Phantom

Without knowing for sure what Neil's plans are, it'd be interesting to think about this whole thing from Neil's perspective.... Let's assume for a moment that Neil has chosen to retire outright.... not to record anything new, and not to tour anymore. If he were to choose that, it's his choice entirely. With that being the case, I can't imagine for a moment that he'd have any issue at all with either Ged or Al recording solo albums, or co-writing new material together and recording it with another drummer. I just don't think if they were to do so, that it would be under the name Rush. I just can't see it. Surely Neil wouldn't begrudge Ged and Al their right to write, record and tour if they're interested in doing so. From my perspective, I say let Neil do what he wants, and let Ged and Al do what they want... and if it happens to be that G&A record new material with another drummer, under a different band name, then that's fine with me.

In the context of a grieving drummer who is in too much pain to continue, they knew it would be impossible for them to play as Rush at that time, and they knew it. But choosing to retire is different. G & A as founding members have the right to continue as Rush. I doubt they want to do that and they know a majority of fans dont want them to call it Rush. If Neil were convinced he is 100% retired from recording with G & A (if not, then why take ole's $$ with a promise of more studio work) he would have an official announcement through the band management, and what would be very appropriate would be include wishing G & A well in their future music ventures, whatever THEY chose to call it. . While the quote was in the context of a discussion regarding a grieving friend, it was a still a quote from 2009 or 2010, a good 10 years after they'd begun working together again..... and it sounds VERY much like a statement that he meant as an ongoing point. I agree that G & A can choose to do whatever it is they'd like to but given their friendship with Neil, I just don't see them replacing him while continuing to call themselves Rush. For the record, I personally believe that at a minimum, Neil may record with them again, and who knows, maybe even play some limited live gigs/tours. Frankly, I'm fine with whatever the 3 of them choose to do with their individual or collective musical careers...as long as they don't go out on the road with their chops in substandard form.... which I just can't see them doing.

I haven't read through the entire thread, but in the end, this says it all...6:12 mark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD0D6vaKM1Y

Off on your way hit the open road...

Some are born to move the world...

For me, it boils down to this. I love the band and their work and at this stage of their lives and careers, I can't imagine thinking that I'm owed any more from them than I've already gotten. If Neil wants to retire from the band, and/or from drumming, I say let the man be. If he doesn't want to, he won't. He's made it clear for many years how much he dislikes touring, and with each passing year, the physical demands become greater. I think his first obligation is to his family, and his second obligation is to his friends Ged and Al. Like any friendship, it'll go through it's ups and downs and if they're not on the same page at the moment, that's ok. When it's all said and done, I believe their friendship will endure, and that's what's most important. Everything else is secondary.

it seems that my only solution will be to buy the DVD.. which isn't the worst thing in the world. it's just a shame that the Blu Ray won't work at all...

Yes, all other Blu Rays that I have work fine on my PS3.... it's just so bizarre.

thanks for the info. It's good to know that it's not limited to my blu ray, or my playstation. Do you happen to know if buying the DVD version resolves the problems?

I'm not sure if anyone else is having this problem or not, but I'm curious to find out. My blu ray basically doesn't work properly in my PS3. Shortly after playing, the disc either freezes completely, as though the disc has paused, or in some cases, stays frozen for a minute or two, before skipping way ahead. Either way, it's of no use. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Does exchanging it for a DVD help matters much?

I'm on my second copy of the blu ray and have the same problem as my first copy. The blu ray freezes on a random basis and when it does, there's no unfreezing of it. My only option is to shut down the ps3 and fire it up again...only to have the same problem. I'll pick up the DVD version instead and hope for the best with that....but I'd be lying if I said I'm not completely disappointed.

His skills are still outstanding in my opinion....I just think it's harder and harder for him to play at an elite level for hours at a time, over the length of a tour. Being a smoker must make it even more difficult I'm sure. Non of us are immune to the ravages of time. Father time is undefeated.

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 don't how good it is or isn't. Bought the Blu Ray and 2 minutes into the first track, the screen froze on my ps3 and a window popped up saying something about a corrupt file. Ps3 wasnt able to play any dvd or blu ray after that, until i did a complete reboot of the ps3. Tried the blu ray again, but same problem. I'm returning the blu ray and will buy the dvd instead..hope that solves the problem.

