Inside Rush's Rehearsals: New Insights from The New York Times

In a new feature for The New York Times, journalist Hank Shteamer takes fans inside a small Toronto studio where Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are doing something they haven't done in over a decade: rehearsing for a tour. The article provides a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the preparations for the upcoming "Fifty Something" tour and the emotional process of returning to the stage without Neil Peart.

Here are the key takeaways from the piece:

The Rehearsal Vibe is Light and Comic: Despite the immense pressure of living up to the Rush legacy, the atmosphere in the studio is incredibly positive. Between running through 11 of the 38 songs they are currently relearning (the titles remain a closely guarded secret), Geddy and Alex are leaning heavily into their trademark rapid-fire comic banter. Geddy noted their M.O. remains unchanged: "pay attention to detail, and then the minute the song is over, get as ridiculous as you can be."

Integrating Anika Nilles: The article sheds light on Nilles’s audition process, which was initiated by longtime bass tech John "Skully" McIntosh. After an initial Zoom call from a subpar German hotel room, Nilles came to Toronto. Interestingly, Geddy admitted there was a "sliver of doubt" by the fourth day regarding her grasp of Neil's micro-nuances, but by day five, "she just nailed it."

Gump is the "Jedi Master": Lorne "Gump" Wheaton, Neil’s trusted drum tech, is a constant presence at rehearsals, sitting next to Anika and acting as a guide. Nilles frequently texts him for advice, and Wheaton is highly conscious of the die-hard "air-drummers" in the audience, ensuring signature parts remain intact while Nilles brings her own pile-driving energy to the kit.

A Freed-Up Geddy Lee: With new touring keyboardist Loren Gold taking over the complex background textures and foot-pedal triggers, Geddy is relishing the freedom to focus purely on his bass and vocals. The change will even allow him to leave his mic stand to interact more with Alex center-stage. Furthermore, Geddy credits a vocal coach with restoring parts of his vocal range he thought were gone for good.

Neil's Perspective, From His Family: The article features touching insights from Neil's widow, Carrie Nuttall-Peart. Contrasting Geddy and Alex's continued drive to perform with Neil's desire to step away from the grueling physical demands of touring, she noted, "He was the one that was ready to retire, anyhow, and they really were not." She joked that Neil would likely look at the upcoming 88-date trek and ask them, "Why? You guys are just nuts."

Out of the Cupboard: Ultimately, the Times piece paints a picture of a band that has successfully navigated a profound loss. The Taylor Hawkins tribute shows proved to be the catalyst that allowed Geddy and Alex to stop being afraid to take ownership of the music they wrote with Neil. As Geddy beautifully summarized: "It’s like we had taken the box out of the cupboard and we had opened it up. And you know what? It was OK."

The entire article can be accessed via the NY Times Website.

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