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Geddy Lee<\/a> is defending the decision to still tour under the Rush<\/a> name.<\/p>\n In June, Lee and Alex Lifeson<\/a> will launch their Fifty Something reunion tour<\/a> in Los Angeles. Joining them will be drummer Anika Nilles<\/a>, replacing the late Neil Peart<\/a>. For many years, the surviving Rush members insisted they would never tour under their famous moniker again. In a recent conversation with Classic Rock<\/a><\/em>, Lee explained why they changed their minds.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat else do you f—ing call it?\u201d the bassist declared (as transcribed by Guitar.com<\/a>). \u201cWhen the band ended, we said it\u2019s only Rush with Neil in it,\u201d he continued. \u201cWhich of course is true. Rush as most people know it. But, you know, over five gigs we will be playing forty Rush songs. So what the f— should we call it, Iron Maiden?\u201d<\/p>\n Despite his confidence, Lee admitted the decision wasn\u2019t easy. \u201cWe were twisting ourselves into a pretzel to try to avoid using the name that we have had for fifty years, and even before Neil came.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt just seems silly to go on as ‘Lee and Lifeson Present The Music Of\u2026’\u201d he explained. \u201cLet\u2019s cut to the chase, shall we? Let\u2019s just be who we are and have been for over fifty years.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> How Would Neil Peart Feel About the Rush Reunion?<\/a><\/p>\n Lee confessed it will be strange performing Rush classics without Peart behind the kit, even though the late drummer’s family has given their blessing. \u201cThere are some songs you play where it kind of hits you, it\u2019s bad, and it feels weird,\u201d he noted. \u201cAnd it\u2019s appropriate that that happens.\u201d<\/p>\n The bassist also confirmed Rush will pay tribute to Peart at each of their upcoming performances.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we just picked up and went on without feeling any tug of anything, that would be absurd, that would be a whole other thing,\u201d Lee admitted. \u201cAnd there\u2019ll be moments in both sets where we\u2019ll pay tribute to him. We\u2019re working hard on that, making sure that it\u2019s appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n We examine Rush’s 19 studio albums, from 1974’s muscular self-titled release to a series of remarkable late-career triumphs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Eduardo Rivadavia<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nLee and Lifeson Were ‘Twisting Ourselves Into a Pretzel’ Over Name\u00a0Choice<\/h3>\n
Rush Albums Ranked<\/h2>\n