LRRC EP856; RUSH is BACK! Geddy Lee, Neil Peart, Anika Nilles, Alex Lifeson
On this week's Podcast week break down the exciting news about the RUSH tribute to Neil Peart tour. We also break down what Geddy and Alex have been up to since RUSH's last tour. Also... who is Anika Nilles and why we care!
Geddy Lee (since 2020)
Year / Period
Activities / Projects
Notes / Significance
2020
After Neil Peart's death (Jan 2020), Geddy largely withdrew from public activity for a time. — Grieving, etc.
As expected; little creative output immediately after.
2021-2022
Began working on his memoir, My Effin’ Life. (Rush Is A Band)
It’s both personal history + reflections on Rush, Neil, family, etc.
Released two previously unreleased solo demos (“Gone” and “I Am…You Are”) from the sessions for his 2000 solo album My Favourite Headache. (Revolver)
These tracks, dubbed The Lost Demos, show him revisiting earlier creative work, giving fans something new but tied to old material.
2023
Published My Effin' Life (memoir) on Nov 14, 2023. (Rush Is A Band)
A major piece: book release + audiobook, with Geddy reading it himself in many parts. (Rush Is A Band)
Embarked on My Effin’ Life – In Conversation tour: spoken-word/book-reading / interview style shows. UK dates in December 2023, then North America. (Rush Is A Band)
These events are personal, reflective; bringing fans into his life, memories, creative process. Also mixing in musical references.
Released The Lost Demos also in vinyl form: Record Store Day 2025 released a 12" of those two tracks (“Gone” / “I Am…You Are”). (Record Store Day)
Adds collectible / archival interest; gives physical format to the demos.
Charted “Gone” in UK; first time Geddy had a charting solo single in UK in over 25 years. (Forbes)
Signals there is still strong fan interest in his solo work, even decades after his major Rush output.
2024-2025
More public appearances via his book tour, special shows (e.g. in Quebec City in summer 2024) tied to My Effin’ Life content. (Rush Is A Band)
Keeps momentum of the memoir alive; connecting with fans live in non-Rush format.
Participated in (or was featured in) a docuseries Are Bass Players Human Too? (Paramount+). (ABC Digital Syndication)
A project more about musical craft / community, not Rush per se, but connects to his identity as a bassist.
Alex Lifeson (since 2020)
Year / Period
Activities / Projects
Notes / Significance
2020-2021
After Peart’s death and the end of Rush, Lifeson started releasing new solo/instrumental material. In mid-2021 he released instrumental tracks “Kabul Blues” and “Spy House” (among others) on his website. (Louder)
These seem exploratory; not part of a full album at first — experimenting, keeping creative muscles alive.
Also launched a new band/project, Envy of None, with Andy Curran, Maiah Wynne, Alfio Annibalini. (Wikipedia)
This is probably the major creative outlet post-Rush: new compositions, new band identity. It diverges stylistically from classic Rush in many ways.
2022
Envy of None released its debut studio album (titled Envy of None) on April 8, 2022. (Wikipedia)
Critical response generally positive; showed Lifeson still creatively engaged.
2023
Envy of None released an EP That Was Then, This Is Now (remixes + some new material) in mid-2023. (Wikipedia)
Keeps the project active. Also indicates interest in reinterpreting earlier material / presenting remixed versions.
2024-2025
The group released a second full album Stygian Wavz (styled stij(ē)ən wāvz) in March 2025. (Wikipedia)
Demonstrates momentum; the project is more than just a side experiment. Guitar work remains prominent but more integrated with ambient /experimental styles.
Lifeson and Geddy Lee have been getting together to play Rush songs again informally; jamming once a week at Geddy’s place. (Loudwire)
While this was modest / private, it's a sign that the old chemistry is still there, that the material still matters to them, perhaps a precursor to larger moves.
Lifeson has given interviews reflecting on legacy, Rush reissues (deluxe editions), the 50-year retrospective boxed set Rush 50. (Forbes)
He and Geddy haven’t been deeply involved in all reissue production, but they’ve allowed/endorsed archival work; Rush 50 is a big legacy-project.
Recent Big News & Turning Points
As of October 2025, major announcement: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson plan to tour again in 2026 — the “Fifty Something Tour” — their first time performing together since Peart’s death. (AP News)
They introduced a replacement drummer, Anika Nilles, for the tour. (AP News)
There’s also the release of Rush 50, a new boxed retrospective / anthology that covers the entire Rush career, including live tracks, unreleased or remastered material. (Forbes)
Themes / Observations (for Podcast Discussion)
Legacy + Mourning: Both have been dealing with Neil Peart’s absence, and with the legacy of Rush. Geddy’s memoir is very much part of that; Lifeson’s tributes via instrumental work or paying homage in song (e.g. Western Sunset by Envy of None is specifically a tribute). (Wikipedia)
Re-engagement with Fans: Through memoirs, intimate talks, releasing “lost demos,” revisiting material, occasional appearances. They seem cautious but also increasingly open.
