Rush Makes Juno Awards Comeback After 11-Year Hiatus

Legendary Canadian rock band returns to the stage with new lineup to perform classic hit

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:04am

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After over a decade away from the stage, the iconic Canadian rock band Rush made a triumphant return at the 2026 Juno Awards, performing their 1974 hit "Finding My Way" with a newly reconfigured lineup. The performance marked the band's first live show since the 2020 passing of longtime drummer and lyricist Neil Peart.

Why it matters

Rush's return to the stage is a highly anticipated moment for music fans, as the band had announced they would never perform again following Peart's death. The Juno Awards performance kicks off the group's upcoming "Fifty Something" world tour, celebrating over 50 years of Rush's influential catalog.

The details

The newly formed Rush lineup features founding members Geddy Lee on bass and vocals, and Alex Lifeson on guitar, along with newly recruited drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold. The band's last live appearance together was the conclusion of their career-spanning R40 tour in 2015.

  • Rush last performed live together on August 1, 2015 in Los Angeles.
  • Drummer Neil Peart passed away in 2020 after a battle with brain cancer.
  • In October 2025, Lee and Lifeson announced the "Fifty Something" tour, kicking off on June 7, 2026 in Los Angeles.
  • Rush made their live comeback at the 2026 Juno Awards on March 29, 2026.

The players

Geddy Lee

Founding member of Rush, playing bass and vocals.

Alex Lifeson

Founding member of Rush, playing guitar.

Anika Nilles

Newly recruited drummer for the reunited Rush lineup.

Loren Gold

Newly recruited keyboardist for the reunited Rush lineup.

Neil Peart

Longtime drummer and lyricist for Rush, who passed away in 2020.

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What they’re saying

“There's no way Rush will ever exist again, because Neil's not here to be a part of it. That's not to say that we can't do other things, and we can't do things that benefit our communities and all of that.”

— Alex Lifeson, Guitarist, Rush

“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.”

— Geddy Lee, Bassist and Vocalist, Rush

What’s next

Rush's "Fifty Something" world tour kicks off on June 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

The takeaway

Rush's return to the stage after over a decade is a triumphant moment for the legendary Canadian rock band and their devoted fanbase. The new lineup's performance at the Juno Awards signals an exciting new chapter for the group, as they embark on a global tour celebrating their influential 50-year career.