Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson Mark 50+ Years of RUSH, Honoring Neil Peart’s Legacy

Thursday, 04 December 2025 01:53

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson Mark 50+ Years of RUSH, Honoring Neil Peart’s Legacy

Written by SULÉY ERA

Rate this article

(0 votes)

SOURCE: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Photo credit: Richard Sibbald

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame® inductees, GRAMMY® Award-nominated icons, and RUSH co-founders Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are officially returning to the stage with their special 2026 headline tour, Fifty Something. The trek celebrates RUSH’s enduring music, legacy, and the life of their late drummer and lyricist Neil Peart.

Marking their first tour together in eleven years—since the finale of the R40 Tour on August 1, 2015 at the The Kia Forum in Los Angeles—the duo will bring their story full circle by launching these new shows at the same venue. Following the initial announcement of seven North American dates, overwhelming demand quickly led to sold-out shows across the U.S. and Canada. In response, Lee and Lifeson have expanded the tour with multiple additional cities, inviting fans to join them once again as they revisit a deep catalog of songs and introduce drummer Anika Nilles.

After unveiling seven initial North American dates, the band expanded the Fifty Something tour in response to overwhelming demand, adding 17 more cities across the U.S. and Canada. New stops include Philadelphia, Boston, Montreal, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Edmonton, Seattle, Vancouver, and others. The rapid sellouts reflect the enthusiasm surrounding their first performances together in more than a decade, as fans prepare for a tour that honors the group’s history while bringing their music back to major arenas throughout 2026.

For Fifty Something, Lee and Lifeson will be accompanied by German drummer, composer, and producer Anika Nilles, who has performed as Jeff Beck’s drummer for over 60 shows and has released four solo albums.

Of the tour, Geddy Lee says:
"It's been over 10 years since Alex and I have performed the music of RUSH alongside our fallen bandmate and friend Neil. A lifetime's worth of songs that we had put our cumulative hearts and souls into writing, recording and playing together onstage. And so, after all that has gone down since that last show, Alex and I have done some serious soul searching and come to the decision that we fucking miss it, and that it's time for a celebration of 50-something years of RUSH music. So in 2026 my BFF Lerxst (aka Alex Lifeson) and I are going to hit the road once again to pay tribute to our past and to Neil by performing a vast selection of RUSH songs in a handful of cities. No small task, because as we all know Neil was irreplaceable.

Yet life is full of surprises, and we have been introduced to another remarkable person; an incredible drummer and musician who is adding another chapter to our story while continuing her own fascinating musical journey. Her name is Anika Nilles, and we could not be more excited to introduce her to our loyal and dedicated RUSH fanbase, whom, we know, will give her every chance to live up to that near impossible role. Before we hit the stage, we also hope to add another musician or two to expand our sound a wee bit and free up Alex and I, in order to show off some of our new fancy dance steps.

Lerxst, Anika and myself, along with many of our longstanding crew members have been hard at work rehearsing and designing the kind of RUSH show you've grown accustomed to expect from us. We dearly hope you will come along and help us celebrate our history together."

The return to the stage carries added meaning, as the tour marks their first live collaboration since the R40 Tour concluded on August 1, 2015 at the Forum in Los Angeles. Fittingly, they will begin this next chapter at the very same venue. The shows pay tribute to RUSH’s legacy and the life and artistry of Neil Peart, while introducing their new drummer, Anika Nilles, to audiences across North America.

Carrie Nuttall-Peart and Olivia Peart, Neil's widow and daughter share:
"We are thrilled to support the Fifty Something tour, celebrating a band whose music has resonated and inspired fans for generations, and to honor Neil's extraordinary legacy as both a drummer and lyricist.

Neil's musicianship was singular. Compositions of intricacy and power that expanded what rhythm itself could express. As both drummer and lyricist, he was irreplaceable. Inimitable in his artistry, and unmatched in the depth and imagination he brought to the lyrics that inspired and moved so many, he profoundly shaped how fans connected with him and the band, giving voice and meaning to their own lives.

As the band enters this new chapter, it promises to be truly unforgettable. We are excited to see how their new vision unfolds, and to hear this legendary music played live once again."

In a recent video update, the band expressed genuine gratitude for the response to the announcement, noting how moved they were by the warm reception given to Nilles. They shared their excitement about performing together again and revisiting a broad range of songs for the upcoming shows. Their message emphasized how meaningful it has been to feel such strong fan support as they prepare to return to the stage after more than a decade away.

RUSH will perform multiple shows in cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico, beginning June 7, 2026 at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles. These special “evening with” shows will find the band playing two sets each night. Each show will feature a distinct selection of songs and RUSH will build each night’s setlist from a catalogue of 35 songs including their greatest hits and fan favorites.

