The remaining members of the iconic Canadian progressive rock band Rush have openly reflected on their final tour, expressing their heartfelt regrets regarding the missed opportunity to perform in the U.K. and Europe. This discussion sheds light on the band’s enduring legacy and the deep connection they share with their international fanbase, revealing how the lack of shows in these regions has left an emotional void for both the band and their supporters.

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Nearly a decade after their last concert series, Rush’s bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson recently shared their reflections with Classic Rock magazine. They expressed genuine sorrow over not being able to perform for their devoted fans in Britain and Europe, who missed out on witnessing the band’s legendary performances during their final gigs.

“I really pushed hard to secure additional shows so we could perform for those extra fans, but ultimately, I wasn’t able to make it happen,” Lee recounted regarding the band’s R40 Live Tour. “I felt a profound sense of disappointment for our British and European fans who were left out. It seemed fundamentally wrong to me that we didn’t play there, but Neil [Peart] was resolute about limiting the tour to just thirty shows, and that was his final decision.”

“From Neil’s perspective, that was a significant compromise, given that he initially didn’t want to perform at all. He was adamant about not wanting to do even a single show,” Lee added, emphasizing the challenges faced by the band members during this pivotal stage in their careers.

The R40 Live Tour kicked off in Tulsa, OK in May 2015, featuring an impressive lineup of 35 shows across the United States and the band’s home country, Canada. This tour concluded in August of the same year and, although fans fervently requested additional dates, it ultimately marked the band’s final live performances. Even though Rush released their last studio album, Clockwork Angels, in 2012, the official announcement of the band’s disbandment came only after the passing of their longtime drummer Neil Peart in January 2020.

In his 2023 memoir, My Effin’ Life, Lee provided insights into the band’s last tour while also expressing caution in discussing Peart’s death. He aimed to be as transparent as possible, striving to offer the loyal Rush audience the closure they deserved regarding the band’s conclusion.

“I felt a strong obligation to provide an explanation to our audience,” Lee shared. “This was part of the reason I went into detail about Neil’s passing in the book; I wanted to share the realities of what transpired, illustrating that it was not a straightforward journey.”

“This complex narrative encapsulates the tumultuous period Rush endured from August 1, 2015, until January 7, 2020, when Neil passed away. Those years were filled with unique challenges, emotional upheavals, and complicated situations. Our fans invested so much of their lives into our band, and I believed they deserved a clear account of how their beloved band reached its conclusion.”

Lifeson also conveyed his sorrow over Rush’s inability to tour in some of their most beloved markets during their final tour. He noted that Peart’s scheduling demands and health complications rendered additional shows impossible. Lifeson mused that even an extra “dozen or so” dates might have made the surviving members feel a bit more at peace with the tour’s abrupt end.

“At one point, Neil seemed open to the idea of extending the tour with a few more performances, but then he suffered a painful infection in his foot,” Lifeson recalled. “It got so severe that he could hardly walk to the stage at times. They had to arrange for a golf cart to transport him to the stage. Yet, despite this, he delivered a three-hour performance with the same intensity he had for every show.”

“That level of commitment was remarkable, but that was when he made the decision that the tour would conclude with that last show in Los Angeles.”

Founded in Toronto in 1968 by Lee, Lifeson, and original members John Rutsey and Jeff Jones, Rush gained widespread recognition during the 1970s, with Peart succeeding Rutsey after the recording of their debut album in 1974.

While Rush primarily toured in the U.S. and Canada, the U.K. stood out as their second most significant market, followed by European nations like Germany and the Netherlands. Interestingly, Rush seldom performed beyond these regions, with countries such as Australia never experiencing a live concert from the band.