Perhaps Rush Has Been Saving Its Best For Last
Rock band Pavement occasionally mentions names of well-known rock bands in its songs, either to spout indifference or to merely introduce a random thought.
In the quirky hit “Stereo,” from Pavement’s latest album, “Brighten the Corners,” singer/guitarist Steve Malkmus, from out of left field, marvels about the high-register tenor of Rush singer/bassist Geddy Lee.
“What about the voice of Geddy Lee/ how did it get so high?/ I wonder if he speaks like an ordinary guy.”
Well, Pavement, you’ll be happy to know that Lee indeed speaks like a regular guy. And he wants you to know that his voice, after 20-plus years of piercing the stratosphere, is doing just fine.
“It’s funny, we never know what to expect tour to tour,” Lee says in a soft, easy-going tone about his aging pipes. He’s talking by phone on the eve of Rush’s present concert trek, which stops at The Gorge Saturday.
“But for this tour I don’t think my voice has ever been in such good shape. Even considering we’re playing three-hour shows, it’s holding up remarkably well.
“With the advent of new monitors,” he continues, “it’s just made it much more pleasurable (to sing). The end result is much stronger, too.”
So does that mean Lee, now in his 40s, can still ascend into the upper registers like he did with classic songs such as “Tom Sawyer” or “Radio Song”?
“Surprisingly, yes,” he chimes. “No one is more surprised than me, believe me.”
Rush’s five-week spin through North American sheds marks the final leg of a tour supporting Rush’s latest album, “Test for Echo,” which was released last fall.
Not surprising, fans are starting to wonder if this might be the last time the three members - Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart - will unite as Rush. The band has been plugging away for more than 25 years and not all of them are excited by the prospect of leaving their families to go out on the road anymore.
“Playing is fun, but a lot of things associated with it are not so much fun,” explains Lee. “Days off are always good. But it’s the normal wear and tear on family life that gets harder as you get older.”
Therefore, Lee is valuing every last second spent with Rush and plays each show with added intensity.
“I try to keep a very open approach these days,” says Lee. “I look at every tour like it could be my last.”
If Rush disbands, at least it will do so on its own terms. Rush’s music hasn’t stagnated; it’s still boldly expanding the boundaries of hard rock. Even with the dominance of alternative rock in recent times, Rush hasn’t been forgotten. The band’s concerts sell out most of the time and “Test For Echo” has quietly surpassed golden sales (500,000 copies sold), making it the 20th Rush album to reach that plateau.
xxxx CONCERT Rush will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Gorge near George, Wash. Tickets: $44.65, $34.15 and $29.95, available at Ticketmaster outlets (Pay Less Drug Stores at University City, Northgate, downtown and South Regal) or call (509) 735-0500.