by Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson recently opened up about the deeply personal song “Western Sunset,” which he wrote as a tribute to his late bandmate Neil Peart, in an interview with Guitar Player.
Lifeson explained how the song emerged during a particularly poignant moment while visiting Peart after learning of his illness.
“That song came about around the time we all found out that Neil was ill. I was visiting with him and I was sitting on his balcony in Santa Monica. He had a little balcony off his office and he’d go out there every so often and have a smoke,” Lifeson said. “There were times in the afternoon where the sun was setting, and there was this particular time when the sun was setting through the trees.”
The guitarist described how this moment became a metaphor for closure and finality.
“It really struck me that there’s this closure in a sunset. It’s the end of a day, and sure, tomorrow a new day begins. But the sunset marks the end of one day, and that day is not going to be there anymore,” he continued. “That thought occupied me for some time. And I just thought it was such a serene, peaceful moment, at a time when we were dealing with something that was very painful and difficult. That really stayed with me.”
Lifeson reflected on the personal significance of creating the tribute song.
“As for the song itself, it’s a very personal thing, obviously. It was something that [sighs] … I don’t know if I felt I needed to do it, but I felt I wanted to do it. And I’m glad that I did,” he said.
The creation of “Western Sunset” represents more than just a musical tribute. It marks a pivotal moment in Lifeson’s artistic journey following one of the most devastating losses in rock history.
Guitar Player reported that the song appeared on Lifeson’s 2022 debut album with his new group Envy of None. The album marked a fresh chapter after Peart’s death in early 2020 from brain cancer. The album represented Lifeson’s first major musical project following the end of Rush’s legendary four-decade run.
Peart’s passing not only ended an era for Rush but also left Lifeson initially reluctant to play guitar or work at all. Metal Injection revealed that Lifeson was overwhelmed with unsolicited offers from drummers wanting to audition for Rush within minutes of Peart’s death being announced. This highlighted the insensitive nature of some industry responses to the tragedy.
The challenge of replacing a bandmate who was not just a drummer but also Rush’s primary lyricist for over 40 years became immediately apparent. Despite external pressures and offers, Blabbermouth documented that Lifeson continues to maintain close personal contact with fellow Rush member Geddy Lee. They preserve their friendship and shared memories rather than moving toward replacing Peart within the band.
The profound emotional journey embedded in “Western Sunset” thus serves as Lifeson’s final musical farewell to Neil Peart. It captures both the serenity of their last moments together and the finality of losing a creative partner and dear friend.
