Bard

He hasn't said that the band is over. Technically true, but his retirement comments to a journalist and daughter are concerning, as was the refusal to do a short second leg of R40. . He's wanted to quit touring for a long time. It's no big surprise like people are making it out to be. Most dream of quitting their jobs and minimizing responsibilities as soon as possible. Of course Neil has the right to do that. It's the manner in which this has been done. To cut short the R40 tour, no second leg, no international dates. Very possibly not fulfilling studio commitments to the folks that paid your band $25 million. Not speaking candidly with your loyal fans about wanting CA to be the last tour or the bizarre way this tour was handled. Having important band news about its lack of future leaked to the press. Bizarre and unfair way to treat a passionate and loyal fan base. . Ungrateful. Man you guys are demanding, petty little fans. You don't know how good you've had it. Virtually any other band hasn't come close to Rush's level of prolific offerings to their fanbase. But you guys just want more. Explain this, explain that. Do this, do that. Don't do this, don't do that. LOL. It seriously makes you guys look really bad. If you guys get this upset over an offhand comment from the retired drummer for an interview...what do you do in real life when something of true impact occurs? It's only a rock band, kids. 40 years is much much longer than most. BE GRATEFUL. Stop bitching about shit you have no right to bitch about.

Ok, just for you and the other dummies: The reason this is dragging on is that every time Geddy Lee is asked about Peart being retired he seems to suggest that as far as he (Lee) is concerned that is news to him. Now, if it was just a few disparate and desperate fans asking the question one could reasonably reply "which bit of Peart being retired do you not understand?" but Geddy Lee himself is essentially, if more diplomatically, asking the same questions. Which makes you a pillock. Why can you not accept that as far as Geddy Lee is concerned this issue is not closed, not over. Why don't you email the record company and ask this question: Dear Geddy Lee, He's retiring. It hurts when he plays. Period. Why this creates so much animosity is confusing. Signed Confused Dickhead. It's only dragging on for whining fanboys with little sense of empathy. You just proved my point about the animosity. So thanks! Maybe you should just be grateful for the art and music you've been given. And not worry too much about what Geddy says. It's pretty clear Ged wants to continue making music. That doesn't mean he's upset about Neil retiring. He'd probably just like to have options as far as the media's concerned. But it is what it is. Be nice, kid. It's Christmas. Santa baby and all that jazz. :) Is "Ged" a friend of yours? If we are talking about fanboys... Like I said...you seem pretty hostile and petty for someone who's taking such exception to a band whose career is finally winding down. Why?

There is ZERO chance of Rush continuing without Neil. Geddy doing a solo record is quite probable.

Ok, just for you and the other dummies: The reason this is dragging on is that every time Geddy Lee is asked about Peart being retired he seems to suggest that as far as he (Lee) is concerned that is news to him. Now, if it was just a few disparate and desperate fans asking the question one could reasonably reply "which bit of Peart being retired do you not understand?" but Geddy Lee himself is essentially, if more diplomatically, asking the same questions. Which makes you a pillock. Why can you not accept that as far as Geddy Lee is concerned this issue is not closed, not over. Why don't you email the record company and ask this question: Dear Geddy Lee, He's retiring. It hurts when he plays. Period. Why this creates so much animosity is confusing. Signed Confused Dickhead. It's only dragging on for whining fanboys with little sense of empathy. You just proved my point about the animosity. So thanks! Maybe you should just be grateful for the art and music you've been given. And not worry too much about what Geddy says. It's pretty clear Ged wants to continue making music. That doesn't mean he's upset about Neil retiring. He'd probably just like to have options as far as the media's concerned. But it is what it is. Be nice, kid. It's Christmas. Santa baby and all that jazz. :)

Sheesh. Leave it to fanboys to stir something up that isn't actually there. He's retiring. It hurts when he plays. Period. Why this creates so much animosity is confusing. There is no rock band on earth worth getting so worked up over upon finishing a 40 year stretch of tunes, tours, and memories. Ungrateful is the word that comes to mind with some of you.

He's retired. Period. Accept it. It's not the end of the world.

LOL, this kid is funny,. Killing Rush? Seriously, do you have any clue as to how many bands get a 40 year run? Do you have any idea how much it hurts to play the drums with tendonitis? Man, fanboys who lack any reasonable amount of empathy are pathetic.

Pics and evidence or it didn't happen ! :D :D There can be no evidence about stuff that hasn't happened yet. :)

Ged may cut a solo album next year. Alex may guest on it. Smaller solo tour possible in famous landmark small venues in the US and Canada.