Rush invites fans to get closer than ever with three elevated offerings: an all-new VIP program, the first-ever 2112 Platform Experience, and curated Travel Packages for fans making a trip to see the show.

For VIP: http://wearesuper.co/rushvip

For Travel: http://wearesuper.co/rushtravel

Additionally, RUSH just revealed the 50-track super deluxe anthology, RUSH 50, that Rolling Stone called “an epic saga that functions equally well as an introduction for the uninitiated or a companion piece for the super fan.” RUSH 50 is available in five distinct configurations, including the (1) Super Deluxe Edition, (2) RUSH Store Exclusive Super Deluxe Edition, (3) 7-LP Deluxe Edition, (4) 4-CD Deluxe Edition, and (5) Digital Edition. It represents the breadth of their discography, beginning with the first-ever reissue of their 1973 debut single and concluding with a live recording of the final song Lee, Lifeson, and Peart played together during the R40 Tour closer at The Forum. Purchase HERE.

Get ready to celebrate the music of RUSH with Lee and Lifeson live in 2026!

Read 3 times

Published in Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal, Concerts & Shows, Music News & Issues

Published in Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal

Tagged under

SULÉY ERA

Related items

John Ivan Report: Tony MacAlpine & Luis Kalil Clinic at Musicians Institute, Hollywood
in Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal

Written by John Ivan - GuitarSlinger

It’s always a special feeling to return to Musicians Institute (MI) — the place where my American musical journey began. My time there is etched in memory with warmth and excitement: it was my first trip to the U.S., I studied under some of MI’s finest instructors, met lifelong friends and serious musicians, and made my first real connections in the professional music industry out West.

I’ve been keeping an eye on MI’s events ever since — they consistently bring in legendary artists and put on one-of-a-kind clinics and performances you simply won’t find anywhere else in California. One such event was the recent clinic featuring the iconic Tony MacAlpine and young shred sensation Luis Kalil, held on Wednesday, July 30th, 2025, at the MI Concert Hall.
Torchlight Parade’s Children of the Night: A Macabre Celebration of Rock and Horror
in Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal

Few bands embrace their identity with the theatrical gusto of Torchlight Parade. The St. Louis mortuary metal troupe has returned with Children of the Night, a full-length release through Pavement Entertainment that stands as much a celebration of horror culture as it does a statement of hard rock conviction. What makes Torchlight Parade compelling isn’t just their sound but the authenticity behind it.

Fronted by licensed embalmer and vocalist Matt Engel and his brother Doug, a hearse-driving lead guitarist, the band quite literally lives the world it projects on stage. That sense of gothic reality is further grounded by family ties, with Doug’s son Samuel locking down the low end on bass and Gavin Martin driving the pulse on drums. Together, they’ve forged not only a distinctive sound but an immersive live experience that pushes rock beyond performance into full-scale spectacle.
Oceans On Orion Find Catharsis in Chaos with “Met My Match”
in Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal

A raw, confessional single that tears down façades while carrying forward the band’s evolving sound.

With their latest single “Met My Match,” Oceans On Orion push into darker, more vulnerable territory, crafting a track that’s raw in emotion and relentless in sound. Rather than offering closure, the song lingers in the aftermath, echoing the words spoken in haste and the recognition that our flaws are often reflected back by those we love. It’s confessional, chaotic, and painfully honest.

Confessional in tone yet explosive in delivery, “Met My Match” refuses to dress pain in metaphor or disguise it behind polished sentiment. Instead, it exposes the mess head-on, amplifying regret, chaos, and brutal self-awareness into something that feels both cathartic and cuttingly relatable. For anyone who has ever stared at their phone after a 2 a.m. text they wish they hadn’t sent, the song provides not comfort, but company in the wreckage.
Power and Purpose: PLUSH Releases “WHY” with David Draiman (Disturbed) and Johnny K
in Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal

In a time marked by global unrest, rising conflicts, and deepening divisions, music remains one of the last sanctuaries for truth and emotional reckoning. For many artists, the noise of war, destruction, hatred, and polarization is not just a background, it's a call to respond, to process, and to connect. And just like rock icons of the past — from Bob Dylan to Pink Floyd to Metallica — today’s musicians are once again stepping into the role of cultural witnesses, offering not only reflection, but resonance.

The newly released single “WHY” marks a defining moment in PLUSH’s career, merging powerhouse vocals with polished yet aggressive rock production. Co-written by Moriah Formica and David Draiman of Disturbed and co-produced with Grammy-nominated producer Johnny K (Disturbed, SOiL, 3 Doors Down), the track showcases a creative alliance that adds new intensity and emotional depth, establishing PLUSH as a fearless, relevant force pushing modern rock forward.