LRRC EP856; RUSH is BACK! Geddy Lee, Neil Peart, Anika Nilles, Alex Lifeson

On this week's  Podcast week break down the exciting news about the RUSH tribute to Neil Peart tour. We also break down what Geddy and Alex have been up to since RUSH's last tour. Also... who is Anika Nilles and why we care!

Geddy Lee (since 2020)

Year / Period

Activities / Projects

Notes / Significance

2020

After Neil Peart's death (Jan 2020), Geddy largely withdrew from public activity for a time. — Grieving, etc.

As expected; little creative output immediately after.

2021-2022

Began working on his memoir, My Effin’ Life. (Rush Is A Band)

It’s both personal history + reflections on Rush, Neil, family, etc.

 

Released two previously unreleased solo demos (“Gone” and “I Am…You Are”) from the sessions for his 2000 solo album My Favourite Headache. (Revolver)

These tracks, dubbed The Lost Demos, show him revisiting earlier creative work, giving fans something new but tied to old material.

2023

Published My Effin' Life (memoir) on Nov 14, 2023. (Rush Is A Band)

A major piece: book release + audiobook, with Geddy reading it himself in many parts. (Rush Is A Band)

 

Embarked on My Effin’ Life – In Conversation tour: spoken-word/book-reading / interview style shows. UK dates in December 2023, then North America. (Rush Is A Band)

These events are personal, reflective; bringing fans into his life, memories, creative process. Also mixing in musical references.

 

Released The Lost Demos also in vinyl form: Record Store Day 2025 released a 12" of those two tracks (“Gone” / “I Am…You Are”). (Record Store Day)

Adds collectible / archival interest; gives physical format to the demos.

 

Charted “Gone” in UK; first time Geddy had a charting solo single in UK in over 25 years. (Forbes)

Signals there is still strong fan interest in his solo work, even decades after his major Rush output.

2024-2025

More public appearances via his book tour, special shows (e.g. in Quebec City in summer 2024) tied to My Effin’ Life content. (Rush Is A Band)

Keeps momentum of the memoir alive; connecting with fans live in non-Rush format.

 

Participated in (or was featured in) a docuseries Are Bass Players Human Too? (Paramount+). (ABC Digital Syndication)

A project more about musical craft / community, not Rush per se, but connects to his identity as a bassist.

Alex Lifeson (since 2020)

Year / Period

Activities / Projects

Notes / Significance

2020-2021

After Peart’s death and the end of Rush, Lifeson started releasing new solo/instrumental material. In mid-2021 he released instrumental tracks “Kabul Blues” and “Spy House” (among others) on his website. (Louder)

These seem exploratory; not part of a full album at first — experimenting, keeping creative muscles alive.

 

Also launched a new band/project, Envy of None, with Andy Curran, Maiah Wynne, Alfio Annibalini. (Wikipedia)

This is probably the major creative outlet post-Rush: new compositions, new band identity. It diverges stylistically from classic Rush in many ways.

2022

Envy of None released its debut studio album (titled Envy of None) on April 8, 2022. (Wikipedia)

Critical response generally positive; showed Lifeson still creatively engaged.

2023

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