Rush Plans 2026 Reunion Tour with New Drummer After Peart's Death

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson announced a 2026 “Fifty Something” reunion tour — their first concerts together since 2015 and the first Rush shows since drummer/lyricist Neil Peart’s death in January 2020 — framed as a celebration of the band’s music and Peart’s life. German drummer and composer Anika Nilles will step in on drums, and the trek will play venues across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, kicking off at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on June 7 and 9, 2026, with stops that include New York, Toronto and Mexico City and a reported conclusion in Cleveland on Sept. 17. Lee said the decision was “very difficult,” calling Peart “irreplaceable,” but that informal jams with Lifeson helped dispel the “dark clouds” and convinced them to return to the stage with a “vast selection” of songs from Rush’s catalog. The tour follows the band’s recent 50th‑anniversary collection, comes with the blessing of Peart’s family, and tickets go on sale with presales beginning Oct. 10 and a general on‑sale (Ticketmaster) set for Oct. 17. Rush — who have sold tens of millions of records and are Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees — say the tour will honor their legacy and the extraordinary contributions of Neil Peart while reuniting Lee and Lifeson with fans.