Police use stun gun to arrest rock star Lifeson

The lead guitarist of rock band Rush faces criminal charges after a New Year’s Eve fight with police in which he was overpowered with a stun gun.

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

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 last night, had his nose broken by deputies. The father and son are Canadian citizens.

He denied his father had thrown a female deputy down the stairs, as stated in arrest reports. She fell down the stairs as she pushed the guitarist down the stairwell, his son said.

The scuffle began when Justin Zivojinovich refused to leave the stage at a New Year party in the hotel, according to the arrest report.

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