Andy Greene of Rolling Stone reports:
In a new interview with SiriusXM’s Eddie Trunk, Rush’s Geddy Lee revealed that not only is drummer Neil Peart done playing with Rush, but he’s done playing period.
“Neil is retired,” he said. “He hasn’t just retired from Rush; he’s retired from drumming. He’s not drumming anymore, and he’s living his life. Which is fine — Alex [Lifeson] and I are cool with it. We’re all still total pals. In fact, Alex and I were there just a few weeks ago visiting him, and we stay in touch. And, of course, Alex lives very near to me, so we’re constantly going out to dinner, ’cause he loves to drink everything in my wine cellar. We’re still pals, and we all talk, but that period of our life is done.”
Rush have been completely inactive since the conclusion of their R40 Live tour in 2015. The band’s 2016 documentary Time Stand Still revealed that Peart was battling enormous physical pain through much of the tour, including a foot infection that made it agonizing for him to even walk. “Neil was struggling throughout that tour to play at his peak, because of physical ailments and other things that were going on with him,” Lee told Trunk. “And he is a perfectionist, and he did not want to go out and do anything less than what people expected of him. That’s what drove him his whole career, and that’s the way he wanted to go out, and I totally respect that.”
Lee has focused much of his attention on writing his new book Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Book Of Bass since the tour concluded, but now that it’s done he’s beginning to think about creating new music. “Is there more music to come from myself and from Alex?” he said. “I don’t know when and what shape that will take. I don’t know if Alex and I will do something together. People keep me asking me and they want me to be definitive, and I can’t be, because I really haven’t thought that far.”
Read more at Rolling Stone.
source: rollingstone.com
16 Responses
I think it was clear from the documentary that Neil was DONE, after the R40 tour. He was basically ready to move on to a new chapter in his life. He was never comfortable with the fame of being the greatest drummer on earth, and wanted something different. That, and all of the physical ailments he was suffering from, makes his decision completely understandable. I do hope that Geddy and Alex do create new music together. It would be interesting to see what they would come up with outside of RUSH.
Perhaps with time, Neil will find his way back to music. And yes, Geddy and Alex to create new music, either together [preferably], separately and/or with other artists that is a must. All three have so much talent to offer.
Hey Eric Singer will be looking for work soon. His resume includes LITA FORD, BLACK SABBATH and KISS. He’s an excellent drummer who can sing backgrounds and is Jewish. I remember RUSH HOSHANA a few years ago. He was especially good in the studio with SABBATH and played scores of iconic hits on the road with KISS. He’s old enough to be a rock music veteran but young enough to still play the drums.
my favorite rush hoshana album: “moving shiksas”
LOL!!!!!!!!
I respect Neal’s decision so much , rush didn’t milk their fans – when neal couldn’t do it they way he knew he wanted to deliver it, and the fans deserved it he went out on top
I just makes me mad that Rush never came to Albuquerque in the 6.5 years that I’ve lived here. Missed the last tour ever to see Rush cause Denver and Phoenix are 7 hours away.
Hope Niel is in good health.