German fusion drummer Anika Nilles stepped behind the kit for RUSH’s comeback trek, choosing to treat Neil Peart’s intricate compositions as blank pages that require meticulous study rather than note-for-note replication, according to a recent interview with Thomann’s Drum Bash.
Anika Nilles Details Her Approach to Learning Neil Peart’s Parts
Nilles, who previously toured with guitarist Jeff Beck in 2022, joined bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson for the band’s “Fifty Something” comeback tour. Keyboardist Loren Gold, known as touring member of THE WHO and CHICAGO, also appears with the group. According to Nilles, she was familiar with Peart as a drummer through classic tracks like “Tom Sawyer,” but she had never really listened to RUSH music prior to being approached.
“Every RUSH song is complex and difficult to learn. It’s so rich of details in every way,” Nilles said during the Thomann’s Drum Bash interview, as transcribed by Blabbermouth.net. She noted that every track functioned as a blank page, forcing her to start from zero to learn both the arrangements and Peart’s specific drum compositions. “Neil’s way to play the drums is basically an own composition, and this is what I mean. I treat it with great respect because that’s a huge skill he brought into it, and I wanna honor that.”
Study sessions at home involved mapping out arrangements and deciding where to stick to original parts versus where to introduce improvisation. During rehearsals with Lee and Lifeson, the focus shifted to energy and feel, allowing the trio to test whether her structural decisions worked or required adjustment. Studying Peart’s use of color, varied drum sounds, and overall musical approach also influenced her perspective on her own music composition.
Why RUSH Chose a Fusion Drummer Over a Tribute Act
Lee and Lifeson bypassed traditional rock options and tribute band musicians, selecting Nilles for her technical proficiency and fresh perspective, according to an interview with the Brazilian television show Fantástico. Addressing why they avoided obvious choices like DREAM THEATER’s Mike Portnoy, Lee explained that they wanted to steer clear of predictable comparisons and online debates.
“Well, there’s a few reasons for that. First of all, I think Alex and I wanted to stay away from the obvious comparisons. When you are working with a drummer from this famous band or that famous band, it’s just too easy to make comments. You know what the Internet’s like, you know what fans could be like arguments. So I think what appealed to us about Anika — first of all, we were so thrilled to see how well she plays and her technical ability. And it never really occurred to us that she came from a different genre of music. So I think we wanted somebody fresh, someone that had a story, someone whose story would be welcomed by our fans. And I think Anika fits that bill completely,” Lee told Fantástico. Lifeson added that the reunion began organically when he and Lee started playing together again and rediscovering the challenge of performing the catalog. That creative spark eventually led them to explore the idea of a full tour.
Nilles praised the immediate chemistry between herself and the veteran rockers, noting their humility and dedication to detail. “They are legends. They could be whatever — whatever, arrogant or whatever. They are not. They are funny. They are so human,” she said.
Tour Logistics and High Demand
RUSH is performing multiple shows in cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico. The “Fifty Something” itinerary features “evening with” shows where the band plays two sets each night, drawing from a catalog of around 40 tracks that mix greatest hits and fan favorites.
Initial dates announced in early October 2025 sold out instantly. Due to increased demand, the band doubled the tour’s length before adding even more dates to the trek. Nilles brings a substantial digital audience to the trek, boasting more than 280,000 YouTube subscribers and more than 600,000 followers on Instagram.
Peart died on January 7, 2020 in Santa Monica, California after a three-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. The band announced his passing three days later, prompting a global wave of mourning from fans and fellow musicians.
Did you know? Geddy Lee publicly praised Anika Nilles’s playing in a 2023 interview with The Guardian, stating, “She played on the last Jeff Beck tour, and I thought she was terrific.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is drumming for RUSH on the 2026 and 2027 tours?
German fusion drummer Anika Nilles is sitting behind the kit for RUSH’s “Fifty Something” tour alongside Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson.
What inspired RUSH to choose Anika Nilles?
According to Geddy Lee, the band wanted to avoid predictable comparisons to other rock drummers and was drawn to Nilles’s high technical ability and fresh storytelling perspective.
What material is RUSH playing on the “Fifty Something” tour?
The band is performing two sets per night, drawing from a catalog of around 40 tracks that include both classic hits and fan favorites.
Who else is performing on stage with RUSH?
Keyboardist Loren Gold, who is best known as touring member of THE WHO and CHICAGO, joins Lee, Lifeson, and Nilles on the comeback trek.
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