Rush’s Future Uncertain as Drummer Hints Again at Retirement; Geddy Lee Dispels Rumors

Following the conclusion of Rush’s R40 tour this year marking their 40th anniversary, the future of the band has become a bit of a scholarly debate among fans and the music world at large. The discussion isn’t a big surprise, however, as band members Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson (both age 62), and Neil Peart (age 63) have all addressed the struggles of extensive touring as the years continue, though to varying degrees for each.

RUSH R40Their recent R40 Tour sold out, with little hesitation by fans due to an uncertainty as to whether they would ever get a chance to see the band after the tour. Band members seemed to have made it clear that they are probably done with the extended touring at the same denying that it would be the end for Rush. Geddy and Alex both expressed openness to smaller scale runs of shows, such as residencies, bringing a sigh of relief to a loyal fan base holding their breath over the uncertainty.

Each member has had his own struggles in recent years. Geddy has fared the best, it seems, continuing to put on a phenomenal vocal performance both in energy and intonation although his voice has aged. For Alex, arthritis has been a minor setback, though he works through it and feels it would only lessen the amount of touring he could do. However, Neil has struggled the most, with tendonitis in his arm. Despite the trio’s difficulties, their performance on the R40 tour was nothing short of what is to be expected from a Rush concert.

Rush - Madison Square Garden -1
Neil Peart at Madison Square Garden on the R40 Tour, June 2015

As the post-R40 conversations have progressed, Drumhead Magazine recently published an article on Neil Peart which included a quote prompted by his daughter. It wasn’t surprising, though sobering for fans:

Lately Olivia has been introducing me to new friends at school as “My dad– He’s a retired drummer.” True to say–funny to hear. And it does not pain me to realize that, like all athletes, there comes a time to… take yourself out of the game. I would rather set it aside then face the predicament described in our song “Losing It” (“Sadder still to watch it die, than never to have known it”).

“True to say–funny to hear.” Those words sparked a flurry of speculation on social media, mostly in lamentation of the end of Rush. It’s no mistake for loyal Rush fans – a band that resounds with many as the soundtrack of their lives – to quickly lift the flame of the worst-case speculation. However, there have been no press releases, no official statements that confirm Peart’s departure from the band and the inevitable end of the band to follow.

However, on Dec. 8, Geddy Lee clarified Peart’s remarks as being taken out of context and that the sentiment reinforces Peart’s desire to take it easy and take a break without the desire to hang his hat up just yet. In the same round of comments Geddy gave to U.K.’s Prog magazine, he says that the band most certainly will regroup to discuss their next act which would likely include writing new music at the very least, possibly some limited touring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhMdQqJ6Jag

Peart has been the band’s lyricist for their entire career following the late drummer John Rutsey’s early departure from the band. Regarded as one of the best drummers in rock and either one of the best or worst (depending on the critic) lyricist in music, Peart is a critical leg of the tripod, and without him, Rush wouldn’t be the same. That hasn’t stopped the online Rush forums from contemplating what it would be like if Lifeson and Lee were to find a replacement to tour with. And to think of who a viable replacement would be is a whole other curious pondering.

No, Rush would not be the same without Peart. The chemistry of the band that has been fostered over the last four decades couldn’t continue as it’s been know with a new drummer, like adding lemon juice to milk.

Peart has faced and overcome an immense tragedy following the 1997 Test for Echo tour, when he lost his only daughter at the time in a car accident and his wife to cancer a year later. Peart told his bandmates “consider me retired” at his daughter’s funeral, as he recalls in his book Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road. After a five-year hiatus, Peart was ready to start recording and performing again, marked by the 2001 release Vapor Trails, heavily influenced by his then-recent experiences and the band as a whole coming back.

Peart remarried in the early 2000s and now has a young daughter at home, born in 2009. Aside from physical struggles on stage that would influence him to claim retirement, time on the road is time away from his family, a much greater strain to him than to Lee or Lifeson, whose families are grown up. While it is disappointing to hear that the inevitable for Rush may be sooner than expected, relaxation and time with family is something well-deserved by Peart after four decades of being a role model of drummers and an inspirational lyricist.

Based on Lee’s comments to U.K. Prog Magazine, some reassurance is given to fans that Rush is not over yet. Though, a lot can change in the few years it may be before we expect to hear from Rush again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaSQHNg9UtE

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers can be seen on the recently released live concert film of the R40 Tour, recorded July 17 and 19 at the Air Canada Center in Toronto. It debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums list.

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