Wednesday, December 9, 2015

A Few Thoughts on Neil's Alleged Retirement

If you're a Rush fan, the past several days have been a roller coaster ride.  It all started when some fan sites posted a couple of quotes from a magazine interview with the king of all drummers, Neil Peart, in which he said (or seemed to say) he was now retired.  Social media exploded.  Was this the end?  Would there be no more Rush?  Wild speculation took over, as it often does online, and many fans were inconsolable. 

To be fair, Rush's loyal fan base had been worrying about this since the most recent tour; it was very brief, and during it, hints had been dropped that this tour might be the last one.  But after the tour ended and the guys went home to rest and spend time with their families, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson gave subsequent radio and print interviews in which they said they'd be willing to perform again at some point.  But there was someone whose voice was missing-- Neil.  And then, out of nowhere, the interview with Neil appeared, in which he seemed to state that he would no longer be part of whatever plans Geddy and Alex might make.

Or not.  As it turned out when I did some fact-checking, this was not a new interview (I was told it had been done several months ago, and was just being published now); and more importantly, it was not in response to what Geddy and Alex had just said in their mid-November radio appearance on Q104.3 in New York.  Rather, it was just Neil saying basically what he had said before-- that he did not want to do any more touring.  As it turned out, it was not exactly a "stop the presses!" moment.

But once again, here was an example of how deep the love and admiration the fans have for this band:  even a couple of quotes that may or may not have been taken out of context could cause thousands of tweets, emails, and Facebook posts.  Since I didn't yet know the whole story, I simply commented that whatever Neil's decision, I respected it:  he had given so many years of outstanding music to fans all over the world.  Few drummers put as much energy and dedication into their craft as Neil did.  In addition to writing excellent lyrics, and being a legendary drummer, he always gave a dynamic performance, a true complement to the equally dynamic performances of Alex and Geddy.  Like them, Neil was always a professional.  He threw himself into his playing, no matter how he might be feeling health-wise (I still remember spending some time with him one night in 2012 and he had a bad sinus infection; yet he still gave 150% during the show, and I doubt anyone in attendance realized how miserable he felt).  So, if this was now the right time for him to stop, I could only wish him well.

Eventually, the story of Neil's alleged retirement was given some context. So, perhaps he would no longer tour, but he had not closed off the possibility of getting together with Alex and Geddy to create some new music.  When this might occur was uncertain-- Neil is loving every minute of watching his daughter grow up, and hanging out with his wife and his closest friends.  And while fans are probably disappointed that there might not be another Rush tour (no, Geddy and Alex would not replace him-- they have said previously if there's no Neil, there's no Rush), at least there might still be a new album.  Or perhaps a live performance somewhere.  Only time will tell.

Of course, if there's a lesson to be learned from the past few days, it's that quotes online are often not what they seem.  But realistically, the idea that he does not want to tour makes perfect sense.  Neil is no longer the young guy who could go from city to city performing for more than 300 days a year.  He's in his 60s now, and doing all that drumming can be physically painful-- he's had tendinitis, and let's also keep in mind that many drummers of his age can suffer from some hearing loss.  It's understandable that he might want to quit touring while he is still at the top of his game, and let the fans remember him at his best.   

I'd be lying if I said I know what Neil's plans are.  While I have several good friends at Rush's management company, it's Alex that I talk to the most often (I've also become friendly with Geddy's sister). But my interactions with Neil have been very few over the years.  That's fine with me.  He's a very private person, and I respect that.  If I want to know how he is doing, I do keep in touch with one of his close friends, and I can get a message to him that way.  But Neil has every right to live his life in the way that best ensures his health and happiness.  Maybe he'll get tired of retirement and want to perform again.  Maybe he won't. But we do know he has NOT definitively stated that he is done; he simply hasn't made any specific future plans.  I fully expect Geddy, Alex and Neil to get together at some point, to discuss what the next thing is.  Whatever it is, I will say what I've always said:  for forty-one years, I've had the privilege of knowing the guys in the band, seeing them perform, and enjoying so many of their songs.  I don't know if we'll get to hear any new music, but somehow, I get the impression that we will. Till then, I'm grateful for what the guys have given us. And there's nothing else I can say other than "thank you." 

22 comments:

  1. I took it that Neil thought it was cute the way Olivia talked about him, after all he is the proud Papa!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rush members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have been quick to downplay published rumours that long-time drummer and the band’s chief lyricist, Neil Peart had announced his retirement from the group.

    Ole general manager, Andy Curran, speaking for the U.S based company which had just purchased the band’s Anthem/SRO Entertainment operation, offered a curt “It’s just a rumour as far as I know” in response to coverage from The Toronto Star and other news media. Curran confirmed that Rush has a live recording and concert film of their R40 tour scheduled for release and the band is committed to at least one more studio project.
    On Monday, Rush was over. On Tuesday, everyone breathed a sigh of release. Today, we might have a new studio album in the future. I wonder what tomorrow will bring :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very nice article Donna and I agree with what U said,whatever may happen,Thank You Rush for many,many years of fantastic Music!

