A Legendary Axe for a Historic Comeback: Alex Lifeson to Take Kirk Hammett's Iconic Greeny on Rush's Massive Reunion Tour

The legendary rock outfit Rush is gearing up for their highly anticipated "Fifty Something" reunion tour, and guitarist Alex Lifeson is adding a legendary weapon to his live arsenal: a signature Greeny model.

The monumental tour is set to kick off on June 7 at the prestigious Kia Forum in Los Angeles, marking a massive global run with dates scheduled all the way through April 2027. This landmark trek will see Alex Lifeson and iconic bassist Geddy Lee share the stage with phenomenal drummer Anika Nilles. It represents the band's first touring venture in 11 years, as well as their first live performances since the heartbreaking loss of legendary drummer Neil Peart in 2020.

To conquer these massive stages, Alex Lifeson is assembling a formidable lineup of around 15 to 16 instruments, featuring the highly acclaimed Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab-aged edition of the fabled 1959 "Greeny" Les Paul Standard. Originally released in 2023 with a premium price tag of $19,999, this masterfully crafted instrument meticulously replicates the iconic guitar owned by Metallica's Kirk Hammett. Guitar enthusiasts will also recall that 2023 saw the release of a more budget-friendly Epiphone version under the "Inspired by Gibson Custom Shop" banner.

In an exclusive interview with Guitar World, Alex Lifeson expressed his immense excitement about the instrument, revealing that Kirk Hammett personally gifted him one of his signature Greeny models. The Rush guitarist described it as an incredibly fun and wonderfully aggressive, raunchy Les Paul. He praised the builders at Gibson Custom Shop for their outstanding craftsmanship, calling the detailed relic work absolutely spectacular and noting that the instrument delivers an exceptional sonic performance.

Reflecting on the rest of his touring gear, Alex Lifeson mentioned that while his cherished original Gibson ES-355 has found a new home, he will be relying on one of the excellent reissue models for the upcoming dates. The guitarist is still finalizing his collection for the road, noting that while he carried 23 guitars on their last tour, he plans to streamline his selection to about 15 or 16 instruments this time around.

Meanwhile, partner-in-groove Geddy Lee is preparing an equally impressive bass lineup. Fans can expect to see his iconic 1962 Fender Jazz Bass back in action, alongside several classic Rickenbacker models. Additionally, the legendary bassist teased that he will be bringing some highly unusual and rare instruments along, though he has chosen to keep those specific surprises under wraps for now.