New drummer vows to respect Peart’s compositions while guitarist opens up about medical treatment that postponed band’s return
As ‘Rush‘ prepare for their highly anticipated Fifty Something tour, newly announced drummer Anika Nilles has shared thoughtful insight into how she plans to approach one of the most revered drum catalogs in rock history, while guitarist Alex Lifeson has revealed the health struggles that delayed the band’s return to the stage.
Nilles, a German drummer who has previously played more than 60 shows with Jeff Beck, addressed the balance between faithful recreation and personal feel in a new interview with Slagwerkkrant. Given how closely fans know ‘Rush’s’ catalogue, she emphasized that respect and preparation will guide every decision she makes behind the kit.
“It’s very important that I approach Rush’s music with the utmost respect, and Neil’s parts are of course very important in that regard,” Nilles said. “His drum parts are actually a composition within the composition that Geddy and Alex wrote.”
This perspective highlights her understanding of Neil Peart’s role as more than just a drummer, recognizing his parts as an essential narrative voice within each song. Rather than viewing the drums as a background element, Nilles sees them as integral compositions that must be honored.
While respect is central to her approach, Nilles acknowledged that complete imitation is not always necessary or even appropriate. “There will be many songs where I play Neil’s part exactly, but if there is room to improvise a little more, I will do so,” she continued. “I rehearse the songs at home and take those skills with me to rehearsals with the band.”
Beyond notes and patterns, Nilles emphasized that capturing Peart’s energy matters most. “I focus mainly on the energy that was so characteristic of Neil’s playing,” she explained. “During those rehearsals, we will see if the choices I have made are the right ones.”
The comments come as ‘Rush’s’ touring plans continue to draw scrutiny from longtime fans. According to Geddy Lee, Nilles already knows roughly 25 ‘Rush’ songs, and watching her study Peart’s work has been both reassuring and exciting. For Nilles, the goal is clear: respect first, with any changes limited to moments where the arrangement allows it without undermining what Peart originally wrote.
Meanwhile, Alex Lifeson has opened up about why a potential return to the road with Lee didn’t happen sooner, revealing that lingering health problems left him unable to commit to touring after the band’s 2022 performances at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts. Lifeson described how the shows reignited his musical momentum, but added that he ultimately had to step back until he felt physically ready.
In a new statement reflecting on that period on his website, Lifeson revealed that a second surgery “left me nauseous for a year,” prompting him to seek treatment at a clinic in Austria last January that specializes in digestive issues.
Lifeson said the post-tribute run initially had both musicians feeling like they were “on a definite roll,” and he recalled a backstage conversation with Paul McCartney, who encouraged Lee to get back out on tour despite the loss of Peart. Lifeson said his excitement lasted about a month before he “cooled on the idea,” with Lee accepting that he wasn’t ready.
After returning from the Austrian clinic, Lifeson said he felt “reborn” and was able to seriously consider touring again, which led him and Lee to expand their song choices and play more intensely. That period also raised the difficult question of who could step into Peart’s role as they explored what a future lineup might look like.
While Lifeson’s comments underline how personal health realities shaped the pace of any discussions, the Fifty Something tour is now moving forward with renewed momentum. ‘Rush’ recently announced 2027 tour dates extending their reunion into next year, with shows scheduled across South America, the U.K., and Europe beginning in January and running through April.
The band has also added keyboardist Loren Gold, who has played with ‘The Who’ and Roger Daltrey, to their touring lineup. Lee expressed enthusiasm about the expanded roster and ambitious setlist preparation.
“We can’t wait to get back to all these cities we haven’t played in so long, as well as hitting some new places we’ve yet to play,” Lee said. “Both Alex and I are loving the hours of rehearsal time we’re spending with Anika and now Loren, learning around 40 songs which will enable us to keep the shows evolving, playing some different songs on different nights. We are thrilled that many of our longstanding crew have come back to help us design the kind of Rush show that fans have grown accustomed to expect from us. We dearly hope you will come along and help us celebrate 50-plus years of Rush music, while giving Neil the long overdue tribute he so richly deserves.”
The tour marks ‘Rush’s’ first shows in 11 years. Following Peart’s death in 2020, Lee and Lifeson initially said they would not continue as ‘Rush’. The announcement of the Fifty Something tour last year signaled a dramatic change in perspective, though one clearly shaped by Lifeson’s need to recover physically before taking on the demands of performing complex material at the level fans expect.
Peart’s widow and daughter, Carrie Nuttall-Peart and Olivia Peart, have added their support for the reunion shows, noting that they “are thrilled to support the Fifty Something tour, celebrating a band whose music has resonated and inspired fans for generations and to honor Neil’s extraordinary legacy as both a drummer and lyricist.”
“Neil’s musicianship was singular. Compositions of intricacy and power that expanded what rhythm itself could express. As both drummer and lyricist, he was irreplaceable. Inimitable in his artistry and unmatched in the depth and imagination he brought to the lyrics that inspired and moved so many, he profoundly shaped how fans connected with him and the band, giving voice and meaning to their own lives,” they continued. “As the band enters this new chapter, it promises to be truly unforgettable. We are excited to see how their new vision unfolds, and to hear this legendary music played live once again.”
For Nilles, stepping into a role shaped by one of rock’s most influential drummers represents both an honor and an enormous challenge. For Lifeson, the ability to finally return to the stage represents a hard-won victory over health struggles that threatened to end his performing career. Together, their stories illustrate that ‘Rush’s’ return is about more than nostalgia, it’s about musicians fighting to continue doing what they love while honoring the legacy of someone irreplaceable.
‘Rush’s’ 2026 Fifty Something tour begins in June with multiple nights in Los Angeles, continuing through December with shows across North America. The 2027 leg begins January 15 in Buenos Aires and concludes April 10 in Helsinki.
