Rekindling the Hearth: RUSH’s Alex Lifeson Displays on a Legacy of Modern Rock Grandeur
RUSH guitarist Alex Lifeson not too long ago sparked a flame of nostalgia within the hearts of fanatics international. In an interview with Final Vintage Rock, Lifeson printed he’s been revisiting RUSH‘s intensive catalog together with his longtime bandmate, bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee.
“We made up our minds that we might play some RUSH songs. As a result of, you already know, we haven’t performed those songs in 10 years,” Lifeson stated. “We began that a few weeks in the past. We get in combination someday every week over at his position. We simply picked some RUSH songs and we began enjoying them and we sound like a truly, truly unhealthy RUSH tribute band.”
Whilst this would possibly sound like a touch of a looming reunion of types, Lifeson tempered expectancies, acknowledging his advancing age.
“I’m 70. It’s no longer as simple to get my arms to do what my mind tells me to do,” Lifeson stated. “They’re a lot lazier than they was and they’ve a deficient reminiscence. Doing this truly is helping so much, and it’s a laugh. That’s it. The entire thing used to be that at first, it used to be simply a laugh. We’re having a rebellion in combination doing that. There’s no rhyme or explanation why. We’re no longer making plans on going again at the highway, discovering a brand new drummer or anything else like that. It’s simply a laugh to do it.”
That being stated, again in January, Lifeson spoke with Final Guitar and stated that he hadn’t closed the door utterly on enjoying with Lee once more in some musical capability: “There’s unquestionably a large number of pastime in us doing one thing. I believe for a large number of RUSH fanatics, they’ve been hoping for… Geddy had his guide excursion. I went out on a couple of of the ones dates with him. I believe that’s more or less sparked extra pastime in us running in combination.
“Ged‘s an excessively busy man,” Alex persisted. “He’s written a few books through the years. He has a large number of stuff that he’s into. That is my studio in my condo. I’ve been running at the ENVY OF NONE stuff in addition to a couple of different tasks. So I’ve been enjoying and recording for these types of years.
“When he’s able, he all the time says, ‘Come over for a espresso and we’ll pass right down to the studio and bash round a couple of notes.’ Yeah, name me. And to this point he’s been so busy, however I believe possibly within the new yr — or this is the brand new yr — possibly quickly we’ll in finding the time to take a seat down and spot what occurs,” Lifeson added. “Perhaps not anything occurs. Perhaps it’s no longer there anymore. Perhaps it’s gonna be superb. I don’t know. We’ll see.
“In truth, it’s no longer a concern for us. We’re satisfied in our lives. So, it’s no longer like we want to return to one thing. And that’s my concern. That if we — that will be the expectation, that is like RUSH 2. However by means of necessity it needs to be one thing other. And it could actually by no means be RUSH. With out Neil [Peart, late RUSH drummer], it could actually by no means be RUSH. That’s it. It’s over. However you by no means know what can occur. So we’ll see.”
RUSH drummer Neil Peart‘s demise, after a personal combat with mind most cancers, despatched shockwaves during the track international. RUSH, recognized for his or her fiercely dependable fanbase, waited 3 days earlier than pronouncing the scoop, a testomony to Peart‘s need for privateness. In 2022, Geddy Lee printed the lengths they went to with a view to honor Peart‘s needs, even resorting to being “cheating” with fanatics who suspected one thing used to be amiss.
However the track endures. The band is one among Canada’s maximum a success bands ever, has offered over 40 million albums international and continues to encourage legions of musicians. Lifeson, a pioneer in modern rock guitar, has been on the middle of this legacy for over 50 years. His cutting edge riffs, adventurous use of results pedals, and unconventional chord voicings earned him the affectionate nickname “The Musical Scientist” from his bandmates.
Lifeson‘s affect extends a ways past RUSH. He’s a revered collaborator, lending his abilities as a guitarist and manufacturer to more than a few tasks. His 1996 solo album, “Victor,” showcased his versatility as a musician. The accolades discuss for themselves: Lifeson used to be ranked 3rd in Guitar Global‘s “100 Largest Guitarists” ballot and secured a place in Rolling Stone‘s prestigious “100 Largest Guitarists Of All Time” listing.
Whilst a complete RUSH reunion could also be off the desk, Lifeson‘s feedback reignite a love for a band that driven obstacles and redefined what rock track may well be. Their track, a potent mix of technical mastery and emotional storytelling, continues to resonate with fanatics each previous and new. So, crank up a vintage album, surprise at Lifeson‘s groundbreaking guitar paintings, and have fun the long-lasting legacy of a band that in point of fact earned its position in rock and roll historical past.
