Editing Rush (band) (section)

==History==
===1968–1974: early years and debut album===
[[File:Alex Lifeson.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Alex Lifeson, guitarist and co-founder of Rush]]

The band was formed in the neighbourhood of [[Willowdale, Toronto|Willowdale]] in Toronto, Ontario, by guitarist [[Alex Lifeson]], bassist and frontman [[Jeff Jones (bassist)|Jeff Jones]], and drummer [[John Rutsey]], in August 1968.<ref name="RV88"/> Lifeson and Rutsey had been friends since a young age and played together in a short-lived band, The Projection (formerly known as The Lost Cause).{{sfn|Daly|Hansen|2019|p=16-17}}<ref name=familytree>{{cite web |url=https://www.rushisaband.com/blog/2018/09/17/5149/50th-anniversary-of-Rushs-first-show |title=Rush is a Band Blog: 50th anniversary of Rush's first show |website= rushisaband.com |access-date=April 18, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= Banasiewicz |first= Bill |title= Rush Visions: The Official Biography (excerpt) |url= http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/BanasiewiczVisions.htm |access-date=March 10, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071011130610/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/BanasiewiczVisions.htm |archive-date= October 11, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Afterward the two stuck together and brought in Jones to form a new group; their first gig was in September at the Coff-Inn, a youth centre in the basement of St. Theodore of Canterbury Anglican Church in Willowdale; they were paid CA$25.<ref name=RV88/><ref name="PROG13">{{cite web |last=Elliot |first=Paul |date=April 2013 |title=PROG: Rush Limited Edition – Men at Work |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20130400prog.htm |access-date=December 27, 2018 |website=Prog |issue=35 |archive-date=December 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228035100/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20130400prog.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> They had not named themselves at the time of the booking; Rutsey's brother Bill thought they needed a name that was short and to the point. He suggested Rush, and the group went with it.<ref name="LS16">{{cite web |last=Elliott |first=Paul |date=February 3, 2016 |title=The History of Rush by Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson: The Early Years |url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-02-03/rush-s-early-years-exclusive-interview-with-geddy-lee-alex-lifeson |access-date=February 6, 2017 |publisher=Loudersound |archive-date=January 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125175241/http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-02-03/rush-s-early-years-exclusive-interview-with-geddy-lee-alex-lifeson |url-status=live}}</ref>

Due to increasing difficulties in getting to Lifeson's house for practice, Jones suggested that Lifeson get his schoolmate Gary "Geddy" Weinrib to step in on lead vocals and bass.<ref name="JONES22">{{cite web |last=Daly |first=Andrew |date=November 7, 2022 |title=Rush before Geddy Lee: meet the bass player who stepped aside |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/rush-before-geddy-lee-meet-the-bass-player-who-stepped-aside |access-date=December 13, 2022 |publisher=Loudersound }}</ref> Weinrib replaced Jones as Rush's frontman, adopting the stage name [[Geddy Lee]]. Rush rehearsed a set mainly formed of covers by various rock artists, including [[Cream (band)|Cream]], [[Jimi Hendrix]], and [[John Mayall]]. The band underwent several line-up configurations that included Lindy Young (who was recruited in early 1969) on keyboards and various instruments, and Mitch Bossi on second guitar (later on, in 1971).<ref name=RV88/> Shortly after becoming a four-piece band of Lee, Lifeson, Young and Rutsey, [[Ray Danniels]] was hired to be their manager. As Lee recounted years later, 
{{blockquote|Ray came along. He had no real reputation yet as a manager or anything. He was just kind of an agent working in Toronto. So he started directing the band and he just thought I wasn't suitable, for whatever reasons he had. I don't know whether it was the way I looked, or my religious background – who the f--- knew? Anyway, he influenced them and they went along with it, Alex Lifeson and John Rutsey, and I was out.<ref name=UCR_Lee_talks>[https://ultimateclassicrock.com/geddy-lee-talks-about-getting-fired-from-rush-in-the-early-days/ "Geddy Lee Talks About Getting Fired From Rush In The Early Days"]. ultimateclassicrock.com, June 2, 2012.</ref>}}

With Lee kicked out of the band in spring 1969, Rutsey recruited new bassist and vocalist Joe Perna, and the group of Lifeson, Rutsey, Young and Perna named themselves Hadrian. But after a disastrous gig with Perna, Rutsey invited Lee back in September 1969 and the group resumed as Rush.<ref name=PROG13/> Lee stated, "I started a blues band (named Ogilvie, then Judd, and joined by Lindy Young<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.cygnus-x1.net/2018/09/geddy-lee-joined-rush-fifty-years-ago.html | title=Geddy Lee Joined Rush Fifty Years Ago Today | date=September 25, 2018 }}</ref>) and I was, frankly speaking, doing better than they were. Then I got a call from John and he said, 'Can we get together?' Basically, 'Can you come back? We're sorry.{{'"}}<ref name=UCR_Lee_talks /> Second guitarist Mitch Bossi joined during the first half of 1971<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.2112.net/powerwindows/tours/700000mitchbossi.htm | title=Rush with Mitch Bossi, Fall 1970 - Spring 1971 }}</ref> but after that, the band stabilized as a trio of Lifeson, Rutsey and Lee.{{sfn|Daly|Hansen|2019|p=35-36}} They kept Danniels as their manager, with his business partner and agent Vic Wilson sharing duties.<ref name=RV88/>

Rush honed their skills with regular gigs, initially touring the Ontario high school circuit. In 1971, the legal drinking age was decreased from 21 to 18, allowing the band to play bars and clubs. Lee said it was at this point that Rush turned "from a basement garage band that played the occasional high school gig to a regular working band playing six days a week."<ref name=PROG13/><ref name=SUP85/> A demo tape was then shipped to various record labels, but Rush were unable to secure a deal, leading to the formation of their own label, [[Moon Records (Canada)|Moon Records]], with Danniels.<ref>{{cite web |last=Somers |first=Marcie |date=July 4, 2007 |title=Geddy Lee of Rush – Making Music |url=http://www.popentertainment.com/rush.htm |access-date=July 15, 2019 |website=Pop Entertainment |archive-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715043928/http://www.popentertainment.com/rush.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Rush entered the studio in 1973 to record their first single; their cover of "[[Not Fade Away (song)#Rush version|Not Fade Away]]" by [[Buddy Holly]] was chosen as it had become a crowd favourite. "You Can't Fight It", an original song, was put on the [[A-side and B-side|B-side]]. Released in September, it went to No. 88 on the Canadian ''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'' Top Singles chart. That same month, Rush performed their first major gig, opening for the [[New York Dolls]] in Toronto, and finished putting down tracks for their first album. The initial sessions produced undesirable results over the sound quality, so tracks were recut and remixed with a new engineer, [[Terry Brown (record producer)|Terry Brown]].<ref name=MR74/> Danniels sold his management company to help raise funds to make the record.<ref name=BH82/> Rutsey wrote the lyrics, but tore them up on the day Lee was to record them and would not produce a new set. Lee quickly wrote a fresh set based on earlier versions, which was used on the final takes.{{sfn|Popoff|2004|pp=13–14}}

[[File:Rush logo.png|thumb|left|The first Rush logo, as seen on their debut album]]
The debut album, ''[[Rush (Rush album)|Rush]]'', was released in March 1974; the initial pressing of 3,500 copies quickly sold out.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kerridge-Porter |first=Nathan |date=March 21, 2014 |title=Rush Reissue Their 1974 Self-Titled Moon Records |url=https://entertainment-focus.com/2014/03/21/rush-reissue-their-1974-self-titled-moon-records/ |access-date=January 4, 2021 |publisher=Entertainment Focus |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204163117/https://entertainment-focus.com/2014/03/21/rush-reissue-their-1974-self-titled-moon-records/ |url-status=live}}</ref> It went on to peak at No. 86 on the ''RPM'' Top Albums chart. Most critics considered the album highly derivative of [[Led Zeppelin]].<ref name="Led Zeppelin" /> It saw a limited release until it was picked up by [[Donna Halper]], a music director and DJ at rock station [[WMMS]] in [[Cleveland]], Ohio. She added "[[Working Man]]" to the station's regular playlist, and the song's blue-collar theme resonated with hard rock fans in the predominantly working class city.<ref>{{cite web |last=Halper |first=Donna |title=The Rush Discovery Story |url=http://www.rushtrader.com/interviews/discovery.htm |access-date=February 6, 2017 |website=RushTrader |archive-date=June 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624191019/http://www.rushtrader.com/interviews/discovery.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> In June 1974, Danniels signed Rush to the American booking agency ATI, of which executive Ira Blacker sent a copy of ''Rush'' to [[Mercury Records]]. The record caught the attention of [[A&R]] man Cliff Burnstein, who signed Rush with a $75,000 advance as part of a $200,000 deal.{{sfn|Popoff|2004|p=16}}<ref name="MR74">{{cite web |date=July 17, 1974 |title='RUSH' Press Kit |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19740717mercurybio.htm |access-date=January 5, 2021 |publisher=Mercury Records |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206110047/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19740717mercurybio.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BH82">{{cite web |last=Harrigan |first=Brian |date=1982 |title=RUSH – By Brian Harrigan |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19820000harriganrush.htm |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110224208/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19820000harriganrush.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following a series of Canadian dates, Rutsey played his last gig with the band on July 25. His preference for more straightforward rock was incompatible with the more complex music that Lifeson and Lee had written, and Lee recalled that Rutsey had a general distaste for life as a touring musician.<ref name="SUP85">{{cite web |last=Gett |first=Steve |year=1985 |title=Books – Success Under Pressure by Steve Gett |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19850100gettsuccess.htm |access-date=January 4, 2021 |archive-date=September 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915145909/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19850100gettsuccess.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> His [[Type 1 diabetes]] caused further complications, as he required frequent hospital visits to have tests and receive insulin.<ref name=PROG13/><ref name="TCS11">{{cite web |date=April 6, 2011 |title=The Girl Who Loved Rush: Donna Halper |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20110406clevelandsound.htm |access-date=January 1, 2021 |website=The Cleveland Sound |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204004803/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20110406clevelandsound.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Since October 1973, Rutsey's health had often been too critical for him to perform; in the months prior to his departure, Rush temporarily replaced him with a substitute drummer, Gerry Fielding.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Taylor|first=Peter|date=October 20, 1973|title=Nuts & Bolts|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RPM-IDX/IDX/70s/RPM-1973-10-20-OCR-Page-0007.pdf |access-date=April 22, 2024 |magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]}}</ref><ref name=LS16/>

