Rush to Reunite in 2026: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson Announce New Drummer Following Neil Peart’s Passing

After years of rumors and disappointment over Neil Peart’s passing in 2020, Rush fans can now rejoice.

The legendary Canadian rock band is getting back together for a proper 2026 headlining tour, titled Fifty Something, which is their first official return since their last 2015 show.

The news was unexpected to fans when Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson made the announcement during a surprise gathering at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. The final show had been at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles – the same venue where the 2026 tour will launch with two dates on June 7 and 9. The reunion moment was a teary, symbolic one, bridging Rush’s storied goodbye to their much-buzzed-about comeback.

Drumming responsibilities for the upcoming tour will be provided by Anika Nilles, a highly respected German composer and producer with a reputation for technical excellence and work with Jeff Beck. Nilles, a four-album solo artist, enters a daunting role after the passing of Peart – widely considered to be one of the all-time greats behind the drum kit in rock.

The Fifty Something tour is a “tribute to Rush’s music, heritage, and the life of late drummer and lyricist Neil Peart” that is characterized as a sincere one. The North American leg of the tour takes them to big cities like Los Angeles, Mexico City, Fort Worth, Chicago, New York, Toronto, and Cleveland, with more than one show in a number of these cities. The last concert on the tour will take place on September 17 in Cleveland, which brings the journey full circle.

The reformation news broke during a private Rock Hall gala that started with a screening of the 2013 induction ceremony of Rush, then followed with an animated discussion between Lifeson and Lee. In the course of the discussion, a “fan question” – allegedly by Q Prime Management co-founder Cliff Burnstein – queried whether or not the band would ever tour again. Lee stunned the crowd by reacting, “I sort of think that we should tour next year.” The crowd’s initial shock turned into deafening applause as the band members verified the news.

Geddy Lee talked openly regarding the practical and emotional difficulties in going back to the stage without Peart. “It was a very sad time, and it took time for us to even contemplate,” Lee said. How do you replace someone who is irreplaceable?” The two musicians disclosed that the tour came after a series of relaxed jamming sessions that rekindled their passion for performing Rush’s music. “We were laughing so hard, and enjoying it so much,” Lee remembered.

“It was almost like playing those songs dispelled the dark clouds.

Peart’s widow, Carrie Nuttall-Peart, and daughter, Olivia, have officially granted their approval for the reunion, referring to it as “a beautiful way to celebrate Neil’s legacy.” Together, they issued a statement that read, “We are excited to endorse the Fifty Something tour, honoring a band whose music has been inspiring fans for decades. As the band embarks on this next stage, it will surely be one for the books.

The Cleveland show also included a retro introduction by Donna Halper – the WMMS radio DJ who broke Rush in the U.S. early in the 1970s with the playing of “Working Man.” Her discovery of the group launched Rush’s career and ultimately resulted in their very first major record deal.

Lee and Lifeson were subsequently interviewed by writer Geoff Edgers in an expansive discussion that covered everything from the duo’s friendship and musical inspirations to amusing anecdotes about their early tours with KISS. It was within this easygoing conversation that the much-anticipated tour announcement fell – greeted with wild enthusiasm by fans as well as industry observers.

Since Neil Peart passed away in 2020, Lee and Lifeson have each led active creative careers. They’ve reunited sporadically for one-time performances, such as tributes to deceased Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and shows with Primus’s Les Claypool. Lifeson also works on music with his new band, Envy of None, and Lee has worked on writing, such as his latest book 72 Stories: From the Baseball Collection of Geddy Lee.

Lifeson had already teased health problems that could keep him from touring, but at the Cleveland concert, Lee assured fans that his bandmate is “pretty effing healthy right now.” Lifeson also said returning to Rush’s music was invigorating: “To be challenged with that again was really exciting. The more we started rehearsing and playing, the more I fell in love with the idea of performing again.” Anika Nilles’ inclusion in the group was facilitated by Lee’s bass tech, John “Skully” McIntosh, a seasoned performer who had worked with Jeff Beck and suggested her. Instead of conducting traditional auditions, Lee and Lifeson brought Nilles to Canada for what Lee defined as an “experiment.” The three clicked at once. No one whomever the drummer might be, has his own idea about what it’s like to play a Rush song,” Lee said.

“Whomever we were going to select was going to be challenged – and she aced it.

Rush also intend to diversify their live configuration by adding a keyboardist, providing Lee with more room for stage maneuvering. “Alex loves to dance,” Lee teased, as Lifeson playfully danced in his seat at the show. The setlist will contain between 35 and 36 songs, providing the band with the ability to cycle through material on the tour. Though the signature three-hour long-form concerts are not returning, fans can anticipate over two-hour performances.

Lee made it clear that the band’s aim isn’t to produce “Rush 2.0” but to pay tribute to their legacy. “Our concept was not to attempt to be another new thing,” he explained. “We wish to pay respect to our music, pay respect to our departed brother, and celebrate the songs.” Every show will feature at least two homages to Neil Peart, making sure that his legacy and memory are kept at the center of every performance.

2026 Tour Dates:

• Jun 7 & 9 – Los Angeles, CA (Kia Forum)
• Jun 18 – Mexico City, MX (Palacio de los Deportes)
• Jun 24 & 26 – Fort Worth, TX (Dickies Arena)
• Jul 16 & 18 – Chicago, IL (United Center)
• Jul 28 & 30 – New York, NY (Madison Square Garden)
• Aug 7 & 9 – Toronto, ON (Scotiabank Arena)
• Sep 17 – Cleveland, OH (Rocket Arena)

Ticket Information:

Tickets go on sale to fans who can register for artist presale entry by Thursday, Oct. 10, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Presale opens on Oct. 13 at local noon (U.S. and Canada) and Oct. 16 for Mexico, with general ticket sales beginning Oct. 17. Citi, American Express, and Banamex will also have cardholder presales, with information available on citientertainment.com. For Rush fans, Fifty Something is not just another concert tour – it’s a resurrection of the spirit, sound, and soul that defined one of rock’s most enduring bands. With Lee and Lifeson back on stage and Peart’s memory guiding every note, this tour promises to be a powerful and emotional tribute to half a century of musical innovation.