Alex Lifeson Continues to Jam Rush Songs With Geddy Lee

In a nostalgic turn of events, Alex Lifeson has stumbled upon a revitalizing practice routine: revisiting Rush songs with former bandmate Geddy Lee. It’s a musical reunion that hadn’t been commonplace for nearly a decade, considering Rush’s final performance in 2015 and their subsequent disbandment following the passing of drummer Neil Peart in January 2020. Yet, lately, the guitarist has found joy in casually delving back into the band’s extensive catalog alongside Lee. Lifeson shares in an interview:

“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 admits to encountering some initial hurdles when he and Lee first embarked on this musical journey. He confessed:

“Trying to figure out the songs, I’m thinking, ‘Why did we write that so difficult? Why is this so hard to play?’
“After about three run-throughs of all of these songs, muscle memory kicks in and your hand just goes to where it goes. You sort of get out of the way and you play and you go, ‘Thank God, I did make this simpler than it felt.'”

He adds, almost comically, “By the way, Rush songs are hard! So our fingers are getting limber and our calluses are building up again.”

Alex Lifeson’s Gear Innovations and Envy of None Projects

While Lifeson and Lee revel in their nostalgic jam sessions, fans shouldn’t anticipate any grand comebacks. Lifeson is currently immersed in promoting his new line of Lerxst guitars, amplifiers, and pedals, as well as focusing on Envy of None’s second album. He noted:

“We have 11 or 12 songs, and I think we have four that are sort of at that 85% stage.
“I really love this material and it’s sounding great.”

Their jam sessions serve a simpler purpose: reliving the joy of making music together, reminiscent of their youth. Lifeson acknowledges:

“I’m 70. It’s not as easy to get my fingers to do what my brain tells me to do
“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.”

As for the most challenging Rush song? “‘Freewill.’ There’s a lot of notes,” Lifeson chuckles. “But we’re getting there. We’re starting to sound like just a mediocre Rush tribute band now.”