upstateNYfan

Honestly? I think Geddy's just parsing his words, and is actually frustrated and annoyed about the way it was done. ALL signs at this point clearly show Neil is now RETIRED. Period.

He probably told her that. That simple. Kids are good at repeating.

Well, right. Now what wouldn't make it "passive aggressive" would be if there were discussions leading up to this where Neil felt he made himself clear about exactly how/when he wanted to stop, and now those agreements are being thrown out the window. Ged and Al have the advantage of talking to the media more, and just being better at it. Neil comes across as heavy-handed in using anecdotes involving his kid at every pass to get the point across that he may be retired. Especially when he was asked point-blank about what the future holds, and he left the door open for more original material, if nothing else. Agreed. And to be clear, it's not his desire to retire, but HOW he's done it. It seems classless, frankly.

Yes....I'm picking up on this as well. There seems to be a big disconnect, and it's almost as if the band is speaking to each other via the press. Well, I'm glad that some of you guys are finally seeing the way things actually are between the guys. When I said it a while back, I was called a liar, and told I didn't know what I was talking about, but there is definitely a "disconnect" with Neil. Shortly after the tour ended, he took all of his equipment, went home, and cut communication. He knew long before the tour started that this would be his last. He just waited until it was over before he made it official with the band and fans. That is pretty much the crux of the strain in the relationship. This makes me sad. I would have thought Neil would hold himself to the same high standard of his work. In the recent Drumhead mag interview, it's his daughter who calls her dad a "retired drummer." To me that says everything - he's telling his own very young daughter this. It doesn't make a lot of sense that it was executed this way. It's almost rude: not the retirement, but the passive aggressive way about it. This is to say nothing of the lost business opportunities too.

Pissed away? What? Really?

I really enjoyed it. Anyone notice the mention of Aerosmith, quickly followed by a comment along the lines that Rush is the best? "Musical heaven." (Apropos of Aerosmith's treatment of Rush in the 70's.)

I dare say they will play live at some point or nothing. No way they'll do anything without Neil as Rush. There is no money in making in album, so unless there's some major shift in the business or a big change of heart, they're retired. I hope I'm completely wrong.

Ray cashed out. Get ready for more rounds of repackaged remastered re-releases. That's exactly what I thought. This could only be "good" news if they decide to go back and release live music from over the years. .....or if/when they go back in the studio to make new music. A lot of you seem to be missing this..... But why would they?

It SAYS in the beginning of the article it was before the Newark show. All evidence since August 2nd points to retirement.

Meanwhile, everything Neil says or writes is in past-tense. I'm sure Alex and Geddy really want the band to go on in some form, but every signal being transmitted by Neil confirms what he allegedly told Jack Black "I'm done." This. And a couple people who are semi-regular posters that are either in the inner circle or who have first-hand knowledge confirm same. Plus they haven't been inaccurate yet about any band info, as far as I know.

Retirement announcement?

Was at the second show on July 2nd. Amazing.

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. of course they wouldn't f***ing call it rush, but it's just nuts that anyone says geddy and alex shouldn't play rush music live with a different drummer. It's not nuts. I'm sure THEY wouldn't feel right about it, and that weirdness would probably be readily apparent.

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.

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. None of them are a possibility. Neil is a huge reason people go to their concerts.

No kidding! The thought of anyone being replaced is absurd.

It's clear when reading between the lines. His nuances are incredible.

No way they're making an album without live performances to go with it.

I expect it around April 1, 2016. ;) Geddy just said there's no plans for any more touring. Not that I have any doubt that it's true, but where exactly did he just say this? I think the fact that Neil recently had ALL of his equipment that was in the bands storage facility shipped to him in CA is a pretty good indicator that it's over. In 40+ years, he has NEVER done that. As it turns out, Geddy, Alex, & management were hoping that once the Emperor got out on this tour, he'd have a change of heart about extending the tour and even going overseas. Which, is something they desperately wanted to do, considering it was the last tour. However, we know how this story ended. As predicted, Neil's selfishness is solely responsible for the death of Rush. Neil's selfishness? I doubt his family feels this way. As a fan I could feel this way, but I don't. The last 15 years have been a bit of a bonus, if you look at it one way. Listening to Neil rave about how awesome touring is on the ESL film, it's almost ironic he is adamant about retiring now. He is at that point in life, if this is what he wants, so be it. Its a shame the fans only got three months notice of the end before the short tour began. But at least we got that and it was special. Fans should not fret, if Ged and Al, or just Ged, want to continue, that would be a way for their music to live on. LEEFSON!! Seeing Roger Waters doing The Wall and Dark Side was awesome. And The Dead/Further/The Other Ones sold out arenas and they had an even tougher job replacing Neil, yet put on a great show for the fans. I realize this may be nitpicking, but IIRC he said he liked "playing live a lot". I can see how this is not saying he likes touring. That was in 1981! A lifetime ago.

Neil has never been overrated. I am sure he would be the first to say he's probably not the best drummer in whatever city he's visiting! Why is he so lauded? Because he's so passionate, inventive, consistent, ambitious and prolific. I'd say he's the most influential of all time, and deservedly so.

As a fan, it's hard to accept and understand Neil's behavior, if true. It's not the desire to retire or to spend time with his family. It's the apparent fact that he knew he would be done but then was passive aggressive and arguably unprofessional. It would have been fine to say, "guys, we have x more shows, and I am DONE. For good." Not think it to HIMSELF and then not say anything clear. Of course, from a marketing perspective, they're leaving tons of money and markets on the table. Hope he gets restless next spring and changes his mind. Maybe fly with the guys and forget the arduous way he travels...

I wish I could disagree with you, but I can't. :(

I think a second leg would be wonderful. I just wish most (all?) signs didn't point to the opposite. In fact, I don't think I have seen or can think of one sign that suggests we'll get more.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE EXPENSE OF TOURING!!! This band is NOT some cruddy band that can go out and do 5-10 shows here and there and call it quits! Their music is HARD TO PLAY for guys that are in their 60's! They need to warm up, rehearse, etc. Not sure why a lot of you think it's an expense thing. Because the money always matters. No one's working for peanuts. It's a business.

But they want to tour and write music, the problem is they are not physically able to go out on the road for that long anymore. Going into the studio and making music isn't that physically demanding, and their fanbase is bigger than ever. Neil wants to tour? The studio takes a ton of crafting and planning - and for what? Albums don't sell. They MIGHT make as much as in playing one night live by making one album that takes months. I think the only way we see them again is some bizarre and unfortunate financial catastrophe OR Neil decides he's restless and up for hitting the road. I'll be generous and call it a 10% chance.