Extra Musicians on Stage with Geddy and Alex

[James Bond]

2 hours ago, TheHonestMan said:

 

I think that's a reasonable idea. Hopefully the other musicians are toward the back of the stage. It would be odd to see another guy run up to Geddy's keyboard in the front whenever he is needed.

 

I think the Taylor Hawkins shows give a reasonable idea of what we can expect from the stage placement. I'm sure Geddy will still have his usual keyboard setup, and the extra musician(s) will be at the backline with their own gear.

[dtpoet]

This is simple.  If they can’t play a song themselves, it wont be in the setlist. That’s who they have always been.  Also - they wouldn’t have scheduled all these dates if they thought they couldn’t handle it and needed outside assistance.   
 

Geddy is talking about a keyboardist because he doesn’t want to be tied to a keyboard.  Maybe that’s just a regret he had upon reflection.  
 

I can’t see anything more than that. As they have for 50+ years - they will stay true to themselves.  If they felt they couldn’t, they wouldn’t be doing this in the first place.

Edited October 29, 2025 by dtpoet

[ZachenFoot]

14 minutes ago, dtpoet said:

This is simple.  If they can’t play a song themselves, it wont be in the setlist. That’s who they have always been.  Also - they wouldn’t have scheduled all these dates if they thought they couldn’t handle it and needed outside assistance.   
 

Geddy is talking about a keyboardist because he doesn’t want to be tied to a keyboard.  Maybe that’s just a regret he had upon reflection.  
 

I can’t see anything more than that. As they have for 50+ years - they will stay true to themselves.  If they felt they couldn’t, they wouldn’t be doing this in the first place.

There's a Rockline from the '90s where they talk about considering an additional keyboardist but not being able to figure out how to incorporate it into their "core trio" approach, which was essential to their appeal, and as we know that's not a thing they ever figured out. 

 

From the moment this was announced it's been obvious this would be a bit different, and Geddy said he understands the expectation that he's the one who plays keyboards on Tom Sawyer. I suspect the set up will be largely the same as always with the extra musician(s) darkened but still visible further back -- to use an example I've used in this thread, like Ramy Jaffee is with Foo Fighters.

[James Bond]

3 hours ago, ZachenFoot said:

There's a Rockline from the '90s where they talk about considering an additional keyboardist but not being able to figure out how to incorporate it into their "core trio" approach, which was essential to their appeal, and as we know that's not a thing they ever figured out. 

 

From the moment this was announced it's been obvious this would be a bit different, and Geddy said he understands the expectation that he's the one who plays keyboards on Tom Sawyer. I suspect the set up will be largely the same as always with the extra musician(s) darkened but still visible further back -- to use an example I've used in this thread, like Ramy Jaffee is with Foo Fighters.

 

I think there's less pressure (for lack of a better word) to do the "core trio" without Neil, and so that frees them up a bit in that regard. I really believe Geddy when he says he just wants to be a bass player this time around.

 

In case anybody hasn't seen it or has forgotten, here's the boys with Greg Kurstin on keys which might be a glimpse into what we'll see on tour. Geddy gets to just play bass during that mid-section on YYZ.
 

 

[Timbale]

On 10/22/2025 at 7:42 AM, losingit2k said:

So the guys announced that they will have additional musicians on stage with them on this tour. What do you believe these musicians will be playing? 

 

The obvious is a keyboardist. I'm feeling they will not use triggers on this tours and allow the keyboardist to cover that.

 

They've already had a guest violinist, so that's not much of a stretch. 

 

 I also believe they might bring along a Percussionist to cover the Tubular Bells and the Xylophone unless Anika can play them. Don't Know? 

 

Other than that, Maybe a backup vocalist to cover backup Vocals? What do you guys think? 

Peart's tuned percussion playing is extremely rudimentary.  I'm sure Nilles can handle it.

[Todem]

21 hours ago, James Bond said:

 

I think there's less pressure (for lack of a better word) to do the "core trio" without Neil, and so that frees them up a bit in that regard. I really believe Geddy when he says he just wants to be a bass player this time around.

 

In case anybody hasn't seen it or has forgotten, here's the boys with Greg Kurstin on keys which might be a glimpse into what we'll see on tour. Geddy gets to just play bass during that mid-section on YYZ.
 

 

Well this video got me really fired up!!!