Told ya, boys and girls. But it was a legendary run. Nothing to mourn. Only memories and music to celebrate. Life can and must go on.

Oh come on now..... Rush have always been massively influenced by other musicians/acts. In the first few albums the influence of Led Zep and The Who is obvious, and Alex very much sounds like Jimmy Page junior when soloing, right down to the slightly sloppy technique Page used. Fast forward to late 70s and Alex in particular is now being heavily influenced by the likes of Holdsworth etc. right down to using a strat and fitting a humbucker in the bridge and using the trem to slide and scoop into notes. into the 80s and the Police/Simple Minds/U2 influences are very much in the forefront. Also a lot of new wave stuff coming through in PW and HYF I must admit that after then I'm not so concerned, but the likes of CP and T4E clearly owe more than a nod and a wink to Grunge/alternative acts. I'm not saying they didn't create their own sound and I am certainly not saying they are not original, but they are nowhere near as unique as some people would have us believe. I agree that their sound has been influenced by many different bands that the guys have liked over the years. You can hear little bits of different bands' sounds in many Rush songs. My point is that when discussing Rush, no one says, "Oh, they're like [insert band here]." You just can't do it. Rush? Well, they sound like Rush. To me, that makes them unique. That's cause you're right, and he's wrong. NOBODY ever says so and so is like Rush, because nobody is. Thus the uniqueness to which our associate above fails to see. Kinda weak to debate it, it's a given. I dunno why I keep bothering. Actually, I think I'll stop now. LOL, a Rush fan who thinks Rush isn't that unique in the music world clearly isn't here for Rush. :)

Oh ffs, of course they are and of course they can....good as they were, they're not some kind of musical Holy Grail. LOL, mkay, Now we know how much you really understand Rush. Thanks for clearing that up, laddie. :hi: There is no other band even remotely similar to Rush. Consequently, there are thousands of bands like Zeppelin, Halen, or even Rick Springfield. The uniqueness is the thing. That's why they're all irreplaceable, and that's why they'll never play without each other. Bank on it. Talk all you want, but in the end, one of us is right and one of us is wrong. I wonder what history will prove. LOL. Talk to me again in 20 years and let me know how that worked out for ya. The laughable thing about this post is that I never once actually said they WOULD play with another drummer, only that they COULD if they chose......... Therefore there is no way to prove who is right and who is wrong, and you are the one turning it into a contest. And by the way, calling me "laddie" is just condescending and faintly insulting, two things I haven't inflicted on you...you are really getting too personal with this you know...it's just a bit of idle chat and banter about a rock band, who are not nearly as "unique" as you think. Well, I consider myself a fair observer of the music world, and I don't know one. single. band. who remotely comes close to Rush's sound and style. Even hardcore prog folks know that Yes, Floyd, Genesis...all have their own sound. Nobody is in the same boat as Rush. Not one band. 9 times outta 10, you can ask any indie, prog, hard rock or mainstream cover band what's the one band they simply can't cover adequately and it's almost always Rush. Followed closely by Queen. There's just nobody on earth who can sing like Freddie or Geddy. And there's nobody on earth who can rattle a drum fill like Peart. It's all about the tone, man. Not the technique. The SOUL of the thing. It's kinda laughable, having to debate this. You don't think they're that unique. Yet you can't point to one single outfit who's similar. Influences, blah blah blah. Bottom line...there isn't anyone like them. Metallica said it. Grohl said it. Plant said it. Everyone knows it. Except you, apparently. Heck, I'm not personal about it. I just think it implies a lack of simple observation skill. I admit I'm being condescending. But you're one of those board trolls who gets off on stirring the pot. Me, I'm not stirred. Just amused. 'Net bravado is boring.

Oh ffs, of course they are and of course they can....good as they were, they're not some kind of musical Holy Grail. LOL, mkay, Now we know how much you really understand Rush. Thanks for clearing that up, laddie. :hi: There is no other band even remotely similar to Rush. Consequently, there are thousands of bands like Zeppelin, Halen, or even Rick Springfield. The uniqueness is the thing. That's why they're all irreplaceable, and that's why they'll never play without each other. Bank on it. Talk all you want, but in the end, one of us is right and one of us is wrong. I wonder what history will prove. LOL. Talk to me again in 20 years and let me know how that worked out for ya.

er....none of those books are evidence those things exist. when I say there won't be any Rush without Neil....it's true. you can bet your mortgage on it. :) Because it's not true because I'm saying it...it's true beyond what you or I say.

