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Rush’s Alex Lifeson Talks About the Band’s Last Big Tour

Right about now, the trucks are rolling towards the BOK Centre in Tulsa where they will disgorge all of the gear for what appears to be Rush’s last great tour. Once crews set everything up, Rush will spend the week rehearsing on the new stage before the tour begins for real next Friday. (I’m heading to Tulsa for the show; I’ll report back.)

Nick Patch of the Canadian Press talked to Alex Lifeson about this tour:

CP: How are you feeling about this?

Lifeson: I have such mixed feelings about it. In one way, I feel relief. I think that 40 years is a long time to be touring the way we tour. I really like being home with my grandkids. At 61, I don’t feel there’s anything we need to prove.

I still love playing. But in (drummer) Neil (Peart)’s case, for example, his job is really tough. Playing the way he does is very, very difficult on his body. He has chronic tendonitis in his arms and he’s had problems with his shoulders.

It’s just getting to the point, no matter how much we love doing it, that it’s much more demanding and much more difficult.

I’ve always hated the idea of being one of those guys who’s just up there, old and barely able to move — just doing it for fear of not doing it, or not making an extra buck or whatever.

If this is the last major tour that we do, (I want to) go out with flying colours, where everybody remembers the show they went to as the best Rush (show) they’ve (seen).

That’s a nice legacy to leave behind — rather than the worn-out shadow of something you once were.

Read the entire interview here.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38040 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

One thought on “Rush’s Alex Lifeson Talks About the Band’s Last Big Tour

  • Rush is the last true superstar band with super great lyrics. They make you listen to the words. They make you think.
    Rush Rules Forever.

    Reply

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