Geddy Lee on Calling It a Rush Tour: “What Else Do You F*ing Call It?
Photo by Enrico Frangi, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have opened up about returning to the stage under the Rush name as they prepare for their upcoming Fifty Something Tour. Speaking in a new interview with Classic Rock, the longtime bandmates addressed performing Rush material without late drummer Neil Peart, whose death in 2020 marked the end of the group’s classic era.
The tour celebrates more than five decades of Rush music while honoring Peart’s lasting role in shaping the band’s sound and identity. German drummer Anika Nilles will join Lee and Lifeson for the performances, stepping into a role that carries deep emotional weight for both musicians and fans.
Returning to the Rush Name
During the interview, Lee spoke directly about the debate surrounding the use of the Rush name. He acknowledged that the band once believed Rush could only exist with Peart, but said the nature of the new shows made the choice clear.
Lee explained: “What else do you fucking call it when you’re performing a back-to-back set of Rush cuts? When the band ended, we said it’s only Rush with Neil in it, which of course is true. Rush as most people know it. But, you know, over five gigs we will be playing forty Rush songs. So what the fuck should we call it, Iron Maiden?”
He also shared how performing without Peart continues to affect him emotionally. “Without Neil… I’ll be frank. There are some songs you play where it kind of hits you, it’s bad, and it feels weird. And it’s appropriate that that happens. You know what I mean? If we just picked up and went on without feeling any tug of anything, that would be absurd, that would be a whole other thing. And there’ll be moments in both sets where we’ll pay tribute to him. We’re working hard on that, making sure that it’s appropriate.”
A Special Return at the Juno Awards
The renewed activity began on March 29 when the Juno Awards brought Canada’s Biggest Night in Music to the newly opened TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario. Hosted by Mae Martin, the ceremony featured a surprise performance by Rush, with Nilles sitting in for Peart behind the drums.
The band performed “Finding My Way,” taken from their 1974 self-titled debut album. The appearance marked one of the first major live performances by Lee and Lifeson together since Rush’s retirement from touring, drawing strong reactions from fans watching both in person and through CBC Music’s broadcast.
The Fifty Something Tour Plans
Lee and Lifeson later announced the Fifty Something Tour, scheduled across Canada, the United States, and Mexico in 2026. The shows celebrate Rush’s catalog and Peart’s legacy while allowing the musicians to reconnect with audiences after years away from the stage.
Demand proved strong immediately. The first 22 dates sold out quickly, leading to additional concerts that expanded the run to 58 shows in 24 cities, with more than half a million tickets sold. In February 2026, the band added 26 more performances across 13 countries for early 2027, marking Rush’s first European shows since 2013 and a return to South America after 17 years.
Each concert will follow an “evening with” format featuring two full sets. The band plans to rotate songs nightly from a catalog of more than 40 tracks, mixing well-known hits with deeper selections chosen for longtime listeners.
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New Collaborators and Preparation
For the tour, Lee and Lifeson will perform alongside drummer Anika Nilles, a respected composer and performer who previously toured with Jeff Beck and released four solo albums. Keyboardist Loren Gold, known for his work with The Who and Roger Daltrey, will also join the lineup.
Lee described the rehearsal process in detail: “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. 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 years of Rush music, while giving Neil the long overdue tribute he so richly deserves.”
Carrie Nuttall-Peart and Olivia Peart also voiced support for the project, saying: “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. 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. 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.”
The tour will also include VIP programs such as the 2112 Platform Experience, offering meet-and-greet opportunities, autograph sessions, production tours, and access to a pre-show lounge. Travel packages will provide hotel stays, premium tickets, transportation passes, and exclusive merchandise for fans attending the shows.
