Title: Rush to Tour in 2026 with New Drummer Anika Nilles

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, the surviving members of the iconic Canadian rock band Rush, have announced plans for a reunion tour in 2026. The tour will feature approximately 35 songs and is set to take place from June to September across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Notably, two shows are scheduled for August in Toronto, marking a significant return for the band, which last performed in Los Angeles in 2015.

The announcement was made via social media on Monday, following years of speculation about a possible reunion. The band’s last tour was not intended to be their final one, but the death of drummer Neil Peart in January 2020 from brain cancer ended those hopes. Lee and Lifeson, both 72, have occasionally performed together since Peart's passing, participating in tribute shows for musicians like Gordon Lightfoot and Taylor Hawkins.

Joining Lee and Lifeson on the tour will be Anika Nilles, a German drummer known for her work with the late Jeff Beck. While Nilles will not be a permanent member of Rush, she will serve as the touring drummer, similar to how other bands have adapted to personnel changes. Lee and Lifeson have expressed their excitement about the upcoming tour, with Lifeson stating, "The more we started playing our songs, the more I got excited. Now I can’t wait."

The tour, dubbed the "Fifty Something" tour, will kick off at the Kia Forum near Los Angeles, the same venue where they concluded their last tour. The band plans to perform in several cities, including Mexico City, Fort Worth, Chicago, New York, and Cleveland, where they will wrap up the tour on September 17.

Lee and Lifeson have been preparing for this tour by revisiting Rush's extensive catalog, which includes 19 studio albums released between 1974 and 2012. The duo has been working together in Lee's Toronto home studio, rekindling their musical partnership. Lee noted the shift in their dynamic as they transitioned from casual jamming to relearning complex Rush songs.

Cleveland holds special significance for the band, as it was the site of their 2013 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the city that helped launch their career in the United States. The announcement event took place at the Hall of Fame, where Lee and Lifeson were introduced by Donna Halper, a key figure in the band's early success.

As they prepare for the tour, Lee reflected on the challenges of performing without Peart, stating, "How do you replace someone who is irreplaceable?" Despite the emotional weight of Peart's absence, the band is eager to celebrate their legacy and connect with fans once again. The upcoming tour promises to be a significant event for both the band and their dedicated followers.