The End of Rush?
It seems the end of an era has finally come upon us. After hinting that their recent R40 tour could very well be their last, Rush drummer Neil Peart confirmed that he is retired from music. The prog-rock hero spoke about it in a new interview with Drumhead Magazine.
“Lately [my daughter] Olivia has been introducing me to new friends at school as ‘My dad—He’s a retired drummer,’” he said. “True to say – funny to hear. And it does not pain me to realize that, like all athletes, there comes a time to… take yourself out of the game. I would rather set it aside then face the predicament described in our song ‘Losing It’ (“Sadder still to watch it die, than never to have known it”).”
The news is heartbreaking in itself, but it also indicates that Rush may be done touring for good. When asked about the future of the band, Geddy Lee previously said that it hinged on Peart’s condition. “Neil has a complicated life, he has a young daughter a new family that he really feels pain to leave and he has physical issues when we play a monster for three hours,” the bassist explained. “The body is not cooperating with him. It’s very hard for him. And he pays a price. There are times you see him backstage in the middle of a tour and he’s really suffering.”
Touring looks unlikely, but there may be hope for new music. Check out Lee’s full statement below:
It’s a shame that Neil is dealing with some of the health issues related to playing an instrument. Hopefully with a bit of rest and exercise/stretches they can do one more tour in the next year or two… maybe.
One name, Mike Portnoy.
It’s sad seeing Neil leave, as I believe, all of them together is RUSH. BUT, time waits for no man, so, IF, and only IF, RUSH was to continue, Mike would be the best choice to replace Neil.
That will never happen. Rush isn’t Rush without one of those guys. Geddy made that very clear in Beyond the Lighted Stage. If anything, there may be some solo work done. But even though Portnoy without a question could play the music, it will never happen.
One name: Nobody… Rush is Lee, Lifeson and Pratt, and nobody more….
Chris Pratt is hardly a good candidate.
Aw man, this is disappointing.
I can’t help but feel a deep sadness at Rush’s apparent departure from the stage. I’ve been incredibly inspired and challenged by their music. But I’m thankful that they’ve contributed such a large and wonderful body of work to the music world. And I think that we’re all a little better because of it.
Rush , thanks for all the great music over the years.
This may sound silly. 2112 changed my life. I was hooked. I saw them in St. Louis in 1980. Awesome live show. A group of us camped out for tickets in Belleville, Illinois.We made it into the Newspaper with an article and photos about us waiting for those tickets. It was a cold night, but so worth it. I was in the 7th row on the floor. Never will forget it.
So it ends…well done!
I wonder:
With time spent in retirement, will Rush, perhaps, re-record the music beds for ‘Caress of Steel’?
Keep in mind that this record is ‘the one that got away’…the band could spend 10-15 weeks revisioning and revising this classic acid rock album, and re-release it as a ‘going away vanity’, a parting gift for their most dedicated fans to purchase.
Best of health to Lee and Co.