upstateNYfan

If they're not going to play live again there's almost no way they'd make an album. Lots of work and almost no money. And Clockwork Angels is the perfect exit.

Go to sleep then.

One question: his drum tech's comment on his Twitter page in response to the article. Very curious indeed.

Yes, but given timing and circumstances, it's not hard to read between the lines.

Good read, I wasn't curious about his thoughts after the tour or the future of the band but what tshirt he designed.

 

Well I think he's just telling us he's working on a book. I'm glad for that.

 

He seems to be hinting at a lot more than a new book.

Money. Touring is very expensive, even if not over the top staging.

Halfway touched on what I was thinking. They don't need a big production to play live. The second set of R40 proved that, stripped down and just playing live would be enough for me as a fan.

 

Cool idea, but not sure it's marketable to anyone but the diehards. I don't know, but I'd wager a lot of the audience wants the whole EXPERIENCE.

I too think it's over. They know the clock (physically, anyway) is ticking.

 

Can't see they'd EVER make another album. Why? Clockwork Angels is the perfect bookend, for one; two, there's no money in albums; three, it's a LOT of work.

 

And although the idea of a residence at Massey or RC sounds cool, not sure it makes any business or practical sense. They have to sell tickets and make a profit - a lot of the audience wants to hear CLASSICS and I would wager have come to expect a big production.

It's awful to say, but I think the only prayer we have to see them again is if Neil changes his mind and they're all healthy. One-offs or a 2 night thing in NYC or Toronto just doesn't make much business sense, unless something changes drastically near term.

I didn't notice that - more than in years past? Drumming is hard, and their music and his style ESPECIALLY so.

It's clear it's all up to Neil at this point, and all signs this year point to Neil being done. Way too much anecdotal evidence to suggest otherwise.

Rush without Neil would NEVER happen.

Sure he's enjoying the time off.

 

Also, it's probably very difficult for everyone because of the potential finality of everything. ("Where do I go from here?" "How can I write the last post?")

 

All things in time.

I agree it is really odd to have so many things strike out. You need to send something to mgmt., if I read your story and worked for the band I'd hook you up. You deserve something for all your effort 1000!

May do that. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Yeah, I even put "Thanks Liam!" on the ends of that LA Forum Priority Mail box I sent. I tried everything I could think of..... :-)

Not sure why they did not sign anything. I tried to make it easy and simple with the packaging? No Tape no fuss. I mentioned in a previous post the ready post mailers from the post office were perfect for LPs and the return could easily fold.

I struck out on the back side of the tour as well. I tried my best to get snakes and arrows autographed. I sent it through an autograph agent. I sent it to vegas returned unsigned. I sent it to the forum and it was RTS. The album I sent to Phoenix was returned unsigned. I did get power windows back from Irvine.

Im really surprised they did not sign anything. I have 11 albums signed over past two tours

 

I'm sure they were busy and wanted to see certain people and enjoy the potential last show as much as possible. Remember, the autographs are a free and generous perk, not part of the show.

I'm holding out hope that they will still record. As much fun as it is to see them live, I've always hoped for more albums in exchange for fewer tours. Concerts come and go, but the newly created music lasts forever. They've only released 3 original albums since Test For Echo. Obviously, there was a very understandable reason for the gap in time before VT, but still, nearly 20 years, and only three albums. If they do record again, my guess is it would be a full album. Pretty sure they still view the album as the only way to go, not releasing just a song, or a handful of songs as an EP, or released digitally...but who knows? The LA concert may have closed a door on a certain form of Rush. They may do things differently in a lot of aspects from here on out, including the way they release any potential new music.

 

One potential thing that may get in the way of them staying active as a band...they way things stand at this moment, they really have had the perfect exit...

 

- Their tour spanned 40-plus years together, perfectly conceived with music presented newest to oldest

- Most recent album, a concept album (big undertaking), was largely well received by fans and critics

- 40 years (as a recording band with Neil), 20 albums

- Hall of Fame, and the elusive Rolling Stone cover story (not that they cared about either)

- Arguably more famous now than ever (adding in more critical acclaim and recognition that wasn't always there before)

 

All of that would make it easy for them to just say, let's go out on top.

 

Now, my gut tells me they will still record. I think they creative fire hasn't gone out completely If Neil could be convinced there wouldn't be a tour, and all he'd have to do would be go to an LA studio, not too far from home, and lay down drum tracks a few hours a day so he could still be home for dinner with his family, I could see him agreeing to that.

 

Who knows, if they are pretty certain they wouldn't tour new music, maybe the music gets even more expansive, without having to worry about trying to pull it off live, as just a threesome. More instrumentals...additional musicians during the recordings...anything would be possible.

