Alex Lifeson Says No More Rush Tours

According to guitarist Alex Lifeson, last year’s R40 Tour was in fact Rush‘s final live concert tour. Citing the physical strain and a desire to be with his family, drummer Neal Peart has decided he will no longer tour, Lifeson revealed.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, Lifeson explained Peart did not even want to participate to the R40 Tour, ultimately acquiescing to the 30-date run. Last August Lifeson mentioned the possibility of Rush holding long residencies at a single venue, while in December Peart stated he considered himself “retired” which bassist Geddy Lee clarified as meaning only from touring.

The article in Rolling Stone today quotes Lifeson as stating:

We had such a great time on the tour. And it was really nice to go through all the material in reverse chronology, and I think our fans really enjoyed it. I think that no matter how long it would have been, it would have been too short. Neil was prepared to commit to 30 dates and he told us that right from the very beginning. He didn’t even want to do the tour, to be honest with you. It’s been increasingly difficult for him, but he committed to the tour and we got through it. As far as he was concerned, that was the end of touring.

Rush last performed on August 1, 2015 at the R40 Tour North American finale at The Forum in Inglewood, California, which at the time was billed as “most likely … their last major tour of this magnitude.” Last month Lifeson and Lee hinted at possibly writing new Rush material together, while reiterating Peart’s aversion to touring.

Watch fan-shot footage of “Working Man,” the final song played live at The Forum via 2112rushfanatic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOWBLOuLIDU