When Rush walked off the stage in California on Aug. 1, 2015, closing out their R40 Live Tour, fans held out hope it wouldn’t be their last live performance. Nearly a decade later, and following the death of longtime drummer Neil Peart, the surviving members of the iconic Canadian prog-rock band have come to terms with the likelihood that Rush will not perform again.
Earlier this month, guitarist Alex Lifeson and bassist Geddy Lee spoke to Classic Rock about their decision to shorten the final tour and expressed regret about not performing for fans in the U.K. and Europe.
“I really felt like I let our British and European fans down,” Lee said. “It felt to me incorrect that we didn’t do it, but Neil was adamant that he would only do 30 shows and that was it.”
Peart, who announced his retirement from music later in 2015, ultimately ended Rush’s touring days. Lifeson confirmed the band’s inactivity in 2018, and Peart’s death in 2020 closed the door on any potential future for the group.
In 2022, Lifeson and Lee reunited to perform during tribute shows for late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins in Los Angeles and London. While the performances were well-received, Lifeson told Classic Rock he is content with where Rush left things.
“The energy was fantastic around that show, and some days I wake up wanting to go out and tour again, and some days I don’t,” Lifeson said. “For 40 years, Rush included Neil, and I don’t think putting some new version together would have the same magic.
“Despite all the pain of loss, Rush went out on a high note, playing as well as ever with one of our best stage shows on R40. I’d rather be remembered for that legacy than returning as the top Rush tribute band.”
Since Rush disbanded, Lifeson and Lee have remained active in music. Lifeson performs with the supergroup Envy of None, while Lee published his memoir, My Effin’ Life, in 2023. The two, who still live near each other, regularly meet to jam, though there are no concrete plans for future projects.
“It’s good to jam with friends as you get older,” Lifeson said. “I need to play. Once a week I go to Ged’s—it’s in the calendar—to keep my fingers moving, play Rush stuff, and work on new jams. We do record it, but I couldn’t even begin to tell you where it’ll go.”
