Geddy Lee And Alex Lifeson Express Their Regrets For Rush Separation Tour

Rush (Instagram @rush)

JAKARTA - Two remaining Rush personnel, Geddy Lee (bass, vocals, keyboards) and Alex Lifeson (guitar, vocals) expressed regret from their last tour in 2015.

Meanwhile, Rush played 35 shows in North America on the farewell tour. They feel they have disappointed fans in England and Europe by not giving them the opportunity to say goodbye.

Lee said Rush actually wanted to visit more countries at the time, but Neil Petart (drums) didn't want to tour at all.

"I tried so hard to get more shows so we could do those extra shows, and I didn't make it," Lee said in a recent interview with Classic Rock magazine.

"I really feel like I have let down our fans in England and Europe. For me, it doesn't feel right that we didn't do it, but Neil insisted that he would only appear in 30 shows and that's all," he continued.

For Lee, the drummer's decision is a compromise. Even though he didn't want the tour, Rush still played 35 shows for his farewell tour.

I feel like I owe them an explanation, the audience. That's part of the reason I explained in detail about Neil's death in the book ( memoar Lee, My Effin ' Life), so fans know what happened. That's not an easy thing," said the bassist.

"This is how complicated the whole world Rush was from August 1, 2015 to January 7, 2020 when Neil died. Those were very unusual, complicated, and emotional times. Fans devoted their entirety to our band and I think they deserve a rather direct answer to what happened and how their favorite band ended."

Furthermore, Lifeson also reminded how disappointed he was with the farewell tour schedule.

"Neil only asked to play on a limited number of dates that hinder shows in the UK and Europe. I think a dozen or more dates will make us a little more accepting," Lifeson said.

"And there was a time when I thought Neil was open to extending the show and adding a few more shows, but then he had a painful infection in one of his legs. I mean, he could barely walk to the stage at one point. They gave him a golf train to take him to the stage. And he played a show for three hours, with the intensity he played in every show, "added the guitarist.

"It was incredible, but I think it was a time when he decided that the tour would only last until the last show at LA."