6RR Spotlight

Lifeson’s Arthritis Could Mean End To Rush Touring

 

Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson has revealed that he has arthritis and that it’s getting more severe — which could be one of the deciding factors in how much longer the trio continues to tour. Lifeson told Classic Rock, “I’ve had it for 10 years — and this is the first time I’m really feeling it in my hands and my feet. That’s the way it goes.” But Lifeson added, ‘It’s a lot harder for Neil (Peart, drums). He’s got tendonitis in his arm. To be honest, I don’t know how he gets through playing the way he does, being in that sort of discomfort and pain. But he’s a very stoic guy.”

Bassist and singer Geddy Lee said about Lifeson’s ailment, “For Alex the arthritis is not a small thing. If anything is going to mean we can’t tour any more like we used to, it’s more than likely going to be the arthritis — because that’s something that will directly affect his ability to play.”

Lee continued, “It kind of hurts me to see him when he’s having a bad day, physically. He’s one of my oldest and dearest friends. And when he’s been at rehearsal and he’s not playing his best, it’s not nice to see your friend suffer like that. This thing is in the back of his mind, and he’s afraid of it.”

Rush has called its current tour — which kicked off on May 8th — probably the last it will do of this length, although the band stopped short of calling it a farewell run.

 

 

Chris Cornell To Release “Higher Truth”

 

(Classic Rock) Chris Cornell will release his next solo album in September, it has been reported.

The Soundgarden frontman reveals on his website that he will tour Australia and New Zealand in November and December after issuing fourth solo album Higher Truth, which is “scheduled for an Australian spring release.”

 

 

Grohl Joins McCartney On Stage

Dave Grohl joined Paul McCartney on stage in London on Saturday night for a surprise duet.

 

 

Geezer Not Sure About Sabbath Final Tour

 

(Classic Rock) Geezer Butler says he has “no idea” if Black Sabbath’s final tour will ever happen. The bassist and guitarist Tony Iommi reunited with estranged drummer Bill Ward at last Thursday’s Ivor Novello Awards in London where the band were given the Lifetime Achievement Award. Singer Ozzy Osbourne was not at the ceremony.

 

Months after Osbourne’s wife and manager Sharon Osbourne said the band would play their “farewell show” at Ozzfest Japan in November, that appearance was then cancelled and Ozzy suggested a final tour and album would be coming in 2016.

 

However, Butler is not entirely convinced. Saying he has “no idea” if it will happen, he tells the NME: “I’d love to keep going, I’d desperately want to keep going before I kick the bucket.”

 

Iommi adds: “It’d be lovely to do a last tour, it’d be really nice to do that.”

 

 

Ace Says He Would Have Made It Without Kiss

 

(Classic Rock) Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley says he would have “made it” whether or not he joined the band. Space Ace, who had two spells in KISS before his final show with the band in 2002, says his perseverance and desire to be a musician were always going to see him reach the heights.

 

Asked what advice he would give to young musicians, Frehley tells Music Business Facts: “Practice, practice and more practice. And never give up – persevere. I always believed that even if I wouldn’t have joined KISS, I would have joined another supergroup and made it.”

 

Frehley, who released his latest solo album Space Invader last year, adds that he isn’t bothered by current Kiss guitarist Tommy Thayer wearing his Spaceman makeup – so long as he keeps getting paid for it.