We Can Thank Paul McCartney For The RUSH Reunion

When the news broke that Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee were reuniting Rush, fans around the world rejoiced, but few knew who planted the seed. Turns out, it was Sir Paul McCartney himself.

Backstage at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert in London in 2022, Alex recalls a surreal encounter. “We’d just come offstage,” he said, “and Paul comes up, all energy and charm, and says, ‘You blokes can’t stop now. The world still needs that sound.’ I laughed, thinking he was just being polite, but he looked right at me and said, ‘I’m serious. Music’s a living thing, don’t let it go quiet.’”

That moment lingered with both Alex and Geddy. After years of uncertainty following Neil Peart’s passing, they began quietly jamming again, first for fun, then for real. “It wasn’t about replacing Neil,” Geddy said. “It was about rediscovering what Rush meant to us, and what Paul reminded us it could still mean to others.”

Now, the announcement of the “Fifty Something Tour” have Rush fans on alert for a stop in their city. As for Sir Paul’s rumored involvement? Alex just laughs. “Let’s just say he gave us the nudge. Whether he’s our manager or not, he’s already played his part.”

Rush’s return might be one of rock’s most unexpected and inspiring reunions, sparked by a Beatles’ gentle push.

Doug O’Brien