Alex Lifeson Playfully Says Rush Only Knows One Song Following Junos Performance

Rush members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson returned to the stage together at the Juno Awards on Sunday night, opening Canada’s biggest music celebration with a performance that looked back to the band’s earliest days. The pair performed “Finding My Way,” the opening track from Rush’s 1974 debut album, marking one of their most visible appearances since the group stopped touring in 2015.

Speaking backstage after the performance, the musicians explained how they chose the song for the televised event. With a catalog spanning decades, selecting a single track proved difficult. “You really can’t ask us uh what song to play in if you have to choose one song. It’s almost impossible. We have so many songs. You have a lot. So we just asked management. We said hey what song should we play? And they said first song, first album. I said okay.”

Looking Back While Moving Forward

Lifeson added humor to the moment, joking about the band’s preparation process. “Also it’s the only song we actually know how to play.” The comment drew laughter but also reflected the relaxed tone surrounding the reunion appearance. The performance served as both a tribute to the band’s history and a signal that Lee and Lifeson remain open to playing together again.

The guitarist also revealed that what began as a small plan for live appearances has grown into something much larger. “This tour has uh grown from a handful to about 85 shows um which is more than we’ve done in quite some time.” While details continue to emerge, the expanding schedule suggests strong demand from fans eager to see the musicians return to the stage.

Remembering Neil Peart and Welcoming a New Drummer

Much of the conversation centered on drummer Neil Peart, whose death in 2020 marked a turning point for the band. Lifeson spoke openly about the challenge of continuing without him while honoring his legacy. “Neil is irreplaceable. Uh, and uh, if he had something to say to us right now, he’d probably say, “You guys are idiots.” [laughter]”

Despite the loss, Lee and Lifeson described music as a lasting connection that helped guide their decision to perform again. “Um, but you know, music lives beyond tragedy, beyond anything that can happen in your life. One thing we’ve learned over the last 10 years is uh, that music is still a part of us.”

The duo also discussed working with drummer Anika Nilles, who has joined them for recent performances. Lifeson praised her energy and approach while linking her role to Peart’s influence. “And so to play it now with someone as young and and exciting as Anakah is just another tribute to him. I think he’d be very pleased with our choice of drummer and and um I think he would have a a bit of a you know smirk on his face and thumbs up. I hope.”

Their Juno Awards appearance combined reflection with renewed activity, showing how the band’s music continues to evolve while staying tied to its past.