    ReplyDelete
  4. As I've said before, until either an official statement comes from the entire band or they release a record, it's all speculation. All three of them have given their all for +/- 50 years, together and separately for their craft. They've earned whatever they want. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. As I've said before, until either an official statement comes from the entire band or they release a record, it's all speculation. All three of them have given their all for +/- 50 years, together and separately for their craft. They've earned whatever they want. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. It was bizarre how that little snippet of that interview was bounced around the Internet and transformed into something more than it was. I guess that's the beauty of the "social media echo chamber"

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you RUSH for 40 yrs of AWESOMENESS, they need a break, recharge batteries, etc. If they come back, I'll in line for their cd and concert and if not, thanks again guys!! Long live Rush!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I would much rather they go out on top: what they did this past summer was fitting, perfect, and poignant. Retire and enjoy life!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Come on everybody. Don't get you knickers in a twist about this! It's not a new thing we're hearing here.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you Donna for a fine article with respect at the heart of it all. I suspect Rush is not done creating more music and memories. Time will tell.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Actually, I have an idea I'd like to throw Rush's way IF, at some point, all 3 feel like playing for an audience again. As many of us "lifers" have jobs, money, credit cards :-), etc. how about instead of Rush going on tour to see us . . . WE go on "tour" to see them? They could, for example, book some small venue in California (close for Neil) and play a couple or few gigs a week for a month. I KNOW people would travel from all over North America, and the world, to come see them. Neil would be close to home and they could avoid the rigors of actually touring. It'd be a "win - win". Just a thought.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In my circle of friends, this is precisely what I have said I am hoping for as a fan, and exactly what I would be putting on the table if I were their management: multi-night, small(ish) venue performances, with premium ticket prices a "few" times a year, mostly LA and Toronto, and a few sprinklings of NYC and Chicago. Maybe throw in London in a good "season." Strip it down. No longer need the large back-screen projections, or multi-million $ light shows, or large traveling convoy of crew/personnel. They merely need a skeleton crew with a dynamic sound system; don't even need on stage amplification anymore. Pitch a tent and take over a venue for a few days at a time.

      This isn't "touring." Rather a few exclusive multi-date stops in each particular city in stripped down, intimate, premium-dollar "house-band sets." 20-30 dates a year at most, allowing for tendons, and fingers, and vocal cords to heal at whatever pace they need. It's almost a no-brainer, really......

      Personally I would spend a LOT of money in travel and tickets and accommodations to see a small venue show or two or three spread out of a calendar year, and I can't imagine I'm alone in this sentiment......

      Delete
  12. They all are entitled to enjoy life as they wish from now on. After all, they have given everything to the fans just by playing. If, and when they "retire," they have certainly earned it. I believe that as long as they are all alive and well, then there is a hope of seeing them again sometime. All good wishes to Rush and their many fans.

    ReplyDelete
  13. "All that you can do is wish them well"

    ReplyDelete
  14. Well said and thanks for your perspective

    ReplyDelete
  15. Well said and thanks for your perspective

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you for your words. I am hopefully that our Rush journey may continue, but the boys have brought us so far. Anything more would be gravy.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks so much for the info and perspective Donna. I think this week for Rush fans might be best described as "As the Hemispheres Turn". It is indeed so easy to forget how difficult it is to correctly perceive the context of quote within an internet post. It can also be difficult for we Rush fans to balance our respect and consideration for Rush as people against our yearning for more of their music.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Agree with all of this. However, I don't think that Neil is as bad off physically as he lets on or as we might think. Riding a motorcycle over thousands of miles of dirt roads between concerts is rather grueling (I've not done that, but I have ridden long distances before, and even in my 20s that was a lot of work) and requires a decent level of fitness. An unfit decrepit man could not ride 500+ miles between cities and then play a 3 hour show...

    All respect to Neil, and he owes nobody (except for maybe Geddy and Alex) anything, and whatever he does I'm fine with it. I just don't think he's as bad off physically as a lot of people seem to think he is. Personally I think it's almost entirely about his family. And good on him for that.

    ReplyDelete
  19. As a follow up, if Neil is done, Alex and Geddy doing some stuff is exciting to me. My "dream team" would be for Alan Parsons to work with them on an album, perhaps with guest musicians on various songs (Ben Mink, I'm looking at you) ala Alan Parson Project. Just a thought...

    ReplyDelete
  20. RUSH cannot go quietly into the books, they need to create more works for the generations to enjoy. Music is an elixir and they should not stop partaking in it's ability to bring youth to themselves through it. Having said that, perhaps they should scale back and simplify. The final chapter could be one that consists of a melody and sentiments for the ages.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Remember in the 1970s and into the 1980s when society was still mostly anti-LGBTQ? Remember how young people would hear that a celebrity was gay or lesbian and would realize for the first time, "I'm not the only one!" For me and for many others, Rush did the same thing. It was life changing to learn that there were other people who thought the same things I did, felt the same things, liked the same type of music, especially at a time when such groups weren't always "fashionable".

    If this is the end Rush, then I am more grateful than sad. The group might have ended in the 1990s because of certain events (say no more), so when they regrouped in 2001, I was ecstatic and grateful for every extra year that I got to enjoy their existence. This is a much better way for the band to end, a way that they deserved, on a creative high and having seen the world give finally them their due.

    ReplyDelete