'70s Rock Band Performs Hit Song for the First Time in 29 Years
Rush's audience received an unexpected gift during the second night at LA's Kia Forum as part of the band's Fifty Something tour.
While Rush performed an abridged version of its landmark suite "2112" on the first night, the group returned the following evening with something even more ambitious: a complete performance of the seven-part progressive rock epic.
The performance marked the first time since 1997 that Rush had played all sections of the song live, making it one of the most significant moments of the event for longtime fans.
Originally released in 1976 as the title track of the band's breakthrough album 2112, the 20-minute suite helped transform Rush from a struggling hard rock band into one of progressive rock's most celebrated acts.
Written by drummer and lyricist Neil Peart, the futuristic story follows a protagonist living in a dystopian society where creativity and individual expression have been suppressed.
"It begins with the 'Overture,' which – despite being the first thing you hear – was the last piece to be written, much like with any classical overture," vocalist and bassist Geddy told Music Radar. "We wanted to take the most important musical threads from each of the subsequent parts to create a 'new' piece of music that would represent the album as a whole."
Although Rush frequently performed portions of "2112" throughout its career, certain sections gradually disappeared from live shows.
The second-night performance brought back three movements that had not been played live in nearly three decades: "Part III: Discovery," "Part V: Oracle: The Dream" and "Part VI: Soliloquy."
Those sections last appeared in concert during the band's 1997 tour, making their return a particularly emotional moment for dedicated fans who never expected to hear them performed again.
The complete rendition also highlighted the enduring power of one of Rush's most beloved compositions. While songs such as "Tom Sawyer," "Limelight" and "The Spirit of Radio" became the band's biggest radio staples, many fans consider "2112" the defining statement of Rush's artistic ambition.
The album itself proved pivotal to the band's future. Facing pressure from their record label after modest commercial results from earlier releases, Rush doubled down on its progressive instincts rather than pursuing a more conventional sound. The gamble paid off, with 2112 becoming a breakthrough success and establishing the group as one of rock's most innovative acts.
For fans in attendance, the chance to hear the entire suite performed once again was more than a nostalgic moment. It was a rare opportunity to experience a cornerstone of progressive rock history in the form Rush originally intended. Perhaps even more noteworthy is the tour marks the first since Peart's death in 2020.
"For this tour, we're starting from scratch," said Lee in an interview. "And we're really teaching an incredibly talented, exciting drummer that comes from a very different school of music how to understand 40 songs from this weird, idiosyncratic band. That's a horse of an entirely different color."
Twenty-nine years after those sections were last heard live, "2112" once again unfolded in its entirety, reminding fans why the epic remains one of the most celebrated achievements in the band's catalog.
Related: 1976 Rock Classic, Lasting More Than 20 Minutes, Became a Breakthrough Power Anthem
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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 11:43 AM.