Ken
2020-01-10 12:35:13 UTC
It was pretty clear that the R40 Live tour was going to be Rush's last tour. The guys didn't rule out the possibility of an occasional show. More hopefully for fans, the guys didn't rule out the possibility of future albums, either. And it seemed that Geddy and Alex believed that the band might well record again. A year or so after R40, when a music journalist asked Lifeson why the band wasn't working on anything new, he said that they usually took a break after a tour. In the footage of Alex visiting the guitar shop in Japan post-R40, Alex made some comment along the lines of: "We look to the future in this band" -- meaning they focus on their next project rather than dwelling on the past. In fact, even after Neil referred to himself as a "former drummer" in one of his updates, Geddy insisted that the "former" referred to live performance.
Something changed, however. At some point, it dawned on G&A that Neil was truly retired -- not just from live performance, but from Rush and drumming in general. I wonder what the nature of Neil's communication to the others was. Was it a casual email? Did he speak w/ them in person? Was he apologetic at all? Whatever the case, Geddy and Alex have reconciled themselves to the fact that Neil will not be participating in any future collaborations with G&A.
Something changed, however. At some point, it dawned on G&A that Neil was truly retired -- not just from live performance, but from Rush and drumming in general. I wonder what the nature of Neil's communication to the others was. Was it a casual email? Did he speak w/ them in person? Was he apologetic at all? Whatever the case, Geddy and Alex have reconciled themselves to the fact that Neil will not be participating in any future collaborations with G&A.