New Work vs. Archival Work: For Geddy it’s more archival / memoir / revisiting past demos; for Lifeson, more new composition with Envy of None + experimentation.
Physical / Live vs. Studio / Private: Geddy did spoken-word / conversation tours; Lifeson less in a touring mode (at least initially) but more active in producing. The jamming together suggests live instinct remains.
The Big Turning Point: The decision to do the “Fifty Something Tour” in 2026 marks a shift from “maybe we never will do big shows again” toward “yes, we want to celebrate this music live.” Might be the culmination of their gradual reawakening.
Here are several quotes / reflections from Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson about Neil Peart’s illness, death, and the aftermath — which could give your podcast some emotional depth and insight into how they’ve processed loss over time.
Quotes / Reflections by Geddy Lee
On how difficult it was to write about Neil’s final months
“[Peart] didn’t want anyone to know [about his illness]. He wanted to keep it in the house. … What his family had to live through was really difficult, so it was a lot of back-and-forth. … In that state, it’s very hard to function normally, because you can’t talk to anybody about it … people hear rumblings and they bring things up to you, and you deflect it. And so that feels, on one hand, it feels dishonest, but on the other hand you’re being loyal to your friend.”
(BLABBERMOUTH.NET)
He also recalled a poignant moment sitting with Neil on his balcony, watching birds, talking about songs, and Neil expressing pride in what they’d done together:
“We were sitting on his balcony … having a smoke … talking about what a great moment it was … But he went on to talk about these songs … he thought it was very important for me to know that … our life as a rhythm section together was important to him.”
(BLABBERMOUTH.NET)
On receiving unsolicited messages from drummers after Neil’s passing
“Oh, yeah, I heard from all kinds [of people]. … My little black book got filled up really quickly.”
“I was, like, ‘Whoa, that’s just so inappropriate right now. Dude, wait two months. At least two months, if ever.’”
(Ultimate Classic Rock)
This (unwanted) attention underscores how many people immediately viewed the idea of “replacing” Neil — not yet fully appreciating the emotional gravity of what had happened.
On remembering Neil on anniversaries, cherishing the good times
On the anniversary of Neil’s death, Geddy posted a photo of himself and Neil strutting a red carpet, with a caption:
“Remembering the good times like this one today.”
(106.7 WLLZ)
Official statement / public message after Neil’s passing
Along with Lifeson, Geddy released a statement shortly after Neil died:
“It is with broken hearts and the deepest sadness that we must share the terrible news … our friend, soul brother and band mate of over 45 years … We ask that friends, fans, and media alike understand respect the family’s need for privacy … Rest in peace brother.”
(Metal Injection)
Thanking fans for support / acknowledging grief
In the days after Neil’s passing, Geddy (on behalf of the band with Alex) expressed gratitude:
“Our most heartfelt thanks go out to family, friends, musicians, writers and fans from around the globe for the incredible outpouring of love and respect for Neil since his passing. These touching tributes help to lessen the pain … and remind us all to celebrate his remarkable life…”
(NME)
Quotes / Reflections by Alex Lifeson
On struggling to find motivation / play guitar after Neil’s death
“It’s been difficult. After Neil passed in January, I’ve played very little guitar. I just don’t feel inspired and motivated.”
“Every time I pick up a guitar, I just aimlessly mess around with it and put it down after 10 minutes … I know it’ll come back.”
(Rock Cellar Magazine)
This echoes a similar creative lull he experienced during earlier periods of grief in Rush’s history.
On having to keep Neil’s illness secret, and the tension of managing privacy
“Neil asked us not to discuss it with anyone. He just wanted to be in control of it. … The last thing in the world he would want is people sitting on his sidewalk … that was a great fear of his.”
“It was difficult to lie to people or to sidestep or deflect somehow. It was really difficult.”
(ultimatemetal.com)
On the song he wrote for Neil — “Western Sunset”
In a recent interview, Lifeson described the emotional, peaceful moment that inspired the song:
“It was such a serene, peaceful moment at a time when we were dealing with something that was very painful and difficult.”
“I was thinking about a western sunset … watching the sun set … I wanted to try to re-create the serenity, calmness and peace that I felt in that moment.”
(GuitarPlayer)
The song is thus both tribute and personal catharsis.
On messages from drummers wanting to replace Neil
In a Reddit-quoted remark (presumably attributed to Lifeson):
“I don’t know what some of these people were thinking, that we were just gonna replace somebody that we played with for 40 years who wrote all the lyrics for our music?”
(Reddit)
It reflects frustration at how some outsiders underestimated how deeply Neil’s role was woven into Rush’s identity.
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