Mieko8

Time to find a new drummer as I predicted when I started this thread. You can refrain from posting that I'm wrong. Time will tell who is right.

Wrong. Period, wrong. Read the official statement that came out yesterday. Ged and Al have been scrambling all week to back track the news that was apparently taken out of context. According to the statement yesterday, there will be another new album coming soon.

Yeah, because you talk to them every day, and you are the one they chose to tell their future plans. Yours is an opinion and prediction like the rest of us. No one knows their future plans except for the two of them. That's all we know as being fact.

That's actually a terrible argument because those bands are notorious for lineup changes. Rush has only one album with a different lineup and that one hardly cracks most people's top 15... They weren't notorious for lineup changes before they made a lineup change. You are an idiot. Rush will soon be known as a band with a lineup change. Stay home with Neil while the rest of us enjoy the show. No....Alex and/or Geddy will/might be doing something with a different drummer...it won't be Rush...get over yourself... Get over yourself? What makes you an expert? Did either of them tell you this personally? My guess is no. Therefore you know nothing other than what you've read in interviews. You can get over yourself - you know nothing.

That's actually a terrible argument because those bands are notorious for lineup changes. Rush has only one album with a different lineup and that one hardly cracks most people's top 15... They weren't notorious for lineup changes before they made a lineup change. You are an idiot. Rush will soon be known as a band with a lineup change. Stay home with Neil while the rest of us enjoy the show.

So you'd rather see them go out making fools of themselves like the Who and the Stones, who sound like dogshit and are just caricatures. You want to see Barry Sanders walk away as the best, or Payton Manning make a fool of himself? I want none of the above. Who said they have to choose from your limited options? I've said it all long, read my posts. If Neil wants to retire so be it. But what if the other two want to continue? What I want is for two of my heroes who have devoted their lives to making music to continue if they wish to. I couldn't agree more. CA is one of their best albums ever. HOF. I've seen more than 20 shows since the time machine tour. They are playing better than ever. Why on earth would he choose to leave now? I would have tried to convince him for one more record and an official worldwide farewell tour done properly. Then they probably would have been content with retiring together. Sorry, he's selfish. And for those of you who disagree with me, I don't care. It's my opinion and I'm entitled to it.

Assuming you all saw the big news from Neil yesterday, time to start auditioning drummers. They're not going to let him end their careers. They still want to play. You'll see.

Oh really? That's funny. If there's no more Rush what are they promoting???? I like how so many people here say they are not Rush without Neil. However, how many times do they appear as Rush without him? He couldn't even be bothered to appear in Hollywood when they got a star. Fans pay him big bucks for meet and greets and he can't even bother to attend. It's always Geddy and Alex only without him. So don't tell me they aren't Rush without him. That's bullshit. And don't reply with your comments about he's shy and uncomfortable - I've heard all the bullshit for decades. They should get a new drummer and continue without him. Period. You seem to be unfamiliar with how promotion works.

There's a townhall interview / meeting today with "Rush" - only Geddy and Alex are appearing. Does this mean it's not really Rush if Neil's not there? Looks to me like they are Rush when Neil isn't there!!! No chance they continue as RUSH without Neil. If it's not the 3 of them, it's not RUSH.

Whatever. You can have a nice day and Thanksgiving knowing you are right and the rest of us are wrong. Ged and Al can do what they want without needing permission from you. If they want to tour with another drummer and call it Rush, stay home in protest because it's not Rush and we'll all have a great time without you.

Ok, if you want to believe you are right, than God bless. Have a nice day and thanksgiving feeling you are right and we're all wrong. If Neil isn't playing it ISN'T RUSH! If Geddy isn't playing it ISN'T RUSH, if Alex isn't playing IT ISN'T RUSH! What don't you get? Rush is the three guys that have been Rush for the past 41 years...if one, or two of the band decides to go out on tour it WILL NOT BE RUSH! It will be the Alex Lifeson Band, or the Geddy Lee Band! BUT IT WILL NOT BE RUSH!! If the three guys decide that they want to have another go at it, then it WILL BE RUSH....but at the moment for all intents and purposes, the band as a physical playing entity is NO MORE! What about Yes? Don't forget Yes! They've been touring as that band with 99 different guys over the years.... Sorry dude.... Alex and Geddy with Mike Portnoy will not be RUSH! Alex and Neil with John Myung will NOT BE RUSH! Geddy and Neil with Joe Satriani will NOT BE RUSH! I don't need an attitude adjustment, you need a reality check! This is an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT SITUATION! IT WILL NOT BE RUSH WITHOUT ALL THREE GUYS IN THE BAND!

Think what you want. I will think what I want. So, what's the name of that band that Mick Jaggar now tours with? Do they have the right to be called the Rolling Stones? When Ozzy, Geezer, and Tony toured with a different drummer last year, what was the name of their band?? Oh yes, it was Black Sabbath. Hmmm.....looks like you need an attitude adjustment. If Neil isn't playing it ISN'T RUSH! If Geddy isn't playing it ISN'T RUSH, if Alex isn't playing IT ISN'T RUSH! What don't you get? Rush is the three guys that have been Rush for the past 41 years...if one, or two of the band decides to go out on tour it WILL NOT BE RUSH! It will be the Alex Lifeson Band, or the Geddy Lee Band! BUT IT WILL NOT BE RUSH!! If the three guys decide that they want to have another go at it, then it WILL BE RUSH....but at the moment for all intents and purposes, the band as a physical playing entity is NO MORE!

