Rush announces first reunion tour since Neil Peart’s death — and introduce new drummer

They missed living in the limelight.

Rush has announced its first reunion tour since the death of drummer Neil Peart in January 2020.

The Canadian rock band’s surviving members, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, first shared the exciting news during a top-secret event at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sunday night, per Variety.

Lee, 72, confirmed the news further in a press release on Monday, Oct. 6.

“It’s been over 10 years since Alex and I have performed the music of Rush alongside our fallen bandmate and friend Neil,” the “Tom Sawyer” bassist began in a lengthy statement. “A lifetime’s worth of songs that we had put our cumulative hearts and souls into writing, recording and playing together onstage.”

“And so, after all that has gone down since that last show, Alex and I have done some serious soul searching and come to the decision that we f–king miss it, and that it’s time for a celebration of 50-something years of RUSH music,” he continued.

“So in 2026 my BFF Lerxst (aka Alex Lifeson) and I are going to hit the road once again to pay tribute to our past and to Neil by performing a vast selection of RUSH songs in a handful of cities,” Lee said. “No small task, because as we all know Neil was irreplaceable.”

Besides announcing a new spate of shows dubbed the Fifty Something tour, Lee revealed that he and guitarist Lifeson, 72, have found a new drummer to sit in following the loss of Peart five years ago.

“Yet life is full of surprises,” the “Limelight” composer shared, “and we have been introduced to another remarkable person; an incredible drummer and musician who is adding another chapter to our story while continuing her own fascinating musical journey.”

“Her name is Anika Nilles, and we could not be more excited to introduce her to our loyal and dedicated RUSH fanbase, whom, we know, will give her every chance to live up to that near impossible role,” he added.

Nilles, 42, is an award-winning German composer and producer who has released four solo albums, Variety reported. She previously toured with Jeff Beck, as well as her own band, Nevell.

But Nilles won’t be the only addition joining Rush when they return next year, because Lee said that he and Lifeson also plan to find “another musician or two” to help “expand our sound a wee bit” before they hit the stage again as Rush for the first time since August 2015.

“Lerxst, Anika and myself, along with many of our longstanding crew members, have been hard at work rehearsing and designing the kind of Rush show you’ve grown accustomed to expect from us,” Lee concluded. “We dearly hope you will come along and help us celebrate our history together.”

During the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame event over the weekend, Lee reportedly acknowledged that it was a “very difficult decision” to tour again after Peart’s “devastating” death.

Peart tragically passed away from a rare form of brain cancer called glioblastoma at the age of 67 on Jan. 7, 2020.

“It was a very sad time, and it took time for us to even contemplate,” Lee noted. “And how do you replace someone who is irreplaceable?”

The late drumming legend’s family, however, gave Lee, Lifeson and the Fifty Something tour their blessing and support in a touching statement of their own.

“We 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,” Peart’s widow, Carrie Nuttall-Peart, and daughter, Olivia, said.

“As the band enters this new chapter, it promises to be truly unforgettable,” they added. “We are excited to see how their new vision unfolds, and to hear this legendary music played live once again.”

After kicking off at the Kia Stadium in Los Angeles on June 7 and 9, Rush will visit Mexico City, Fort Worth, Chicago, New York City and Toronto before wrapping up at the Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Sept. 17.

“Our idea was not to try to be Rush 2.0,” Lee said over the weekend. “[We want] to pay homage to our music, pay homage to our lost brother, represent the songs – and celebrate the songs.”