Rush Guitarist Alex Lifeson has confirmed that the band have retired from touring.The band had said previously that last year’s R40 tour would probably be their last.
Rush drummer Neil Peart previously said in an interview that it was getting harder for him to tour. He said “It does not pain me to realize that, like all athletes, there comes a time to… take yourself out of the game. I would rather set it aside then face the predicament.”
Now speaking in an interview with Rolling Stone, Alex Lifeson has confirmed that the band won’t tour again. Speaking about Peart’s health he said “He didn’t even want to do the R40 Tour, to be honest with you,” adding that “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.”
He continued saying “His shoulders were hurting, his arms were hurting, his elbows, his feet, everything,” adding “He didn’t want to play anything less than 100 percent. He was finding it increasingly difficult to hit that mark on this last tour. So, all those things combined, I get it. I’m disappointed and I think Geddy [Lee] is very disappointed and we’d love to continue this tour a little bit longer, but we’re off now.”
Photo Credit: Roberta Baker
