I don't believe so. So far all I've heard was, "You're wrong. I'm right because the band agrees with me."
Here's a hypothetical situation. What if DT did go by JLB's opinion? What if they said, "Well, yeah, we first got together in 1985, but that was technically Majesty, and we didn't release our album until 1989, so that's when we choose to celebrate the anniversary of our band," would you (or rumbroak) just say, "Well, if that's what the band says, then that's what their anniversary should be, even though they've been together since 1985"?
How about we deal with facts instead of a hypothetical situation? Here's the facts (which you can argue that it was just MP, blah blah blah... but it is reality): the band did a tour and released a DVD and CD from said tour that was announced as the 20th anniversary tour. I think that's enough of an emphatic statement that the band considers 1985/1986 to be the official starting point of the band, even if all the members of the band (specifically one who was not an original member) do not agree.
Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if, following Rush's 30th anniversary tour in 2004, he decided, "Hey, let's do our 20th in 2005!" If nothing else, it gives the illusion of the band having been around longer than they had, as recording artists.
That is a possibility, but personally I find it doubtful.
It's celebrating the anniversary of not one, but two albums, and they're doing so at every single show of the tour, rather than just a one off special show. I'd say that's just as "anniversary happy" as what you're mistakenly attributing solely to MP, however you spin it.
AMEN!
But I'm not going to let this ruin the very special 3 day anniversary of this thread. Happy anniversary, guys! I didn't think we'd make it. I was hoping we wouldn't make it.
And AMEN again!
Rush turns 40 in 2014 even though they formed as a band in 1968. Are they doing it wrong?
As Blob already pointed out, different bands treat the anniversary differently. And as I already mentioned earlier in this thread, in Rush's case, it makes more sense for them to consider 1974 to be their starting point, since that's when Neil joined the band. For that matter, Neil's joining the band marks the time that they began to go in more of a progressive direction (which Rutsey wasn't into).
Now if you wanna start counting DT's official starting time from the time they added their new drummer, be my guest. We'll just be waiting another 27 years or so until we can celebrate their 30th anniversary...