Lifeson does leave the door open for the possibility of future recordings and shows here and there. I saw Rush three times in the 80s and early 90s at the old Summit and have been a fan since I was a kid. The early Rush albums, Fly by Night, Caress Of Steel, A Farewell To Kings, and Hemispheres make-up my favorite era but regardless of time period, they're all great musicians and Peart is a master lyricist. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/alex-lifeson-on-rushs-uncertain-future-20160308
It's ok, they've done enough to cement their legacy in heavy prog rock history and last tour I could tell NP had lost a step or 3 by comparisons to the ClockWork Angels tour in '12.
Roger Daltrey said the same type of things when The Who played here. The older you get if you have enough money the tougher it is to get psyched up for committing to hardship. Sure it's private jets (or motorcycles) and 4 star hotels and tour chefs, but it's traveling everyday, two hour shows at high energy and volume, and old married guys don't even get groupie sex. The Stones seem to still love it though. Mick has been filing joyous Twitter posts touring South America right now.
Grace under pressure was the first Rush tour I saw and I've tried to see every one since then. They've always been great live and I've loved every one. I'll be sad if the R40 show is the last time to see them live but it was a magical night in Austin at 360 amphitheater with perfect weather and seats on the 8th Row. Glad I splurged on the good seats. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/2xZsXKK_qK/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Alex & Geddy #R40ATX</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by @mbarker1969 on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-05-17T05:49:36+00:00">May 16, 2015 at 10:49pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
Sure, but make the distinction btw what Neil does in Rush and how much easier it is for bands and dudes like Mick and Roger to get up there and sing. Neil's burden is a million times greater!!!!!!! With those bands you can ease back into the songs but with Rush's music it HAS to be one point on EVERY note and Neil is a perfectionist and he won't accept anything less that perfection each and every time.
Yeah, don't get me wrong.....I love Charlie Watts....but the physical exertion playing a Rush set on a nightly basis is a little different than playing a Stones set. If you read the quote from Alex, Neil was literally in pain. It wasn't the road, the hotels, etc. It was the physical act of playing (they way he plays). On a much much much much much much smaller scale.....I can relate. Occasionally my band will play 3 nights in a row on a weekend and on the following Sunday, I am absolutely exhausted. And believe me, we ain't playing Tom Sawyer, Freewill or Red Barchetta. Those tunes don't really go over too well at your average corporate party or wedding....
One of the great progressive rock bands. We officially lost Pink Floyd in 2014, now Rush. Kind of sad being a huge fan of the genre.
Some are born to move the world and live their fantasies Most of us just dream about the things we liked to be Sadder still to watch it die then never to have known it For you the blind who once could see, the bell tolls for thee
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Sad to see them stop touring but they have nothing to prove nor do they owe the fans anything. They've made some great music and put on incredible live performances. They are great musicians who believe in their craft. If it's painful and not fun anymore I don't fault them for not. Frankly I think many acts should just stop touring after awhile.
Heard about this recently when Neil mentioned it. Not surprised. It's not like they don't get along, and Geddy and Alex have both done solo projects/albums, so I am sure they'll stay busy with music in some form or another, if not occasionally together as a band. I'm sure Neil won't quit playing... just not shocked that the world tour scene has taken it's toll on them. Like others mentioned, not like they need the money. As I'm sure most fans know, Neil lost his daughter and wife a while back within a year or two of each other, so honestly I'm a bit surprised they kept at it as long as they did, though he (they) did take a break then too. If you never saw them live, I am sorry to say you missed greatness. If they ever change their mind, I'll be there for that, but otherwise, I'm content with the many shows I saw them play, which seemed increasingly better and better. The setlist for this last one was just incredible, heck of a way to go out if that's how they finish up. Something tells me they will play the occasional reunion show, if not a tour, just not the grueling world tour stuff they've done for so long. If that happens, I'm up for traveling to see them again if necessary, and if it doesn't, good on them for going out on top. I think it will happen.
i think this is an interesting move. obviously, she is no neil peart, but i think meg is a really creative, technical, innovative and hard hitting drummer with a metronomic-like sense of timing and ability to hold a steady beat. solid replacement. https://www.ncscooper.com/white-stripes-drummer-meg-white-to-replace-rushs-neil-peart/
That is too funny. Sadly someone will believe it. Meg is such a head case the whitestripes had to cancel shows because she couldn't travel. I personally like her simplistic style but she would only use 4 of the 50+ pieces in Neil's kit.
simplistic is fine, but jack should have made her practice to a metronome. i always got the feeling she just did not care about playing drums...she obviously did not practice. i drum in a band where i only use kick, snare, hi-hat and a couple cymbals, but i know how to hold the tempo down. that is your main job as a drummer and she was really bad at it. meg has nicer boobs than neil though!
I've seen Rush at least 15 times. Those nights will always be a part of me and my psyche. So many great memories over the years from watching them. New music is still possible. Little hope for a tour but maybe some more shows somewhere down the line and the Rush fans who want to pay the money can pay for tickets and travel. I would buy that package in a heartbeat. I do know my feet hurt standing most of the time for ~ 3 hours without any room to move...gladly endured pain to stand there 10th row and watch maybe their final tour show. Most Rush fans aren't spring chickens any more. The band certainly isn't. I kind of feel bad for the newer Rush fans who didn't get to experience it all...and some maybe never will experience Rush in concert live. I don't think they are done musically, though. Neil didn't say or even imply he was putting down the drumsticks. Hah, the Meg gag had me going for a few seconds! But, it's still too soon since the last tour for the guys to really even contemplate the future properly. Neil could always change his mind and his daughter Olivia might have something to do with it if he did. Certainly, it won't be a long tour if it happens. I also read on my Rush insider site I go to for definitive Rush news is this latest article per Alex contains nothing new really. He's still talking in the context of the last tour. The fact is the band hasn't gotten together or talked band news since the last tour ended. That point will come...but not yet. But, I do understand this article is getting a lot of attention in the media right now...even though it is mostly rehash and nothing new.