===1974–1977: arrival of Neil Peart and foray into progressive rock===
After auditioning five drummers, Lifeson and Lee picked [[Neil Peart]], who joined on July 29, 1974, which was two weeks before the group's first US tour.<ref name=LS16/><ref>{{cite web |last=Reed |first=Ryan |date=July 29, 2015 |title=Revisiting the Day Drummer Neil Peart Joined Rush |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/neil-peart-joins-rush/ |access-date=June 24, 2020 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624194743/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/neil-peart-joins-rush/ |url-status=live}}</ref> They performed their first concert together on August 14 at the [[Civic Arena (Pittsburgh)|Civic Arena]] in [[Pittsburgh]], opening for [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]] and [[Manfred Mann's Earth Band]] to more than 11,000 people.<ref name=SUP85/> Peart assumed the role of lyricist; Lifeson and Lee had little interest in the job and recognized Peart's wider vocabulary range from reading regularly.{{sfn|Popoff|2004|p=16}} Lifeson and Lee focused primarily on the music, with the new material displaying their influences from [[progressive rock]] bands [[Yes (band)|Yes]] and [[Pink Floyd]].<ref name=PROG13/> When the US tour concluded in December 1974,{{sfn|Popoff|2004|p=24}} ''Rush'' had reached its peak of No. 105 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart.<ref name=BB200/>

''[[Fly by Night (album)|Fly by Night]]'' (1975), Rush's first album with Peart, saw the inclusion of the story song "By-Tor & the Snow Dog", replete with complex arrangements and a multi-section format. Lyrical themes also underwent dramatic changes because of Peart's love for fantasy and science-fiction literature.<ref name="Fly By Night Review">[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r17120|pure_url=yes}} Fly By Night Review]. ''AllMusic''. Retrieved September 20, 2007.</ref> Despite these new styles, some other songs on the album mirrored the simplistic blues style found on Rush's debut.<ref name=RV88/><ref name="Fly By Night Review" /> "[[Fly by Night (Rush song)|Fly by Night]]" was released as a single that reached No. 45 in Canada.<ref name="worldradiohistory.com">{{cite web |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/RPM.htm |title=RPM: Canadian Music Weekly 1964 to 2000 |access-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-date=October 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016195828/https://worldradiohistory.com/RPM.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> The album reached No. 9 in Canada,<ref name="worldradiohistory.com" /> where it was certified platinum by the [[Canadian Recording Industry Association]] (CAN) for selling 100,000 copies<ref name="CRIA">{{cite news |title=Gold/Platinum |url=https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=Rush |access-date=October 18, 2020 |newspaper=Music Canada | date=March 15, 2004 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204001744/https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=Rush |url-status=live}}</ref> and in the US by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for selling 1 million copies there.<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Rush&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section |title=RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for albums by Rush |website=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130104430/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Rush&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref>

The band followed ''Fly by Night'' quickly with ''[[Caress of Steel]]'' (1975), a five-track album featuring two extended multi-chapter songs, "The Necromancer" and "[[The Fountain of Lamneth]]". Some critics said ''Caress of Steel'' was unfocused and an audacious move for the band because of the placement of two back-to-back protracted songs, as well as a heavier reliance on atmospherics and storytelling, a large deviation from ''Fly by Night''.<ref>Greg Prato [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r17118|pure_url=yes}} "Caress of Steel Review"]. ''AllMusic''. Retrieved May 1, 2014.</ref> Intended to be the band's breakthrough album, ''Caress of Steel'' sold below expectations. The tour consisted of smaller venues and declining box office receipts, which led to it being nicknamed the Down the Tubes Tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tour Archives |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/main/Tours.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121191843/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/main/Tours.htm |archive-date=November 21, 2009 |access-date=April 17, 2006 |website=Power Windows |publisher=2112.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2015/jul/23/40th-anniversary-40-reasons-still-dig-rush/ |title=On 40th anniversary, 40 reasons to still dig Rush |last=Katsilometes |first=John |work=[[Las Vegas Sun]] |date=July 23, 2015 |access-date=April 11, 2023}}</ref>

[[File:"Starman" emblem (Rush "2112" album).png|thumb|right|upright|The "starman" logo, created by [[Hugh Syme]], first appeared on the back cover of ''2112''.]]
In light of these events, Rush's record label tried to pressure the members into moulding their next album in a more commercially friendly and accessible fashion; the band ignored the requests and developed their next album ''[[2112 (album)|2112]]'' (1976) with a 20-minute title track divided into seven sections. Despite this, the album was the band's first taste of significant commercial success as it reached No. 5 in Canada,<ref name="worldradiohistory.com" /> becoming their first to reach double platinum certification.<ref name="CRIA" />

Rush toured in support of ''2112'' between February 1976 and June 1977 with concerts in Canada, the US, and for the first time Europe, with dates in the UK, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands.<ref name=SUP85/>{{sfn|Popoff|2004|p=44}} The three sold-out shows at [[Massey Hall]] in Toronto in June 1976 were recorded for Rush's debut live album, ''[[All the World's a Stage (album)|All the World's a Stage]]''. Released in September of that year, the double album reached No. 6 in Canada and became Rush's first to crack the US top 40.{{sfn|Popoff|2004|p=53}} ''[[Record World]]'' wrote: "Building its American reputation slowly but steadily Rush stands poised for breaking through all the way via this two record live set [...] All the highly charged electricity is here in an explosive setting."<ref name=BH82/> The liner notes includes the statement: "This album to us, signifies the end of the beginning, a milestone to mark the close of chapter one, in the annals of Rush."<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2023 |title=Rush – All The World's A Stage – Liner Notes |url=https://www.rush.com/albums/all-the-worlds-a-stage/ |access-date=January 8, 2023 |website=rush.com}}</ref>

