The Day Alex Van Halen Joined the Rock Band “Rush”
This story is a story of what might have happened if worlds collided and drummer Alex Van Halen joined Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of the band Rush
“Hey Alex,” (talking about Alex Lifeson) said Geddy. “Hey Geddy,” Alex Lifeson replied. “I sure miss making music together,” Geddy said remorsely. “Me too,” responded Alex (Lifeson), “I can’t believe Neil is gone.”
Geddy and Alex Lifeson missed their friend.
“You know what would be crazy?…” Geddy said. “What?” asked Alex Lifeson. Geddy looked at Alex Lifeson with a wry look — “What if I gave Alex Van Halen a call…you know, just to see how he’s doing? His band, Van Halen, isn’t touring right now maybe he can talk to us about other drummers that might be able to play for a bit?” “Sure, I guess it wouldn’t hurt?” Alex said quizzically. “But no way he’d ever play with us.”
That night, at about 2 a.m., Geddy places a phone call to one of the great drummers of all time, Alex Van Halen! “Hello?” answered Alex. “Hey Alex, this is Geddy Lee from Rush! Are you still awake?” “Ha ha! Yes I am!” Alex Van Halen replied. “You know us rockers usually stay up til the wee hours!” he said. “I have a question for you,” Geddy said. “Me and Alex Lifeson are thinking about playing again. You know of any good rock drummers out there that might be able to hang with us?” There was a moment of silence of the phone. “Alex (Van Halen)? You still there?” “Yeah, I’m here, Geddy. It’s funny you say that. Me and my brother Eddie Van Halen haven’t been exactly getting along very well lately,” Alex Van Halen said. “Really?” Geddy asked inquisitively. “Yeah. Just in a bad mood I guess. You know how he is sometimes…say, what do you think about me jamming with you guys?” Alex Van Halen could have knocked Geddy to the floor. “Are you kidding?” Geddy replied. “When can you come over?” Alex didn’t hesitate. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow!”
The next afternoon, Geddy and Alex Lifeson went to meet Alex Van Halen at their studio. Geddy and Alex Lifeson were very nervous, but so was Alex Van Halen! Musicians from two great bands about to join forces! A few minutes after 4 o’clock, Alex Van Halen comes in. “Hey guys!” Alex Van Halen says with an enthusiastic greeting. “I brought someone!….Michael Anthony!” Some very puzzled faces ran across the faces of Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. “Hey guys, it’s an honor to meet you,” said Michael Anthony. “I just wanted you to know that I have worshipped you guys from the beginning. Geddy, you are a bassist in a class all it’s own, and I could never top you,” Anthony added. “I respect you as a bassist,” Geddy answered, “and I’m very glad to meet you too.” “Let’s keep in touch,” said Michael Anthony. “Nice to meet you guys, I just wanted to stop by is all.” Michael Anthony left. “Wow, he seems nice,” said Alex Lifeson. “It’s a characteristic of all the greats,” said Geddy. “Now let’s see what you got!” Geddy said as he tossed two drum sticks to Alex Van Halen.
Alex Van Halen sat at the drum kit. There were so many cymbals, because that’s how Neil Peart played. But Alex Van Halen did not shy away from it. “You guys know this one?” Alex Van Halen said as he quickly counted off — “one! two! three! four!” Alex started with a crash of the cymbal before going right into the opening drum riff…it was “The Spirit of Radio”!!! Alex Lifeson knew immediately and began licking the guitar as his fingers hit the strings with precision, and it wasn’t long before Geddy joined in with the booming bass. Alex Van Halen did not miss a beat as he rolled down the traps like thunder on the plains. Alex Van Halen was wearing his trademark japanese-style bandana and no shirt. Alex Lifeson couldn’t help but notice how toned Alex Van Halen was after all these years, a man with the body of someone 25 years younger. It was his training and his drive for excellence that kept him at the top of his drumming game.
When the song was over, Alex Van Halen couldn’t help notice Alex Lifeson’s quick hands and complimented has ability to move up and down the fret board with almost no effort. “That was awesome Alex (Lifeson)!” “You too, Alex (Van Halen)!” “Not bad, guys, not bad at all,” Geddy chimed in. “Who’s up for another familiar one…..Runnin’ With The Devil?!” Geddy launched into the familiar bass tones as they rang out…BOW…BOW…BOW…BOW….Alex Lifeson screeched down the fretboard as they played the classic Van Halen tune with Alex Van Halen.
Geddy was glistening with sweat. His fingers (it’s rumored that Geddy plays the bass faster than any human due to having a sixth finger) moved like lightning. Alex Van Halen couldn’t help but notice. This was a dream come true for him, and the guys as well. When the song was over, Alex Van Halen asked Geddy if he could look at his hands. “Sure,” Geddy said. Alex Van Halen noticed the slender fingers allowed freedom of movement. They were strong, he could tell. He looked up at Geddy and Geddy smiled. “I hear your strength in the snare,” Geddy said. Alex Van Halen’s shoulders where sinewy and sculpted. “I’d like to see you really work those skins, now,” Geddy added. “How about a little Hot For Teacher?” Alex Van Halen twirled his fingers and then gave a “captain’s salute”. He was moving so fast you could barely see the sticks. Geddy added his own style to David Lee Roth’s parts, and Alex Lifeson had no problem handing Eddie’s iconic riffs.
The three played for hours. Tom Sawyer, Limelight, and Closer To The Heart and many other Rush classics were mixed in with some classic Van Halen songs, both Roth and Sammy Hagar’s. “I enjoy the synthesizer,” Geddy Lee said. “They chastised me for that. But I like the songs your brother Eddie Van Halen did on the 1984 album, among others.” “You play good, Geddy,” Alex Van Halen nodded. “I like it,” he added. “What do you say we end this “sesh” with “Subdivisions”?” “Let’s do it!” Geddy exclaimed.
When it was all over, Geddy asked if he and Alex Lifeson could have a few moments together. “Absolutely,” said Alex Van Halen. Alex Van Halen looked around the studio as the boys talked. He awed at Neil Peart’s kit and was thankful to have the honor to sit and play on them. Geddy and Alex Lifeson came over. “Alex (van halen), we’d like to extend an offer for you to join our band! How does a million bucks a year sound?” Geddy said. “I think it sounds great, fellas…” Alex Van Halen answered. He was now a member of Rush. And it was all over one chance phone call, and a new history would be written in the ages of Rock and Roll history.
The End.
