Rush Returns: Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson on New Tour

Canadian rock titans Rush have emerged from a decade-long hiatus, commencing rehearsals in a Toronto studio for their upcoming Fifty Something Tour. This marks the band's first live performances in 11 years and their initial tour since the passing of drummer Neil Peart in 2020.

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, the remaining core members, have enlisted new touring musicians to support them. These include German drummer Anika Nilles, praised for her blend of jazz finesse and power, and keyboardist Loren Gold, who will handle complex textures previously triggered by Lee.

The nearly 90-date worldwide tour is set to launch on June 7. Lee expressed that the tour is about celebrating the band's nearly 50-year musical journey and honoring Peart, whom they feel they owe a "proper thank you and a celebration."

Nilles, who gained online recognition for her drumming, underwent an intensive audition process. She impressed Lee and Lifeson with her ability to capture the nuances of Peart's style, ultimately securing her place in the band's new lineup. Peart's widow, Carrie Nuttall-Peart, has endorsed the tour, noting that her husband was ready to retire from touring.

Both Lee and Lifeson are enthusiastic about this new phase, feeling they have overcome a period of hesitation. They are eager to share Rush's music with fans again, finding renewed excitement in performing live.