Purists. An interesting notion, comparing Rush to other bands with lineup changes. Is it really not obvious that if there's one band who clearly will retain their pure original member ratio, it's Rush? Rush is not like other bands. Rush cannot be compared to other bands. Other bands have successfully transitioned with lineup changes. See Van Halen, AC.DC, Iron Maiden. Other bands have unsuccessfully transitioned with lineup changes. See Queen, Yes, Van Halen ;), Lynyrd Skynrd I am not sure why the core Rush fan base would even question the potentiality of a lineup change. The good news is, Ged, Al, and Neil all know it perfectly well and don't care what the fanbase thinks. I love that Rush is truer to themselves than their fanbase. :)

How do you mean? I thougt it was obvious that Geddy and Neil where the engine of Rush. Alex was out of the equation on a couple of Rush songs, at the least. He just found a way to worm his way into them For the vast majority of their career, Alex has been the main sound....he was marginalised a bit during their mid 80s records, but came back into his own...Geddys vocals and competence with several instruments is also a necessity. Lets not forget also that they wrote a lot of stuff without keys for years. so many of the guitar riffs must be Geddys. Oh lord. It's all three of them. Without Neil it is not Rush, without Geddy it is not Rush, without Alex it is not Rush. If one is not on board it's over. That will be a fact. They will never perform or record as Rush unless all three are part of it. And that is the way it should be. After 41 years nothing is going to change. Nothing. And you are confident you can speak for all three of them are you? I would say that it was their decision, no one else's Yeah...there going to replace Neil and tour as Rush. Whatever you say man. But if you read my posts I never said that that was what they would do, I only ventured an opinion that if someone had to be replaced, then Neil was the only possibility. With all due respect and I do not mean to single you out. I have seen so many bad posts and trolling about Neil it's getting stupid. I think your over thinking it. They truly are never going to replace Neil Peart so they can go tour again. If you told me this 20 years ago.....ok. They had plenty of mileage left. They are at the end of the rainbow. They are not going to tarnish 41 years of Rush history for the sake of another tour. Overthinking it lol... If you knew my posting better, you would realise that's the last thing I would do regarding a rock band. And respect or not, I haven't trolled Neil at all, merely offered a hypothetical opinion on a hypothetical situation. And I still don't think you can speak for them.....saying that, I would agree that a tour as Rush would be highly unlikely, but you never know. I can speak for them. :) Not gonna happen. Ever. And it's interesting how little value you rank Neil's contributions to the band...that Alex is the main sound, that Geddy's composition is the backbone...and that Neil's lyricism and percussion skills are the MOST replaceable. Don't smoke crack, son. It's bad. I suggest you retake some lessons in basic English comprehension........I did indeed say that Alex is the main sound (which is true, they are a power trio are they not?)...I never said Geddys composition is the backbone,I said Ged and Al are the main songwriring "engine" (which is true)..I also said that in pre keyboard days, Geddy must have written some of the stuff on guitars...nothing controversial there. I also never said they were likely to carry on without Neil, just that if they did, he would be the only member which could be replaced.....it's an opinion, not trolling, and you shouldn't be so defensive. It's trolling, and I'm hardly defensive. I'm scoffing. It'd be fine if you were just brazen, but you actually seem to believe what you're saying, which indicates a level of intellect that's beneath most of the members here. I should probably stop responding to you because you're apparently incapable of seeing the big picture zeitgeist to which most folks adhere to when it comes to Rush. I'd normally salute you for your individualism, but I just don't think you're getting it. Read some books, laddie. Thank you for the condescension and patronising nature of your reply...note that I never "scoffed" at your opinion. And no, I wasn't trolling, I was offering a point of view for discussion...believe me if I was trolling, you would know about it. "Big picture zeitgeist"?...seriously? We're talking about a rock n roll band here ffs and I certainly have no intention of "adhering" to anything just because you state that's what some other people do. And I do "get it" I just don't "buy" it, ok? LOL, sure, you get it. You don't buy that Neil is irreplaceable. It's okay to have an opinion. It's equally okay to have an opinion that's incorrect. It's your prerogative. However, that has a side effect of indicating you may not be the sharpest tool in the box.

