Rush Featured on the Cover of Prog Magazine
Rush return to the cover of Prog Magazine (Issue #169, May 2026), with a pair of features that neatly capture both where the band is now - and how they got here.
The issue is anchored by “Making Memories,” a new interview with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson centered on the band’s return to the stage, while “The Curious Case Of Roger Kneebend! (Or How Rush Made Grace Under Pressure…)” revisits one of the more turbulent chapters in their studio history.
Making Memories: The Road Back
The lead feature focuses on the unlikely chain of events that brought Rush back into a working band. What began as informal playing and reconnecting gradually evolved into something more serious, eventually leading to the announcement of the “Fifty Something” tour - now one of the most anticipated runs in recent memory.
As Geddy admits, even they were caught off guard by the scale of the response:
“We didn’t think we’d do four shows in each city that would sell out in a matter of days.”
There’s a clear sense throughout the interview that the chemistry between Geddu and Alex hasn’t faded. The tone is relaxed, humorous, and at times reflective, especially when discussing how naturally things clicked once they started playing again:
“We’d forgotten how hard those songs are to play… and then we just kept going.”
Lifeson, never missing the chance to undercut the moment, sums up the band’s sudden reemergence with typical dry humor:
“We’re an overnight sensation 50 years in the making.”
The article also addresses the sensitive process of moving forward following the loss of Neil Peart, including the importance of gaining the support of his family:
“They had to get their heads around us moving forwards… but they eventually gave us their blessing.”
The piece also touches on the practical realities of the upcoming shows, including a deep pool of material being rehearsed and the likelihood of rotating setlists - something that should make each night of the tour a unique experience.
The Curious Case Of Roger Kneebend!: Revisiting Grace Under Pressure
The second feature shifts focus back to 1983–84, exploring the making of Grace Under Pressure - an album created during a period of uncertainty following the band’s split from longtime producer Terry Brown.
In one of the more memorable anecdotes, the band humorously adopted a toy figure as a temporary “producer” while searching for the right collaborator:
“We adopted ‘Roger Kneebend’ as our mascot producer…”
Behind the humor, however, was a genuinely difficult process. The search for a producer, combined with the pressure to redefine their sound, made for a challenging recording experience:
“Everything about making that record was like pulling teeth.”
Even after completing the album, the strain of those sessions lingered:
“It was incredibly difficult to make.”
Despite that, the article reinforces how well *Grace Under Pressure* has held up over time - both musically and thematically - earning a deeper appreciation in the years since its release, something underscored by the recent deluxe reissue.
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