Think what you want. If you think it's over, you can stay home when we all attend the next tour that may or may not include Neil on the throne.

Even more support for the idea of getting a young drummer and marching on. Let me reiterate my stance. I don't want them to be without Neil. I also don't want to see them call it quits if they want to continue. So, what are the options? Call it quits unwillingly? Find someone else to sit on the throne? Or somehow get Neil to continue after a break. My choice is the latter.

I respect your post and can't say I disagree. Is Neil still a smoker? Anyone know? With all that we know, I have a feeling there will be one more tour. Possibly shorter in length. Oh, I wouldn't have a problem with Geddy and Alex doing something together, including live performances. I'd take offense to them calling it Rush, but any musical output from these boys (as long as it isn't like Presto) I'll happily give a shot, especially if it's done live. As if that period has nearly as much significance as FBN-present, or even the debut with Rutsey. I'd consider that an extremely dumb excuse to continue as "Rush" without Neil. From what I've read, Neil was done after Clockwork Angels. I think he was asked by the guys to " do it more time...for them". He did care enough about them to do it again. I respect that. He has to be wondering....At what point is enough, enough? I think the physical demands are greater on Neil than on the other guys, and that has to be taken into account. I've also read lots of posts and comments online that Neil appeared to be struggling to catch his breath on many nights. I say the man deserves my thanks for making my life so much better, and that he's earned his wish to retire.

I assume Geddy wrote the lyrics for his My favourite headache album and they are not too bad. Better than the lyrics Neil shoe horned into Geddys mouth on Clockwork Angels. The other option would be for Alex, Geddy and Neil to record studio album(s) and have another drummer tour it. Yeah, I could totally see that. Win, win for all.

As I suspected, I am not in the minority. I could sense this watching Geddy and Alex talk about it. They are not done. They want to move forward. They have more music within them to share. They are moving ahead with or without Neil. That said, I think when Neil realizes it, he will reluctantly limp to the finishline with them, rather than watch them do it with someone else.

I didn't say that. Don't put words in my mouth. They have the right to continue without him if they choose to do so. They'd be just as great. What they did with Neil is out there and can't be undone. They can certainly continue the march forward if they were so inclined. Is there anyone here who goes to all the shows that would stop going if it was a different drummer? I'd still go to the show. I'd be sad Neil's not there but oh well. Better than forced retirement if they still want to play. That's a terrible argument. You know damn well that without Neil, they would never be the band as you know them now. They'd never have reached the heights they did with him

Believe me. I see both sides and can justify both. Back to my main point, it sucks that they want to continue but instead, they're stuck in purgatory. Neil may not owe the fans anything, but you'd think he'd care enough about those 2 guys to do it one more time....for them. Oh, I wouldn't have a problem with Geddy and Alex doing something together, including live performances. I'd take offense to them calling it Rush, but any musical output from these boys (as long as it isn't like Presto) I'll happily give a shot, especially if it's done live. As if that period has nearly as much significance as FBN-present, or even the debut with Rutsey. I'd consider that an extremely dumb excuse to continue as "Rush" without Neil.

Why does he have to give up his family to be in Rush? Lots of guys have families and play in working bands. Okay, maybe it was harsh to call him selfish, but he should consider how the others feel and the fans. They are better and more popular than they've ever been. CA is one of their best albums, IMHO. The HOF INDUCTION. Why leave while on top? Makes no sense to me, sorry.

It could never be Rush without Ged or Al, but I do believe they could still be Rush with another drummer. They did it once already, they could do it again. How many people have gone in and out of the Stones, and the Who? Page and Plant have worked together without Bonham. Geddy and Al should move on with someone else if they still want to play IMHO.

Did everyone watch the new video of Ged and Al with Rolling Stone? This time they were more forthcoming with the truth about what's going on. Clearly, they want to record and tour. Clearly, Neil is resistant and possibly ready to retire. So, I dare ask the question and let the daggers fly. Any chance they would continue with a new drummer? If they want to continue, why let one person sink the ship? You could see in the interview how frustrated Geddy is with Neil. Surely there's lots of banter behind the scenes, or complete radio silence. I'll say this, they gave up their careers for Neil and waited 4 years for him to grieve, and that was the right thing to do. The least he could do in return would be to give them another record and a proper farewell tour. I'd venture to say he's selfish and doesn't care how they feel or what they want, or the fans.

And you know this how? Because Neil told you himself? You read the same press release as everyone else. You know nothing more than that - and therefore you are speculating. Time will tell who was right. I'll be right here to remind you of that when they kick off their farewell tour.

Sorry, but you don't know Rush as well as you think you do if you believe they'd ever hype a farewell tour just because other bands have done that. Really. This WAS their farewell tour and there WAS hoopla (in case you missed it). Neil might get talked into scattered appearances down the road, but they will never be done for marketing purposes. He's almost 63 with a family at home and chronic tendonitis. He's never liked having to play live and now he's free of it. He's already rich and can earn enough further income from writing, which is a million times easier than drumming. He's never wanted or needed the spotlight of being a rock star and that's not likely to change as a senior citizen. It sucks for us that we've reached this point, but he's done with being an active member of Rush. And why do you think you know more than me or anyone else on this board? You know nothing and you certainly don't know who I am, who I know, and what I may know. You can only speculate like the rest of the members here. Time will tell. You will see that I am right.