===1977–1981: peak progressive era===
After the conclusion of the ''2112'' tour, Rush went to Wales to record ''[[A Farewell to Kings]]'' (1977) and ''[[Hemispheres (Rush album)|Hemispheres]]'' (1978) at [[Rockfield Studios]]. These albums saw the band members expanding the progressive elements in their music. "As our tastes got more obscure", Lee said in an interview, "we discovered more progressive rock-based bands like [[Yes (band)|Yes]], [[Van der Graaf Generator]] and [[King Crimson]], and we were very inspired by those bands. They made us want to make our music more interesting and more complex, and we tried to blend that with our own personalities to see what we could come up with that was indisputably us."<ref>Wanderman, David. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110615053316/http://www.ugo.com/channels/music/features/rush/geddylee.asp "Geddy Lee Interview"]. UGO.com,</ref> Increased synthesizer use, lengthy songs, and highly dynamic playing featuring complex [[time signature]] changes became a staple of Rush's compositions. To achieve a broader, more progressive sound, Lifeson began to experiment with [[Classical guitar|classical]] and [[twelve-string guitar]]s, and Lee added [[Moog Taurus|bass-pedal synthesizers]] and [[Minimoog]]. Likewise, Peart's percussion became diversified in the form of [[triangle (musical instrument)|triangles]], [[glockenspiel]], wood blocks, [[cowbell (instrument)|cowbells]], [[timpani]], [[gong]], and [[tubular bell|chimes]]. Beyond instrument additions, the band kept in stride with progressive rock trends by continuing to compose long, conceptual songs with science fiction and fantasy overtones. As the new decade approached, Rush gradually began to dispose of their older styles of music in favour of shorter and sometimes softer arrangements, due in part to the band's exhaustion from recording ''Hemispheres''. The lyrics up to this point were heavily influenced by classical poetry, fantasy literature, science fiction, and the writings of novelist [[Ayn Rand]], as exhibited most prominently by their 1975 song "Anthem" from ''Fly By Night'' and a specifically acknowledged derivation in ''2112'' (1976).<ref>2112 and Ayn Rand [http://www.nimitz.net/rush/faq2ans.html#62 Rush FAQ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222184534/http://www.nimitz.net/rush/faq2ans.html#62 |date=February 22, 2017}}. Retrieved March 16, 2006.</ref> The first single from ''A Farewell to Kings'', "[[Closer to the Heart]]", was the band's first successful song in the UK, peaking at No. 36,<ref name="Rush – Singles">{{cite web |title=Rush – Singles |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16699/rush/ |access-date=January 22, 2020 |website=Official Charts |archive-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508054311/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16699/rush/ |url-status=live}}</ref> while reaching No. 76 in the US and No. 45 in Canada. ''A Farewell to Kings'' did not sell as well as ''2112'', but still went platinum in both Canada<ref name="CRIA" /> and the United States.<ref name="RIAA" /> By this time, Rush's record deal allowed them a CA$250,000 advance on each album and a 16% royalty rate.<ref name="M78">{{cite web |last=MacGregor |first=Roy |date=January 23, 1978 |title=To Hell With Bob Dylan. Meet Rush. They're In It For The Money |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19780123macleans.htm |access-date=January 12, 2021 |website=Maclean's |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204063425/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19780123macleans.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[Permanent Waves]]'' (1980) shifted Rush's style of music with the introduction of [[reggae]] and [[New wave music|new wave]] elements.<ref name="ClassicRock">{{cite journal |last=Geoff Barton |date=September 2006 |title=Rush: Progressive To The Core |journal=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] |volume=97}}</ref> Although a hard rock style was still evident, more synthesizers were introduced. Because of the limited airplay Rush's previous extended-length songs received, ''Permanent Waves'' contained shorter, more radio-friendly songs, such as "[[The Spirit of Radio]]" and "[[Freewill (song)|Freewill]]", which helped the album become Rush's highest-charting album to date.<ref name="UK">{{cite web |title=UK Albums chart |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16699/rush/ |access-date=August 5, 2018 |website=Official Charts |archive-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806054931/http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16699/rush/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBH100">{{cite magazine |title=Artist Index – Rush – Chart History – Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/rush/chart-history/hsi/ |access-date=January 12, 2021 |magazine=Billboard }}</ref> "The Spirit of Radio" became the group's biggest hit single to date, peaking at No. 22 in Canada, No. 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100,<ref name=BBH100/> and No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="Rush – Singles" /> Peart's lyrics on ''Permanent Waves'' shifted toward an expository tone with subject matter that dwelled less on fantastical or [[allegory|allegorical]] storytelling and more heavily on topics that explored humanistic, social, and emotional elements. Rush toured ''Permanent Waves'' for six months through 1980 to more than 650,000 people across 96 shows, becoming their first tour to make a profit.{{sfn|Daly|Hansen|2019|p=182}} After the tour, Rush joined fellow Toronto-based rock band [[Max Webster]] to record "Battle Scar" for their 1980 album, ''[[Universal Juveniles]]''.<ref name="pwtour">{{cite book |last=Peart |first=Neil |url=http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/tourbook-movingpictures.php |title=Moving Pictures Tourbook – A Rush Newsreel |year=1981 |access-date=October 30, 2009 |archive-date=December 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214104431/http://cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/tourbook-movingpictures.php |url-status=live}}</ref> Max Webster's lyricist, [[Pye Dubois]], offered the band the lyrics to a song he had written. The band accepted, and the song went on, after reworking by Peart, to become "[[Tom Sawyer (song)|Tom Sawyer]]".<ref name="pwtour" />

{{listen
 |filename=TomSawyer.ogg
 |title="Tom Sawyer" (1981)
 |description=Sample of "Tom Sawyer" from the album ''Moving Pictures''. It is one of the band's best-known songs.
 |format=[[Ogg]]
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Rush's popularity reached its pinnacle with the release of ''[[Moving Pictures (Rush album)|Moving Pictures]]'' in February 1981. ''Moving Pictures'' essentially continued where ''Permanent Waves'' left off, extending the trend of accessible and commercially friendly progressive rock that helped thrust them into the spotlight. The lead track, "Tom Sawyer", is probably the band's best-known song.<ref>Rush Biography [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5323|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic guide, Jason Ankeny]. Retrieved September 20, 2007.</ref> Upon release, it reached No. 24 on the Canadian Top 40 Singles Chart, No. 44 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 8 on the new US Album Rock Tracks chart. The second single, "[[Limelight (Rush song)|Limelight]]", also received a strong response from listeners and radio stations, going to No. 18 in Canada, No. 54 on the Hot 100, and No. 4 on the US Album Rock Tracks Chart. ''Moving Pictures'' was Rush's last album to feature an extended song, the 11-minute "[[The Camera Eye]]". The song also contained the band's heaviest usage of synthesizers yet, hinting that Rush's music was shifting direction once more. ''Moving Pictures'' became the band's first album to reach No. 1 on the [[Canadian Albums Chart]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Albums/CDs – Volume 34, No. 17, April 04 1981 | date=July 17, 2013 |url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=164& |publisher=[[Library and Archives Canada]]}}</ref> and also reached No. 3 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name=BB200/> and UK album charts; it has been certified quintuple platinum by both the [[Recording Industry Association of America]]<ref>Moving Pictures Certification [https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=rush&ti=moving+pictures&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section Gold & Platinum – RIAA] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806195811/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=rush&ti=moving+pictures&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section |date=August 6, 2020}}. Retrieved October 1, 2022.</ref> and Music Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/faq/#what |title=Gold/Platinum FAQ |access-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117064422/https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/faq/#what |url-status=live}}</ref> Following the success of ''Moving Pictures'', Rush released their second live recording, ''[[Exit... Stage Left]]'', in 1981.<ref>{{cite web |last=Prato |first=Greg |title=Rush – Exit...Stage Left |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/exitstage-left-mw0000191703 |access-date=July 15, 2019 |website=AllMusic |archive-date=April 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420115550/https://www.allmusic.com/album/exitstage-left-mw0000191703 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===1981–1989: synthesizer-oriented era===
[[File:Oberheim OBX.jpg|thumb|left|An [[Oberheim OB-X]] synthesizer, as used by Geddy Lee on the albums ''Moving Pictures'' and ''Signals'']]

The band underwent another stylistic change with the recording of ''[[Signals (Rush album)|Signals]]'' in 1982.<ref name="Signals Review by Greg Prato">{{Cite web |last=Prato |first=Greg |title=Signals – Rush |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r17139 |access-date=2008-03-22 |website=[[Allmusic]]}}</ref> While Lee's synthesizers had been featured instruments since the late 1970s, keyboards were shifted from the background to the melodic front-lines<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 28, 1982 |title=Signals Review |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/signals-19821028 |access-date=December 18, 2010 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=August 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805041700/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/signals-19821028 |url-status=live}}</ref> in songs like "[[Countdown (rush song)|Countdown]]" and the opening track, "[[Subdivisions (song)|Subdivisions]]". Both feature prominent lead synthesizer lines with minimalistic guitar chords and solos. Other previously unused instrument additions were seen in the song "Losing It", featuring collaborator [[Ben Mink]] on [[electric violin]].<ref name="Signals Review by Greg Prato" />

{{listen
 |filename=Subdivisions.ogg
 |title="Subdivisions" (1982)
 |description=Sample of "Subdivisions" from the album ''Signals''. This song is notable for demonstrating the band's foray into its synthesizer period.
 |format=[[Ogg]]
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''Signals'' also represented a drastic stylistic transformation apart from instrumental changes. The album contained Rush's biggest hit single, "New World Man", while other more experimental songs such as "Digital Man", "The Weapon", and "Chemistry" expanded the band's use of [[ska]], reggae, and [[funk]].<ref name=BBH100/><ref>{{cite web |title=The Band: 40 Million Records. 40 + Years – About Rush (Moving Pictures) |url=https://www.rush.com/band |website=Rush.com |access-date=May 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Visions, the Official Rush Biography, Chapter 10 |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/BanasiewiczVisions.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927185510/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/BanasiewiczVisions.htm |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=May 6, 2006 |website=Power Windows |publisher=2112.net}}</ref> The second single, "Subdivisions" reached No. 36 in Canada and No. 5 on the US Album Rock Tracks Chart. Both singles reached the Top 50 in the UK.<ref name="Rush – Singles" /> ''Signals'' became the group's second No. 1 album in Canada, their third straight No. 3 album in the UK, and peaked at No. 10 in the US,<ref name=BB200/> while continuing their moderate success in the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway, making the Top 30 in each country. Although the band members consciously decided to move in this overall direction, creative differences between the band and longtime producer Terry Brown began to emerge. The band felt dissatisfied with Brown's studio treatment of ''Signals'', while Brown was becoming more uncomfortable with the increased use of synthesizers.<ref>Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage Documentary</ref> Ultimately, Rush and Brown parted ways in 1983, and the experimentation with new electronic instruments and varying musical styles would come into further play on their next studio album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rushvault.com/2011/12/27/terry-brown-differed-with-band-on-electronics/ |title=Terry Brown: Differed with Band on Electronics |publisher=rush vault |date=December 27, 2011 |accessdate=February 16, 2022}}</ref>

