New Rush Drummer Anika Nilles Speaks Out About Taking Neil Peart’s Place on the 2026 Tour
via TAMA Drums Germany / YouTube
A Historic Return for Rush
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, the founding members of Rush, have officially announced the band’s long-awaited return to the stage — their first tour since the passing of legendary drummer Neil Peart. The news broke on October 6 through a video statement revealing the “Fifty Something” World Tour, set to begin on June 7, 2026, at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles.
The tour marks more than just a comeback; it’s a celebration of Rush’s unmatched legacy and a tribute to Peart, who died in 2020 after battling brain cancer at age 67. The band promises to revisit classic hits like Tom Sawyer and New World Man while honoring the spirit of their late bandmate.
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Introducing Anika Nilles
Filling Peart’s seat will be Anika Nilles, a 42-year-old German drummer known for her technical precision and innovative style. Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson acknowledged that asking anyone to follow in Peart’s footsteps was “a near impossible role,” but they found in Nilles both the skill and heart to carry the Rush name forward.
Following the announcement, Nilles shared her excitement with fans on Instagram, writing:
“It’s truly an honor! Big shoes to fill! Thank you, Geddy and Alex, for trusting me and welcoming me on this incredible journey with you!”
Though new to Rush, Nilles is far from an unknown name. A respected drummer and composer, she’s built a strong following online — with more than 377,000 Instagram followers watching her blend power and precision in viral performance videos.
Behind the Choice
During an October 5 event at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Lee and Lifeson revealed how they discovered Nilles. The decision came after a quiet invitation to Toronto, where she rehearsed several Rush songs with them. Both musicians said they were stunned by her ability to grasp their complex time signatures while preserving Peart’s unmistakable touch.
Lee credited his longtime bass technician for introducing her name into the conversation.
“My bass tech, Skully, was working with Jeff Beck,” Lee said. “He would come home and rave about this incredible drummer named Anika Nilles — how talented she was, and what a great person she seemed to be. So when Alex and I started talking about playing again, I said, ‘Check her out. Maybe that’s an interesting way to go.’”
“And so one thing led to another,” Lee added, “and when we made the decision, we wanted to see if it would work.”