 

Bottom line, I'd be fine with no more touring...but I want more new music

 

I'd say it's much less likely they'll record an album. For 2 reasons: 1.) there's no money in albums (and tons of work) 2.) Clockwork Angels was a thematic masterpiece - how could they top it?

I do hate to say it, but unless there is a lot of money thrown at them it's not going to happen. Additionally there would have to be a reasonable amount of time off - say to start in the spring and hit some untapped markets. I can't see a residency anywhere but Toronto or NYC or LA. But that's a tough sell business wise.

Leg 2 next year.

 

Mark it.

 

I'm very skeptical. Source?

FOH, you've said "as you know them" or similar a few times. Is that a hint of some sort?

FOH you are always careful to use the word "tour" when commenting about their lack of a future stage presence. It would be beyond cruel, for a band that "blesses our fans hearts every day" to provide false hope, such as "...I have plenty of ideas that don't involve a full tour" among a multitude of comments lending false hope to a bit of a live future. Which is worse, playing a gig after announcing retirement or providing false hope?

 

they have earned their retirement and went out on top. They have been legends to me since 1979. A little quick of an exit for such a distinguished career, announce in late January, hey the last time the 3 of us are ever on the east coast again will be in five months, but if that's it, that's it. I think I like the way the Crue is going out, tons of shows, tons of advance notice, definitive retirement announcement.

Yep, Rush, as you know them, won't tour again. The emperor Peart has made that very clear. Obviously they aren't comfortable making such an announcement of finality. I suppose that could be because G&A are holding out hope, but I think that in their hearts, they know what they've had for 40+ years has come to an end. And what a way to go out - at the top of their game!

 

Haha yeah, Motley Crue is a completely different animal with a whole different business plan. Good crew, good guys, except for Vince. I find him an obnoxious tool. Granted an obnoxious tool with a great voce and stage presence, but still a major dooosh offstage.

I have given up hope.

 

I do believe that Rush will release more music.

I do believe that Rush will play some concerts live.

 

But I don´t think they will ever come to Europe again. It is to far away from their homes.

 

Right now I am just happy that I saw them live 3 times. Thou I am kinda down right now... I am sad that I never could see them on this amazing tour...

 

I feel the same. I'm sad I wasn't able to attend a show on this tour in person, but at least I have the Blu-Ray to look forward. Also, I feel happy about having seen them at all.

 

It's not the distance.

 

Do you men realize the cost involved in doing it? Sweden isn't down the road from North America you know. It would cost them millions just to transport equipment and crew.

 

They have done it every tour since R30 Tour. What stop them to do it now then?

 

R40 was probably one of, if not the biggest production they ever did. It would have cost them a lot more money to bring it to Europe, so that was probably a big reason. Also, I don't think any of them, especially Neil, want to be that far from home again for a long period of time.

 

I was recently talking to a good friend of mine at an event, (who lives in the mid west, and was able to go to two shows on this tour) His OPINION is that if they DO add more dates to the R40 tour, they would add more to the US and Canada, and end in Pittsburgh (since that was the first official show with Neil) or Cleveland. Although he highly doubts that it's gonna happen...He also said that he had the opinion that they were going to add more dates earlier in the tour, but as things started playing out, he felt that things seemed to be coming to a close.

 

(I just told him that I didn't care what they did as long as they did a whole week in Hershey, I'd be a happy camper)(he snorted wine through his nose)

 

Having seen all of my Rush shows minus 2 in Pittsburgh....(moved to GA 3 years ago) I felt it was really off not to hit Pittsburgh and Cleveland both....so who knows?

 

For the record that's 15 shows in Pgh and 2 in Atl.... :)

Sure it was an unfortunate logistical/business fluke.

And you know this how? Because Neil told you himself? You read the same press release as everyone else. You know nothing more than that - and therefore you are speculating. Time will tell who was right. I'll be right here to remind you of that when they kick off their farewell tour.

Mieko, Has FOH been inaccurate once? It is clear he is associated with the band. The hard truth is tours are over.

Everyone needs to lay off Kevin.

 

There are many indications L.A. was the end, however sad it may be.

 

Several posters on this board have a 100% accurate history, so why would they be wrong now?

 

Did Kevin overstep? I don't know.

 

The ad hominem attacks are disappointing and completely unnecessary. I'm sure he knows what he's talking about and simply bowed to political pressure.

Long live RUSH.

Have Bard or FOH been wrong once? There you go...

Unfortunately I don't think they will. Clockwork Angels was the perfect Swan Song. Combined with aging, other interests and an almost certain final tour, why would they?