 

Jesus little over 8 months away from Fort Worth and they have tons and tons of rehearsals ahead of them.......they are gonna sound insanely great folks.  

[BastillePark]

I predict that they will have holograms of Geddy from the Wicked Witch of The West days to "sing" the high parts and mustachioed Peart from those days to play La Villa. Since we're all guessing, that's mine. 

[Brava Doh!]

On 10/29/2025 at 1:30 PM, ZachenFoot said:

There's a Rockline from the '90s where they talk about considering an additional keyboardist but not being able to figure out how to incorporate it into their "core trio" approach, which was essential to their appeal, and as we know that's not a thing they ever figured out. 

 

From the moment this was announced it's been obvious this would be a bit different, and Geddy said he understands the expectation that he's the one who plays keyboards on Tom Sawyer. I suspect the set up will be largely the same as always with the extra musician(s) darkened but still visible further back -- to use an example I've used in this thread, like Ramy Jaffee is with Foo Fighters.

Black Sabbath had a couple of shadow players on their “The End” tour as well. Ozzy brought them out of the background and introduced them during the show. I dont think anyone minded. 

[JARG]

3 hours ago, Brava Doh! said:

Black Sabbath had a couple of shadow players on their “The End” tour as well. Ozzy brought them out of the background and introduced them during the show. I dont think anyone minded. 

As did The Who. Shit, Pete's brother was the one to play the iconic strumming parts on Pinball Wizard. No one seemed to care. If you can't extend a little grace to those in their 70s and 80s doing what they can to share their music, you probably should just stay home.

[lerxt1990]

54 minutes ago, JARG said:

As did The Who. Shit, Pete's brother was the one to play the iconic strumming parts on Pinball Wizard. No one seemed to care. If you can't extend a little grace to those in their 70s and 80s doing what they can to share their music, you probably should just stay home.

This brings up a great point - we've tolerated this from many bands, the Stones, whats left of Led Zeppelin back in the day, The Who, Billy Joel and many others.  With OUR band its always been different because they didnt for so many decades.  I say - if they want to play, keep on playing even though Neil is gone and if Geddy wants to slap a da bass and only do the signature keyboard parts (and maybe that eases up triggers like the infamous Turn The Page drama) and bring a keyboardist in, go for it.  Maybe w this keyboardist we get some GuP, HYF and other synthy goodness we may not have otherwise gotten.

[Timbale]

On 10/31/2025 at 7:29 AM, JARG said:

As did The Who. Shit, Pete's brother was the one to play the iconic strumming parts on Pinball Wizard. No one seemed to care. If you can't extend a little grace to those in their 70s and 80s doing what they can to share their music, you probably should just stay home.

 

I take your point... when I saw vids from early on The Who tour, and saw that Simon Townshend was playing the rhythm part in Pinball Wizard, it helped make the decision to not attend this tour.  I am a gigantic Who fan (and love Townshend's solo work), but to me that was indicative of the fact that they shouldn't be out there doing it if they can't, well, do it.  I have extended that band a lot of grace over the years...but when rock's greatest rhythm player isn't playing the rhythm parts anymore, I feel ripped off.  Or at least would if I had bought a ticket.

[JARG]

8 hours ago, Timbale said:

 

I take your point... when I saw vids from early on The Who tour, and saw that Simon Townshend was playing the rhythm part in Pinball Wizard, it helped make the decision to not attend this tour.  I am a gigantic Who fan (and love Townshend's solo work), but to me that was indicative of the fact that they shouldn't be out there doing it if they can't, well, do it.  I have extended that band a lot of grace over the years...but when rock's greatest rhythm player isn't playing the rhythm parts anymore, I feel ripped off.  Or at least would if I had bought a ticket.

You probably should just stay home. 

[chemistry1973]

On 10/29/2025 at 7:56 AM, JARG said:

I'd be open to a 2nd guitarist who could take on some of the lead work in songs that are beyond 72-year-old Alex's ability, but I doubt Alex would be open to that. Those songs will either not get played or Alex will attempt to bluff his way through them (which is fine, as many fans aren't guitarists and so probably won't care/notice).

When I saw Sammy Hagar with Joe Satriani the keyboard player would play rhythm guitar on some songs. Worked seamlessly.

[Todem]

9 hours ago, chemistry1973 said:

When I saw Sammy Hagar with Joe Satriani the keyboard player would play rhythm guitar on some songs. Worked seamlessly.

