Neil Peart hasn't just retired from Rush - he's retired from drumming

Geddy Lee says that Neil Peart hasn’t just retired from Rush, but that he’s also no longer playing drums.

The Canadian trio have been on hiatus since wrapping up their North American R40 tour in 2015, with Lee saying in October this year that there was “no chance” of the band touring again, while guitarist Alex Lifeson previously reported that the band were “basically done.”

Asked in a new interview with Trunk Nation on SiriusXM whether Rush were over, Lee says: “Yeah, I mean, Neil is retired. He hasn't just retired from Rush, he's retired from drumming.

“He's not drumming any more and he's living his life which is fine. Alex and I are cool with it. We're all still total pals. In fact, Alex and I were there just a few weeks ago visiting him and we stay in touch.

“And, of course, Alex lives very near to me, so we're constantly going out to dinner, because he loves to drink everything in my wine cellar! We're still pals, and we all talk, but that period of our life is done."

Lee adds: “Is there more music to come from myself and from Alex? Most certainly. I don’t know when or what shape that will take.”

Earlier this week, Lee released his Big Beautiful Book Of Bass, while Rush’s classic 1978 album Hemispheres was reissued in November to mark its 40th anniversary.

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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.