He's is not replaceable in the marketing and classic sense. Neil himself draws a lot of people to the shows, I'm sure. Of course, anyone is literally replaceable and some can play their parts, but that isn't the point. It's the big picture. Well, we can debate about it till the cows come home and never agree. Suffice to say, that if I had the chance to see them one last time minus Neil, then I would....... Don't hold your breath. That chance will never arrive. Ever. It's not opinion. It's a fact. I know. :)

Thank God, someone who "gets" it....... Honestly, some people are just too quick with the "Troll" badge. However, I still think Ged or Al could work with another drummer in the studio, but would concede that project would be very unlikely to be called "Rush" I believe that the three of them recording in the studio and going out on tour with another drummer is perfectly acceptable of course, there is the issue with Alex's hands.......a replacement guitarist would be a no-no. LOL, and there you have it. So Alex is def not replaceable. Ever. But Neil is. Said the drummer boy. Wow. Good job on making up stuff to stir traffic, but if you really believe this stuff, I pity you. :)

No, it's not ridiculous. Granted, i doubt it will ever happen, but if someone was to be replaced, better the one that doesn't actually write the music. You may not see Neil's name on the music credits ever (other than of course his lyrics)......but you can bet your ass his drum phrasing/parts (which is written by him for the most part) have been just as integral to the sound of Rush as anything else. Now you clearly are showing me you do not get the writing process and what it is to actually play in a band. Just stop it. Have played semi-professionally for many years....it's you that doesn't get it. We're all sure that your semi-professional skills as a garage basement drummer enable you to pass proficient logic upon Peart's integral part (or lack thereof) in the band known as Rush. Edit: Aw. I just now noticed your troll status and the fact you hail from Scotland. Now it all makes sense. My bad, I sometimes don't pay attention to past postings nor profile information of other members. Apologies to forum members for feeding the schaudenfreude. Calm down petal...you're the one resorting to ad hominem attacks..I'm just stating opinions..just because mine differs from you doesn't mean I'm "trolling", and actually I only seem to get a rep for trolling from humourless fanboys of the band...I have plenty of folk on here who would not view me thus. It's good that you know your opinion is just that. However, some of us base our assertions on hard known facts rather than pointless meandering hypotheses. Wacky, ain't it.

How do you mean? I thougt it was obvious that Geddy and Neil where the engine of Rush. Alex was out of the equation on a couple of Rush songs, at the least. He just found a way to worm his way into them For the vast majority of their career, Alex has been the main sound....he was marginalised a bit during their mid 80s records, but came back into his own...Geddys vocals and competence with several instruments is also a necessity. Lets not forget also that they wrote a lot of stuff without keys for years. so many of the guitar riffs must be Geddys. Oh lord. It's all three of them. Without Neil it is not Rush, without Geddy it is not Rush, without Alex it is not Rush. If one is not on board it's over. That will be a fact. They will never perform or record as Rush unless all three are part of it. And that is the way it should be. After 41 years nothing is going to change. Nothing. And you are confident you can speak for all three of them are you? I would say that it was their decision, no one else's Yeah...there going to replace Neil and tour as Rush. Whatever you say man. But if you read my posts I never said that that was what they would do, I only ventured an opinion that if someone had to be replaced, then Neil was the only possibility. With all due respect and I do not mean to single you out. I have seen so many bad posts and trolling about Neil it's getting stupid. I think your over thinking it. They truly are never going to replace Neil Peart so they can go tour again. If you told me this 20 years ago.....ok. They had plenty of mileage left. They are at the end of the rainbow. They are not going to tarnish 41 years of Rush history for the sake of another tour. Overthinking it lol... If you knew my posting better, you would realise that's the last thing I would do regarding a rock band. And respect or not, I haven't trolled Neil at all, merely offered a hypothetical opinion on a hypothetical situation. And I still don't think you can speak for them.....saying that, I would agree that a tour as Rush would be highly unlikely, but you never know. I can speak for them. :) Not gonna happen. Ever. And it's interesting how little value you rank Neil's contributions to the band...that Alex is the main sound, that Geddy's composition is the backbone...and that Neil's lyricism and percussion skills are the MOST replaceable. Don't smoke crack, son. It's bad. I suggest you retake some lessons in basic English comprehension........I did indeed say that Alex is the main sound (which is true, they are a power trio are they not?)...I never said Geddys composition is the backbone,I said Ged and Al are the main songwriring "engine" (which is true)..I also said that in pre keyboard days, Geddy must have written some of the stuff on guitars...nothing controversial there. I also never said they were likely to carry on without Neil, just that if they did, he would be the only member which could be replaced.....it's an opinion, not trolling, and you shouldn't be so defensive. It's trolling, and I'm hardly defensive. I'm scoffing. It'd be fine if you were just brazen, but you actually seem to believe what you're saying, which indicates a level of intellect that's beneath most of the members here. I should probably stop responding to you because you're apparently incapable of seeing the big picture zeitgeist to which most folks adhere to when it comes to Rush. I'd normally salute you for your individualism, but I just don't think you're getting it. Read some books, laddie.

