The two haven't performed together since the completion of RUSH's final tour,"R40", which commemorated the 40th anniversary of drummer Neil Peart joining the band. Peart died in January 2020 after a three-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was 67 years old.
"Geddy and I started writing together when we were — I don't know — 14 years old, I guess," the guitarist said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "And we are best friends; I love the guy so much, [and] he means so much to me. And we've had this amazing experience of working together as well as being buddies.
RUSH waited three days to announce Peart's passing, setting off shockwaves and an outpouring of grief from fans and musicians all over the world.