In a heartfelt message to their fanbase, Rush’s founding members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of welcome they’ve received following the announcement of Anika Nilles joining the band’s upcoming reunion tour. “The way you guys have welcomed Anika into the Rush family has been very heart-warming,” Lee stated in a video shared on the band’s social media, continuing, “I know that she’s very appreciative of that, and we’re even more excited to get back on stage … and to go through the plethora of songs that we’re planning.”
The announcement comes amid the band’s re-emergence for their highly anticipated 2026 “Fifty Something” tour, their first major outing since the tragic passing of longtime drummer Neil Peart in 2020. With fan demand already overwhelming, the band added 17 more dates to the North American leg, expanding their schedule to 40 shows and notably including multiple nights at famed venues such as New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Lee and Lifeson admitted that the response has been both surprising and emotional. “We are blown away by the response to the announcement we made a few weeks ago that we’re going back on tour,” Lee said. Lifeson echoed the sentiment, noting the band’s own astonishment at the level of support.
Anika Nilles herself expressed gratitude and eagerness in a social-media post dated October 9, 2025. She thanked fans for their warm words and extended a welcome to new listeners stepping into the Rush universe: “I also don’t want to miss the chance to warmly welcome all the new faces here … we’re all in this together now, and I couldn’t be more excited about what lies ahead.”
As the band prepares to launch their legacy into a new chapter, the alignment of fan enthusiasm and the fresh addition of Nilles signals a strong future for Rush’s live return.
