Red Hot Chili Peppers’ renowned drummer Chad Smith recently engaged in a candid conversation with Danny Wimmer, shedding light on his experience of sharing the stage with Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson at Taylor Hawkins’ tribute concert in Los Angeles last year. This unique collaboration has left an indelible mark on Smith, offering a glimmer of hope for a possible Rush reunion that fans have been yearning for.
Chad Smith’s Observations
Reflecting on the experience of performing with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, Chad Smith shared his insights with Danny Wimmer. Smith’s recounting of the event revealed a renewed sense of spirit among the musicians.
He revealed:
“I think doing this Taylor [Hawkins] thing again has gotten them [Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson] kind of rejuvenated, ‘Maybe we can do it?’ Because that was such a huge hole with Neil [Peart] you can’t replace f*cking Neil period. He’s been with them for 40 whatever years.”
The drummer acknowledged the immense void created by the loss of Neil Peart, emphasizing the challenge of filling his monumental shoes.
Exploring the Continuation
Despite the profound absence of Neil Peart, Chad Smith contemplated the heart of Rush’s legacy and its potential continuity.
Smith mused:
“But you know at the end of the day they were like, ‘This is what we do. It’s what we have always done.’ All of a sudden what they don’t do it anymore? They still obviously can play so maybe this will inspire them.”
In these words, Smith captured the essence of Rush’s enduring dedication to music and performance. The legacy forged over decades speaks to a commitment that extends beyond the boundaries of time.
A Glimpse of Renewed Passion
Chad Smith delved further into recent collaborations that have revitalized Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson’s connection to the stage. He cited their involvement with Primus during the ‘South Park’ 25th-anniversary concert, affirming:
“Those guys are so happy to be playing again. Here’s another really cool thing about this is that they did one thing at Red Rocks Geddy and Alex from Rush with the guys from South Park not too long ago. The Primus guys were doing like moving pictures or hemispheres in one of their records and they played along with it.”
Smith’s account illuminated the sheer joy exuded by Lee and Lifeson during these performances, underscoring their unadulterated love for creating music.
“They were part of the show. They loved it and enjoyed the hell out of it. Those guys miss playing they couldn’t play anymore, Neil couldn’t do it anymore but they still want to play.”
These collaborations not only affirmed their dedication but also hinted at the potential for more.