When Rush concluded their R40 tour in 2015 it was a farewell to one of rock's most enduring and influential bands. For drummer and lyricist Neil Peart, it marked the end of his performing career. Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee recalled the bittersweet experience, sharing in Classic Rock magazine: "We were playing well, the show was so much fun for us and our audience, and we had good energy despite playing three-hour shows in our sixties."
The emotional finale took place at the Forum in Los Angeles. For fans, one of the most moving moments came when Peart, known for his reserved demeanor, embraced his bandmates on stage. Lee reflected, "The first time in forty years he'd done that, it was a beautiful moment. I remember being on stage and thinking how many times we'd played the Forum and wondering just how many times we'd done ‘Working Man' there… It was a weird feeling knowing that was likely the last time we'd play any of those songs together."
Peart's retirement effectively ended Rush's active career, though the band didn't officially disband until 2018. In the years that followed, Lee and Lifeson reflected on their legacy while occasionally appearing on stage. One of the most notable moments came in 2022, when the pair participated in the Taylor Hawkins tribute shows, performing Rush songs with guest drummers.
Lee recalled how Dave Grohl made the invitation impossible to refuse. "Dave just called me out of the blue and said, look, we're going to put together a tribute, two shows, and Taylor would have loved you and Alex to be part of it. I said, well, you had me at hello."
Grohl, ever mindful of Rush's legacy, took care to ensure that no one would interpret their performances as a Rush reboot. "But he's very wise, and he's a very smart guy, Dave. He said, look, one thing we have to do is make sure it's not just one drummer because you don't want people thinking this is Rush 2.0. And he brought Omar Hakim on board, and they both flew up to Toronto to rehearse with me and Al."
Performing at the shows was both nerve-wracking and cathartic for Lee and Lifeson: "They made everything so easy for us. Al and I were pretty nervous about doing that show, about being Rush again, and he did everything he could to put us at ease."
The tribute concerts also brought unexpected encounters. Lifeson shared a moment of fanboy awe: "Dave introduced us to Paul McCartney. We were at rehearsals at a recording studio here in London. Dave came up to me and goes, have you ever met Paul? And then he went outside, and Paul said to him, I've never met the boys in Rush before and he just brought him in. He was, of course, completely charming. Just talking about the forthcoming gig, just musician to musician. Every bit a gentleman"
After the tribute shows, Lifeson found himself reflecting on Rush's legacy. The joy of performing again was tempered by the reality that Rush without Peart would never be the same. "Some days I wake up wanting to go out and tour again, and some days I don't. For forty years, Rush included Neil, and I don't think putting some new version together would have the same magic."
Lifeson remains proud of the band's final tour: "After those two gigs and the months of prep Ged and I went through, I was excited by the response and to be in the dressing room again with so many fellow artists in Wembley and LA I respected and felt a kinship towards. But after a few weeks that wore off and it occurred to me that despite all the pain of loss, Rush went out on a high note playing as well as ever with one of our best stage shows on R40. I guess I'd rather be remembered for that legacy than returning as the top Rush tribute band,"
For Lee, the Hawkins tribute shows underscored the enduring impact of Rush's music and the importance of community. "We were on a high those few days, it felt good to be playing our material and interacting with different musicians… Although we were all gathered there for a very sad purpose, it couldn't help but be also a tribute to our own lost partner and a reinforcement of community. I've never seen so many musicians from different walks of life all rooting for each other."
