Alex Lifeson admitted he gave up marijuana after about twenty years of regular use, because he felt it was ruining his playing and cutting his confidence as Rush were preparing to hit the stage again.
He spoke about the decision in a video interview with Rolling Stone, explaining that smoking helped his creativity in the studio, but he never felt he played as well. «I really enjoyed it,» he said, «but when I played, I didn’t play as well. I felt it was affecting me.»
As the return drew closer, he began having second thoughts: he felt he was missing the focus and discipline he now wanted in his life, and that it was too late to get off the boat.
He didn’t take long to follow through: he cleared out the house — he gathered the jars, pipes and bongs into a trash bag and went through all his hiding spots. At one point he held onto a box of pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes, telling himself «Alex, this isn’t the point», and threw that away too. His friends complained that he didn’t call them to come take it.
He hasn’t regretted it since. As he says, the other day on stage he thought «thank God I don’t smoke anymore».
Rush have been on the «Fifty Something» tour since June, with Geddy Lee and Lifeson joined by German drummer Anika Nilles, who took the place of the late Neil Peart. It’s their first tour since 2015. The North American dates run through December 17 in Vancouver and 2027 begins with shows in South America, starting in Buenos Aires in January.
Watch the Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson interview with Rolling Stone:
More on the same side of metal: Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2026 – Romania’s biggest extreme metal festival.
See also
See also: Rush: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson presented the documentary about Neil Peart.
See also: DragonForce: Self-titled tenth album in March 2027 — new single «Hunger Of The Beast»
Source: https://www.alternativenation.net/rush-guitarist-quit-pot-for-reunion-tour/
