Rush Reunites with Drumming Prodigy Anika Nilles for 50th Anniversary Tour

In a major announcement, the iconic Canadian rock band Rush has revealed plans for a 2026 tour to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The reunion comes five years after the passing of legendary drummer Neil Peart, which had initially left bandmates Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson without the motivation to continue.

However, a chance encounter with German drummer Anika Nilles has reignited the duo's passion for performing. In a recent interview, Lee revealed that he had been impressed by Nilles' drumming after she toured with the late Jeff Beck. "I heard this drummer the other day, I think her name is Anika [Nilles]. She played on the last Jeff Beck tour and I thought was she was terrific," Lee said.

After some initial hesitation and a secret audition process, Lee and Lifeson have now confirmed that Nilles will be joining them on the road for the 2026 tour. "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're going to go on the road with her," Lee declared.

The decision to reunite and tour with Nilles marks a significant milestone for Rush, who had seemingly retired from live performances after their 2015 R40 tour. Peart's declining health had been a major factor in the band's decision to step away from the stage. Now, with Nilles on board, Lee and Lifeson are ready to celebrate their decades-long musical legacy with fans once again.