Rush Rocks On: Drummer's Spirit Lives in New Tour

Rush's Fifty Something Tour launched with a spectacular and emotional concert at Los Angeles' Kia Forum, marking their first performance in 11 years. The show served as a profound tribute to their late drummer, Neil Peart, who passed away on January 7, 2020. New touring member Anika Nilles, a 43-year-old jazz-fusion drummer, took on the monumental task of filling Peart's shoes. Nilles delivered a performance marked by precision and power, evoking Peart's essence throughout the nearly three-hour set.

Frontmen Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson showcased remarkable energy, defying their ages and delivering a musically nimble performance. The setlist included fan favorites like "Xanadu," "Tom Sawyer," and "YYZ," alongside deeply personal tributes such as "Bravado," prefaced with interview audio from Peart. The concert was replete with emotional moments, driving many in the audience to tears, while still incorporating Rush's signature humor through pre-filmed sketches.

Lee and Lifeson expressed their commitment to playing a full setlist, despite acknowledging their age. Lee's vocals, supported by recent coaching, proved stronger than in previous years. The concert demonstrated the enduring strength of Rush's catalog and their music's capacity to hold profound emotion, proving that limits, like those pushed by Neil Peart, are indeed made to be broken.