The style and production of ''Signals'' were augmented and taken to new heights on ''[[Grace Under Pressure (Rush album)|Grace Under Pressure]]'' (1984). It was Peart who named the album, as he borrowed the words of [[Ernest Hemingway]] ("Courage is grace under pressure"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/ernest_hemingway_131094|title=Ernest Hemingway - Courage is grace under pressure|website=Brainyquote.com}}</ref>) to describe what the band had to go through after making the decision to leave Brown. Producer [[Steve Lillywhite]], who gained fame with successful productions of [[Simple Minds]] and [[U2]], was enlisted to produce ''Grace Under Pressure''. He backed out at the last moment, however, much to the ire of Lee, Lifeson and Peart. Lee said, "Steve Lillywhite is really not a man of his word ... after agreeing to do our record, he got an offer from Simple Minds, changed his mind, blew us off ... so it put us in a horrible position." Rush eventually hired [[Peter Henderson (record producer)|Peter Henderson]] to co-produce and engineer the album instead. Henderson was nominated for a Grammy Award for his work on [[Supertramp]]'s ''[[Breakfast in America]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grace Under Pressure |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/main/GUPlyrics.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121230808/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/main/GUPlyrics.htm |archive-date=November 21, 2009 |access-date=February 16, 2008 |website=Power Windows |publisher=2112.net}}</ref>

[[File:Simmons SDS5 Electric Drum.jpg|thumb|right|Neil Peart began incorporating [[Simmons Drums|Simmons Electronic Drums]] beginning with ''Grace Under Pressure'', 1984]]
Musically, although Lee's use of sequencers and synthesizers remained the band's cornerstone, his focus on new technology was complemented by Peart's adaptation of [[Simmons (electronic drum company)|Simmons]] electronic drums and percussion. Lifeson's contributions on the album were decidedly enhanced, in response to the minimalist role he played on ''Signals''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Success Under Pressure |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/GettSuccess.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624102316/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/GettSuccess.htm |archive-date=June 24, 2008 |access-date=May 7, 2006 |website=Power Windows |publisher=2112.net}}</ref> Still, many of his trademark guitar textures remained intact in the form of open reggae chords and funk and new-wave rhythms.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ric |first=Albano |date=October 7, 2014 |title=Grace Under Pressure by Rush |url=http://www.classicrockreview.com/2014/10/1984-rush-grace-under-pressure/ |access-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-date=September 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908163221/http://www.classicrockreview.com/2014/10/1984-rush-grace-under-pressure/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Grace Under Pressure'' reached the Top 5 in Canada and the UK and the Top 10 in the US It became the highest charter to that date in Sweden (No. 18), while becoming their first album to chart in Germany (No. 43) and Finland (No. 14). While "Distant Early Warning" was not a success on Top 40 radio, it peaked at No. 5 on the [[Mainstream Rock Tracks chart|US Album Rock Tracks chart]].<ref name="Chart History">{{Cite magazine |title=Chart History |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/rush/chart-history/rtt/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210204181544/https://www.billboard.com/music/Rush/chart-history/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks |url-status=live}}</ref>

With new producer [[Peter Collins (record producer)|Peter Collins]], the band released ''[[Power Windows (album)|Power Windows]]'' (1985) and ''[[Hold Your Fire]]'' (1987). The music on these two albums gives far more emphasis and prominence to Lee's multi-layered synthesizer work, and he switched to an English-made [[Wal (bass)|Wal]] MK1 bass. While fans and critics took notice of Lifeson's diminished guitar work, his presence was still palpable. Lifeson, like many guitarists in the mid to late 1980s, experimented with processors that reduced his instrument to echoey chord bursts and thin leads. ''Power Windows'' went to No. 2 in Canada while peaking at No. 9 and 10 in the UK and US, respectively. The lead track, "[[The Big Money]]" made the Top 50 in Canada, the UK and US, plus No. 4 on the US Mainstream Rock Chart. ''Hold Your Fire'' represents both an extension of the guitar style found on ''Power Windows'', and, according to AllMusic critic Eduardo Rivadavia, the culmination of this era of Rush.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Rivadavia |first=Eduardo |title=Hold Your Fire – Rush |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r17147 |access-date=2007-09-20 |website=[[Allmusic]]}}</ref> ''Hold Your Fire'' only went gold in the US, whereas the previous five Rush albums had gone platinum, although it managed to peak at No. 13 on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hold your Fire |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/main/HYFlyrics.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121230824/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/main/HYFlyrics.htm |archive-date=November 21, 2009 |access-date=September 14, 2007 |website=Power Windows website |publisher=2112.net}}</ref> and made the Top 10 in Canada, the UK and Finland. Two tracks from ''Hold Your Fire'', "[[Force Ten (song)|Force Ten]]" and "Time Stand Still", both peaked at No. 3 on the US [[Mainstream Rock Tracks chart]].<ref name="Chart History" />

A third live album and video, ''[[A Show of Hands]]'' (1989), was also released by Anthem and Mercury following the ''Power Windows'' and ''Hold Your Fire'' tours, demonstrating the aspects of Rush in the '80s. ''A Show of Hands'' met with strong fan approval, but ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' critic [[Michael Azerrad]] dismissed it as "musical muscle" with 1.5 stars, claiming Rush fans viewed their favourite power trio as "the holy trinity".<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=A Show of Hands Review |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/321540/a_show_of_hands |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817203049/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/321540/a_show_of_hands |archive-date=August 17, 2007 |access-date=June 6, 2006 |url-status=dead |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> Nevertheless, ''A Show of Hands'' reached the gold album mark in the US and the platinum level in Canada.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Show of Hands |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/main/ASOHlyrics.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513121416/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/main/ASOHlyrics.htm |archive-date=May 13, 2011 |access-date=December 18, 2010 |website=Power Windows |publisher=2112.net}}</ref> At this point, the group decided to change international record labels from Mercury to [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]. After Rush's departure in 1989, Mercury released a double platinum two-volume compilation of their Rush catalogue, ''[[Chronicles (1990 album)|Chronicles]]'' (1990).<ref>{{cite web |title=Chronicles |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/main/CHRNlyrics.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526025422/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/main/CHRNlyrics.htm |archive-date=May 26, 2011 |access-date=December 18, 2010 |website=Power Windows |publisher=2112.net}}</ref>

===1989–2000: return to guitar-oriented sound and hiatus===
{{listen
 |filename=Dreamline.ogg
 |title="Dreamline" (1991)
 |description=Sample of "Dreamline" from the album ''Roll the Bones''. This song is notable for demonstrating the band's return to a more standard three piece instrument style, where synthesizers are used more sparingly and the guitar returning to the forefront of the sound.
 |format=[[Ogg]]
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Rush started to deviate from its 1980s style with the albums ''[[Presto (album)|Presto]]'' (1989) and ''[[Roll the Bones]]'' (1991). Produced by record engineer and musician [[Rupert Hine]], these two albums saw Rush shedding much of its keyboard-saturated sound. Beginning with ''Presto'', the band opted for arrangements notably more guitar-centric than the previous two studio albums. Although synthesizers were still used, they were no longer featured as the centrepiece of Rush's compositions.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gregory Heaney |title=Presto |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/presto-mw0000654443 |access-date=November 24, 2013 |website=AllMusic.com |archive-date=June 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610072302/http://www.allmusic.com/album/presto-mw0000654443 |url-status=live}}</ref> Continuing this trend, ''Roll the Bones'' extended the use of the standard three-instrument approach with even less focus on synthesizers than its predecessor. While musically these albums do not deviate significantly from a general pop-rock sound, Rush incorporated other musical styles such as [[funk]] and [[hip hop music|hip hop]] in "Roll the Bones" and jazz in the instrumental track "[[Rush instrumentals#Where's My Thing?|Where's My Thing?]]".<ref>''Roll the Bones'' [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r17152|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic:]. Retrieved March 18, 2006.</ref> "[[Show Don't Tell]]" from ''Presto'' was a No. 1 hit on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart, and while the album reached the Top 10 in Canada, it was less successful in the US (No. 16) and the UK (No. 27). From ''Roll the Bones''", "[[Dreamline]]" (No. 1) and "[[Ghost of a Chance (Rush song)|Ghost of a Chance]]" (No. 2) were successful on US Mainstream Rock Radio stations, marking a resurgence of Rush's album sales in the US (No. 3 and platinum), the UK (No. 10) and some other parts of northern Europe.

