upstateNYfan

It's sad, no doubt. I'm sure they all have many other interests OUTSIDE music they'd like to pursue, as well a little something called family.

Complete speculation on my part, but perhaps it's only Neil who wants to retire and Geddy and Alex don't, and perhaps don't have a plan of what to say or do.

If you knew what has been happening "behind the scenes", you'd have a very different take on it. This IS the end. Neil will NEVER tour again. Take that to the bank. FOH, can you give us a hint?

By all indications this does seem to be it. A couple posters here are obviously involved with the band and haven't been inaccurate yet. Is it possible at some point they'll play again? Yes. But it seems exceedingly unlikely. It sounds like Neil is ready to move on. He isn't the type to do anything half-assed, so doing just a couple shows doesn't seem viable unless there is a ton of cash thrown at them. Plus, the only "one off" they've done is the SARS Fest thing - but they were a lot younger then. Honestly, I'd say it's probably 10% we'll see them again. Dr. Seuss had it right: be thankful it happened.

I get the feeling they've known this is the end for several months but are not comfortable outright saying it. The seagull and the Exit Stage Left outro video seem prophetic. Ditto the tour book.

Think those fans were being sarcastic. It was a full house.

I should not have been snarky - yes, I'd say they start "casually late".

Um, ticket stub? Ticket site? Box office?

I don't know... I hate to say it, but I think LA will be the end. There's so much planning involved, and at this juncture it almost seems silly to think they'll play any dates in Europe or otherwise. I hope I'm wrong though.

I think the tourbook says it all. None of you are wrong - there's lots of fun subjectivity to be had. Also, "40" could easily be marketed/defended as 40 years since Neil's first album with them.

I noticed that too, and appreciated its simplicity but also its possible profundity. My take: they've "hashed out" 40 years and are retiring and playing for the fans, "living it all again" one last time.

You're only partly right. Rush still isn't for everyone, as much as we hate to say that. They've said they're most at home in arenas. And even if they did play a handful of stadiums, ticket prices would be lower to justify the larger capacity. Almost zero chance.

Seems pretty clear from the tour book they don't plan on anymore touring.

I'd say it's a 10% chance. They're hitting all the biggest markets and are ending in LA. Additionally, most indications I've read suggest this is really it. I do wonder if a Cleveland show will get added, but at this point - and with many of those people packing Columbus or Buffalo - I really doubt it.

As awesome as that would be, I don't see Subdivisions moving for it. Sorry, Lorraine. :( Why not? They could alternate the two. Subdivisions has been played in many tours. The last time they did The Weapon was in the mid-eighties. I'll keep my fingers crossed just the same. :) It's one of the 5 songs a casual fan may actually know. Subdivisions is a lock to stay. But casual fans don't attend the concerts. They do! In fact, many do.

Prone to overstatement much?

Was there a montage from the fans shown last night? I thought I heard they were gathering fan photos but I don't know if anything came about.

Very suprised about Vancouver.

Sorry, Far Cry - I didn't see your correction. Cheers!

How is Newark 63% sold with 300 seats left?

Rush fans are impossible to please, it seems. I'd guess only 1% of the audience even knows about this board, and even fewer that want The Necromancer over, say, Dreamline. Don't forget, they're a business first - they have to sell tickets, and playing I Think I'm Going Bald ain't gonna please 95% of the audience. It's a tough balance I'm sure.

Actually touring is glamorous at their level. What most do not understand are the tedium and separation that wreaks so much havoc. The body gets old and moves on to other things - like family and hobbies. :)

No one is left out to dry. It takes strength of character and a high degree of maturity to say, "You know what guys, I've had enough. I have other interests and one of them is family. There's nothing more to prove, and we all have limited time. It's time to bow out." Granted, I am doing nothing but speculating, but I say GOOD FOR HIM. Self-awareness is a rare asset. Going out on top is what winners do.

Fine line between fan and creeper.

This tour will be the biggest yet. Tulsa is a secondary market, so if they draw, say, 8500, they're doing really well.