Alex Lifeson doesn’t want to tarnish Rush’s legacy by reforming: “I’d rather be remembered for that legacy than return as the top Rush tribute band”
Since Rush performed their final concert on 1 August, 2015, hope has remained regarding some sort of reunion, despite the death of drummer Neil Peart in 2020.
Back in May last year, guitarist Alex Lifeson revealed that he and bassist Geddy Lee had been meeting up to jam Rush songs, but conceded that the pair sounded like a “really, really bad Rush tribute band”.
READ MORE: Alex Lifeson reflects on his lifelong “romantic affair” with the guitar: “We’ve never had a single argument”
In a new interview with Classic Rock, Lifeson reflects on the Taylor Hawkins tribute shows in London and LA – during which he and Geddy Lee performed a selection of Rush classics – and how, for a brief moment, he was excited by performing Rush songs once again. However, in time this wore off.
“The energy was fantastic around that show, I know, and some days I wake up wanting to go out and tour again and some days I don’t,” Lifeson says. “For 40 years Rush included Neil, and I don’t think putting some new version together would have the same magic.
“It was an incredible experience working together and making so much music. It was beautiful how much we loved and respected each other, and how much we laughed but everything, amazing or not, dies eventually and we are left with the memories.”
He goes on: “After those two gigs and the months of prep Ged and I went through, I was excited by the response and to be in the dressing room again with so many fellow artists in Wembley and LA I respected and felt a kinship towards.
“But after a few weeks that wore off and it occurred to me that despite all the pain of loss, Rush went out on a high note playing as well as ever with one our best stage shows on R40.
“I guess I’d rather be remembered for that legacy than returning as the top Rush tribute band.”
Lee chimes in, sharing how those shows were an opportunity for the pair to work with other musicians.
“We were on [a] high those few days,” he says. “It felt good to be playing our material and interacting with different musicians. We were always a fairly insular band. There were very few bands whose albums we played on; we didn’t really interact.”
While a fully-fledged Rush reunion doesn’t look likely any time soon, Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee remain professionally active. Back in May, the duo reunited for a one-off show to honour Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist Gordon Lightfoot.
And Lifeson’s Lerxst gear brand continues to grow; last year, it launched its first guitar models, the Limelight – launched at NAMM 2024 – and the Grace, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Rush’s Grace Under Pressure.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
