Alex Lifeson Admits That A Rush Reunion Is A Cash Grab

Alex Lifeson has expressed that the chances of a Rush reunion are minimal, describing the prospect as nothing more than a “money ploy.”

In a recent interview, the guitarist addressed the persistent questions about the band’s potential comeback and the possibility of replacing their late drummer, Neil Peart. Lifeson said:

“So many people remember us, and there’s sadness amongst our fans that it ended, and they want more, but you can’t go back.
“We can’t just go and get another drummer, and go out and play concerts, and make new material. It just would not be the same. It would just be a money ploy.”

Lifeson is adamant about not tarnishing Rush’s legacy with a half-hearted reunion. He takes pride in the band’s decision to end when they did. He explained:

“We toured for 41 years, and Neil was done.
“He couldn’t play like he did 10 years earlier, and it was very difficult; he did not want to play even one percentage less than perfect. That was understandable. And it was sad when it was over, and all of that, but in retrospect, we went out on a high note, and that’s the legacy of Rush.”

Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee Revisit Rush Classics in Casual Jams

Despite this, Lifeson and bassist Geddy Lee have been casually revisiting their old songs. In a conversation with UCR, Lifeson revealed that they have been jamming to Rush tracks for their own enjoyment. He said:

“We decided that we would play some Rush songs. Because, you know, we haven’t played these songs in 10 years.
“We started that a couple of weeks ago. We get together one day a week over at his place. We just picked some Rush songs and we started playing them and we sound like a really, really bad Rush tribute band.”

Lifeson made it clear that these sessions are purely for fun and not a precursor to a reunion. He explained:

“I’m 70. It’s not as easy to get my fingers to do what my brain tells me to do.
“They’re much lazier than they used to be and they have a poor memory. Doing this really helps a lot, and it’s fun. That’s it. The whole thing was that in the beginning, it was just fun. We’re having a riot together doing that. There’s no rhyme or reason. We’re not planning on going back on the road, finding a new drummer or anything like that. It’s just fun to do it.”

In essence, while fans may continue to hope for a Rush reunion, Lifeson’s reflections underscore a commitment to preserving the band’s integrity. The casual jams with Lee are a testament to their enduring friendship and love for the music they created together, but they remain firm that Rush ended on a high note and should be remembered that way.