Aware of the finitude of life, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson resumed activities without neglecting caution and respect to Neil Peart. Even so, they received some criticism. But who calls?
A decade after the last show, the Rush announced your return. The vocalist, bassist and (now a former) keyboardist Geddy Lee and the guitarist Alex Lifeson confirmed the tour “Fifty Something” (Something like “50 and nine years”), with 12 shows scheduled in 7 cities in North America – United States, Mexico and their homeland, Canada.
The vacancy left by the late drummer and main lyricist Neil Peart was assumed by Anika Nilles42 -year -old German musician celebrated by his refined technique and videos on social networks. Lee also said that at least one keyboard holder should be added to tours. Earlier, the singer and bassist himself was in charge of the instrument, but at the top of his 72 years, he admitted that he would like to be freer on stage.
The gigantic most of the fans were surprised by the news, as very rare bands in rock history were as collective as Rush. Trios are already more dependent on each member – by the obvious number of the reduced number – but with the Canadians, the situation was even more visible.
With Peart, then, you don’t even talk. We are talking about one of the greatest drummers of all time. A musician who transcended the bubbles of heavy and progressive music. Era and is admired inside and outside the rock (such as his taxes to the jazzist Buddy Rich), inside and outside music (in view of his prolific career as a writer, with seven books of non -fiction and other fictional works). How to replace someone like this?
In fact, it is not replaced. Since the first communications to the public, Lee and Lifeson have made it clear: the shows will be, above all, a way of honoring Peart – with support from his family – and the band’s legacy as a whole. Case similar to that of Queen (+ Adam Lambert), Foreigner And so many other projects. The Rush we knew no longer exists. In addition to the right they have, Geddy and Alex use the group’s name to simplify public assimilation.
The duo, true, committed contradictions. In several interviews, they stressed that Rush would not return. Last year, Lifeson categorically told Classic Rock History: “We can’t simply look for another drummer, do shows and new material. It just wouldn’t be the same. It would just be a financial strategy”. Two of the three things happened – there is no promise of unpublished songs.
They didn’t follow what they said. So what? Who never? We all won with this contradiction, and I don’t talk about money, because certainly these two gentlemen do not need money. Geddy and Alex do what they did together for over 40 years. The new drummer and the other eventual support musicians will have their lives modified by the opportunity. And fundamentally, fans have (more) a chance to hear these compositions being touched by two of the three creators.
The moment was now. Now 72 years old, Lifeson has been dealing for decades with psoriatic arthritis, which has limited his guitar skills. And you need to be very sharp to perform these songs. He still suffers from gastroparesis, a stomach problem arising after complicated hiatal hernia surgery. Lee, also 72, does not publicly comment on whether or not he has any diagnosed disease, but his age is advanced and not everyone is Mick Jagger.
Apart from the favorable period, what matters most: they want to do that. Over the past 3 years, Alex and Geddy have said in various interviews who went to meet practically every week to dinner and play together. They are, above all, friends. At CBS in 2023, Lee even revealed a conversation about recruiting a drummer for tour. Now they guarantee that they only decided on the meeting recently, but the seed was planted. Even the name of Anika had been hung for some time, as the singer and bassist knew the drummer’s work in 2022, when he toured with Jeff Beck.
It is public knowledge that, in 2015, Alex Lifeson and especially Geddy Lee did not want to stop. They respected Neil Peart’s desire, attached by physical problems such as chronic tendonitis. They put Rush to hibernate to their death due to brain cancer in 2020. They are waiting for another 5 years. If even with all this caution some fans get bored… patience. Life that follows. And is following. With enormous respect for what has happened, but without impediments to do what you want while it’s still time.
Rolling Stone Brazil: Avenged Sevenfold on the cover
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+++ Read more: Rush announces shows for 2026 with German drummer and honors to Neil Peart
+++ Read more: meet Anika Nilles, drummer who will play with Rush in the 2026 tour
+++ Read more: the other change of formation that Rush must have around you
+++ Read more: Why Rush will never return, according to Alex Lifeson
+++ 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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+++ Click here to follow journalist Igor Miranda @igormirandasite on Instagram
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Alex Lifeson
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Anika Nilles
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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.
