upstateNYfan

Regardless, his comments are in poor taste even if accurate. If Rush wanted us to know, they would have shared.

Sully's comments are in poor taste, even if accurate. From what has been publicly released, I don't think he was sick on the tour; the chances of him being able to perform that way are essentially nil as their music is so hard to play and he hits so hard. It's not something that could be faked. It sounds like our Neil had incredibly bad luck and timing. Heartbreaking.

All this still seems surreal... I'm still sad, and I never even met the man. After reading Donna Halper's blog, it's simply tragic that he apparently became ill soon after the tour finished. Clearly his circle was incredibly loyal and supportive the whole time. Were there red flags? Yes, I do think there were. It's not that he decided to retire, it's that there was almost a total 180 - no posts about anything. No posts about a different adventure, a different car, a great book... Then were almost zero pics from his friends over years. Awhile back I recall a meme from Westside Beemer Boyz that after I reread it had to have deep meaning to him/them. That essentially so much is beyond our control as we're only human; at the bottom was "Between Us" with the Rush starman logo. There were also 2 or 3 photos from friends that were changed to black and white. I hate to say this, but maybe his complexion was poor from treatment. It's just awful to think about. Glioblastoma can often present in nebulous and nonspecific ways early on, so it's certainly possible he could have been feeling "off" awhile before his diagnosis. Of course I am only speculating. I know there was a ton of demand for more shows on R40, so it did strike me as different if not unusual the way it wrapped up. But they're Rush and they make their own rules; Neil was in his 60s and lived an incredibly full and adventurous life. There were red flags, but they were incredibly subtle. I am so glad we had the band as long as we did. Farewell Professor. Your work meant so much to me.

I'm speculating but feel confident in thinking that if there was a funeral or memorial it was very private, and for his innermost circle. I'm sure the delay in reporting was very purposeful. His spokesman is well regarded in managing PR. Also, Neil seems like the type who would have lived as much as he could when he could, including being with friends while here. Surely those he wanted to know knew. I'll miss him dearly.

There will never be another Neil. A pioneer, an innovator and an influencer. I'm sure he'd admit he's not even the best drummer in the room, but he was a hard hitting ironman. A legend that never stopped learning and pushing. Not because he had to, but because he's Neil.

I'm feeling that we'll see an album and tour from Alex and Geddy, and if I had to guess, I'd say Dave Grohl will be on the skins. He's a good drummer, knows them, would fill seats and complement their music.The wild card is what they'd play. Guessing 2020.

A rare and desirable car for sure. Custom from Porsche. Neil's always been a car guy, and has owned just about every marque.

I thought it was good but not great. Lots of insight on Geddy's book (although because it's been well promoted for months and I own the book, it wasn't new to me) that most casual fans would enjoy. Given that the band is retired and hasn't toured in 4 years, I was very happy to see anything and was also happy to see fans get together.

Very interesting pic - guessing something around the space shuttle lunch or maybe Concorde.

Interesting about the photo issues. Wonder if they changed the policy, perhaps to expedite the line. I was in Montreal and just about everyone was snapping pics. He was not posing with fans though and wasn't shaking hands either, both of which make perfect sense.

My drummer's daughter attended one I believe in New Jersey. It was cold as hell and rainy I think and people are waiting for close to four hours. As they got closer a guy stepped out of line just take a snapshot with his camera and they threw him out. I just could not justify taking a day off for 10 to 15 seconds. I met him in 97 in a hotel, and that will have to do Oh wow. Crazy someone was thrown out for taking a picture, but who knows what the rules were or if he did anything more egregious. 99% of people I saw were great, but I was really surprised by people lugging their guitars up, lingering long, asking for long messages in the book, that sort of thing... But these were very much exceptions. Wonderful event overall. What struck me was Geddy's poise - he STOOD for a LONG time (3 hours?) signing and signing and signing. Huge crowd where I was and he took it all in stride.

