After more than a decade away from touring and five years after drummer Neil Peart’s passing, Rush will return to the stage with a 2026 North American run titled the “Fifty Something Tour.” Founding members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson will headline 12 shows across seven cities, beginning June 7th in Los Angeles and ending September 17th in Cleveland.
Joining the lineup is Anika Nilles, a German drummer known for her precision, creativity, and collaborations with artists such as Jeff Beck and Vic Firth. Her addition marks the first time Rush has performed live without Peart since 2015.
Honoring Neil Peart’s Legacy
In a statement, Lee and Lifeson reflected on the difficulty of returning to Rush’s catalog without their late bandmate. “A lifetime’s worth of songs that we put our cumulative hearts and souls into writing, recording, and performing together onstage made us do some serious soul searching,” Lee said. “We realized it was time to bring that music back to life.”
The band emphasized that this tour serves as both a celebration of Peart’s legacy and the beginning of a new creative era. Peart’s family released a message of support, calling the upcoming performances “a chance to celebrate a band whose music has inspired generations” and honoring Neil’s “extraordinary legacy as both a drummer and lyricist.”
The Fifty Something Tour will open in Los Angeles and visit New York, Toronto, Fort Worth, Mexico City, Chicago, and Cleveland. The group plans to expand its live lineup with additional musicians to help capture the complexity of Rush’s recordings.
This will be the band’s first major tour since the R40 Live Tour in 2015, which was originally presented as a farewell. In 2020, Peart passed away after a private battle with brain cancer. His musical influence continues to define Rush’s sound and inspire generations of drummers and songwriters.
Replacing Neil Peart is a challenge that few would take on, but Anika Nilles brings the technical ability and musical depth to handle it with respect. Known for her intricate time signatures, expressive playing, and experience as an educator, Nilles has earned a global reputation for her craft.
Lee and Lifeson said they believe Nilles is the right person to carry their music forward while honoring what came before. “We know stepping into this role is not easy, but we could not be more confident in her ability to bring something new to our music,” Lifeson said.
For fans, this tour is not about replacing Peart but about keeping Rush’s spirit alive. The band will perform signature songs such as Tom Sawyer, Subdivisions, and 2112, along with reimagined versions of deeper cuts that highlight Nilles’s style.
Rush’s return represents a celebration of the band’s 50-year legacy and its continued commitment to creative excellence. For longtime followers, it is a chance to reconnect with one of rock’s most technically gifted and emotionally enduring acts.