I am boldly predicting you will not see a second guitarist or the road Keyboardist have a guitar around his neck.

 

That is not Alex Lifeson's way. And I know he feels quite strongly about that as well. 

 

People are IMO being a little ridiculous posting about his demise (not here in particular but various social media groups which I have left because the incessant whining about literally everything is gotten so ridiculous already)......ummmm yeah he is not the Alex of even 1996/97 but on R40 he played quite well.....more than well enough to rock me for two shows. 10 years has passed. He has not stopped playing guitar. 

 

This is the last hurrah for Geddy and Alex. They wouldn't be doing this if they couldn't play at a very high level.  I embrace the idea of a road synth/key's/trigger guy.....no biggie. Alex is not sharing his parts with another guitarist.....not happening IMO.

Edited November 5, 2025 by Todem

[James Bond]

6 minutes ago, Todem said:

I boldly predicting you will not see a second guitarist or the road Keyboardist have a guitar around his neck.

 

That is not Alex Lifeson's way. And I know he feels quite strongly about that as well. 

 

People are IMO being a little ridiculous posting about his demise (not here in particular but various social media groups which I have left because the incessant whining about literally everything is gotten so ridiculous already)......ummmm yeah he is not the Alex of even 1996/97 but on R40 he played quite well.....more than well enough to rock me for two shows. 10 years has passed. He has not stopped playing guitar. 

 

This is the last hurrah for Geddy and Alex. They wouldn't be doing this if they couldn't play at a very high level.  I embrace the idea of a road synth/key's/trigger guy.....no biggie. Alex is not sharing his parts with another guitarist.....not happening IMO.

 

I agree with you overall. However, I don't think it's completely out the question that the extra musician would play a few of those triggered rhythm parts for real instead of them being, well, triggered. I won't rule that out. That would be nothing to do with Alex being unable to play but more just passing off previously sampled parts to the extra pair of hands on stage.

 

But I agree we certainly won't see anybody playing parts that Alex "can't" as it were. His playing was totally fine at the Hawkins shows, and it was fine again recently with that Limelight performance with Tom Morello... until his string broke of course!

[TheGhostRider]

10 minutes ago, Todem said:

I boldly predicting you will not see a second guitarist or the road Keyboardist have a guitar around his neck.

 

That is not Alex Lifeson's way. And I know he feels quite strongly about that as well. 

 

People are IMO being a little ridiculous posting about his demise (not here in particular but various social media groups which I have left because the incessant whining about literally everything is gotten so ridiculous already)......ummmm yeah he is not the Alex of even 1996/97 but on R40 he played quite well.....more than well enough to rock me for two shows. 10 years has passed. He has not stopped playing guitar. 

 

This is the last hurrah for Geddy and Alex. They wouldn't be doing this if they couldn't play at a very high level.  I embrace the idea of a road synth/key's/trigger guy.....no biggie. Alex is not sharing his parts with another guitarist.....not happening IMO.

 Agreed the constant whining is just ridiculous to me. Two of the greatest rock musicians to ever exist are coming out of retirement for one last bash and people can only see the negative. "He has arthritis how can he play?" He's also a multi millionaire with access to the best treatments possible. He would not agree to a tour unless he was successfully managing it.  "Geddy can't sing his voice is shot" Of course he's not going to sound how he did 20-30 years ago. It's called aging. He can still sing, he will make it work. Tired of people's constant bitching. 

[Todem]

28 minutes ago, James Bond said:

 

I agree with you overall. However, I don't think it's completely out the question that the extra musician would play a few of those triggered rhythm parts for real instead of them being, well, triggered. I won't rule that out. That would be nothing to do with Alex being unable to play but more just passing off previously sampled parts to the extra pair of hands on stage.

 

But I agree we certainly won't see anybody playing parts that Alex "can't" as it were. His playing was totally fine at the Hawkins shows, and it was fine again recently with that Limelight performance with Tom Morello... until his string broke of course!

The triggered parts (Bravado comes to mind) I can understand as long as the tone and fretting remains the same. 

[Timbale]

3 hours ago, JARG said:

You probably should just stay home. 

