Not all bands dare to make music again after the death of one of their main members, although like Foo Fighters or The Rolling Stones, there is always an exception. Rush was technically inactive for some time before Neil Peart’s death in 2020, but in an era where nostalgia reigns, there are hopes that Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson will reunite.
The two musicians have spoken about it several times, mainly to make it clear that there are no immediate plans to get back together, but perhaps Lee’s latest statements shed some light amid the uncertainty . In an interview with The Washington Post, the singer and bassist spoke about his participation with Lifeson in last year’s Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts, where they performed three Rush hits accompanied by Dave Grohl, Chad Smith and Danny Carey on drums. “It’s a taboo subject and playing songs again in the third person is the big elephant in the room,” he said. “And that somehow disappeared.”
For many it was a dream come true to see Lee and Lifeson playing their band’s music again, so after the presentations Paul McCartney congratulated them and encouraged them to return to the stage. “It’s nice to know that if we decide to come back, Alex and I, whether we do it with a new project or playing Rush music as Rush, we can do it,” he added.
In another recent conversation, this time with Los Angeles Times, the musician stated that he continues to miss the group and recalled that the announcement of Peart’s retirement was a difficult blow for him. “It’s been eight years since our last concert,” he continued. “Starting over takes a lot of energy. Would I do it again? It is possible. Shall I make a music? Also. Now that I’ve become a terrible composer, I have to give it up first. ”
When asked about the possibilities of another show by the band, Lee replied that there might be a tribute to Rush’s songs, but he did not dare to say if there will be another official presentation.
In 2015 when Rush toured North America as a celebration of Peart’s 40th anniversary in the group, however, it was their last tour as a trio due to health problems experienced by the late musician. In December of the same year, the drummer announced his retirement and since then the group has remained almost inactive.
In the following years, its members offered few statements about the future of Rush and until the death of Peart in 2020 – who for the last three years suffered from glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain cancer – that’s all it’s done. feelings
“(The tours) are over,” said the bassist in his chat Rolling Stone in 2021. “But I still feel proud of what we did. I don’t know if I’ll make music again and I’m sure Al won’t, be together, separate or something. However, Rush’s music will always be a part of us and I wouldn’t think twice about playing our songs in the ideal context. However, at the same time we have to be respectful in what we do as three. ”
For his part, Lifeson stated a few months ago that there is no way that Rush will return without their drummer. “Honestly, I think it all ended in 2015. There’s no way we could exist again because Neil wasn’t here to be a part of it,” she said on the programme. Trunk Nation with Eddie Trunk. “That doesn’t mean we can’t do other things (…). And I have a lot of plans that don’t necessarily include Geddy. So far, the guitarist has not discussed the statements of his former partner.