My blu ray copy is bordering on useless. It almost worked for a short while last night until the screen froze and then offered a message about a corrupted file. After ejecting the disc and re-inserting it, the ps3 now wont even recognize that there's a disc in it...and now other discs aren't recognized either. Had to reboot the ps3. At least now the other discs work but r40 blu ray is a write off. Going to exchange it for another copy and if the same problem persists, I suppose I'll try the DVD rather than the blu ray...seems very odd to me.

Mine too... MAJOR problems freezing

Huge problems on mine. Keeps freezing the PS3...reached the point that the PS3 wouldn't even recognize that a Blu Ray was in the player... tried putting other DVD's in and PS3 didn't recognize them either. Had to re-boot the PS3, start the blu ray again, but can't make it past the midway point of " Losing it ". Now the blu ray won't even play in my laptop... definitely some sort of problem. Pretty disappointing. Does anyone know if this problem is limited to Blu Ray only? Any issues with DVD versions? If not, I'll return my Blu Ray to HMV and go with the DVD.

I think most of us knew that Ged was the most interested in continuing on, followed by Alex who seemed as though he was conflicted...followed by Neil.. who really seems to be done with it all. That said, Neil strikes me as a hard working guy and for the most part, an agreeable guy when it comes to working with Ged and Al. In the video from the making of Snakes and Arrows, Ged talked about how Neil will give him a sheet a lyrics and that Ged may only be able to use a single line or phrase. Neil would use that as a starting point to re-work all of the lyrics into something that Ged can work with. That always struck me as significant. I'd have thought that something as personal as lyrics would have been something that Neil would have been resistant to Ged discarding. Neil just strikes me as a team guy, and if the emotional and physical demands of touring are just too difficult for him (I personally believe the physical demands are more of a hurdle than anything else) I could see Neil going into the studio and doing some recording with them.

I wouldn't have caught that in a million years. Alex's hands give it away, too. You da Goose! Yeah, I caught that (having watched this clip about 50 times.) I'm no editor but I've often wondered why this happens at least a few times in almost all concert DVD's I've watched.... Not just Rush's. Can anyone comment on why audio and video are often not synced throughout a concert DVD? Back on point about Alex's solo, I noticed that one of the bends from the solo in the studio version, and esl, is much less prominent. The studio version of the solo gives me goosebumps, but I still think this R40 live version is a masterpiece performance.

Wow! The sound quality is astounding, as is the video... by far the best that I've heard (and seen) of any of their live DVD's.

Both the video and the audio quality is the best I've seen/heard (so far) from Rush... (imo)

I heard the 30 second audio clip of Roll the Bones on Amazon, and I thought it sounded fantastic.

I don't know if this is true or not, but I read that Neil was talking to Jack Black after the LA show and Neil let him know that he was " done " . I interpret that as a comment about touring. Given that it was right after the show, there's 2 ways to look at it. 1.) He's at the end of his rope when it comes to touring. He's made it clear that he hates the rigors of it, and there's no turning back for him. 2.) He spoke out from the heart about how he really felt at the moment, and he meant what he said....but with the passage of time, he changes his mind. It wouldn't surprise me. I just think that at the moment, he simply doesn't want this anymore.

Ged pretty much said it all in Beyond the Lighted Stage. There's no replacing anyone in this band. If they were to go out on the road with another drummer, it wouldn't be as Rush. It would be in poor taste to do so, and not at all reflective of the friendship, respect and love that they have for one another.

A great read... it was nice to learn some new stuff about the band. (I too didn't know about the invite to Max Webster's drummer). If this is the end of the band touring, I have come to terms with it. As sad as it is, and though though they are a bit conflicted from one moment to the next, this could be it. With that said, if I were a betting man, I would bet that they are not done playing as a live band. I think absence makes the heart grow fonder and that with enough time away from playing live and the grind of a long tour, the idea of limited runs in once city (a week at Radio City or at Massey Hall in Toronto), would be something that even Neil would find appealing.