Geddy Lee Reveals Why Rush Chose Anika Nilles to Carry On Neil Peart’s Legacy

Rush bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee recently discussed the band’s thoughtful decision to bring drummer Anika Nilles on board for their reunion tour. Speaking in an interview on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame YouTube channel, Lee revealed how they sought the right person to carry forward the legacy of the late Neil Peart in a respectful manner.

“Our idea was not to try to be Rush 2.0, just to pay homage to our music, pay homage to our lost brother and represent the songs and celebrate the songs,” Lee explained. He shared how the introduction came through his bass technician, John “Skully” McIntosh, who had worked with Jeff Beck and toured with Nilles as his drummer.

Skully’s enthusiastic praise led Lee to explore her work:

“He would come home, he would rave about her, what a brilliant player she was and great person, and blah, blah, blah. So I kind of looked her up. And she’s all over YouTube. She’s fairly well known in her own world of music.”

Experimenting to Find the Right Fit

Lee described how the band took a cautious, experimental approach before confirming Nilles for the tour. They were mindful of the challenge of playing Rush’s complex music without Peart, noting that each drummer brings a unique interpretation.

“We know how difficult it is—no matter who the drummer is, they all have their own perception of what it’s like to play a Rush song,” Lee said. “So whoever we were going to choose was going to be difficult and there’s going to be like a translation.”

To evaluate the chemistry, the band discreetly invited Nilles to Canada for informal sessions, initially unsure if a tour was even on the horizon. “I’m very happy to say that she is fantastic to play with. And we’ve had now a number of sessions with her and we are going to go on the road with her,” Lee confirmed.

Honoring Neil Peart’s Legacy with a Fresh Perspective

Lee highlighted what makes Nilles particularly suited for this role, praising her fresh approach and dedication to capturing Peart’s unique style.

“She’s much younger than us… And I like that, that she came to Rush music without any preconceptions. It also made it very difficult, ’cause we had to explain nuances and work on subtleties, and she had to really try to get into Neil’s headspace and his feel,” Lee said. He emphasized that many drummers can replicate Peart’s technical fills, but combining those with the feel of the songs is another challenge entirely—one that requires hard work. “And so she’s winning,” he added.

The decision to reunite and continue without Peart marked a significant change for Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson. Initially, the idea had seemed impossible. But positive experiences playing with different drummers during tribute concerts in 2022, combined with Lifeson’s improved health following surgery, helped shift their perspective.

The reunion tour signals Rush’s return to live performance with Nilles stepping into one of rock’s most revered drum seats. Her blend of respect for the band’s storied history and fresh musical insight promises to honor Neil Peart’s enduring influence while bringing new energy to Rush’s iconic sound.