UPDATE - 10/9@3:53PM: Anika Nilles has made her first public statement about the tour since the announcement via her Instagram here:
Hey there,
the past few days have been quite overwhelming. I'm sure many of you feel the same. I want to take a moment to sincerely thank Geddy and Alex for their trust and for welcoming me on this incredible new journey with @rush . I also don't want to miss the chance to warmly welcome all the new faces here and to thank you for your kind and open-minded words - they truly mean a lot. At the same time, I'm deeply grateful to everyone who has followed and supported my journey over the years. We're all in this together now, and I couldn't be more excited about what lies ahead.xx anika
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UPDATE - 10/8@12:34PM: Rush has added an additional 11 dates to their upcoming Fifty Something tour. Two shows have been added to the stops in LA, Fort Worth, Toronto, Chicago, and New York, making a total of 4 shows in each of those locations. One additional date has been added to Cleveland for a total of 2. That makes a total of 23 shows now:
Sun Jun 07 Los Angeles, CA Kia Forum
Tue Jun 09 Los Angeles, CA Kia Forum
Thu Jun 11 Los Angeles, CA Kia Forum
Sat Jun 13 Los Angeles, CA Kia Forum
Thu Jun 18 Mexico City, MX. Palacio de los Deportes
Wed Jun 24 Fort Worth, TX Dickies Arena
Fri Jun 26 Fort Worth, TX Dickies Arena
Sun Jun 28 Fort Worth, TX Dickies Arena
Tue Jun 30 Fort Worth, TX Dickies Arena
Thu Jul 16 Chicago, IL United Center
Sat Jul 18 Chicago, IL United Center
Mon Jul 20 Chicago, IL United Center
Wed Jul 22 Chicago, IL United Center
Tue Jul 28 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Thu Jul 30 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Sat Aug 1 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Mon Aug 3 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Fri Aug 07 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
Sun Aug 09 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
Tue Aug 11 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
Thu Aug 13 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
Thu Sep 17 Cleveland, OH Rocket Arena
Sat Sep 19 Cleveland, OH Rocket Arena
Pre-sales begin this coming FRIDAY, so be prepared. I'll be putting together a post tomorrow with all the details on navigating the various pre-sales. But for now, make sure your Ticketmaster (or Seatgeek, etc,) account is set up and you've added any CITI or AMEX cards to your account. From all the info I can gather right now, you will need a CITI or AMEX card to access any VIP Package pre-sales that start on Friday (they'll also be available during the Artist presale). Also be sure to sign up for the Artist pre-sale at this location before midnight tomorrow! Happy ticket hunting everyone!
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UPDATE - 10/6@8:21PM: Donna Halper gave a report on last night's event from her point of view via her Facebook page:
... After the event, Geddy and Alex and I chatted backstage. Geddy said he hadn't even told all of his family members yet-- the decision was that recent. And they both agreed a limited tour was sensible for now: while they've taken care of themselves, they are in their early 70s, and as Geddy acknowledged, he needed to know how touring would affect their bodies and their health. As for me, I'm happy for them, whatever they decide to do. They are wonderful people and if making music brings them joy, why shouldn't they do it? I'm certain the fans are ecstatic about the prospect of seeing them play live. And I'm looking forward to it too. And to everyone in the extended Rush community, know that the guys care deeply about the fans. In fact, as I said, I am convinced that this new tour is a by-product of the fact that so many fans still love Rush; and giving them some new shows is one way to show that love is reciprocated.
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UPDATE - 10/6@2:42PM: Here's Peter Chakerian of Cleveland.com's coverage of last night's event, along with Ultimate Classic Rock's here.
UPDATE - 10/6@2:34PM: For those wondering how Neil Peart's family feels about all of this, Neil's sister Nancy posted this to the Peart Family Events Facebook group:
Hi Everyone!
Since my inbox is overflowing, it is much easier to write once in response to the hundreds of messages and 'how do you feel' questions. It was definitely surprising news this morning!Thank you to everyone for being concerned!
We are very happy for Geddy and Alex that they want to keep playing while they can.
As long as they feel they can keep that level up that created their music for 40 years then that is great for them!
We are also very happy at their female drummer selection, both for the fans and for herself ~hoping it will help keep away all of the negative comparison and not having to try and replicate the persona as a male may feel the need to. You can imagine those shoes to fill would be daunting to anyone so, great choice!
We certainly love seeing all of our tribute band friends play and never feel the need to 'compare', and just enjoy!
So, for all of you on the fence, if you want to go and experience
Geddy and Alex once again, enjoy!!! Maybe they will make a big donation to the Neil Peart Tribute being planned at Lakeside Park and help get it moving 🙂All the best,
Nancy, Judy & Betty Peart
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UPDATE - 10/6@2:13PM: NOTE: Loudwire is running a contest to see Rush in Chicago next year.
UPDATE - 10/6@1:56PM: As mentioned below, Neil Peart's widow Carrie Nuttall-Peart and daughter Olivia Peart fully support the tour, and made the following statement included in the release:
"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."
