Rush’s return to the stage has required more than rehearsals and muscle memory. At their age, Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee are treating their Fifty Something reunion tour as an “endurance test”, with carefully structured routines designed to keep them healthy throughout the lengthy run.
In an interview with David Friend of the Toronto Star while in town for their Scotiabank Arena residency, the musicians opened up about the physical preparation happening behind the scenes.
Lifeson admitted that a few months ago, he wasn’t sure he could handle the demands of touring. “My target was to be better than I’ve ever been,” he told the Star. “It works if you spend the time and make the effort.”
His routine includes training, physiotherapy and one to two hours of guitar practice every day. On show days, he works out, attends physio, heads to sound check, eats an early dinner and performs. On days off, he spends much of the day in bed before slowly getting moving later in the afternoon.
Lee follows a similarly disciplined schedule. He sleeps until around noon, then has breakfast, physiotherapy, a workout and vocal stretching before the show. He also deliberately maintains a late schedule so he isn't exhausted by the time he takes the stage.
Still, they admit that the physical toll is significant at their age, with Lee being 73 and Lifeson 72. After each three-hour performance, Lee says the two musicians walk back slowly, with only a short window before the aches begin. “I have an hour and a half of bliss after each show before the pains start to creep in,” he confided.
With rest days built into the schedule, Rush is pacing itself for the long haul, as their world tour is set to end next April in Helsinki.
