Oh boy, are you ready for this? 🤯 RUSH is back, and I’m not sure if I should be excited or concerned for Geddy Lee’s vocal cords 🎤. In a recent interview with Brian Hiatt of Rolling Stone, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson spoke about their “Fifty Something” tour, which kicked off on June 7 in Los Angeles. This is RUSH’s first tour in over 10 years, and their first run of shows since the 2020 death of iconic drummer Neil Peart. I mean, who needs a drummer, right? 🥁
The “Fifty Something” tour features a revamped lineup, with classic members Lee and Lifeson joined by German drummer Anika Nilles, who toured with Jeff Beck in 2022, and newly added keyboardist Loren Gold, who has worked with THE WHO and CHICAGO. Because, you know, RUSH wasn’t already a supergroup 🤩. Geddy Lee, being the trooper he is, decided to take vocal lessons with coach Mitch Seekins to make sure he can still hit those ridiculously high notes. I mean, who wouldn’t want to learn how to sing like a 20-year-old again? 🎶
Geddy said, “It was important to me to do as many original versions for our audience as we could, and I didn’t want to have to start changing keys to every song and go into that whole bullshit.” Fair enough, Geddy. We don’t want you to strain those vocal cords 🤕. He went on to explain that his vocal coach, Mitch Seekins, has been helping him strengthen his voice and access his range. Because, you know, singing is just like going to the gym, but instead of getting buff, you get a face full of spit and a sore throat 🏋️♂️.
The Setlist
The “Fifty Something” tour setlist is a mix of over 40 RUSH classics, with the band playing two sets a night that celebrate Neil Peart’s life and legacy. Because, let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good tribute to a legendary drummer? 🥁. Geddy mentioned that some songs, like “Anthem” and “2112”, are being performed a step down, but everything else is in the original key. I guess that’s what happens when you’re 70 and still trying to rock out 🤘.
When asked about his vocal range, Geddy said, “I thought, ‘There’s no way I can do that song.’ There’s no way I can do that song. I can’t hit those notes.” But, with the help of his vocal coach, he’s been able to stretch his range and access those high notes again. I mean, it’s not like he’s trying to win a bet or anything 🤑. The tour has been a huge success, with over half a million tickets sold for 2026, and the band has even added more dates in South America and Europe for 2027. Because, why not? 🌎
The Legacy of RUSH
RUSH performed in public with Anika Nilles for the first time at the Juno Awards in Hamilton, Ontario, playing “Finding My Way”, the first song from their first album. It was also Lee and Lifeson’s first performance as RUSH since they finished their 40th-anniversary tour in 2015. I guess you could say they’re making up for lost time 🕰️. The band has been through a lot, including the loss of Neil Peart in 2020, but they’re still rocking on. Because, as Geddy said, “I have to stay healthy” 🏥.
In conclusion, RUSH is back, and they’re still bringing the heat 🔥. Even if Geddy’s vocal cords are a little worse for wear, the band is still delivering an epic setlist and celebrating the legacy of Neil Peart. So, if you’re a fan of RUSH, or just a fan of really old guys rocking out, then this tour is for you 🤘. Just don’t forget to bring your earplugs 🎧.
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.