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UPDATE - 10/6@1:30PM: ATTENTION: Several VIP and travel packages will go on sale this coming Friday, October 10th at 12PM Local time.
UPDATE - 10/6@10:35AM: Tickets will go on sale next week with a number of pre-sales available. Fans will be able to participate in the RUSH Artist Presale by signing up at this location by Thursday, October 9 at 11:59pm ET. There will also be different VIP and Travel packages available, with all the deatils in the press release. Here are the 12 tour dates:
Sun Jun 07 Los Angeles, CA Kia Forum
Tue Jun 09 Los Angeles, CA Kia Forum
Thu Jun 18 Mexico City, MX. Palacio de los Deportes
Wed Jun 24 Fort Worth, TX Dickies Arena
Fri Jun 26 Fort Worth, TX Dickies Arena
Thu Jul 16 Chicago, IL United Center
Sat Jul 18 Chicago, IL United Center
Tue Jul 28 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Thu Jul 30 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Fri Aug 07 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
Sun Aug 09 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
Thu Sep 17 Cleveland, OH Rocket Arena
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UPDATE - 10/6@10:16AM: The press release also includes this video of Geddy and Alex announcing the tour and describing their process in coming to this decision:
Highlights from last night's Rock Hall event that I described below can be seen in this video:
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Over 10 years after their last show, and five years since Neil Peart's death, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have decided to dust off their instruments and bring back the Rush tour machine, albeit with a different face behind the kit. That face belongs to drummer Anika Nilles - a German drummer, composer, solo musician, and musical educator who launched her career on YouTube during the early 2010s, and has released two full-length albums to date, both with backing band Nevell, Pikalar in 2017 and For a Colorful Soul in 2020. From the press release:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® Inductees, GRAMMY® Award-nominated icons, and RUSH Co-Founders Geddy Lee [bass, keys, vocals] and Alex Lifeson [guitar, vocals] have announced their return to the stage for a very special 2026 headline tour, Fifty Something, in celebration of RUSH's music, legacy, and the life of late drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. It notably marks the first time Lee and Lifeson have toured together in eleven years since the finale of RUSH's R40 Tour on August 1, 2015 at the Forum in Los Angeles, CA, bringing it full circle with a return to the Forum to embark upon these special shows. ...
The band first revealed the news yesterday evening to a small group of VIPs, industry insiders, music journalists, Rock Hall members, and special guests at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, during what was dubbed a special evening in conversation with 2013 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson hosted by journalist Geoff Edgers. The event kicked off with a brief introduction from Rock Hall VP of Education and Visitor Engagement Jason Hanley, and they then showed footage of the band's 2013 Rock Hall induction. Rock Hall CEO Greg Harris then came out to introduce Edgers and Donna Halper, who gave her well-known story of the role she played in the breaking of Rush in the US. Donna then introduced Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, and Edgers kicked off the interview.
The interview started out with some standard questions about the band's friendship, touring with KISS, etc. before taking a few pre-written questions from the audience. One of those questions was regarding whether Rush would ever tour again. Everyone expected Ged/Al to give the same response that they'd been giving for years now - that it was unlikely but you never know. But instead, Ged and Al coyly went back and forth pondering the question before abruptly answering, yes, and you could hear a roomful of jaws hit the floor.
Geddy and Alex then went on to describe how they came to the difficult decision to re-form the band without Neil - something that had been unthinkable to them just a few years ago. But they described how they started to get the itch again after the wonderful experiences they had with the South Park 25th anniversary concert and the Taylor Hawkins tribute shows back in late 2022 - the first time they had ever performed as Rush with different drummers. But Alex Lifeson then had stomach surgery in 2023, which put any thoughts of a reunion on the shelf for a bit. But over the last year, Al's health has improved greatly, and the pair began jamming Rush songs in Ged's home studio. It was Alex's excitement about it that ultimately drove Geddy to be convinced, and the pair turned to Cliff Burnstein's (also at the event) Q Prime management company for help in planning the tour. Now they needed a drummer on par with Neil Peart (no easy task). They learned about drummer Anika Nilles through Geddy Lee's bass tech Scully, who worked with Jeff Beck on his last tour prior to his death; Anika played drums on that tour. They brought her into the studio for some jam sessions, were highly impressed, the chemistry was working, and so they decided to move forward.
Geddy and Alex stressed how difficult this decision was for them, and made sure to get the blessing of Neil Peart's widow Carrie and daughter Olivia - who are completely supportive of the decision. They also mentioned how they will use a part(s) of the show as a tribute to Neil Peart, as they still regret being unable to hold a proper tribute for their late bandmate due to COVID restrictions. The tour will hit 7 cities for a total of 12 shows, fittingly kicking off in Los Angeles where the band's final show with Neil Peart took place 10 years ago. Other cities included will be Fort Worth, Mexico City, Toronto, New York, Cleveland and Chicago. Although they've left the door open to add more dates if the tour is going well. They won't be playing an epic, 3-hour sets any longer, but Ged stressed that the show will still be, over 2 hours. I'll be updating this post with more details as they become available.
