Oh boy, are you guys ready for some nostalgia-tinged, prog-rock goodness? 🤯 Because I’m not sure if I am. RUSH is back on the road, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I mean, it’s not like they’re a bunch of young whippersnappers anymore, but hey, who needs youth when you have talent, right? 😂 Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, the dynamic duo of RUSH, are back at it, and this time they’re bringing some new friends along for the ride. Anika Nilles, a German drummer who’s worked with the likes of Jeff Beck, and Loren Gold, a keyboardist who’s toured with THE WHO and CHICAGO, are joining the band for their “Fifty Something” tour. Because, you know, 50 is the new 20… or something like that. 🎸
The New Lineup
So, what’s it like to be back on the road with a new lineup? According to Alex Lifeson, it’s “fantastic.” He said, “It feels fantastic, to be honest. I think all the fears that I had starting out, whether physically I would be up to it, whether my hands would work as well as I expected… Once we started playing and I felt confident and good about my physical condition, I really fell in love with it.” Yeah, because nothing says “rock and roll” like a 60-something-year-old man talking about his physical condition. 🤣 Geddy Lee added, “I know. It’s just unbelievable to hear him say that. But it wasn’t a simple journey to get back on stage.” No kidding. I’m pretty sure I’d need a team of doctors and a defibrillator to get back on stage at their age. 🚑
But seriously, folks, it’s great to see RUSH back out there doing their thing. And they’re not just phoning it in, either. They’re playing two sets a night, with a distinct selection of songs each evening. They’re building their setlist from a catalog of around 40 tracks, including their greatest hits and fan favorites. That’s a lot of music, if I do say so myself. 🎶 And, of course, they’re paying tribute to their late drummer, Neil Peart, who passed away in 2020. Lee said, “We pay tribute to him during the show, of course, and I try to tell stories about him and try to give people a look behind the songs as to how they came together and what we feel about each other and him.” Aw, that’s nice. I’m sure it’s not at all a cynical attempt to tug at the heartstrings of their fans. 😭
The Documentary
Speaking of Neil Peart, there’s a new documentary out called “Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple.” It’s all about his life, from his tough start as a young artist to his rise to fame with RUSH, and finally, to his personal tragedies. The documentary features interviews with Lee and Lifeson, as well as other acclaimed drummers. And, because why not, it also includes live performances of RUSH classics with a bunch of different drummers filling in for Peart. Because, you know, that’s not at all a gimmick. 🤦♂️ Chad Smith from RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, Stewart Copeland from THE POLICE, and Danny Carey from TOOL are all taking turns behind the kit. I’m sure it’s not at all confusing for the fans. 🤔
But hey, if you’re a RUSH fan, you’ll probably want to check out the documentary. And if you’re feeling nostalgic, you can always catch them on tour. Just don’t expect me to be there, unless they’re playing at a retirement home or something. 🏠 I mean, I’m happy for them and all, but I’m not exactly sure who their target audience is at this point. Are they trying to appeal to a new generation of fans, or are they just playing for the old folks who still have their vinyl copies of “2112”? 🎧 Either way, I’m sure it’ll be a blast… for them, at least. 🎉
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
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