After nearly a decade of silence, the spirit of radio will play once more when Rush reunites for the Fifty Something Tour, with drummer Anika Nilles stepping into Neil Peart’s legendary seat.
In a surprise announcement this week, bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson said on their website and YouTube channel that they have decided to get the band back together and tour again.
“It’s been over 10 years since Alex and I have performed the music of Rush alongside our fallen bandmate and friend Neil, a lifetime’s worth of songs,” Lee said.
"Yet life is full of surprises, 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.
"Before we hit the stage, we also hope to add another musician or two to expand our sound a wee bit and free up Alex and I, in order to show off some of our new fancy dance steps," the bassist said.
The news was shocking because it would seem impossible to replace a man who was so vital to the group.
Peart was not only one of the greatest rock drummers of all time, but he also wrote most of the lyrics and, for many, including yours truly, he was the focal point during their live performances.
But not only were the two founding members game, so were Peart’s family members.
“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 and daughter, Carrie Nuttall-Peart and Olivia Peart, wrote in a joint statement.
“It’s truly an honor,” said Nilles, who had toured with Jeff Beck as well as leading a solo career.
“Big shoes to fill! Thank you, Geddy and Alex, for trusting me and welcoming me on this incredible journey with you.”
While it is unusual to replace such an iconic figure with a new member, it does happen. AC/DC replaced Bon Scott with Brian Johnson, The Who replaced Keith Moon with Kenney Jones, and even The Replacements replaced Bob Stinson with Slim Dunlap.
But it’s rare for an established group to replace a male drummer with a female musician. Here are a few times it was done with great success.
The Subways: Camille Phillips
Camille Phillips joined The Subways in October 2020, stepping in for original drummer Josh Morgan, who had played with the band since its inception.
Best known for her time with the Ramones tribute act The Ramonas, Phillips slid smoothly into The Subways’ rhythm section alongside bassist Charlotte Cooper. She recorded and toured behind their 2023 album Uncertain Joys.
Duration: five years and counting.
Franz Ferdinand: Audrey Tait
Audrey Tait became Franz Ferdinand’s drummer in October 2021 after founding member Paul Thomson departed following 20 years with the group.
A veteran of the hip-hop act Hector Bizerk, Tait was known for her precise timing and ability to improvise. When she joined the Scottish group, she brought what their singer Alex Kapranos called “groove and creativity that elevated everything we played.”
As seen in the video above, she mastered the unusual tempo change in the band’s hit “Take Me Out,” which opens with an aggressive 142 beats per minute before slowing to roughly 104 BPM about 50 seconds in. It Tait easy.
Duration: four years and counting.
The Mars Volta: Linda-Philomène Tsoungui
Linda-Philomène Tsoungui, who shockingly didn't grow up a Rush fanatic, joined the Mars Volta as their touring drummer in 2022, replacing a small parade of male predecessors including Jon Theodore and Thomas Pridgen.
Like Nilles, she is a German-born musician, though her roots are in jazz and experimental rock. She was recruited by Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala for the group’s 2022 self-titled album and subsequent tours.
Duration: three years and counting.
Prince: Hannah Ford-Welton
Hannah Ford-Welton became Prince’s drummer in 2012, following the passing of John Blackwell, and was instrumental in the Artist's group 3rdEyeGirl.
The Berklee-trained Chicago native was discovered when Prince saw her performing online. Alongside Donna Grantis and Ida Nielsen, Ford-Welton anchored the all-female rhythm section during Prince’s Montreux Jazz Festival debut in 2013 and subsequent tours.
Among many things Prince inspired her to do, she said he pushed her “to play harder, think faster, and make people dance.”
Duration: three years (2012–2015), until Prince’s final tour, Piano and Microphone, when he returned to his former New Power Generation drummer.
Next summer Rush kicks off their tour with two nights at The Forum in June, by July they'll be at Madison Square Garden, and they wrap it all up in Cleveland in September.
Get your tickets on Rush's website. Presale begins tomorrow.
Rush's 2026 Fifty Something Tour
06/07 Kia Forum, Los Angeles
06/09 Kia Forum, Los Angeles
06/18 Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, Mexico
06/24 Dickies Arena, Fort Worth
06/26 Dickies Arena, Fort Worth
07/16 United Center, Chicago
07/18 United Center, Chicago
07/28 Madison Square Garden, New York
07/30 Madison Square Garden, New York
08/07 Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Canada
08/09 Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Canada
09/17 Rocket Arena, Cleveland
