RUSH has officially confirmed their long-awaited reunion tour — but the biggest headline isn’t just their return. It’s the drummer who will sit behind Neil Peart’s legendary kit: Anika Nilles, a powerhouse musician from Germany who has earned global respect for her precision, creativity, and technical mastery.
The news broke during an intimate invite-only event at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame’s Foster Theater in Cleveland, Ohio, where Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson revealed details of the upcoming “Fifty Something” tour. The trek, which kicks off next summer at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, marks the duo’s first official RUSH performances in more than 11 years.
From Jeff Beck’s Stage to RUSH’s Legacy
For many, Nilles’ name might be new — but her résumé speaks volumes. The 41-year-old drummer gained worldwide acclaim through her dynamic performances, YouTube masterclasses, and touring work with the late Jeff Beck. Her playing style blends progressive complexity with a modern groove — a combination that caught Geddy Lee’s attention.
Lee recalled how it all started:
“My bass tech Skully [John McIntosh] was working with Jeff Beck and told me about this drummer named Anika Nilles — said she was absolutely brilliant. I looked her up, and she was all over YouTube. Then Al and I started talking about jamming again, and I said, ‘Check her out — maybe that’s an interesting way to go.’”
Soon after, Lee and Lifeson quietly invited Nilles to Canada for what they described as an ‘experiment’ — not an official audition.
“It wasn’t about replacing Neil,” said Lee. “It was about seeing if it felt right — could we honor our music in a way that felt natural? And when we played with Anika, something clicked. She’s fantastic to play with.”
Respecting Neil Peart’s Spirit — Without Imitation
Replacing Neil Peart is impossible — and both Lee and Lifeson made that clear. Their goal, they say, is not replication but celebration.
“Our idea was never to become RUSH 2.0,” Geddy explained. “It’s about paying homage to Neil and the songs we built together.”
According to Lee, Nilles approached the challenge with remarkable sensitivity.
“She had to really get into Neil’s headspace — the feel, not just the fills. A lot of drummers can play the notes, but making it feel like RUSH takes real work. She’s done that. She’s winning.”
For Alex Lifeson, it was Nilles’ enthusiasm and open-mindedness that made the decision easy.
“She came into this with no preconceptions. She wasn’t trying to copy Neil; she was trying to understand the heartbeat behind the music. That made all the difference.”
A New Era for RUSH
The choice of Anika Nilles isn’t just a musical decision — it’s symbolic. It represents RUSH moving forward while embracing the next generation of progressive musicianship.
Her inclusion also marks the first time a woman will ever perform as part of RUSH, an evolution that fans have largely celebrated online since the news broke.
The “Fifty Something” tour, set for a limited run across North America and Europe, will serve as both a tribute to Neil Peart and a renewal of RUSH’s creative spirit — with Nilles at the rhythmic center.
As Lee summed it up:
“We’re celebrating the songs, the brotherhood, and the history — and Anika’s helping us do that in the best possible way.”
