Andrew MacNaughtan/Anthem/Roadrunner RecordsRush‘s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson were back in the limelight over the weekend when their band was honored in the two musicians’ hometown of Toronto with the key to the city.
Billboard reports that Lee and Lifeson were on hand to accept the honor on Saturday at the official opening of the new Lee Lifeson Art Park, which is located in the Toronto’s Willowdale neighborhood where the two Rock and Roll Hall of Famers grew up.
Toronto Mayor John Tory presented Lee and Lifeson with the key, while the rockers also took part in an interview with Canadian TV and radio personality George Stroumboulopoulos.
“We’re obviously thrilled and amazed that someone would want to do something like this and put our names on it,” said Lee about the park, “and we’re really happy for the community that there’s some investment arts and leisure for this neighborhood.”
Lifeson added, jokingly, “This park will still be here weeks after we’re gone.”
The 75,000-square-foot park features a giant mosaic-tile depiction of Lee and Lifeson, interactive sculptures and a small outdoor stage and amphitheater that will be used for acoustic performances.
During the interview, Lee and Lifeson talked about their future musical plans now that Rush has retired from touring.
“I feel confident about a lot of things and music is definitely still one of them,” Lifeson said. “And I’m sure that we’ll do something in the future. You can’t just stop playing and writing music.”
Lee, meanwhile, explained that he and his wife have been doing a lot of traveling since Rush wrapped up its 40th anniversary tour last year. He noted, however, that “I play almost every day that I’m around the house…I love playing and I play a lot and sooner or later the right thing will happen.”
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