxication
The Associated Press
Updated: 11:52 a.m. ET Jan. 02, 2004
NAPLES, Fla. - The lead guitarist for the rock band Rush skirmished with sheriffs deputies, spat blood on one and was arrested on New Years Eve after his son refused to leave the stage at a fancy hotel, authorities said.
Deputies said they had to use a stun gun on 50-year-old Alex Zivojinovich known on stage as Alex Lifeson for what they described as drunken, violent behavior at the Naples Ritz-Carlton hotel.
Zivojinovich was still in Collier County jail early Friday. Also arrested were his son Justin Zivojinovich, 33, and his sons wife, Michelle Zivojinovich, 30.
Justin Zivojinovich said deputies broke his fathers nose.
The son said he went on the stage where the house band was performing so he could sing.
I was singing Happy New Years, thats all I was doing, singing to the whole crowd. Thats all I said, Happy New Year, Justin Zivojinovich said. Everyone was enjoying themselves. Thats when someone apparently started yelling for one of the security guards. There was no violence on our part.
According to authorities, the scuffle began when Justin Zivojinovich refused to leave the stage.
The guitarist spat blood on a deputys face and pushed a deputy down a hotel stairwell during the struggle, a police report said.
Justin Zivojinovich disputed that account, saying the deputy tumbled down the stairs as she pushed the guitarist down the stairwell.
Charges against Alex Zivojinovich include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and disorderly intoxication.
Rushs hits include Tom Sawyer, Limelight and Spirit of the Radio.
© 2003 The Associated Press.
Alex Lifeson also cited in Florida for disorderly intoxication
The Associated Press
Updated: 11:52 a.m. ET Jan. 02, 2004
NAPLES, Fla. - The lead guitarist for the rock band Rush skirmished with sheriffs deputies, spat blood on one and was arrested on New Years Eve after his son refused to leave the stage at a fancy hotel, authorities said.
Deputies said they had to use a stun gun on 50-year-old Alex Zivojinovich known on stage as Alex Lifeson for what they described as drunken, violent behavior at the Naples Ritz-Carlton hotel.
Zivojinovich was still in Collier County jail early Friday. Also arrested were his son Justin Zivojinovich, 33, and his sons wife, Michelle Zivojinovich, 30.
Justin Zivojinovich said deputies broke his fathers nose.
The son said he went on the stage where the house band was performing so he could sing.
I was singing Happy New Years, thats all I was doing, singing to the whole crowd. Thats all I said, Happy New Year, Justin Zivojinovich said. Everyone was enjoying themselves. Thats when someone apparently started yelling for one of the security guards. There was no violence on our part.
According to authorities, the scuffle began when Justin Zivojinovich refused to leave the stage.
The guitarist spat blood on a deputys face and pushed a deputy down a hotel stairwell during the struggle, a police report said.
Justin Zivojinovich disputed that account, saying the deputy tumbled down the stairs as she pushed the guitarist down the stairwell.
Charges against Alex Zivojinovich include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and disorderly intoxication.
Rushs hits include Tom Sawyer, Limelight and Spirit of the Radio.
© 2003 The Associated Press.