Geddy Lee And Alex Lifeson Reveal The Difficulty Of Replacing Neil Petart's Position At Rush

The Late Rush drummer Neil Petart (Photo: Craig Renwick)

JAKARTA - Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are preparing to bring Rush to a comeback by holding a concert tour titled 'Fifty Something' in North America in 2026.

Previously, many suspected the Rush reunion on stage would never happen again, given the absence of the drummer, Neil Petart, who died in January 2020 due to glyoblastoma.

But Lee and Lifeson have decided that the position of The Professor behind the drums will be filled by Anika Nilles, composer and producer from Germany who previously toured with Jeff Beck and has released four solo albums.

Behind the joining of Niles, Lee acknowledged that the decision to tour was a very difficult decision, especially due to the devastating loss of Petart.

"It was a very sad time, and it took us time just to consider," Lee said, quoted by Variety, Sunday, October 7.

He also added a key question at the heart of the problem: And how do you replace someone who is irreplaceable?

However, both Lifeson and Lee said the turning point occurred when they started jamming Rush songs together privately and casually.

"We laughed loudly, and we really enjoyed it, and it was as if playing those songs took away the dark clouds," Lee said.

Full support even came from the late Petart's wife, Carrie Nuttall-Peart, and her daughter Olivia, who simultaneously stated, "We are excited to support the 'Fifty Something' tour, celebrating a band whose music has been resonating and inspiring fans for generations."

While the band is entering a new chapter, it promises something truly unforgettable. We are enthusiastic to see how their new vision is revealed, and hear this legendary music played live once again.

Meanwhile, the presence of Anika Niles on Rush radar was thanks to bass technician Lee, John "Scully" McIntosh, who was on tour with Jeff Beck at the time and praised the drummer. Feeling interested, Lee and Lifeson secretly brought Anika to Canada. Lee called the meeting not an audition, but as an experiment.

The three of them played together and immediately felt 'clicked'. Lee noted that it was not easy, because entry and harmony with Rush involved complicated calculations between technique, feeling, and unique musical nuances.

"No matter who the drummers are, they all have their own perception of what it's like to play Rush songs, and it may not be in line with the way we play Rush songs," Lee said. "So, whoever we will choose will be difficult, and there will be translation."