How an Austrian Health Clinic Sparked the Rush Reunion

Alex Lifeson has opened up about how a strict health clinic stay in Austria laid the unexpected groundwork for a Rush reunion. The guitarist turned to the Vivamayr establishment after enduring failed surgeries and about a year and a half of severe nausea, with bandmate Geddy Lee joining him to provide moral support.

Overcoming Health Struggles in Austria

Lifeson detailed the physical challenges that preceded the trip, explaining that he had undergone multiple surgeries that failed to resolve his issues. Looking back at his health struggles, he noted that the clinic fundamentally changed his daily routine. “They taught me how to eat, what to eat, when to eat, all of those things, and a lot of other wellness treatments just to get the body in shape and feeling good,” Lifeson told Rolling Stone in a recent interview.

The regime resulted in Lifeson losing 30 pounds. It also helped him manage ongoing health concerns, including the arthritis he has lived with for years. To keep the condition in check, Lifeson maintains daily treatments and travels with a therapist to keep his hands in shape.

From Starving Sessions to Daily Jamming

Before the clinic visit, Lifeson had serious doubts about whether Rush would ever play together again, admitting that he felt the band was entirely finished. He described the physical and mental toll of touring, recalling long hours spent alone in hotel rooms watching television and feeling isolated. He initially believed the band’s legacy was secure enough to leave untouched.

Lee accompanied Lifeson to offer moral support, but the trip ultimately transformed both of their routines. The clinic experience involved rigorous daily wellness treatments and strict dieting, which Lee described as starving all day with very few frills.

To pass the time, Lifeson brought studio gear from home while sourcing instruments from a local music store. That setup turned their wellness retreat into a creative workspace. Every day at four o’clock, following their treatments, the pair would jam for an hour and a half. Those daily sessions, paired with Lifeson’s physical recovery, ultimately convinced the guitarist that a reunion was worth pursuing.