When Rush concluded their R40 tour in 2015 it was a farewell to one in every of rock’s most enduring and influential bands. For drummer and lyricist Neil Peart, it marked the top of his performing profession. Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee recalled the bittersweet expertise, sharing in Classic Rock magazine: “We have been taking part in properly, the present was a lot enjoyable for us and our viewers, and we had good vitality regardless of taking part in three-hour exhibits in our sixties.”
The emotional finale befell on the Discussion board in Los Angeles. For followers, probably the most shifting moments got here when Peart, identified for his reserved demeanor, embraced his bandmates on stage. Lee mirrored, “The primary time in forty years he’d accomplished that, it was a ravishing second. I keep in mind being on stage and pondering what number of instances we might performed the Discussion board and questioning simply what number of instances we might accomplished ‘Working Man’ there… It was a bizarre feeling understanding that was doubtless the final time we might play any of these songs collectively.”
Peart‘s retirement successfully ended Rush‘s energetic profession, although the band did not formally disband till 2018. Within the years that adopted, Lee and Lifeson mirrored on their legacy whereas often showing on stage. One of the vital notable moments got here in 2022, when the pair participated within the Taylor Hawkins tribute exhibits, performing Rush songs with visitor drummers.
Lee recalled how Dave Grohl made the invitation not possible to refuse. “Dave simply known as me out of the blue and stated, look, we’ll put collectively a tribute, two exhibits, and Taylor would have beloved you and Alex to be a part of it. I stated, properly, you had me at hi there.”
Grohl, ever aware of Rush‘s legacy, took care to make sure that nobody would interpret their performances as a Rush reboot. “However he is very sensible, and he is a really good man, Dave. He stated, look, one factor we’ve got to do is make sure that it isn’t only one drummer as a result of you do not need folks pondering that is Rush 2.0. And he introduced Omar Hakim on board, they usually each flew as much as Toronto to rehearse with me and Al.”
Performing on the exhibits was each nerve-wracking and cathartic for Lee and Lifeson: “They made all the pieces really easy for us. Al and I have been fairly nervous about doing that present, about being Rush once more, and he did all the pieces he may to place us comfy.”
The tribute concert events additionally introduced surprising encounters. Lifeson shared a second of fanboy awe: “Dave launched us to Paul McCartney. We have been at rehearsals at a recording studio right here in London. Dave got here as much as me and goes, have you ever ever met Paul? After which he went exterior, and Paul stated to him, I’ve by no means met the boys in Rush earlier than and he simply introduced him in. He was, in fact, utterly charming. Simply speaking concerning the forthcoming gig, simply musician to musician. Each bit a gentleman”
After the tribute exhibits, Lifeson discovered himself reflecting on Rush‘s legacy. The enjoyment of performing once more was tempered by the fact that Rush with out Peart would by no means be the identical. “Some days I get up desirous to exit and tour once more, and a few days I do not. For forty years, Rush included Neil, and I do not assume placing some new model collectively would have the identical magic.”
Lifeson stays pleased with the band’s closing tour: “After these two gigs and the months of prep Ged and I went by means of, I used to be excited by the response and to be within the dressing room once more with so many fellow artists in Wembley and LA I revered and felt a kinship in the direction of. However after a number of weeks that wore off and it occurred to me that regardless of all of the ache of loss, Rush went out on a excessive observe taking part in in addition to ever with one in every of our greatest stage exhibits on R40. I assume I would slightly be remembered for that legacy than returning as the highest Rush tribute band,”
For Lee, the Hawkins tribute exhibits underscored the enduring influence of Rush‘s music and the significance of neighborhood. “We have been on a excessive these few days, it felt good to be taking part in our materials and interacting with totally different musicians… Though we have been all gathered there for a really unhappy function, it could not assist however be additionally a tribute to our personal misplaced accomplice and a reinforcement of neighborhood. I’ve by no means seen so many musicians from totally different walks of life all rooting for one another.”
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