They’re one of the world’s biggest progressive rock bands, and apart from Bryan Adams, one of Canada’s biggest musical exports, but now it seems that the legendary Rush are no more, with guitarist Alex Lifeson admitting that the band is “basically done”.
Having been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame back in 2013, Rush’s legacy is well known. A cult favourite for close to 50 years, there are few bands who can boast the fact that all of their members have been recognised by Rolling Stone as one of the 100 best guitarists, bassists, and drummers of all time.
In 2015, it was announced by drummer Neil Peart that he was getting ready to retire from touring, then in 2016, a press release from the group stated that their upcoming R40 US tour was to be “their last major tour of this magnitude.” Sadly, it looks like this is now completely true, with the band’s guitarist revealing that the group are effectively no more.
In an interview with Canada’s The Globe And Mail, Alex Lifeson revealed the news, stating, “It’s been a little over two years since Rush last toured. We have no plans to tour or record any more. We’re basically done. After 41 years, we felt it was enough.”
However, the 64-year-old guitarist admitted that he’s actually busier than ever now, despite his legendary band deciding to pack up the amps for the last time. “I’ve actually been busier lately than I have been in a while. I’m writing a lot. I’m writing on four or five different little projects,” he revealed.
“I get these requests to do guitar work with other people. It’s really a lot of fun for me. It’s low pressure: I get to be as creative as I want to be and I can work a little outside of the box, which is really attractive to me.”
While there has been no official statement from the band yet in regards to Alex Lifeson’s comments, it seems as though any Australian fan who has been holding out for a Rush concert to make its way to our shores can now stop hoping and resign to the fact that it will indeed never happen.
Check out Rush’s classic track, ‘YYZ’:
