Ep. 221: Our Fifty Something Tour Review

We've seem Rush's Fifty Something Tour 4 times--twice in New York and once each in Philadelphia and Toronto--and we have opinions! It's no surprise that, this being a Rush podcast, our reviews are positive, but how positive? That's for us to know and you to find out by listening! Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: [email protected]

Payton Rose Velligan is in "Weird Al" Yankovic's band, but more germane to us is that she's a huge Rush fan. Her video singing all of Hemispheres in a bathroom in Missouri has tens of thousands of views and her appearance on Tiny Desk Concerts with Weird Al made her an instant icon. Payton joins us to talk about discovering Rush, finally seeing the band live, and her upcoming shows with her tribute band The Camera Eye. And of course we talk about how great Weird Al is! Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: [email protected]

Geddy Lee sounds better than has in years, and it's due to Mitch Seekins. Mitch tells us all about helping Geddy get in vocal shape leading up to the Fifty Something Tour and how he continues to work with Geddy from show to show. You can learn more about Mitch's services at www.mitchseekinsvocalstudio.com. Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: [email protected]  

Our second episode episode from Rush Day 2026 at Henderson Brewing finds us chatting with a trio of great guests: filmmaker Dale Heslip, chef Bruce "Fenchie" French, and keyboard tech Tony "Jack Secret" Geranios!  Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: [email protected]

Our third straight year recording live from Henderson Brewing's Rush Day in Toronto was a great success! This episode we talk to Rush fans from around the world about seeing the band for the first of 4 sold-out shows at the Scotiabank Arena the night before. We're also joined by CFNY's Ivar Hamilton and perennial guest Ray Wawrzyniak, who returns to stump us on Rush trivia!  Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: [email protected]

You've heard the whispered tales of memorabilia and appetizers in the Fifty Something Tour's Xanadu Lounge, and we have the inside scoop! Longtime friend of the pod Ray Wawrzyniak tells us about curating the exhibit and his Xanaduties as docent on many tour stops. We also welcome back Steve Bown and Paul Beaulieu to talk about the upcoming RUSHFest Canada at the El Mocambo in Toronto on August 6! Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: [email protected]

Friend of the podcast David Calcano of Fantoons returns this week to tell us about his involvement in the 50 Something tour. I won't spoil it in the description in case you're still avoiding the setlists, but suffice to say Fantoons made a real cool video for a classic Rush tune!   Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: [email protected]

This week, we talk with Kevin Comeau, guitarist, bassist, and keyboardist of the Canadian progressive rock duo Crown Lands. Kevin and his bandmate, drummer and singer Cody Bowles, are unabashed Rush devotees, a fact reflected in their ambitious multipart epics. Join us as Kevin discusses the best way to learn Rush songs, working with his musical heroes on their new tour, and Crown Lands latest album, Apocalypse. 

Rush is back! Kicking off the Fifty Something tour with 4 shows at the Los Angeles Forum, Rush ripped through a different set each night. Our LA correspondent, Mark Irwin, went to all 4 shows and delivers his report. Plus, the results of our setlist contest!  

This week we're joined by one of our generations greatest bassists, the legendary Billy Sheehan! With us this week is also our resident bassist, Lex, who is such a huge fan we had to let him in on the interview action. Billy tells us about opening for Rush in the '90s, jamming with Neil and Alex during soundcheck, and his latest band, The Fell. Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: [email protected]