The transition from synthesizers to more guitar-oriented and organic instrumentation continued with ''[[Counterparts (Rush album)|Counterparts]]'' (1993)<ref name="counter">{{Cite web |last=Rivadavia |first=Eduardo |title=Counterparts – Rush |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r188404 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830143658/http://www.allmusic.com/album/r188404 |archive-date=2011-08-30 |access-date=2007-04-18 |website=[[Allmusic]]}}</ref> and its follow-up, ''[[Test for Echo]]'' (1996), both produced in collaboration with Peter Collins. Up to this point, ''Counterparts''<ref name="counter" /> and ''Test for Echo'' were two of Rush's most guitar-driven albums. The latter album also includes elements of jazz and swing-style drumming by Peart, which he had learned from drum coach [[Freddie Gruber]] during the interim between ''Counterparts'' and ''Test for Echo''.<ref>Neil Peart's tutelage [http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Freddie_Gruber.html Drummerworld] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130004148/http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Freddie_Gruber.html |date=November 30, 2007}}. Retrieved April 18, 2007.</ref> "[[Stick It Out (Rush song)|Stick It Out]]" from ''Counterparts'' reached the summit of the US Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart, with the album peaking at No. 2 in the US and No. 6 in Canada. ''Test for Echo'' reached the Top 5 in both countries, with the title track again topping the US Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart. In October 1996, in support of ''Test For Echo'', the band embarked on a North American tour, the band's first without an opening act and dubbed "An Evening with Rush". The tour was broken into two segments, spanning October through December 1996 and May through July 1997.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tour Dates – Test For Echo 1996 To 1997 |url=https://www.rush.com/tour/test-for-echo/ |access-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715050654/https://www.rush.com/tour/test-for-echo/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

After the conclusion of the [[Test for Echo Tour|''Test for Echo'' tour]] in 1997, the band entered a five-year hiatus primarily due to personal tragedies in Peart's life. Peart's daughter Selena died in a car crash in August 1997,<ref>{{Cite web |title="Rush Drummer Loses Daughter" - MTV News, August 21, 1997 |url=https://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19970821mtv.htm#:~:text=Selena%20Taylor,%20the%2019-year,was%20the%20couple's%20only%20child. |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=www.2112.net}}</ref> and his wife Jacqueline died of cancer in June 1998. Peart took a hiatus to mourn and reflect. During this time, he travelled extensively throughout North America on his BMW motorcycle, covering {{convert|88,000|km|mi|abbr=on}}. In his book ''[[Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road]]'', Peart writes of how he had told his bandmates at Selena's funeral, "consider me retired."<ref name="Peart-GhostRider">Peart, Neil. ''Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road''. Toronto: ECW Press. 2002. {{ISBN|1-55022-546-4}}</ref> This left the band's future uncertain, and Lee and Lifeson prepared an archival album, ''[[Different Stages (Rush album)|Different Stages]]'', for release during the hiatus. Mixed by producer [[Paul Northfield]] and engineered by Terry Brown, it is a three-disc live album featuring recorded performances from the band's ''Counterparts'', ''Test For Echo'', and ''A Farewell to Kings'' tours, dedicated to the memory of Selena and Jacqueline.<ref name="allmusic_counter">{{cite web |last=Prato |first=Greg |title=Different Stages: Live – Rush |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r380161|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=November 26, 2013 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> After a time of grief and recovery, and while visiting longtime Rush photographer Andrew MacNaughtan in Los Angeles, Peart was introduced to his future wife, photographer [[Carrie Nuttall]], whom he married on September 9, 2000. By the following year, Peart decided to return to Rush.

===2001–2009: comeback, ''Vapor Trails'' and ''Snakes & Arrows''===
{{listen
 |filename=OneLittleVictory.ogg
 |title="One Little Victory" (2002)
 |description=Sample of "One Little Victory" from the album ''Vapor Trails''. This song's rapid tempo and heavy double bass drumming was done intentionally to herald the comeback of the band after their hiatus.
 |format=[[Ogg]]
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In January 2001, Lee, Lifeson, and Peart came together to see if they could reassemble the band. According to Peart, "We laid out no parameters, no goals, no limitations, only that we would take a relaxed, civilized approach to the project." With the help of producer [[Paul Northfield]], the band produced seventy-four minutes of music for their new album ''[[Vapor Trails]]'', which was written and recorded in Toronto.<ref>{{cite web |last=Miller |first=William F. |date=June 24, 2020 |title=Neil Peart: The Fire Returns |url=http://2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20020900moderndrummer.htm |access-date=September 1, 2002 |website=2112.net |publisher=[[Modern Drummer]] |archive-date=February 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209082213/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20020900moderndrummer.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Vapor Trails'' marked the first Rush studio recording to not include any keyboards or synthesizers since ''Caress of Steel''. According to the band, the album's developmental process was extremely taxing and took approximately 14 months to finish, the longest they had ever spent writing and recording a studio album.<ref name="Vapor Trails news archive" /> ''Vapor Trails'' was released on May 14, 2002; to herald the band's comeback, the single and lead track from the album, "[[One Little Victory]]", was designed to grab the attention of listeners with its rapid guitar and drum tempos.<ref name="Vapor Trails news archive">{{cite web |title=Vapor Trails news archive |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/VTnews.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616202159/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/VTnews.htm |archive-date=June 16, 2008 |access-date=March 16, 2006 |website=Power Windows |publisher=2112.net}}</ref> The album was supported by the band's first tour in six years, including first-ever concerts in Brazil and Mexico City, where they played to some of the largest crowds of their career. The largest was a capacity of 60,000 in [[São Paulo]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Vapor Trails Tour |url=https://www.rush.com/tour/vapor-trails/ |access-date=August 29, 2019 |website=Rush |archive-date=April 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411022418/https://www.rush.com/tour/vapor-trails/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Vapor Trails'' peaked at No. 3 in Canada and No. 6 in the US, while selling disappointingly in the UK, where it peaked at No. 38.

[[File:Rush-in-concert.jpg|thumb|left|Rush performing in September 2004]]
A live album and DVD, ''[[Rush in Rio]]'', was released in October 2003, featuring the last performance of the band's Vapor Trails Tour on November 23, 2002, at [[Maracanã Stadium]] in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. To celebrate the band's 30th anniversary, June 2004 saw the release of ''[[Feedback (EP)|Feedback]]'', an [[extended play]] work recorded in suburban Toronto that featured eight [[Cover version|covers]] of artists such as Cream, The Who and [[The Yardbirds]], bands the members of Rush cite as inspiration around the time of their inception.<ref>{{cite web |title=Feedback new archive |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/FBKnews.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214164834/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/FBKnews.htm |archive-date=February 14, 2008 |access-date=December 18, 2010 |website=Power Windows |publisher=2112.net}}</ref> To help support ''Feedback'' and continue celebrating their 30th anniversary as a band, Rush launched the 30th Anniversary Tour in the summer of 2004, playing dates in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. On September 24, 2004, the concert at The [[Festhalle]] in Frankfurt, Germany was filmed for a DVD titled ''[[R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour]]'', which was released on November 22, 2005. This release omitted eight songs also included on ''Rush in Rio''; the complete concert was released on [[Blu-ray]] on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 27, 2009 |title=Rush Blog – Rush is a Band Blog: Full-concert R30 on Blu-ray and DVD now available for pre-order |url=http://www.rushisaband.com/display.php?id=1968 |access-date=June 27, 2010 |publisher=Rushisaband.com}}</ref>

During promotional interviews for the ''R30'' DVD, the band members revealed their intention to begin writing new material in early 2006. While in Toronto, Lifeson and Lee began the songwriting process in January 2006. During this time, Peart assumed his role of lyric writing while residing in Southern California. The following September, Rush hired American producer [[Nick Raskulinecz]] to co-produce the album. The band officially entered [[Allaire Studios]] in [[Shokan, New York|Shokan]], New York, in November 2006 to record the bulk of the material. Taking the band five weeks, the sessions ended in December. On February 14, 2007, an announcement was made on the official Rush website that the title of the new album would be ''Snakes & Arrows''. The first single, "[[Far Cry (Rush song)|Far Cry]]", was released to North American radio stations on March 12, 2007, and reached No. 2 on the [[Mediabase]] Mainstream and Radio and Records Charts.<ref name="rushofficialwebsite">[https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20110430234846/http://www.rush.com/rush/ Rush Official Website], Rush.com. Retrieved August 3, 2007.</ref>

{{listen
| filename     = 01-Far_Cry.ogg
| title        = "Far Cry" (2007)
| description  = Sample of "Far Cry", the first single from the album ''Snakes & Arrows''.
| format       = [[Ogg]]
| pos          = right
}}
The Rush website, newly redesigned on March 12, 2007, to support the new album, also announced that the band would embark on a tour to begin in the summer. ''[[Snakes & Arrows]]'' was released on May 1, 2007, in North America, where it debuted at No. 3 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] with approximately 93,000 units sold in its first week.<ref>Katie Hasty, [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052244/ne-yo-scores-second-no-1-in-debut-heavy-week "Ne-Yo Scores Second No.&nbsp;1 In Debut-Heavy Week"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819203938/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052244/ne-yo-scores-second-no-1-in-debut-heavy-week |date=August 19, 2020}}, ''Billboard'', May 9, 2007</ref> It also peaked at No. 3 in Canada and No. 13 in the UK, selling an estimated 611,000 copies worldwide. To coincide with the beginning of Atlantic Ocean hurricane season, "[[Spindrift (song)|Spindrift]]" was released as the official second radio single on June 1, 2007, while "[[The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)]]" saw single status on June 25, 2007. "The Larger Bowl" peaked within the top 20 of both the ''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock and Mediabase Mainstream charts, but "Spindrift" failed to appear on any commercial chart.<ref name="rushnews">{{cite web |title=Snakes and Arrows chart rankings |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/News.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822110411/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/News.htm |archive-date=August 22, 2008 |access-date=August 12, 2007 |website=Power Windows |publisher=2112.net}}</ref> The planned intercontinental [[Snakes & Arrows Tour|tour]] in support of ''Snakes & Arrows'' began on June 13, 2007, in Atlanta, Georgia, coming to a close on October 29, 2007, at [[Hartwall Arena]] in Helsinki, Finland.<ref>[http://www.rush.com/ Official Rush Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223014438/http://www.rush.com/ |date=February 23, 2011}}. Retrieved March 26, 2007.</ref>

