Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson revealed in a social media update on Monday that they have been practicing around 35 songs for their upcoming tour as Rush next year. The scheduled tour dates are set from June to September 2026 across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, including two shows in Toronto in August.
The last performance by Rush was in Los Angeles back in 2015. The possibility of a reunion vanished when the legendary drummer Neil Peart passed away at the age of 67 on January 7, 2020, after battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, for three years.
Anika Nilles, a talented German drummer known for her own albums and touring with guitar icon Jeff Beck, will be joining the band as the drummer. Lee acknowledged the challenge of filling Peart’s shoes but expressed excitement about the chemistry with Nilles during rehearsals.
Lifeson mentioned that each show will have unique elements, with a special tribute to Neil incorporated into every performance. The duo has occasionally shared the stage since Peart’s passing, notably for tribute concerts honoring Gordon Lightfoot and Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters.
Both Lee and Lifeson, who are 72 years old, have been occupied with side projects. Lee released his autobiography in 2023, while Lifeson has launched two albums with his group Envy of None. They hinted at potentially adding a fourth musician, likely a keyboardist, for the upcoming tour, deviating from their traditional power trio setup.
The lifelong friends, who first met in North York, Ontario, during junior high, reminisced about their long musical journey together, starting from their shared love for bands like Cream and The Who. Rush’s legacy includes multiple accolades such as being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013, the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994, and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010, among others.