9/4

I think the members of Rush are rich because they're the best rock band in the history of this planet, and they had longevity in their greatness. You'd have to be really bad business people to NOT get and stay rich in that circumstance. I really don't think Alex and Geddy are doing this tour for the money.

I really doubt money was a significant factor in their deciding to do this tour. But it's very much a problem for the image of Rush, Geddy, and Alex that ticket prices are so high. It looks like the loyalty and love of fans is being exploited, even if that's the last think Geddy and Alex wanted.

Marco Minnemann would have been a great pick:

Ticket prices are so high because they're paying Anika big bucks! But seriously, why are the prices so high? How much of it, if at all, is it due to Alex and Geddy looking for a payday? Doesn't seem like something Alex and Geddy would do.

Friend of mine got very crappy seats for an Ohio show for $335. Ridiculous.

I've played guitar for 45 years. Not a believer in fine-grained ranking of guitarists based on technical skill. It's not STEM, and it's not a sport. Bottom line is that Alex came up with great complex music, and was able to play it very well on the guitar, both in the studio and live. Can't ask more than that of an artist/musician. Coincidentally, a friend of mine - who LOVES Rush - was opining today that Neil wasn't a technically skilled drummer.

Disagree. Odd time signatures, complex chords, melodic lines and solos that have nothing to do with anything pentatonic or blues. A harmonically and melodically innovative player, no one else like him in the history of rock. The guitar work on Hemispheres is incredible.

Better technical player? No way. Alex had mega chops. He was often underestimated as a guitarist because he was so musical and creative, rather than ‘look at me’ flashy. I rank EVH and Alex as the two best rock guitarists of all time.

"We"? Do you speak for everyone reading this thread?

Because I want to. Are we censoring dissenting opinions here? I don't think that was the ethos of Rush. Read the lyrics ...

No one can know for sure whether Anika's gender was a factor in her hiring. Even Alex and Geddy may not know, since bias in any direction is usually subconscious. Whether there was bias or not, I like that they selected a female drummer because it promotes the cause of equity for female musicians. My issue is that, knowing Anika's drumming quite well, I don't feel like her feel and tone are a good fit to play Neil's parts. Apparently, Geddy and Alex feel otherwise after rehearsing with her. Though I haven't heard her do it, maybe she's an adaptable drummer who can learn to sound like other drummers (some can do that, others always sound like themselves - I don't think Neil was an adaptable drummer, he was an original who always did his own thing). We shall see how it goes. I wish them all well.

Not really here to debate. Expressing a point of view. I got if off my chest. It's ok if people disagree, and interesting to see how strong the disagreement can be even among Rush fans. Hope you all enjoy the shows. Maybe I'll see you there.

There's the distinction between 'good enough' vs best for the job. Anika may be the former but not the latter.

I just played along with several tracks from one of Anika's albums. She's a good drummer. I wouldn't actually call her world class. There are literally thousands of drummers in the world at her level or higher. Vinnie Coliuta, Simon Phillips, Virgil Donati, Dave Weckl, Mike Mangini, Larnell Lewis, Dennis Chambers, Carter Beauford, Jack DeJonnette, Steve Smith, Bill Bruford ... those drummers are truly world class. Neil was beyond world class, redefined what's possible with the instrument.

True, that avoids preconceptions. For me though, I've been listening to Anika for years, have even played along with some of her drumming, so she's a very known commodity to me, and so I evidently have strong preconceptions.