Without citing names, guitarist lamented approach by different musicians and left a clear bond with deceased colleague and also with Geddy Lee
On January 10, 2020, the rock world received information that it had lost one of its heroes. Neil Peartdrummer and main lyricist of Rushhe died three days earlier, at age 67, due to brain cancer.
That same day, minutes after the loss, the band’s remnants – Alex Lifeson (guitar) and Geddy Lee (Voice, bass and keyboards) – They received several messages from drummers who wanted to occupy the vacancy left by Peart. Insensitive, to say the least.
Lifeson addressed the issue in an interview with the radio Q104.3 (via Blabberouth). The guitarist revealed such information after saying that Lee and he had to talk “casually” about continuing the group without Peart. It was never the intention, but they needed to make it clear.
“We are bombarded for that [voltar ou não com o Rush] all the time. After Neil passed away, there was no more than a few minutes to start receiving emails from all kinds of drummers who wanted to take a test for the band, thinking we would just replace someone with whom we played for 40 years and wrote all the lyrics of our songs. I don’t know what some of these people were thinking. So, yes, we had the conversation, because we can’t avoid. ”
Rush came to an end, but the friendship between Alex and Geddy continued. In a way, by the way, even rare compared to other musicians who share the same band for so long.
“I need to talk to him every day. We gathered for dinner, we play tennis, we are doing all this charity work together. He is my best friend. We met, it plays low, I play guitar. I often go to his house to play with him and end up just sitting, having coffee and laughing all day. It’s not just Rush all the time. We have a profound love relationship. It’s not all about creating something we did in the past. You never know what life brings you. Now I’m super happy doing what I’m doing. ”
In recent years, Lifeson has devoted himself to a new band, ENVY OF NONEwhich has a more inclined sound to alternative rock. Stygian Wavzsecond album of the project, will come to public on March 28.
“I am involved with many musical things. I love to be a musician. I love to play guitar. It’s not just a way to make a living. It is me. It is at the heart of my essence. So you don’t have to be about Rush or Envy of None. That’s what I do. ”
Last show and reason not to return
THE Rush held the last show of his career on August 1, 2015. Fans did not know, but the conclusion of the tour R40which celebrated its 40th career, also represented the end of one of the most acclaimed bands in rock history.
The closing of the activities was a request for Neil Peart. The drummer and main lyricist of the complete trio for Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson He was physically worn out. I wanted to rest and enjoy the time at home.
Unfortunately, this did not materialize as planned: it was not long before Peart discovered in 2016 a rare brain cancer, against which he fought bravely until he could not resist on January 7, 2020. He was 67 years old.
Since then, a portion of fans has been asking Lee and Lifeson to rescue Rush with another drummer. Mike Portnoymember of Dream Theater And the group’s declared admirer is the most commented name on the networks. However, according to the remnants, a meeting with a new member will never materialize.
In an interview with Classic Rock (via Guitar.com), Alex has remembered the short performances he did alongside Geddy in recent years, especially the Tribute Shows Taylor Hawkins (late drummer of Foo Fighters) in England and the United States. The events in 2022 left the guitarist excited, but the feeling soon passed. He explains:
“The energy was fantastic around that show. A few days, I wake up wanting to go out and tour again; Other days, no. For 40 years the Rush included Neil, and I don’t think setting up a new version would have the same magic. It was an amazing experience to work together and make so much music. It was beautiful how much we loved, respected and had fun, but everything, being amazing or not, dies eventually and we got the memories. ”
In addition to making sense to return without Peart, the fact that Rush ended his activities in what Lifeson considers his peak is important. For him, “It is better to be remembered by this legacy than Return as Rush’s best cover band”.
+++ Read more: Why Rush never released a hit, according to Geddy Lee
+++ Read more: Rush’s worst album, in Geddy Lee’s opinion
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Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