Oh, I shall. 😃

 

It's funny, recently I watched the concert video of The Who in '89 - their reunion/anniversary tour.  (I almost wore out my vhs copy of that show...). I saw that tour at the time...and I remember absolutely loving it...but also thinking of them as ELDER STATESMEN of music.  In a word, old.  And my god, Townshend was almost 10 years younger than I am now.  And watching that concert now, they seem so energetic!  Not Rolling Stones Rock And Roll Circus level energetic...but still really rocking.  And I saw The Who when they toured with an orchestra most recently maybe 5 or 6 years ago and quite enjoyed it.   But there was something in those clips of the current tour that honestly felt a bit sad to me.  I don't think Rush will feel sad at all...but we are in new territory with heavy rock bands entering this age bracket...and what it's going to be like is still revealing itself.

[JARG]

Thinking back to the announcement video where Geddy said he'd like to spend more time goofing off with Alex, and that being the main reason why they might use a keyboardist; there are a lot of songs where Geddy is singing while playing the keyboards, so even if they have a keyboard player on those parts, he's still not going to be free to goof off with Alex as he'll be tied to a mic.

 

So what songs have keyboard parts that don't have Geddy singing while he's playing them? The solo section of Marathon immediately comes to mind, as does the outro solo in Mission, and the solo in Red Sector A. What are some others?

[James Bond]

22 minutes ago, JARG said:

Thinking back to the announcement video where Geddy said he'd like to spend more time goofing off with Alex, and that being the main reason why they might use a keyboardist; there are a lot of songs where Geddy is singing while playing the keyboards, so even if they have a keyboard player on those parts, he's still not going to be free to goof off with Alex as he'll be tied to a mic.

 

So what songs have keyboard parts that don't have Geddy singing while he's playing them? The solo section of Marathon immediately comes to mind, as does the outro solo in Mission, and the solo in Red Sector A. What are some others?

 

I think the big thing will be it'll free him up from the pedals too - they can outsource all the triggering, samples, and pads to the keyboardist. Think of YYZ at the Taylor Hawkins tribute(s) - Geddy got to just jam on bass during the keyboard section. I think that's all he's after.

[James Bond]

 

Here's another example that you wouldn't necessarily think of off-hand - Geddy is tied to the foot pedals during the outro of the song after he's done singing. I think he's just looking forward to having moments like that where he can move around a bit more.

[chemistry1973]

1 hour ago, JARG said:

Thinking back to the announcement video where Geddy said he'd like to spend more time goofing off with Alex, and that being the main reason why they might use a keyboardist; there are a lot of songs where Geddy is singing while playing the keyboards, so even if they have a keyboard player on those parts, he's still not going to be free to goof off with Alex as he'll be tied to a mic.

 

So what songs have keyboard parts that don't have Geddy singing while he's playing them? The solo section of Marathon immediately comes to mind, as does the outro solo in Mission, and the solo in Red Sector A. What are some others?

Middletown Dreams, Grand Designs - any Andy Richards part I guess.

Edited November 4, 2025 by chemistry1973

[ytserush]

On 11/4/2025 at 11:21 AM, Todem said:

The triggered parts (Bravado comes to mind) I can understand as long as the tone and fretting remains the same. 

 

I would LOVE to hear the jam at the end of THAT one in 2026!

[losingit2k]

On 10/29/2025 at 4:57 PM, James Bond said:

 

I think there's less pressure (for lack of a better word) to do the "core trio" without Neil, and so that frees them up a bit in that regard. I really believe Geddy when he says he just wants to be a bass player this time around.

 

In case anybody hasn't seen it or has forgotten, here's the boys with Greg Kurstin on keys which might be a glimpse into what we'll see on tour. Geddy gets to just play bass during that mid-section on YYZ.
 

 

Just take Geddy at his word that he just wants to play bass and move around on stage more. If he Plays keyboards it will be on songs like: "Tom Sawyer" , "Subdivision",   and "Distant Early Warnings". Other songs where the keyboards aren't as prominent he'll use the additional keyboardist. 

[TheGhostRider]

On 10/24/2025 at 12:44 AM, Entre_Perpetuo said:

Hi, TRF resident member of Gen Z here (born 1998). What the heck is “Gen Z outrage?” Because if it’s a whole mass of people from my generation getting up in arms about a little video drum duet between Annika and a recording of Neil, I think you’re vastly overestimating how many people in Gen Z even know who Rush is, let alone how many would actually care.

You're not the only Gen Z person here lol. I'm a few years younger than you.