Geddy Lee: Rush have "zero plans to tour again"

Geddy Lee has quashed any small hopes that Rush could tour again together in the future.

The band have been on hiatus since wrapping up their North American R40 tour in 2015, with guitarist Alex Lifeson reporting in January this year that Rush were “basically done.”

And in a new interview with Rolling Stone, Lee echoes Lifeson’s comments and says fans have “no chance” of seeing the trio tour together again.

When asked about the current status of Rush, Lee responds: “Well, I’d say I can’t really tell you much other than that there are zero plans to tour again.

“We’re very close and talk all the time, but we don’t talk about work. 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 and Neil. But would you see one of us or two of us or three of us? That’s possible.”

Lee says that he’s been recording bits and pieces when he’s been playing in the studio, but hasn’t given much thought to a possible follow-up to his 2000 solo album My Favourite Headache.

We’re very close and talk all the time, but we don’t talk about work
Geddy Lee

He says: “I’ve been so busy the past three years with the Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Book Of Bass book project, which consumed my entire being, that I haven’t been thinking about another music project at this point.

“I say that, and at the same time, another part of my brain is always thinking about another music project. But when you’ve spent 42 years working closely with the same people and formed the kind of bond and friendship that the three of us have had – and maintained to this day – it’s a big decision and a big question what you want to do next... or if you want to do something next.”

Lee’s book will be published on December 4 via Harper Collins and features interviews with artists including John Paul Jones, Adam Clayton, Robert Trujillo, Bill Wyman, Les Claypool and Bob Daisley, while Lifeson also contributes to the 400-page publication.

Meanwhile, Rush’s classic 1978 album Hemispheres will be reissued on November 16 to mark its 40th anniversary. Along with the original album, the new version will also include their set from the Pinkpop Festival in June 1979 along with a disc of 5.1 mixes and rare material.

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.