Five years since the death of drummer Neil Peart, the two remaining members of prog rock legends Rush have announced a limited tour next year that will start in Los Angeles.
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, both 72, dropped the news Monday morning with a video on YouTube and social media posts.
“It’s been over 10 years since Alex and I have performed the music of Rush alongside our fallen bandmate and friend Neil,” Lee said. “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 f****** miss it, and that it’s time for a celebration of 50-something years of Rush music.”
The tour, dubbed “Fifty Something,” kicks off with two shows at the Kia Forum on June 7 and June 9, followed by stops in Mexico City, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, New York, Rush’s hometown of Toronto and finally Cleveland on Sept. 17.
Each show will feature two sets with “a distinct selection of songs” that the band will choose each night — a break from Rush’s longstanding approach of playing the same setlist each night.
Peart, generally regarded as one of – if not the best – rock drummers in history, died in Santa Monica on Jan. 7, 2020, from an aggressive form of brain cancer. His passing came as a shock to fans as his illness had been kept a closely guarded secret.
Peart was not only Rush’s drummer but also primary lyricist and the vision behind hits such as “Tom Sawyer,” “Limelight,” “Subdivisions” and “Freewill.”
For the 2026 tour, Lee and Lifeson revealed that Germany’s Anika Nilles will join them on drums and teased other potential guests.
“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 me, in order to show off some of our new fancy dance steps,” Lee joked.
The tour has the backing of Peart’s widow and daughter, who shared a statement along with the announcement.
“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,” Carrie Nuttall-Peart and Olivia Peart wrote. “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.”
Rush formed in the late 1960s and released one studio album with original drummer John Rutsey before Peart joined the band in 1974. They reached multi-platinum success with albums including “2112” and “Moving Pictures” and toured relentlessly for decades. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
Presale for the tour starts on Monday, Oct. 13. Click here for information.
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