After 40 years of shaping prog-rock, Rush left the stage indefinitely in 2015. Five years later, inventive drummer Neil Peart died of complications from brain cancer.
Lifeson still plays but he and bandmate Geddy Lee didn't reunite on stage for seven years after wrapping the band's final tour.
That changed earlier this summer when the pair joined Primus on stage with "South Park" co-creator at Matt Stone at a gig celebrating the show's 25th anniversary. The crew teamed up for a rendition of Rush classic "Closer To The Heart," bringing tears to onlookers at home and in the room.
"It was bittersweet, in a way," Lifeson said, adding: "In rehearsals we kept looking at each other, smiling like 'Remember the good 'ole days?' The gig itself was great. We were a little bit nervous and that's odd because I have to admit I don't remember ever being nervous on stage."
He continued, "I know there were a lot of tears in the audience. It was very moving for us. ... I didn't realize, you know. We sort-of get on with our lives. The impact that Rush has had on our fans is substantial. To know that it's there seven years later it's still there is heart-warming."
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