A new book due this fall will document the global touring history of Canadian rockers Rush.
Available October 15, “Rush: Wandering The Face Of The Earth: The Official Touring History” details show the trio did, with a foreword from Primus bassist Les Claypool and an afterword by drummer Stewart Copeland of The Police.
“Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee, and Neil Peart performed together for the first time to an audience of 11,000 people in 1974,” reads a synopsis of the project. “Forty years later, their last tour sold over 442,000 tickets. This is the story of everything in between. This is the story of Rush.
“Fondly known as the Holy Triumvirate, Rush is one of the top bands to shine through rock-and-roll history. Wandering The Face Of The Earth covers Rush’s storied touring career, from their humble beginnings as a Toronto-area bar band playing middle school gymnasiums to their rise as one of the world’s most sought-after live acts, selling out massive arenas around the globe.
“This book includes every setlist, every opening act, and every noteworthy moment meticulously researched and vetted by the band themselves. Along with spectacular, never-before-seen imagery, this is THE must-have tour compendium for Rush fans.”
Following a 2013 induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Rush performed the final show of their 40th anniversary R40 Live tour at The Forum in Los Angeles on August 1, 2015, marking the last concert appearance by the band.
“That last gig was a difficult night,” explained Lee recently. “[Neil] was struggling throughout that tour to play at his peak, because of physical ailments and other things that were going on with him. And he is a perfectionist, and he did not want to go out and do anything less than what people expected of him. That's what drove him his whole career, and that's the way he wanted to go out, and I totally respect that.
“And for Alex and I, of course, we're not drummers, so we don't take the same physical abuse, although Alex does suffer from arthritis and he was having a very difficult time on that tour playing a three-hour show. So it was clear that whatever happened in the future, it was not gonna be like that.
“In hindsight now, and with the benefit of time,” he continued, “I'm very happy with the way it went down. It just didn't sit right for me to do a farewell tour and try to capitalize on that word. It just didn't work for me… It wasn't the easiest thing to pull off, but I feel good about our body of work, and I feel good about the way it ended. And, you know, onward and upward."
See also:
Rush duo to appear at Rock Hall Rush Fan Day event
Rush bassist confirms Neil Peart has retired from drumming
Rush: Geddy Lee to launch bass history book with in-store signing events
Rush announce vinyl debut release of Rush In Rio
Search Rush at hennemusic
