In a recent interview with Classic Rock, the iconic surviving members of Rush, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, opened up about their feelings of “disappointment” regarding their farewell tour and discussed the significant change they wished they could have implemented. Their honest reflections highlight the emotional complexities surrounding their final performances and the choices that shaped their legacy.

Initiated in 2015, Rush’s R40 Live: 40th Anniversary tour marked the band’s last hurrah. With only 35 performances, it fell short of the extensive international tours typically associated with legendary bands bidding farewell to their fans. This limited engagement was a source of frustration for both Lee and Lifeson, who felt strongly about honoring their global fanbase.

The farewell tour, restricted to North America, was a decision both Lee and Lifeson found challenging to accept. Despite their efforts to persuade drummer Neil Peart to extend the tour and include more dates, they were unsuccessful in changing his mind about the limited schedule.

“I pushed really hard for additional performances so we could reach our European and British fans,” Lee expressed to Classic Rock, revealing his deep regret for not being able to meet those expectations. He added, “It felt wrong not to include them, but Neil was resolute in his decision to limit it to 30 shows, which he viewed as a significant compromise. His initial inclination was to not perform at all.”

In his 2023 memoir, My Effin’ Life, Lee provides detailed insights into Rush’s final journey, carefully articulating the complexities of the band’s last chapter. His intention was to offer an explanation to fans worldwide about the circumstances surrounding their farewell, while acknowledging the intricate dynamics at play within the band.

“I felt a sense of duty to clarify things for our audience,” Lee noted, hinting at the internal struggles that complicated their farewell tour. He emphasized that the journey from August 1, 2015, to January 7, 2020, the day Neil passed away, was fraught with emotions and challenges. “These were unprecedented times that tested us all, and I believed our devoted fans deserved a clearer understanding of how we reached the conclusion of our band,” Lee elaborated.

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Lifeson echoed Lee’s sentiments, stating, “Both Ged and I were truly disappointed that Neil insisted on limiting our performances, which ultimately ruled out a U.K. and European tour. I believe that adding a dozen more shows would have made us feel more satisfied with the conclusion.”

He also revealed that there was a moment when they almost convinced Peart to agree to additional dates, but an unfortunate health issue arose. “He developed a painful infection in one of his feet,” Lifeson explained, illustrating the physical challenges Peart faced during the tour.

Despite the pain, Peart remained dedicated to his craft, often being transported to the stage in a golf cart due to his condition. Lifeson recalled, “He played three-hour shows with the same intensity he brought to every performance,” showcasing Peart’s unwavering commitment to their fans. However, Lifeson noted, “That was when he decided that the tour would conclude after the final show in L.A.”

Geddy Lee Reflects on Rush’s Emotional Farewell

In late 2023, during a conversation with BBC Radio 6 Music, Lee discussed his memoir and the profound impact of Peart’s passing. He described the process of writing about his bandmate’s death as “very difficult,” acknowledging the need to balance honesty with sensitivity regarding Peart’s family and loved ones.

“My perspective is uniquely mine; it doesn’t encompass the views of his family or his close friends. They have their own narrative, so I had to navigate this carefully. Yet, I believe it was beneficial for me, and I think fans are curious about what transpired from [Rush’s] last performance in 2015 to Neil’s passing,” he shared, highlighting the importance of transparency in his storytelling.

During a promotional tour for My Effin’ Life, Lee reminisced about Rush’s last performance: “The final gig felt surreal. We poured everything into that show in L.A.,” he recounted. “I asked [Peart], ‘Would you come out for a bow? It could be our last gig.’ He declined, saying, ‘No, I don’t do that. I don’t cross that invisible line.’ In the end, though, he couldn’t resist and joined us for a brief moment, a hug, and a bow together.”

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Lee candidly admitted, “I felt resentment; I won’t deny it. I loved that tour and wished it could have reached a global audience. However, [Peart] was firm about the number of shows, and he wouldn’t budge.”