Primus has announced that their summer tour will act as “A Tribute to Kings,” with a full recreation of Rush’s 1977 album A Farewell To Kings at each tour stop.
Needless to say, this tour comes in the wake of the death of Rush drummer Neal Peart but, as bandleader Les Claypool notes in a press release, Primus’ ode to Rush was “originally scheduled to be performed in the Fall of 2019.” Plans were sidetracked when Slayer invited Primus on the road, but now, the tour seems to hold even more meaning, honoring the prog-rock innovators in more ways than one.
The “Tribute To Kings” tour will stretch over 40 shows, from May 26 to Aug. 2. Standout gigs include Bonnaroo (June 12), New York City’s Beacon Theatre (June 17), LA’s Geek Theatre (July 18) and a tour-closing stop in Phoenix (Aug. 2).
Geddy Lee jammed with Claypool as recently as April 2019, adding bass to the Lennon/McCartney composition “Tomorrow Never Knows” at a Claypool Lennon Delirium gig in Toronto.
Adds Claypool, “Geddy, Alex and Neil had been superheroes to Larry, Herb and I in our teens, so when we all became pals while touring together in the early ’90s, we were pretty delighted; partially because of the musical geek-out factor but mostly because the three guys whom we had admired so much from afar, turned out to be truly great, down-to-earth humans, and like us, a tad eccentric. The ‘Tribute to Kings’ tour will be just as it is implied, a respectful and loving tribute to three spectacular musicians, songwriters, legends and friends.”
Pre-sale for the Primus “A Tribute To Kings” tour will begin Wednesday, Feb. 19.
The general public will have access on Friday, Feb. 21 via Live Nation.
For more information visit Primus’ official website.
Check out the full list of tour dates below:
Primus: A Tribute To Kings
May 26: Irving, TX: The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory *^
May 27 Houston, TX: Revention Music Center *^
May 29 Austin, TX: ACL Live at the Moody Theater *^
May 30 New Orleans, LA: Saenger Theater *^
June 1 Asheville, NC: ExploreAsheville.com Arena *^
June 3 Orlando, FL: Hard Rock Live Orlando *^
June 5 Atlanta, GA: Coca-Cola Roxy *^
June 6 Charlotte, NC: Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre *^
June 7 Raleigh, NC: Red Hat Amphitheater *^
June 9 Cincinnati, OH: PNC Pavilion *^
June 10 Columbus, OH: Express Live! – Outdoor *^
June 12 Manchester, TN: Bonnaroo Arts And Music Festival
June 15 Richmond, VA: Virginia Credit Union LIVE! *^
June 16 Baltimore, MD: MECU Pavilion *^
June 17 New York, NY: Beacon Theatre *^
June 19 Philadelphia, PA: The Met Philadelphia *^
June 20 Asbury Park, NJ: The Stone Pony Summer Stage *^
June 21 Essex Junction, VT: Midway Lawn at Champlain Valley Exposition *^
June 23 Boston, MA: Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion *^
June 24 Wallingford, CT: Toyota Oakdale Theatre *^
June 26 Sterling Heights, MI: Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill *^
June 27 Cleveland, OH: Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica *^
June 28 Pittsburgh, PA: Stage AE – Outdoor *^
June 30 Toronto, ON: RBC Echo Beach *^
July 2 Lafayette, NY: Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards *
July 3 Westbrook ME: Main Savings Pavilion at Rock Row *
July 6 Indianapolis, IN: The Amphitheater at White River State Park *+
July 7 Milwaukee, WI: BMO Harris Pavilion *+
July 8 Minneapolis, MN: The Armory *+
July 10 Chicago, IL: The Chicago Theatre *+
July 11 St Louis, MO: Saint Louis Music Park *+
July 12 Kansas City, MO: CrossroadsKC *+
July 14 Denver, CO: The Mission Ballroom *+
July 15 Salt Lake City, UT: The Complex *+
July 17 Berkeley, CA: Greek Theater *+
July 18 Los Angeles, CA: Greek Theatre *+
July 19 Las Vegas, NV: Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort *+
July 21 Boise, ID: Outlaw Field at Idaho Botanical Garden *+
July 23 Bonner, MT: KettleHouse Amphitheater *+
July 24 Redmond, WA: Marymoor Park *+
July 25 Troutdale, OR: Edgefield *+
July 28 Spokane, WA: Riverfront Park Amphitheater *+
July 29 Bend, OR: Les Schwab Amphitheater *+
July 31 Paso Robles, CA: Vina Robles Amphitheatre *+
Aug. 1 San Diego, CA: Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU *+
Aug. 2 Phoenix, AZ: Arizona Federal Theatre *+
* w/ Wolfmother
^ w/ The Sword
+ w/ Battles
7 Comments comments associated with this post
me
February 19, 2020 at 1:44 pmPrimus does tour as Primus… fairly often and with much of the same songs included tour to tour. Not that I’m complaining much about that just that it will be cool to catch a one off of a group of super-talented musicians playing the music of another group of super-talented musicians… and when the selected album is A Farewell to Kings… well, I’ll lap up that Greasy Granny’s Gopher Gravy all day!!
Jeff RoTull
February 19, 2020 at 4:57 amWell Primus can be Primus for years to come. Having an awesome like this covered live is a rare opportunity.
Neal Peart
February 18, 2020 at 4:03 pmI’d rather Primus tour as Primus instead of tribute band.
Jeff RoTull
February 19, 2020 at 4:59 am*album
KB
February 19, 2020 at 11:15 amI’m with you Neil. I always thought it was kind of lame when bands would announce and tour playing a single Cd in its entirety, but to do so for another band’s CD? Seems kind of weak but I do trust Les so I guess it’s going to be o.k…..?
You and me
February 18, 2020 at 11:23 amHell ya. Close to my backyard !! Can’t wait
me
February 18, 2020 at 11:03 amWhile I wish it were Rush doing it, this is a great substitute… can’t wait!!