Rush announces tour with new drummer

Eric

Eric

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My take is that I fully support Geddy and Alex in performing again and would never want to take that from them, at the same time they are both on record saying Rush was over without Neil, a point that I fully agreed on.

They've taken on this drummer, Anika Nilles, who I've never heard of and looking at her history on YT not seeing any sort of nod to Rush. In fact, I would argue that many in her age group are not too familiar with the band to be fair. That said I hope they're happy doing what they do but it will never be Rush again in my view. @Cmaier wondering what your take here is.

www.today.com

Rush Announces 2026 Tour: Here Are the Details

“It’s time for a celebration of 50-something years of Rush music,” frontman Geddy Lee said.
www.today.com www.today.com
 
Eric said:
My take is that I fully support Geddy and Alex in performing again and would never want to take that from them, at the same time they are both on record saying Rush was over without Neil, a point that I fully agreed on.

They've taken on this drummer, Anika Nilles, who I've never heard of and looking at her history on YT not seeing any sort of nod to Rush. In fact, I would argue that many in her age group are not too familiar with the band to be fair. That said I hope they're happy doing what they do but it will never be Rush again in my view. @Cmaier wondering what your take here is.

www.today.com

Rush Announces 2026 Tour: Here Are the Details

“It’s time for a celebration of 50-something years of Rush music,” frontman Geddy Lee said.
www.today.com www.today.com
Click to expand...

I am half-considering buying the VIP package to fly to NY to see ‘em, but, at the same time…yeah, what you said.

They also said they are going to probably add a couple more musicians. In a way I think that’s a good idea - this new thing isn’t Rush (a quintet!), but they play Rush songs and they probably play them really well. As for the drummer, I, too, have found nothing, but I can only assume that if Geddy and Alex picked her, she must be good. It’s not like anyone could live up to Peart, so it is what it is.

I kind of feel like they should release something so we can see how they sound with this new lineup.
 
Cmaier said:
I am half-considering buying the VIP package to fly to NY to see ‘em, but, at the same time…yeah, what you said.

They also said they are going to probably add a couple more musicians. In a way I think that’s a good idea - this new thing isn’t Rush (a quintet!), but they play Rush songs and they probably play them really well. As for the drummer, I, too, have found nothing, but I can only assume that if Geddy and Alex picked her, she must be good. It’s not like anyone could live up to Peart, so it is what it is.

I kind of feel like they should release something so we can see how they sound with this new lineup.
Click to expand...
This sums up my feelings exactly, Neil was part of the magic and the core sound (as they all are in their individual parts) and I don't know how you replace that. TBH I'm still not fully over his death as he was such a large part of my life so I'm not moving on just yet.

As for adding a keyboard player I say why not, it won't be the same not matter what so you may as well. I also feel like there are plenty of capable drummers that we've heard of who would've jumped at the chance, it's an odd choice.
 


The first video on this page sounds vaguely like the later Rush instrumentals, I guess. None of Neil’s magic, of course.

I mean, the thing is, I have heard lots of accomplished drummers cover Rush, and they always sound like they have one fewer arm than Neil, so maybe they just hire a keyboardist to free up Geddy and a percussionist to provide layering on top of her drums, and we think of this thing as the world’s best Rush tribute band. Or maybe she can play Rush great, but just hasn’t chosen to do anything all that Rush-like before. I dunno. Part of me assumes that there has to be some kid born in the 80’s who sat in his or her room all day mimicking Neil and secretly becoming one of the world’s greatest unknown drummers. Maybe she’s that person.
 
I've had drum sets since I was a teen-ager (I'm now a senior citizen). I don't call myself a drummer because, well, I've never been very good at it. I've always loved trying to play, though.

My feeling about this is ... Geddy and Alex, go for it! Anika Nilles — unlike me, a REAL drummer — will be the third to hold that role in Rush, and I'm sure she will be amazing.
 
japanime said:
I've had drum sets since I was a teen-ager (I'm now a senior citizen). I don't call myself a drummer because, well, I've never been very good at it. I've always loved trying to play, though.
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Right on, it's all about the love of playing. 🤘

japanime said:
My feeling about this is ... Geddy and Alex, go for it! Anika Nilles will be Rush's third drummer, and I'm sure she will do just fine.
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Yeah if this is what they want in their later years then more power to them.

Hey, is it just me or did they seem a little toasted in that announcement? :ROFLMAO:
 
japanime said:
I've had drum sets since I was a teen-ager (I'm now a senior citizen). I don't call myself a drummer because, well, I've never been very good at it. I've always loved trying to play, though.

My feeling about this is ... Geddy and Alex, go for it! Anika Nilles — unlike me, a REAL drummer — will be the third to hold that role in Rush, and I'm sure she will be amazing.
Click to expand...

Same here. Started with an inexpensive Pearl set and played in a few garage bands in high school. Later on... I was in heaven when I came across a used Ludwig Hollywood set (dual toms). At the time my drummer hero was Michael Shrieve - we both grew up in the same city. And was blown away with his Santana solo (playing a simple kit) at Woodstock.
 
Herdfan said:
ultimateclassicrock.com

How Anika Nilles Became Rush's New Drummer

The story of how Anika Nilles pursued a drumming career and got invited to join Rush on their 2026 reunion tour.
ultimateclassicrock.com ultimateclassicrock.com
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Now that I've had a little time to digest all of this I'm definitely out. Not angry about it and do think there were more well known capable drummers who are more deserving, however it's more that the band ended with Neil for me and I think they've already given us their best music.

That said I do wish them well and know they'll love touring again, I think it's just in their blood. (y)
 
I'd see them with Anika in a heartbeat, she's killer - and clearly there are dynamics at play we're not privy to (beyond simple technical acumen, etc.) . I spend a lot of time on drum (and general musician) sites/channels, can dig all the new talent out there.

I think keeping this music alive via live performance is amazing. :)
 
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Citysnaps said:
Same here. Started with an inexpensive Pearl set and played in a few garage bands in high school. Later on... I was in heaven when I came across a used Ludwig Hollywood set (dual toms). At the time my drummer hero was Michael Shrieve - we both grew up in the same city. And was blown away with his Santana solo (playing a simple kit) at Woodstock.
Click to expand...
Shrieve is an SF native, right? Seems like these forums have a lot of members who are either from or relocated to the Bay Area. (I grew up in the North Bay, then lived and worked as a young adult in the East Bay before moving overseas, where I've now lived more than half my life.)

There were sooo many places to enjoy music when I lived there. Next to the perfect weather, that's the thing I miss most about the Bay Area.
 
japanime said:
Shrieve is an SF native, right? Seems like these forums have a lot of members who are either from or relocated to the Bay Area. (I grew up in the North Bay, then lived and worked as a young adult in the East Bay before moving overseas, where I've now lived more than half my life.)

There were sooo many places to enjoy music when I lived there. Next to the perfect weather, that's the thing I miss most about the Bay Area.
Click to expand...

I don't know where he was born. But he did grow up in Redwood City (halfway between San Francisco and San Jose). Yeah... the San Francisco peninsula had a lot of great places to enjoy live music.

Here's a video of his drumming with Santana.
 
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