Alex Lifeson recalls Neil Peart health issues during final Rush tour

The legendary Rush drummer died in 2020 at the age of 67 but he was already struggling with some health issues during the band’s final tour in 2015. The guitarist Alex Lifeson told Classic Rock that at some point Neil could barely walk to the stage but from the minute he started to play, he gave everything he could and played for more than 3 hours.

Alex Lifeson recalls Neil Peart health issues during final Rush tour

“Well, I was more in Ged’s camp. We were playing well, the show was so much fun for us and our audience, and we had good energy despite playing three-hour shows in our sixties. Ged and I were disappointed that Neil demanded playing only a limited number of dates which precluded a UK and European run. I think a dozen or so more dates would have made us a bit more accepting.”

“And there was a point where I think Neil was open to maybe extending the run and adding in a few more shows, but then he got this painful infection in one of his feet. I mean, he could barely walk to the stage at one point.”

“They got him a golf cart to drive him to the stage. And he played a three-hour show, at the intensity he played every single show. That was amazing, but I think that was the point where he decided that the tour was only going to go on until that final show in LA,” Alex Lifeson said.

Neil Peart passed away in 2020 at the age of 67 after years battling cancer. He joined Rush in 1974, not long after they had released their self-titled debut album. He replaced John Rutsey, who had to leave the band due to health issues.

Peart not only changed the sound of the band with his amazing drumming skills but also became their main lyricist.