The 2008 portion of the ''Snakes & Arrows'' tour began on April 11, 2008, in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]], at [[José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum]], and concluded on July 24, 2008, in [[Noblesville, Indiana]] at the Verizon Wireless Music Center.<ref name="rushofficialwebsite"/> On April 15, 2008, the band released ''[[Snakes & Arrows Live]]'', a double live album documenting the first leg of the tour, recorded at the [[Rotterdam Ahoy|Ahoy arena]] in [[Rotterdam]], Netherlands on October 16 and 17, 2007.<ref name="rushnews"/> A DVD and Blu-ray recording of the same concerts was released on November 24, 2008.<ref>[http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=1803 Blu-Ray.com Featured News Article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923195039/http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=1803 |date=September 23, 2008}}, Blu-ray News website. Retrieved September 22, 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Snakes & Arrows DVD release |url=http://www.neilpeart.net/news/index.html |access-date=November 12, 2007 |publisher=Neil Peart's Official website |archive-date=March 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308155034/http://www.neilpeart.net/news/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=July 27, 2008 |title=Rush film concert for possible DVD footage |url=http://www.therockradio.com/2008/07/rush-film-concert-for-possible-dvd.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929174110/http://www.therockradio.com/2008/07/rush-film-concert-for-possible-dvd.html |archive-date=September 29, 2011 |access-date=June 27, 2010 |publisher=The Rock Radio}}</ref> As Rush neared the conclusion of the ''Snakes &amp; Arrows'' tour, they announced their first appearance on American television in over 30 years. They appeared on ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' on July 16, 2008, where they were interviewed by [[Stephen Colbert]] and performed "Tom Sawyer".<ref name="RushPR">{{Cite news |title=Rush to Perform for the First Time on U.S. Television in Over 30 Years on 'The Colbert Report' |agency=[[PR Newswire]] |url=http://sev.prnewswire.com/music/20080715/NYTU13315072008-1.html |access-date=July 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801145523/http://sev.prnewswire.com/music/20080715/NYTU13315072008-1.html |archive-date=August 1, 2008}}</ref> Continuing to ride what film critic [[Manohla Dargis]] called a "pop cultural wave", the band appeared as themselves in the 2009 comedy film ''[[I Love You, Man]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Manohla Dargis |date=March 20, 2009 |title=Best Man Wanted. Must Be Rush Fan |work=The New York Times |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/2009/03/20/movies/20love.html?ref=movies |access-date=March 31, 2009}}</ref>

===2009–2013: Time Machine Tour and ''Clockwork Angels''===
On February 16, 2009, Lifeson remarked that the band might begin working on a new album in the fall of 2009, with [[Nick Raskulinecz]] once again producing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alex Lifeson says Rush won't make 'concept' album |url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/alex-lifeson-says-rush-wont-make-concept-album-196688 |access-date=June 27, 2010 |website=MusicRadar |date=February 16, 2009 |archive-date=March 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325124526/http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/alex-lifeson-says-rush-wont-make-concept-album-196688 |url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2009, Lee, Lifeson and Peart were awarded the International Achievement Award at the annual [[SOCAN]] Awards in Toronto.<ref name="socan.ca">{{cite web |title=2009 SOCAN AWARDS – TORONTO SHOW |url=http://www.socan.ca/about/awards/2009-socan-awards |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810123959/http://www.socan.ca/about/awards/2009-socan-awards |archive-date=August 10, 2016 |access-date=February 7, 2017 |website=SOCAN.ca}}</ref> On March 19, 2010, the CBC posted a video interview with Lee and Lifeson in which they discussed Rush's induction into the [[Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame]] on March 28, 2010, at the [[Toronto Centre for the Arts]]' George Weston Recital Hall. The band was recognized for the songs "Limelight", "[[Closer to the Heart]]", "The Spirit of Radio", "Tom Sawyer" and "Subdivisions". In addition to discussing their induction, Lee and Lifeson touched on future material, with Lee saying, "Just about a month and a half ago we had no songs. And now we've been writing, and now we've got about 6 songs that we just love ..."<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/More_Shows/Radio/A_Conversation_with_Rush/ID=1445449710 The CBC interview with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120105840/http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/More_Shows/Radio/A_Conversation_with_Rush/ID=1445449710 |date=January 20, 2011}}. Retrieved March 25, 2010.</ref> On March 26, 2010, in an interview with [[The Globe and Mail]], Lifeson remarked that there was even the potential for two supporting tours.<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/rushs-alex-lifeson-on-doing-what-he-loves/article4312283/ "Rush's Alex Lifeson on doing what he loves"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329061110/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/music/rushs-alex-lifeson-on-doing-what-he-loves/article1513358/ |date=March 29, 2010}} ''The Globe and Mail'' interview with Alex Lifeson. Retrieved March 27, 2010.</ref> Soon after, Peart confirmed that Raskulinecz had returned as co-producer.<ref>Stevenson, Jane. {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120709151244/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/R/Rush/2010/03/26/13370106.html?cid=rssentertainment "Rush-ing into Songwriters Hall"]}}. Jam!. Retrieved March 27, 2010.</ref>

In April 2010, Rush entered Blackbird Studios in [[Nashville]], Tennessee with Raskulinecz to record "[[Caravan (Rush song)|Caravan]]" and "BU2B", two new songs to be featured on the band's then-upcoming studio album ''[[Clockwork Angels]]''. "Caravan" and "BU2B" were released together on June 1, 2010, and made available for digital download.<ref>{{cite web |title=Two new Rush tracks available for digital download June 1st |url=https://www.rushisaband.com/blog/2010/05/19/2162/Two-new-Rush-tracks-available-for-digital-download-June-1st |website=rushisaband.com |access-date=March 19, 2022}}</ref> The [[Time Machine Tour]]'s first leg began on June 29 in [[Albuquerque]], New Mexico, and finished on October 17 in [[Santiago]], Chile, at the [[Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos|National Stadium]]. It featured the album ''Moving Pictures'' played in its entirety, as well as "Caravan" and "BU2B".<ref name="TimeMachineTour">{{cite web |title=Time Machine Tour – Tour Dates |url=https://www.rush.com/tour/time-machine/ |website=Rush.com |access-date=March 19, 2022}}</ref> It was suggested that Rush would return to the studio after the completion of the Time Machine Tour with plans to release ''Clockwork Angels'' in 2011.<ref>[http://www.bravewords.com/news/139608 RUSH – New Album Title Revealed; Clockwork Angels Due In 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529181956/http://www.bravewords.com/news/139608 |date=May 29, 2010}}. Bravewords, May 25, 2010. Accessed May 25, 2010.</ref> However, Rush announced on November 19, 2010, that they would be extending the Time Machine Tour. The second leg began on March 30, 2011, in [[Fort Lauderdale]], Florida, and came to an end on July 2, 2011, in [[Seattle]], Washington.<ref name=TimeMachineTour/> On November 8, 2011, the band released ''[[Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland]]'', a concert DVD, Blu-ray and double CD documenting the April 15, 2011, concert at the [[Quicken Loans Arena]] in Cleveland, Ohio. After the tour's second leg was finished, Rush entered Revolution Recording studios in Toronto to finalize the recording of ''Clockwork Angels.''<ref>[http://ultimateclassicrock.com/rush-complete-recording-of-clockwork-angels/ Ultimate Classic Rock] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107190053/http://ultimateclassicrock.com/rush-complete-recording-of-clockwork-angels/ |date=January 7, 2012}}. Retrieved December 28, 2011.</ref> The second single, "Headlong Flight", was released on April 19, 2012. Peart and author [[Kevin J. Anderson]] collaborated on a novelization of ''Clockwork Angels'' that was released in September 2012.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kevin J. Anderson talks Clockwork Angels, his new novel with Rush drummer Neil Peart |work=io9 |date=September 6, 2012 |url=http://io9.com/5940743/kevin-j-anderson-talks-clockwork-angels-his-new-novel-with-rush-drummer-neil-peart |access-date=August 7, 2013 |publisher=Io9.com |archive-date=May 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530031500/http://io9.com/5940743/kevin-j-anderson-talks-clockwork-angels-his-new-novel-with-rush-drummer-neil-peart |url-status=live |last1=Dvorsky |first1=George }}</ref>

