Geddy Lee admits that the band’s reunion was considered taboo until 2022, but meeting with the music legend prompted him and Alex Lifeson to rethink the topic
By 2022, a return of Rushwhether to write new songs or just play live again, was unthinkable. That started to change after a slight push from a music legend.
The taboo was broken once and for all last Monday, the 6th, when Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson announced their return to tour “Fifty Something”in 2026.
The person who revealed the influence of this rock giant was Geddy Lee, referring to Paul McCartney. According to him, the Beatle was a supporter of Rush’s return, even without the drummer Neil Peartwho passed away in January 2020.
In 2022, Lee and Lifeson played tribute shows to Taylor Hawkinsdrummer of Foo Fighters and who died that year. Paul McCarntey was also present on one of these occasions and would have encouraged the duo to reactivate Rush.
In 2023, Geddy Lee gave an interview to The Washington Post (via Loudwire) and gave indications that he and Lifeson already admitted to rethinking the matter. And that Paul was decisive for this:
“It was a taboo subject, and playing those songs again with a third person was the elephant in the room, and that kind of went away. It was nice to know that if we decided to go out (on tour), Alex and I, whether as part of a new thing or if we just wanted to go out and play the Rush as Rushwe could do that now.”
At the time, Lee mentioned that Alex Lifeson was facing some health problems, but that if this was resolved and his colleague was fit, the two could reach an agreement to return to playing.
“He needs to feel good and healthy and strong. And then maybe we can talk.”
Rush back
No sooner said than done. Two years later, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson shocked the world by announcing the return of Rushwho will perform live in 2026.
The band had not performed since August 2015. They had already officially retired when drummer Neil Peart passed away in January 2020.
To return to the stage in 2026, Lee and Lifeson called on the German drummer Anika Nilles. She takes over from Neil Peart with the approval of the late musician’s family.
Show dates
The announced tour will initially cover seven cities in North America on 23 dates. See the list of shows:
- 07/06 – Los Angeles, California, USA (Kia Forum)
- 09/06 – Los Angeles, California, USA (Kia Forum)
- 11/06 – Los Angeles, California, USA (Kia Forum) – New date
- 06/13 – Los Angeles, California, USA (Kia Forum) – New date
- 18/06 – Mexico City, Mexico (Palacio de los Deportes)
- 06/24 – Fort Worth, Texas, USA (Dickies Arena)
- 06/26 – Fort Worth, Texas, USA (Dickies Arena)
- 06/28 – Fort Worth, Texas, USA (Dickies Arena) – New date
- 06/30 – Fort Worth, Texas, USA (Dickies Arena) – New date
- 07/16 – Chicago, Illinois, USA (United Center)
- 07/18 – Chicago, Illinois, USA (United Center)
- 07/20 – Chicago, Illinois, USA (United Center) – New date
- 07/22 – Chicago, Illinois, USA (United Center) – New date
- 07/28 – New York, New York, USA (Madison Square Garden)
- 07/30 – New York, New York, USA (Madison Square Garden)
- 01/08 – New York, New York, USA (Madison Square Garden) – New date
- 08/03 – New York, New York, USA (Madison Square Garden) – New date
- 07/08 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Scotiabank Arena)
- 09/08 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Scotiabank Arena)
- 11/08 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Scotiabank Arena) – New date
- 08/13 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Scotiabank Arena) – New date
- 09/17 – Cleveland, Ohio, USA (Rocket Arena)
- 09/19 – Cleveland, Ohio, USA (Rocket Arena) – New date
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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.
