Spin recently caught up with Rush guitar legend Alex Lifeson to discuss the band's longevity and their current R40 tour, which is rumoured to be the band's last. An excerpt is available below:

Spin: That camaraderie and cohesion has become one of the defining characteristics of Rush, especially in terms of longevity and the fact that you’ve stayed together and managed to steer clear of the egomania that so many other just as well known groups are known for. Is that something you guys are aware of or sort of keep in the back of your mind?

Lifeson: "I think we’ve always been aware of it. We don’t allow each other to get to haughty, you know? We’ve always, from the very beginning, wanted to be the best musicians we could be, and to be the best band that we could be. We’ve always pushed ourselves, and it’s been a natural evolution. It’s not so much about the lifestyle as it is about wanting to be good and beyond that, wanting to be human beings that care about a lot of things in life. It’s a whole picture. It’s not just being in a rock band, and I think we all had a good foundation growing up that just seemed natural. With that said, I think it’s a little bit of a Canadian thing, too (laughs)."

Spin: There’s seemed to have always been that understanding with you guys where you just kind of feel at ease with being outsiders. Just thinking about things like South Park or Trailer Park Boys or the whole idea of “geek culture,” Rush has seemingly always been that band not to take themselves too seriously.

Lifeson: "I think we always took our music seriously and certainly in the earlier days. Well, I think overall we’ve taken our music very seriously, but we all have a very common sense of humour, and we really enjoy laughing together, and I think that’s a lot of the reason why we have managed to stay together after forty-one years. We just enjoy our time together. We really enjoy being around each other, and we make each other laugh all the time. There are moments when you’re serious, and there are moments when you’re down, and I gotta say it’s an amazing relationship that we have because my two coworkers are there for me when I’m not feeling that up. They pick my spirits up, and we do that with each other."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

(Photo: Rob Shanahan)