The impossibility of Rush.
For some 40 years the Canadian band Rush consisted of 3 musicians, forming a magic triangle: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart.
Getty Lee’s parents met each other in a concentration camp during World War II. They somehow survived and after the war moved to Toronto.
Alex Lifeson’s parents also fled Nazi Germany and as Serb immigrants from Yugoslavia settled in Toronto.
Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee met each other in third grade and have been best friends ever since, for over 65 years. They not only just grew up together, they grew up learning music together.
Rush is now known as the premier Canadian progressive rock band. It was formed in Toronto in 1968. The band’s original line-up included guitarist Alex Lifeson, drummer John Rutsey, and bassist and vocalist Jeff Jones, whom Geddy Lee replaced shortly after its formation. Rumor has it, the original drummer John Retsey was booted out of the band, because he was diabetic, and they figured going out on the road would kill him. Alex Lifeson and Getty Lee, and their manager, Ray Daniels, discovered drummer Neil Peart, working in the parts department of his dad’s tractor dealership outside of Toronto.
And so, after going through a few line-up changes in the initial 6 years, when the band got their first record deal in 1974, they had arrived at a now legendary, classic power trio line-up with the addition of Neil Peart in July 1974.
It turns out the three of them, each would individually become amongst the best in the world at what they do. There was a run throughout the early ’80s and mid ’80s, where it’s, like, guitar player magazine: Best guitarist, Alex Lifeson, Bass Player magazine: Best Bassist, Geddy Lee, Modern Drummer magazine: Best drummer, Neil Peart.
Rush was particular popular in the US where a loyal fan base emerges and a string of albums sold millions of copies, while the band performed up to 200 shows a year.
A legendary drummer
Neil Preat, in particular, grew up to not only be an exceptionally gifted musician but an avid reader and novelist. He developed writing skills that would make him the sole lyricist of the band.
His drum fills become well known and during concerts the number of air drummers in the audience exceeds sane levels.
Alas, life turned out to be not that good to Neil Peart. One of his daughters dies in a car accident at 19, and less than 10 months later his wife dies of cancer. Peart re-marries a photographer in 2000. In 2015 Rush plays their last (at Peart’s request) live show. Less than 4 1/2 years later, Neil Peart dies of brain cancer.
Peart lyrics for the 1991 Dreamline song contain: ‘We’re only immortal for a limited time’
After 40 years of working and playing together, the drummer’s death has a significant impact on the other two members of the band. In the immediate aftermath, both of them stopped playing music altogether.
All in all, Neil Peart’s death leads to a 10 year absence of Rush concerts, until, legend has it, no less than a certain Paul McCartney joins the chorus to persuade the 2 remaining Rush musicians to get back on the road. He, in part, refers to himself continuing to perform after John Lennon’s death.
Who should, and can, replace Neil Peart?
There was no shortage of opinions amongst some of the fans. The fan’s short list consisted of 4 of the best known progressive rock drummers in the US. Unsurprisingly they are all white men. Popular Rock and Roll is dominated by male musicians.
It turns out, in an unexpected move, the remaining Rush duo picks a woman, more than 20 years younger than they are. They quip:
it guarantees at least one woman attends every show.
Male fans’ responses to Anika Nilles joining Rush as the new drummer are initially sharply divided, ranging from enthusiastic support to hostile misogyny.
A negative and misogynistic backlash
A segment of fans reacted to the announcement of new band member Anika Nilles with anger, accusing the band of shoehorning a woman to satisfy a woke agenda or generate publicity. These critics dismissed Nilles’ talent, claiming she was a token replacement and that no one could fill the shoes of the late Neil Peart. Some comments were explicitly chauvinistic, arguing that the band was controlled by the industry and that male drummers deserved the spot more. This backlash mirrors similar reactions faced by other women joining historic male rock bands, such as Linkin Park and Soundgarden.
Let the music speak for itself
Conversely, and in increasing numbers after the first few live concerts, many fans praised Nilles’ technical precision and fierce musicianship, with several reviews noting she received a roar of approval during and after the tour’s opening night version of Tome Sawyer, which has a notorious difficult drum track with a mix of 4/4 and 7/8 time signature.
Probably the most scrutinized drum gig of all times
Following the first few concerts, a surprising amount of youtube submissions focus on the drummer, analyzing her performance from every angle. They flood the social media for a few days. There’s even a video of the first Rush concert with Nilles only; the full almost 3 hours concert, with only the drummer in view, so her performance can be properly evaluated.
Supporters appreciate that Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson chose a drummer who brought her own style rather than attempting to mimic Peart, a decision that some felt reduced the potential for caustic comparisons.
Neil Peart’s widow and daughter publicly supported the tour, and many fans expressed excitement to see the band perform again, viewing Nilles as a super prodigy who earned her place through merit.
It seems to me to be only a matter of time before a youtube video from a reputable drummer will appear with the hitherto impossible to imagine title: ‘Anika Nilles is a better drummer than Neil Peart. Long live Rush.’
May the Rush fan club survive this earthquake and may the Rush music catalogue be enjoyed in concerts for at least another 2 years.