In a recent interview with Music Radar, Geddy Lee , the vocalist and bassist of Rush , gave fans hope for the possibility of new material from the Canadian trio. Although the main focus is on the monumental Fifty Something , scheduled for 2026, Lee suggested that the chemistry with the new drummer, Anika Nilles , could evolve into eventual new music.
Accompanied by longtime guitarist Alex Lifeson , Geddy has been working intensively in rehearsals with Nilles, a German musician known for her work with guitar legend Jeff Beck in 2022.
Openness to creativity in the studio
Geddy Lee was transparent about his initial intentions. According to the musician, even before planning the celebration of the band's history, his desire was to create new music.
“My intention… was to put some songs together. Now, I assumed I would do it alone, not with Alex, but when we started jamming, I began to see the possibility of doing something with him,” Lee explained.
However, the logistical realities of a world tour put those plans on hold. “There’s so much work to do for this tour to even think about that [new music]. But if we manage to survive the tour, go back to Canada and rest, who knows what will happen? I suspect some music will eventually come out,” he added.
Regarding the new group dynamic, Lee expressed enthusiasm: “It would be fun to see what Anika can do in a creative situation. But it’s all speculation until it isn’t, so…”
Who is Anika Nilles and the challenge of replacing the irreplaceable?
The choice of who would fill the drum seat after the passing of the legendary Neil Peart in 2020 was, understandably, the biggest obstacle to the band's return. The recommendation came from within the "Rush family": John "Skully" McIntosh, Lee's bass tech, had worked with Nilles on Jeff Beck's tour and lavishly praised his abilities.
Interestingly, Anika didn't grow up as a devoted Rush fan, which brought a fresh, yet challenging perspective.
“We had to go through each song and explain the nuances and idiosyncratic nature of how our songs are put together,” revealed Geddy. Despite the daunting challenge of emulating Peart’s parts, Lee affirms that Nilles’ positive attitude and refined technique won over the band. “She’s an incredibly hard worker… and she’s winning,” he celebrated.
The “Fifty Something” Tour: What to expect
The demand for Rush's return was immediate and overwhelming. After the initial announcement in October, tickets sold out quickly, forcing the band to double the length of the tour.
The journey officially begins on June 7th at the historic Kia Forum in Los Angeles. The choice of venue is no accident. It was on this very stage that the band performed their last show with Neil Peart in 2015. Therefore, the return carries strong emotional symbolism for this new chapter.
Unlike conventional tours, these performances will follow the "One Night With..." format. In other words, fans will have an immersive experience with two full sets per night.
Furthermore, to keep things fresh in each city, the setlist will be dynamic. The band has prepared a rotating selection from a core catalog of 35 songs. In this way, the group ensures that both classics and fan favorites are included.
Finally, the shows will serve as a space for remembrance, going beyond mere musical celebration. In this sense, tributes to Neil Peart are scheduled to take place every night of the show.
To keep up the pace, both Geddy and Alex intensified their physical and technical training. "I've been playing diligently for about a year and a half now... and I'm hitting the gym hard," the bassist assured.
The Peart Family's Support
A crucial factor in making this reunion happen was the blessing of Neil Peart's family. Carrie Nuttall (widow) and Olivia Peart (daughter) publicly expressed their support for the Fifty Something .
In a statement, they said they were "thrilled" to support the celebration of the music that has inspired generations, honoring Neil's extraordinary legacy as both a drummer and a lyricist. "As the band enters this new chapter, it promises to be truly unforgettable," they said.
With sold-out dates in cities like Toronto, New York, and Chicago, Rush is preparing not only to revisit the past but, perhaps, to open the doors to a new creative future.
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