Alex Lifeson of Rush Confirms Band’s Retirement From Touring

While rumors heated up last December about the possible retirement of Neil Peart from Rush in a Drumhead Magazine interview- the other two of the “Holy Triumvirate” wouldn’t confirm that you heard the last from the band.. Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson has now confirmed to Rolling Stone that Peart won’t be touring anytime again.

“We had such a great time on the tour,” Lifeson tells Rolling Stone. “And it was really nice to go through all the material in reverse chronology, and I think our fans really enjoyed it. I think that no matter how long it would have been, it would have been too short. Neil was prepared to commit to 30 dates and he told us that right from the very beginning. He didn’t even want to do the tour, to be honest with you. It’s been increasingly difficult for him, but he committed to the tour and we got through it. As far as he was concerned, that was the end of touring.”

In addition to wanting to stay home with his family more, Peart struggled with the physicality of touring on R40. “His shoulders were hurting, his arms were hurting, his elbows, his feet, everything,” Lifeson says. “He didn’t want to play anything less than 100 percent. He was finding it increasingly difficult to hit that mark on this last tour. So, all those things combined, I get it. I’m disappointed and I think Geddy [Lee] is very disappointed and we’d love to continue this tour a little bit longer, but we’re off now.”

Although the band wont be hitting the road again for tours, the band still holds open the possibility of new music in the studio – as they can possibly do shorten sessions in the studio to keep Peart close to his family and not beaten down from lengthy performances.  Lifeson went on to add in the interview…..

“At present, Lee has been traveling a lot and is in the “Falkland Islands or something, penguin watching. I know he’s open to sitting down and doing some writing, “I’ve been writing since the summer anyway because that’s just what I like to do. I have a small studio in town and I have my own setup at my place. So I like to keep my fingers in it and keep busy, playing guitar. I know I can give Ged a push and we do love working together. We only live five minutes from each other. And I’ve gone over and had a coffee in the past, and we end up going downstairs into his room and start making some noise.”

Check out the band performing “Xanadu” from last summer’s RUSH40 tour in St. Paul, MN.

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29 Responses

  1. Saw the last tour at the Palace in Auburn Hills MI last summer and it was fantastic. I started seeing Rush concerts in high school (I’m 53 now) and am a huge fan. Thanks for letting me enjoy the magic one last time guys!

    1. I was at that same show at the Palace. I’m almost 53, but I didn’t start going to Rush shows until 1982(Signals). And as a musician, I love the challenge of trying to play their music!

    2. I was there at the Palace too, just an amazing show. I’ve been going to their shows since I was 13 and this was the best setlist that I’ve ever seen at a show. Of course there are fan favorites like even an excerpt from Fountain of Lamneth or The Necromancer, that I would have died if they played live, but they covered ever era and I could not complain.

      I’m so glad that we sprung for the VIP seats, we ended up dead center, in the 5th row. And, we got our cool Rush gym bags to boot. lol

  2. saw Rush in Houston last year and they were excellent..saw them in the 77 and 92, they always blew me away..some good things have to come to an end but it’s hard for a fan like me and all of us Rush fans. I fell so lucky to be able to have seen them live in concert since I was a teen..thank you Rush for all the great memories and hope to hear more new music in the future

  3. Had a rich life. Remember seeing all the worlds a stage like it was yesterday at little santa monica civic auditorium. Great contributions guys!

  4. For we have all dined on honeydew and drunk the milk of paradise.

    Thanks Lee. Lifeson, and Peart. What a ride!

  5. As a drummer, I have been an admirer of Peart for years. I remember seeing him back in 82′ when i was in high school and being in awe of his ability. Anyone who picked up a pair of sticks in the 80’s was influenced by him. It’s impressive that he has lasted so long considering how hard he plays. Enjoy retirement from Living in the Limelight. You’ve definetly earned it.

  6. I think Rush could absolutely be considered as one of the best live concert bands of all time. Saw them last in 2008, as if it was their first show right off the record. They are truly amazing!

  7. I’ve been following the band from the very first album. My first concert was back in Nov/77, the “A Farewell To Kings” tour. I’ve seen them every tour since. Thank you Geddy, Alex and Neil for the great music and great memories.

  8. Ever since I first saw these 3 at 15 yrs. old at Masonic Temple in Detroit. 2112 tour. They left an indelible mark on me right up to the last time in 2015 at The Palace of Auburn Hills. My all time fav, for sure. 3 best things to come out of Canada, hockey, beer and RUSH

  9. Caught the R40 in Columbus. So glad I did. Thanks, Rush, for so many great years of tours! Y’all deserve a long, rich retirement.

  10. I hope to see new materal in the future. One of the greatest rock and roll bands ever period! I got to see R40 and had a blast.

  11. When i bought a {Pearl 12-kit} Variable-pitch drum set all i could think about was emulating Mr.Peart style of play. From all the years of concerts and videos you and the band have inspired me to continue on in life, it would be an honor to meet you someday. Thank You

  12. Saw RUSH in ’78, Had the pleasure of them coming to Phoenix 3 times in the last 5 years. Got to see all of them with my son. Great rock band to share. Tour when they did all of Moving Pictures was truly special

  13. Saw them the second night in Toronto this past summer. My 11-year old is the one referred to in the notes in the Blu-ray…”sniff”. Sad to hear they are done touring, but that’s life. Saw them a ton of times, loved each show. They will be missed.

  14. GREAT band! Got to see R40 in Houston last fall. So nice to see a band stick together, not go through all of the drama like a lot of other bands. Their music will live forever…their stage presence will be missed. Thank you Geddy, Neil and Alex for TONS of great music!!

  15. Saw the boys in Phoenix for the R40 last year. RUSH has always had a great show. First saw them in Pittsburgh in 1974, although I do not remember that show real well, since they opened for Uriah Heep, but caught up the last couple of years with 5 RUSH concerts. Always great, but as we age, we can only go on for so long.
    Being about the same age as Neil, Alex, and Geddy, it was always a great inspiration for the older guys to see them on stage performing.
    Thanks RUSH for all the great memories. It was always a unique and wonderful experience to see RUSH perform.

  16. We are all getting older. Loved you guy’s since 1977 in Corpus Christi Texas concert.
    Have seen you numerous times in Corpus,Houston and San Antonio. I have a friend in
    Corpus Tx that lived on Xanadu street when the song came out ,he is one of your biggest
    fans still today.

  17. Lerxst, Dirk and The Professor: Thank you for music that will never be challenged, as the talent to create and play it can never be matched. Ever. Dirk, your enthusiasm was a joy to behold; Lerxst, your sense of humor (see acceptance speech at HOF Ceremony) only topped by your amazing guitar ability. And Professor, Tom Sawyer says it all. The selfish me can’t think of never seeing you all perform again. The realistic me was so very lucky to have been able to hear your greatness. Thank you for Hemispheres and thank you for being the wonderful human beings you are. RUSH will always be, forever.

  18. I saw them at Madison Square Garden in June. The sounded amazing. I have been a fan since 1980. Thank you RUSH for all the great music that you have put out. I hope that they will record some new music.

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