After five years since Neil Peart’s passing, Rush are reforming. Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson will hit the road for the Fifty Something Tour in summer 2026, playing 12 shows across seven cities in North America. Alongside this announcement comes the revelation that they’ve chosen Anika Nilles to take over drum duties. ([AP News] )
Lee and Lifeson spoke openly about the difficult choice. Lee said that the band did a lot of “soul searching,” acknowledging the weight of their legacy and the importance of moving forward in a way that honors Peart. “It’s been over 10 years since Alex and I performed the music of Rush alongside our fallen bandmate and friend Neil,” Lee said. “A lifetime’s worth of songs … And so, we very secretly brought Anika to Canada … when we played with Anika, something clicked.”
They decided not merely based on technical ability, but on feel: Rush wanted someone who could do justice to Neil’s intricate style but not simply imitate it. Lee noted that many drummers can replicate Peart’s fills; the harder part is combining that with the emotional undercurrent and subtle dynamics that gave Rush songs life. He believes Nilles is doing just that.
Anika Nilles, for her part, has released her first public comments since the announcement. She expressed gratitude to Lee and Lifeson for their trust, thanked fans for their kindness, and said the past few days have been overwhelming. “We’re all in this together now, and I couldn’t be more excited about what lies ahead.”
Reaction from fans has leaned strongly positive. A video of Nilles playing a track called FouFou (from her album False Truth) went up via Tama Drums, showcasing her technique, fluidity, and endurance. Comments praised her control, artistry, and how the performance built momentum in ways that felt both fresh and respectful. One fan said, “The more I see of this drummer, the more I see why Geddy and Alex picked her.” Another wrote simply, “Wow! Extraordinary!”
Some fans voiced the inevitable reservations—Neil Peart is irreplaceable, after all—but most express hope and enthusiasm that this isn’t a replacement so much as a continuation. Many see Nilles’s appointment not as erasing the past, but embracing it while acknowledging that things will be different.
The Peart family also gave their blessing. Neil’s widow Carrie Nuttall-Peart and daughter Olivia expressed support for the tour and optimism about the next chapter.
