Alex Lifeson would happily give Rush fans many, many more live shows, if it were humanly possible.
With the Toronto prog-rock band’s massive Fifty Something tour underway, the guitarist is feeling an insatiable yearning to experience more of something he once thought he’d never do again: perform with his friend Geddy Lee as Rush.
“Every passing day gets better and better,” Lifeson told the Star. “I know that we need days off, but I’d almost say let’s play every day.”
Admittedly, that’s impossible for the musician who turns 73 this month.
Rush is halfway through a four-night run at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, with the final show this Thursday. After that, they’ll go on to cities across Canada and the United States through the end of the year, before tackling Europe and South America in 2027.
By the time the tour finishes, Rush will have played more than 80 dates across the world. Such an ambitious undertaking involves careful planning, meticulous pacing and some new band members to offer support.
While in Toronto, Lifeson and Lee spoke with the Star about how they’re faring on the road.
We last spoke in March, minutes after Rush opened the Juno Awards in Hamilton. You were near the final stretch of rehearsals for the tour and confessed to nervousness about the whole endeavour. Now, you’ve been on the road for a couple of months. What does it feel like?
Geddy Lee: It feels amazing. Any preconceptions I had about going back on tour were not a tenth as powerful as the privilege of being up there every night with fans that have been so loyal and steadfast.
Alex Lifeson: It’s incredible to see how joyous everyone is. They’re laughing, they’re crying, they’re high-fiving. Everybody is just so connected. When Ged and I first talked about this, I had to be really sure that I wanted to do it again. I knew there would be a lot of work involved — 14 months of rehearsals — and we had our heads down through that whole period. It wasn’t until we actually got on a stage and played the songs that it hit home. It’s more of a family reunion than a rock show. I didn’t expect to love it as much.
Those rehearsals were about making sure everything clicked, particularly with drummer Anika Nilles, who tackled the incredible responsibility of stepping in for the late Neil Peart. From what I understand, the rehearsals were gruelling.
Geddy: There’s severe concentration that has to happen in her brain because these songs are so complicated. There’s a constant refreshing of the database she has to do to make sure that she’s in the right place at the right time. But once she started getting comfortable with an arrangement, her confidence grew. Like, when she plays “Tom Sawyer,” now she knows that thing inside out. You can feel the power that comes through her playing.
Many fans are talking about how successfully she’s channelled the Rush sound.
Alex: Anika has really settled in and she’s added her touch while still paying tribute to Neil. Her own personality and identity is coming out and the fans love her. She deserves every single bit of that.
Geddy: She’s a marvel behind the drums. Yes, of course, she’s gaining a lot of popularity, but she’s also living a dream where she’s learning from the master by being faithful to him. At the same time, she has enough confidence to add her own flourishes. We’ve talked about this with her. I said, “Listen, once you know the material, there will be plenty of room for you to be you.” Like us, she loves to play, and she’s learned that when you tackle a complex song, there is no greater feeling. As well, the addition of Loren Gold on keyboards and vocals really freed Alex and I up to focus on our playing. He’s been a huge bonus. We’ve got a nice little quartet going on right now.
With the various set lists, you’re playing 43 Rush songs. That must’ve been quite the challenge to relearn.
Geddy: We knew it was going to be difficult taking on four different sets. What we never realized was that it would keep us on our toes. I’m an old man and I’m kind of blind, so I’ve got these big set lists on the ground that I have to look at constantly to remind me what the next song is. That creates excitement. There’s a state that’s very common on tour where you get into this groove. We’re not comfortable. And that’s a good thing because every night is like opening night.
You’ve produced two video tributes to Neil Peart that play during the show, and his presence lingers in stories and skits as well. What has it been like having your late friend present in that way?
Geddy: It’s been very emotional. We know the fans come out of respect for us and Neil, but they’re also grieving more than a little bit. It hits you when you least expect it. Like, the fourth show at Madison Square Garden, I was introducing “The Garden” and it just got me. I had a hard time getting through the intro and singing the song became very difficult. I can’t let it interfere, but sometimes it’s just unavoidable. There are so many moments where I think that guy would be laughing his ass off at Al and I for doing this. I think he would approve.
Embarking on a tour this extensive is nothing to sniff at, especially at your age and with previous health conditions that presented a greater challenge. How much effort does it take?
Alex: Six months ago, I wasn’t sure if I could do it. We all have issues as we get older. And so the question was, how do I prepare for physically being on that stage? Never mind making sure my fingers are working in the right way. You reach a stage in your life where you’re on the back side and you slow down — retirement and all of that stuff. But when you come out of it, knock that down, and turn it right around, it’s an amazing feeling. My target was to be better than I’ve ever been. At this age, it’s tough to achieve that, no matter how much willpower you have. But I’ll tell you, it works if you spend the time and make the effort. Once you’re there, there’s an enormous sense of accomplishment. And it really raises your self-confidence. For me, I feel half my age just because everything is so exciting. It’s a fantastic place to be.
Geddy: But don’t get (us) wrong. Life on the road at our age is very, very difficult. We’re thrilled with how well the show is going, but when we’re walking back after a three-hour show, we’re walking very slowly. I have an hour and a half of bliss after each show before the pains start to creep in. Every show is a 48-hour cycle of preparation. It’s an endurance test and we’ll see if we survive it.
It helps that you’re pacing yourselves with rest days built in. Even when you’re playing multiple nights in the same city, it’s one night on, one night off. What is your schedule like to stay ready for the stage?
Geddy: I try to stay on a late schedule so that I’m not tired at the show. I sleep until noon, then after breakfast I have physio treatment, a workout and a vocal stretching session. If I’m lucky, I have dinner with someone I like, or I watch a ball game in my room and order room service. Then I’m struggling to get to sleep. The next day, we’re doing a show. And then we do it all again.
Alex: My daily routine is a bit different. On the off days, I stay in bed for most of the day and start moving around later in the afternoon, order room service or go out for a quiet dinner. On show days, I do a training session and my physio. But I always carry a couple of guitars with me to practice one to two hours a day. And then it’s sound check, an early dinner and the show. It’s truly a matter of pacing.
So you’re going to stick to that strict, repetitive schedule until next April? How do you stay sane?
Alex: Not possible, not possible.
Geddy: No. (Both break into laughter.)
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