Above and beyond what a fanbase desires, perceives, or believes to be known... A man retires from a career in the spotlight after a long and prosperous and wondrous contribution to world culture. Legacy assured. Does not care what public opinion asserts thereafter. Focuses on family and well being. The end.

No, it's not ridiculous. Granted, i doubt it will ever happen, but if someone was to be replaced, better the one that doesn't actually write the music. You may not see Neil's name on the music credits ever (other than of course his lyrics)......but you can bet your ass his drum phrasing/parts (which is written by him for the most part) have been just as integral to the sound of Rush as anything else. Now you clearly are showing me you do not get the writing process and what it is to actually play in a band. Just stop it. Have played semi-professionally for many years....it's you that doesn't get it. We're all sure that your semi-professional skills as a garage basement drummer enable you to pass proficient logic upon Peart's integral part (or lack thereof) in the band known as Rush. Edit: Aw. I just now noticed your troll status and the fact you hail from Scotland. Now it all makes sense. My bad, I sometimes don't pay attention to past postings nor profile information of other members. Apologies to forum members for feeding the schaudenfreude.

How do you mean? I thougt it was obvious that Geddy and Neil where the engine of Rush. Alex was out of the equation on a couple of Rush songs, at the least. He just found a way to worm his way into them For the vast majority of their career, Alex has been the main sound....he was marginalised a bit during their mid 80s records, but came back into his own...Geddys vocals and competence with several instruments is also a necessity. Lets not forget also that they wrote a lot of stuff without keys for years. so many of the guitar riffs must be Geddys. Oh lord. It's all three of them. Without Neil it is not Rush, without Geddy it is not Rush, without Alex it is not Rush. If one is not on board it's over. That will be a fact. They will never perform or record as Rush unless all three are part of it. And that is the way it should be. After 41 years nothing is going to change. Nothing. And you are confident you can speak for all three of them are you? I would say that it was their decision, no one else's Yeah...there going to replace Neil and tour as Rush. Whatever you say man. But if you read my posts I never said that that was what they would do, I only ventured an opinion that if someone had to be replaced, then Neil was the only possibility. With all due respect and I do not mean to single you out. I have seen so many bad posts and trolling about Neil it's getting stupid. I think your over thinking it. They truly are never going to replace Neil Peart so they can go tour again. If you told me this 20 years ago.....ok. They had plenty of mileage left. They are at the end of the rainbow. They are not going to tarnish 41 years of Rush history for the sake of another tour. Overthinking it lol... If you knew my posting better, you would realise that's the last thing I would do regarding a rock band. And respect or not, I haven't trolled Neil at all, merely offered a hypothetical opinion on a hypothetical situation. And I still don't think you can speak for them.....saying that, I would agree that a tour as Rush would be highly unlikely, but you never know. I can speak for them. :) Not gonna happen. Ever. And it's interesting how little value you rank Neil's contributions to the band...that Alex is the main sound, that Geddy's composition is the backbone...and that Neil's lyricism and percussion skills are the MOST replaceable. Don't smoke crack, son. It's bad.

How do you mean? I thougt it was obvious that Geddy and Neil where the engine of Rush. Alex was out of the equation on a couple of Rush songs, at the least. He just found a way to worm his way into them For the vast majority of their career, Alex has been the main sound....he was marginalised a bit during their mid 80s records, but came back into his own...Geddys vocals and competence with several instruments is also a necessity. Lets not forget also that they wrote a lot of stuff without keys for years. so many of the guitar riffs must be Geddys. Oh lord. It's all three of them. Without Neil it is not Rush, without Geddy it is not Rush, without Alex it is not Rush. If one is not on board it's over. That will be a fact. They will never perform or record as Rush unless all three are part of it. And that is the way it should be. After 41 years nothing is going to change. Nothing. And you are confident you can speak for all three of them are you? I would say that it was their decision, no one else's Any Rush fan should be confident enough to know it's all three of them or nothing.

No, it's not ridiculous. Granted, i doubt it will ever happen, but if someone was to be replaced, better the one that doesn't actually write the music. Nope, it's ridiculous. Uh, btw, that someone writes the lyrics, if you'll recall, which are just as important as the music. Man. Some people.