Ever since the Canadian classic rock trio ended their Rush40 tour last summer, speculation that it would be their final major live performance outing has circulated. A press release from the band at that time admitted that it was “likely” that Rush would never again embark on a full-scale tour due to drummer Neal Peart’s physical condition and family obligations (detailed in our previous report at the end of last year here).
Although no official announcement has been issued by the band since, guitarist Alex Lifeson reaffirmed the news in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. “As far as he was concerned, that was the end of touring.” Lifeson and bassist/lead singer Geddy Lee would like to continue performing. But Peart “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 Peart told Drumhead magazine, “The reality is that my style of drumming is largely an athletic undertaking, and it does not pain me to realize that, like all athletes, there comes a time to… take yourself out of the game.”
Lifeson explains that arthritis and other conditions affect Peart’s ability to perform at his best. “His shoulders were hurting, his arms were hurting, his elbows, his feet, everything,” says Lifeson. “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.”
Additionally, Peart has a young daughter, Olivia, who wants her father to remain at home, going so far as to tell her friends that he’s a “retired drummer.” And he wants to respect her wishes.
Lee and Lifeson are hoping that Rush will continue to record as well as hopefully play one-off concerts or short tours. But for now all three band members are on hiatus for at least a year. Best Classic Bands will follow the story and report any further developments.