As long as Geddy and Alex are in it, it’s Rush. Drums are just drums and no one ever got into Rush for the lyrics. After not listening to Rush for awhile, when I started to again, that's what I noticed the most - the awful lyrics on so many songs. Good thing I was never one for lyrics anyway. Same with me. I’m a music person. Not a lyric person. I’ve listened to some Rush music for many years, singing along to every word, and never realized what the song was about. One example is Red Sector A. I bet I listened to that for over 20 years before I realized what the song was about. Some lyrics are more profound than others. Some are simply amazing. But awful lyrics on a Rush song? Even the '74-'75 stuff is at least FUN, but never awful. For me the comparison is the huge majority of popular trash - plastic bubblegum.

Some fans are nuts. I attended one of the signings and despite the audience politely being told several times "he won't be signing instruments or memorabilia", there were many who sauntered up with stuff for him to sign. Geddy was a consummate pro the whole time. In fact, I was amazed he literally stood the whole time, and with such poise. He's in great shape. Oh yeah, I noticed he wasn't shaking hands either, surely for many reasons. He was very classy and kind. So glad I went.

Maybe that's part of it, but I think it's a way of saying thank you and giving fans a chance to say the same. Call it a mutual admiration society. He really doesn't have to do this. He Does !!! And he has to come to my city and sign my 50 albums and let me hug him and squeeze him and pet him !!! He's been great to do what he has. I haven't seen it on here, but there have been comments on another place where I follow Rush and fans where people honestly are upset AT him. They think it's cold not to shake hands (apparently a fist bump isn't good enough? Geez, the guy's hands are his instrument !) and self serving to not sign anything else. Sigh.

No. It's in semi-rural Quebec. I've been there, and it's a solid hour from Montreal. Very relaxing and peaceful area with lots of beautiful outdoor activities and friendly small businesses. Haven't been in 4 years, but when I was there unfortunately the studio was on its last legs: vandalized, mold infested and and just downright rough.

I was there! Even though Geddy had a bad cold it was an excellent show. Working Man is just phenomenal. TMT was one of my favorite tours, and I dare say they might have been at their peak. So incredibly tight, loose and fun if they want - La Villa - and with such power - Working Man.

Agreed. But I just don't see it. Neil seems to be kind of guy that sticks to his decisions. Could they do it? I'm sure - but is it really worth it to them? (For what it's worth, Neil's motorcycling lifestyle is physically demanding, but I don't know if he'd do it any other way.)

Interesting take. I always felt Clockwork Angels had an autobiographical undercurrent to it, and that The Garden was a goodbye. After reading Far and Wide, there's no question. No albums without a tour because Neil's retired, but even if not, at this stage of their career they'd never do it because it's so much work with basically no gain and they have nothing to prove.

Wow!

LOL - wasn't that a rumor 30 years or so ago? Wasn't trying to stir the pot, just commenting on what I thought was a deft but unusual comment: "life as friends... can't tell you more than that..." Of course that can be taken many ways.

(No idea how that quote was highlighted... Anyway...) "I can't tell you more than that, I'm afraid" can be taken in several ways. Geddy's all class, but for some reason that stuck out. Oh well.

Part of me wonders if Neil is OK. Granted, I thought he was retired back in 2015, but based on Alex's apparent comments at Grapes For Humanity ("zero chance") and then now Geddy's RS interview where he says, "We're friends, and we talk about life as friends. I can't really tell you more than that, I'm afraid. I would say there's no chance of seeing Rush on tour again as Alex, Geddy, Neil."

Tie between Natural Science and The Garden.

Fun to think about, and maybe even fun for Geddy and Alex to work on. But it will never happen. Albums make them very little money, they very seldom look back musically, and Neil wasn't even on the album. They've played a few things from that album on tour over the last 15 years. I think the ultimate would be to see them at a historic venue like Massey Hall (now under reno) or Radio City playing a manageable set. However I do realize it's probably a 1% chance.

They all gave their all, especially during the last 15 years. Part of Rush's charms are the high and difficult to sing songs of 70s the early 80s. They wouldn't do anything half-assed.