''Clockwork Angels'' was released in the United States and Canada on June 12, 2012,<ref name="billboard">{{Cite magazine |last=Greenwald |first=David |title=Rush's 'Clockwork Angels' Hits June 12 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/496841/rushs-clockwork-angels-hits-june-12 |access-date=April 11, 2012 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=March 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327000402/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/496841/rushs-clockwork-angels-hits-june-12 |url-status=live}}</ref> reaching No. 1 in Canada, No. 2 in the US, No. 21 in the UK and entering the Top 10 in most of Rush's traditional northern European markets. The supporting [[Clockwork Angels Tour]] began on September 7, 2012, with performances on November 25 in [[Phoenix, Arizona]] and November 28 in [[Dallas]], Texas, recorded to make a live CD/DVD/Blu-ray that was released on November 19, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 16, 2013 |title=Clockwork Angels Tour Coming November 19, 2013 |url=http://www.rush.com/clockwork-angels-tour-coming-november-19/ |access-date=April 30, 2014 |publisher=RUSH |archive-date=December 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210173417/http://www.rush.com/clockwork-angels-tour-coming-november-19/ |url-status=live}}</ref> During Rush's European leg of the ''Clockwork Angels Tour'', the June 8, 2013, show at the [[Sweden Rock Festival]] was the group's first festival appearance in 30 years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Exklusivt: Intervju med Alex Lifeson från Rush – P4 Rock |url=http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=4054&artikel=5558983 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222323/http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=4054&artikel=5558983 |archive-date=December 2, 2013 |access-date=April 19, 2014 |publisher=Sveriges Radio – Sverigesradio.se |language=sv}}</ref> On August 31, 2011, Rush switched their American distribution from [[Atlantic Records]] to the [[Warner Bros.|Warner Brothers]] majority-owned metal label [[Roadrunner Records]]. Roadrunner handled American distribution of ''Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland'' and ''Clockwork Angels''. Anthem/Universal Music would continue to release their music in Canada.<ref name="Billboard August 31, 2011">{{Cite magazine |date=September 14, 2009 |title=Rush Signs With Roadrunner, Preps New Album for 2012 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/467658/rush-signs-with-roadrunner-preps-new-album-for-2012/ |access-date=October 24, 2011 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=May 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529152510/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/467658/rush-signs-with-roadrunner-preps-new-album-for-2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> On April 18, 2013, Rush were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Toronto's Rush finally inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at L.A. gala |url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/rush-heart-inducted-rock-roll-hall-fame-during-062355951.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130506030214/http://ca.news.yahoo.com/rush-heart-inducted-rock-roll-hall-fame-during-062355951.html |archive-date=May 6, 2013 |publisher=[[The Canadian Press]]}}</ref>

===2013–2020: R40 Tour, disbandment and Peart's death===
On November 18, 2013, Lifeson said the band would take a year off, following the completion of the world tour in support of ''Clockwork Angels''. "We've committed to taking about a year off", Lifeson said. "We all agreed when we finished this [''Clockwork Angels''] tour [in early August], we were going to take this time off and we weren't going to talk about band stuff or make any plans. We committed to a year, so that's going to take us through to the end of next summer, for sure. That's the minimum. We haven't stopped or quit. Right now we're just relaxing. We're taking it easy and just enjoying our current employment."<ref>{{cite web |date=November 18, 2013 |title=Rush's Alex Lifeson: 'We've Committed To Taking About A Year Off' |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rushs-alex-lifeson-weve-committed-to-taking-about-a-year-off/ |access-date=November 25, 2014 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |archive-date=October 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010230523/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rushs-alex-lifeson-weve-committed-to-taking-about-a-year-off/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2014, the ''Rush R40'' box set was announced to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the release of the band's self-titled debut album. It included five previously released live video albums, and various previously unreleased footage from across the band's career.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 17, 2014 |title=RUSH To Release 'R40' 40th-Anniversary Collectors Box Set In DVD And Blu-Ray |work=Blabbermouth.net |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rush-to-release-r40-40th-anniversary-collectors-box-set-in-dvd-and-blu-ray/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921015725/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rush-to-release-r40-40th-anniversary-collectors-box-set-in-dvd-and-blu-ray |archive-date=September 21, 2014}}</ref> On January 22, 2015, the band announced the Rush [[R40 Live Tour|R40 Tour]], celebrating the 40th anniversary of Peart's membership in the band. The tour started on May 8 in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]],<ref>{{cite web |date=May 9, 2015 |title=RUSH Kicks off 'R40 Live' 40th-Anniversary Tour In Tulsa; Video Footage, Photos |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rush-kicks-off-r40-live-40th-anniversary-tour-in-tulsa-video-footage-photos/ |access-date=August 11, 2015 |website=Blabbermouth.net |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924152715/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rush-kicks-off-r40-live-40th-anniversary-tour-in-tulsa-video-footage-photos/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and wrapped up on August 1 in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rush Tour 2015 to Celebrate Band's 40th Anniversary |url=http://www.vividseats.com/blog/rush-tour-2015-to-celebrate-bands-40th-anniversary |access-date=January 22, 2015 |archive-date=January 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125150903/http://www.vividseats.com/blog/rush-tour-2015-to-celebrate-bands-40th-anniversary |url-status=live}}</ref>

On April 29, 2015, Lifeson said in an interview that R40 might be the final large-scale Rush tour due to his [[psoriatic arthritis]] and Peart's chronic [[tendinitis]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Doherty |first=Mike |date=June 7, 2015 |title=What a Rush! How an unhip trio became superstars |url=http://www.macleans.ca/culture/arts/what-a-rush-how-an-unhip-trio-became-superstars/ |journal=[[Maclean's]] |access-date=June 10, 2015 |archive-date=June 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609234246/http://www.macleans.ca/culture/arts/what-a-rush-how-an-unhip-trio-became-superstars/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He noted that it didn't necessarily mean an end to the band, suggesting the possibility of smaller tours and limited performances. He also said he wanted to work on soundtracks with Lee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rush Tour 2015 last due to tendonitis |date=April 29, 2015 |url=http://classicrock.teamrock.com/news/2015-04-29/rush-neil-peart-tendonitis-tour-retirement |access-date=April 29, 2015 |archive-date=May 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501190905/http://classicrock.teamrock.com/news/2015-04-29/rush-neil-peart-tendonitis-tour-retirement |url-status=live}}</ref> On December 7, 2015, Peart stated in an interview that he was retiring. The following day, Lee insisted that Peart's remarks had been taken out of context, and suggested he was "simply taking a break".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Luis Polanco |title=Rush's Geddy Lee Clarifies Neil Peart's Retirement Comment |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6786020/rush-drummer-neil-peart-retire/ |access-date=December 9, 2015 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208164350/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6786020/rush-drummer-neil-peart-retire |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Geddy Lee Clarifies Peart Retirement Rumours |date=December 8, 2015 |url=http://classicrock.teamrock.com/news/2015-12-08/geddy-lee-clarifies-neil-peart-retirement-rumours |access-date=December 8, 2015 |archive-date=December 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211135956/http://classicrock.teamrock.com/news/2015-12-08/geddy-lee-clarifies-neil-peart-retirement-rumours |url-status=live}}</ref> Lifeson confirmed in 2016 that the R40 tour was the band's last large-scale tour.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=March 8, 2016 |title=Alex Lifeson Talks Rush's Uncertain Future |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/alex-lifeson-on-rushs-uncertain-future-20160308 |access-date=March 9, 2016 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309101415/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/alex-lifeson-on-rushs-uncertain-future-20160308 |url-status=live}}</ref> The band's latest documentary, ''Time Stand Still'', was announced in November 2016.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 7, 2016 |title=The story of a band, its fans, and their 40 year relationship |url=http://www.rushtimestandstill.com/ |access-date=November 7, 2016 |journal= |archive-date=November 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107221745/http://www.rushtimestandstill.com/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 16, 2018, Lifeson told ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' that it was unlikely that Rush would play any more shows or record new material. He said, "We have no plans to tour or record anymore. We're basically done. After 41 years, we felt it was enough."<ref name="blabbermouth.net">{{Cite news |date=January 19, 2018 |title=RUSH Guitarist ALEX LIFESON: "We Have No Plans To Tour Or Record Anymore. We're Basically Done" |work=Blabbermouth |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rush-guitarist-alex-lifeson-we-have-no-plans-to-tour-or-record-any-more-were-basically-done/ |access-date=January 19, 2018 |archive-date=January 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111022606/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rush-guitarist-alex-lifeson-we-have-no-plans-to-tour-or-record-any-more-were-basically-done/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="globe-end">{{Cite news |last=Wheeler |first=Brad |date=January 16, 2018 |title=How the end of Rush let Alex Lifeson be 'as creative as I want to be' |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/between-the-acts-how-the-end-of-rush-let-alex-lifeson-be-as-creative-as-i-want-tobe/article37620762/ |access-date=January 21, 2018 |archive-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222220749/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/between-the-acts-how-the-end-of-rush-let-alex-lifeson-be-as-creative-as-i-want-tobe/article37620762/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2018, ''Rolling Stone'' published an interview with Lee, who said, 
{{blockquote|I'd say I can't really tell you much other than that there are zero plans to tour again. As I said earlier, we're very close and talk all the time, but we don't talk about work. We're friends, and we talk about life as friends. I can't really tell you more than that, I'm afraid. I would say there's no chance of seeing Rush on tour again as Alex, Geddy, Neil. But would you see one of us or two of us or three of us? That's possible.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 22, 2018 |title=Geddy Lee on Rush's Prog-Rock Opus 'Hemispheres': 'We Had to Raise Our Game' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rush-geddy-lee-interview-prog-rock-hemispheres-738828/ |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025071306/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rush-geddy-lee-interview-prog-rock-hemispheres-738828/ |url-status=live}}</ref>}}

On January 7, 2020, Peart died at the age of 67 following a 3½-year battle with [[glioblastoma]], a type of [[brain cancer]].<ref name="death">{{Cite magazine |last=Hatt |first=Brian |date=January 7, 2020 |title=Neil Peart, Rush Drummer Who Set a New Standard for Rock Virtuosity, Dead at 67 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/neil-peart-rush-obituary-936221/ |access-date=January 10, 2020 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone|RollingStone.com]] |publisher=Rolling Stone, LLC |archive-date=January 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115172322/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/neil-peart-rush-obituary-936221/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sweeny |first=Owen |date=January 10, 2020 |title=Rush Drummer Neil Peart dead at 67 |publisher=[[CBC News]] |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/neil-peart-obit-1.5422806 |access-date=January 10, 2020 |archive-date=January 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110213102/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/neil-peart-obit-1.5422806 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Neil Peart |url=https://www.rush.com/neil-peart-2/ |access-date=January 30, 2020 |website=Rush.com |archive-date=April 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402000726/https://www.rush.com/neil-peart-2/ |url-status=live}}</ref> A year later, Lee confirmed to ''Rolling Stone'' that Rush was "over" and expressed the impossibility of the band continuing without Peart: "That's finished, right? That's over. I still am very proud of what we did. I don't know what I will do again in music. And I'm sure Al doesn't, whether its together, apart, or whatever. But the music of Rush is always part of us. And I would never hesitate to play one of those songs in the right context. But at the same time, you have to give respect to what the three of us with Neil did together."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Neil Peart: Rush Drummer's Bold Life and Brave Final Years |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/neil-peart-rush-dead-cover-story-1110496/ |access-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-date=January 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110130304/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/neil-peart-rush-dead-cover-story-1110496/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===2021–present: aftermath===
In a January 2021 interview with Make Weird Music, Lifeson revealed that he and Lee were talking of working together on new music: "We're both eager to get back together and kind of get back into that thing that we've done since we were 14 years old that we love to do. And we work really, really well together. So we'll see what happens with that."<ref>{{cite web |date=January 30, 2021 |title=Alex Lifeson talks Victor 25th anniversary, his future plans and more in new Make Weird Music interview |url=https://www.rushisaband.com/blog/2021/01/30/5555/Alex-Lifeson-talks-Victor-25th-anniversary-his-future-plans-and-more-in-new-Make-Weird-Music-interview |access-date=February 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=February 3, 2021 |title=RUSH's ALEX LIFESON And GEDDY LEE Are 'Eager To Get Back Together' And Work On New Music |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rushs-alex-lifeson-and-geddy-lee-are-eager-to-get-back-together-and-work-on-new-music/ |access-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203171512/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rushs-alex-lifeson-and-geddy-lee-are-eager-to-get-back-together-and-work-on-new-music/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Lifeson reiterated the status of Rush and the possibility of continuing to work with Lee in a June 2021 interview with [[Eddie Trunk]]: 
{{blockquote|There's no way Rush will ever exist again because Neil's not here to be a part of it. And that's not to say that we can't do other things and we can't do things that benefit our communities and all of that. I have lots of plans for that sort of thing that don't necessarily include Geddy. I get asked this all the time — are we gonna do this, or are we gonna do that? Who knows? All I know is we still love each other and we're still very, very good friends, and we always will be."<ref>{{cite web |date=July 2, 2021 |title=ALEX LIFESON Says 'There's No Way RUSH Will Ever Exist Again', Believes Band's Final Tour 'Couldn't Have Been Better' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alex-lifeson-says-theres-no-way-rush-will-ever-exist-again-believes-bands-final-tour-couldnt-have-been-better/ |access-date=July 2, 2021}}</ref>}}

In August 2022, Lee and Lifeson returned to the stage at the ''[[South Park]]'' 25th anniversary concert in [[Colorado]], with ''South Park''{{'}}s co-creator [[Matt Stone]] on drums to perform "[[Closer to the Heart]]" alongside the members of [[Primus (band)|Primus]], their first performance since the death of Peart.

In September 2022, Lee and Lifeson performed at the London [[Taylor Hawkins]] tribute concert with [[Dave Grohl]] and [[Omar Hakim]] on drums. They performed "[[2112 (song)|2112]]: Overture", "[[Working Man]]", and "[[YYZ (song)|YYZ]]", the latter of which was Hawkins' favourite Rush song.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 1, 2022 |title=El homenaje de Foo Fighters a Taylor Hawkins podrá verse este sábado|url=https://www.mondosonoro.com/noticias-actualidad-musical/foo-fighters-homenaje-taylor-hawkins/|access-date=September 3, 2002|website=Mondo Sonoro|language=es}}</ref> Later that month, Lee and Lifeson played the same set at the second Taylor Hawkins Tribute show in Los Angeles. Grohl once again drummed on "2112", [[Chad Smith]] of the [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] joined them for "[[Working Man]]", and [[Danny Carey]] from [[Tool (band)|Tool]] drummed for "YYZ".<ref name="Revolver">{{cite web|first=Eli|last=Enis|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-tools-danny-carey-play-yyz-rush-members-taylor-hawkins-tribute-show|title=See TOOL's Danny Carey Play "YYZ" With Rush Members at Taylor Hawkins Tribute Show.|publisher=[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]|date=September 28, 2022|access-date=November 10, 2023}}</ref> Those appearances fuelled speculation over a possible Rush reunion, with [[Paul McCartney]] (who attended the Hawkins tribute shows) urging Lee and Lifeson to tour again,<ref name="Blabbermouth November 2023">{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/geddy-lee-doesnt-rule-out-performing-with-alex-lifeson-as-rush-again|title=Geddy Lee Doesn't Rule Out Performing With Alex Lifeson As Rush Again|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|date=November 10, 2023|access-date=November 10, 2023}}</ref> and Smith commenting, "Those guys are so happy to be playing again... 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/those_guys_miss_playing_rhcps_chad_smith_explains_why_hes_hopeful_for_a_rush_reunion.html|title='Those Guys Miss Playing': RHCP's Chad Smith Explains Why He's Hopeful for a Rush Reunion|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|date=August 16, 2023|access-date=November 10, 2023}}</ref>

Lee told ''[[The Washington Post]]'' in November 2023 that he would not rule out performing with Lifeson again as Rush, saying, "It was nice to know that if we decide to go out, Alex and I, whether we went out as part of a new thing, or whether we just wanted to go out and play Rush as Rush, we could do that now."<ref name="Blabbermouth November 2023" /> When asked in the following month by ''[[CBS News Sunday Morning]]'' if he and Lifeson had talked about continuing as Rush with a new drummer, Lee said, "Have we talked about it? Yeah. It's not impossible, but at this point, I can't guarantee it." Lifeson then expressed optimism about the band's future, stating that, "It's just not in our DNA to stop."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/geddy_lee_confirms_he_and_alex_lifeson_talked_about_continuing_rush_with_another_drummer.html|title=Geddy Lee Confirms He and Alex Lifeson Talked About Continuing Rush With Another Drummer|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|date=December 3, 2023|access-date=December 4, 2023}}</ref> Lifeson later stated in a January 2024 interview that he was no longer interested in touring, citing arthritis and expressing doubt that he could perform as he did years ago.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rush's Alex Lifeson Says His Arthritis Is 'Slowly Getting Worse': 'I Don't Know If I Can Play Like I Played' 10 Years Ago |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/rushs-alex-lifeson-says-his-arthritis-is-slowly-getting-worse-i-dont-know-if-i-can-play-like-i-played-10-years-ago |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=January 11, 2024 |language=en |date=January 10, 2024}}</ref> In May 2024, Lifeson stated that he and Lee were playing songs together, but continued to rule out the possibility of ever going back on tour,<ref>{{cite web |title=Alex Lifeson And Geddy Lee Have Been Playing Rush Songs Again: 'We Sound Like A Really Bad Tribute Band' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/alex-lifeson-and-geddy-lee-have-been-playing-rush-songs-again-we-sound-like-a-really-bad-tribute-band |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=May 7, 2024 |language=en |date=May 6, 2024}}</ref> declaring that he is "proud of the fact" that Rush "was over when it was over."<ref>{{cite web |title=Alex Lifeson On Possibility Of Rush Carrying On With New Drummer: 'It Would Just Be A Money Ploy' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/alex-lifeson-on-possibility-of-rush-carrying-on-with-new-drummer-it-would-just-be-a-money-ploy |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=May 11, 2024 |language=en |date=May 11, 2024}}</ref> In that same month, Lee and Lifeson appeared together onstage at a [[Gordon Lightfoot]] tribute concert at the [[Massey Hall]], where they joined [[Blue Rodeo]] to perform Lightfoot's "The Way I Feel".<ref>{{cite web |title=Watch: Rush's Geddy Lee And Alex Lifeson Perform At GORDON LIGHTFOOT Tribute Concert In Toronto |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/watch-rushs-geddy-lee-and-alex-lifeson-perform-at-gordon-lightfoot-tribute-concert-in-toronto |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=June 30, 2024 |language=en |date=May 24, 2024}}</ref>

An anthology box set, titled ''Rush 50'', was released on March 21, 2025. In addition to tracks from all of their studio albums, the box set contains live tracks dating back to 1974 through the band's final show in 2015, and also marked the first time that their 1973 debut single "Not Fade Away" and its B-side "You Can't Fight It" were made available on any other format.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/rush-announces-first-ever-career-spanning-anthology-rush-50|title=RUSH Announces First-Ever Career Spanning Anthology 'Rush 50'|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=January 28, 2025|date=January 28, 2025}}</ref>