Rush's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson to Pay Tribute to Neil Peart During Fifty Something Tour

The band will honor their late drummer through special song selections and visuals during their upcoming concerts.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 1:00am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered drum cymbal, with dramatic high-contrast lighting highlighting the intricate, glittering texture of the fractured metal, conceptually representing the bittersweet celebration of a legendary musician's legacy.A visual tribute to the late Neil Peart, whose drumming legacy will be honored through special performances and imagery during Rush's upcoming Fifty Something tour.Los Angeles Today

Rush's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson plan to pay tribute to their late drummer, Neil Peart, during their upcoming Fifty Something tour. In an interview, the two musicians shared that they will select certain songs twice a night to play in Peart's memory, accompanied by a visual tribute. While drummer Anika Nilles will be sitting in at the drum kit, Lee and Lifeson considered whether to use the Rush name without Peart before deciding it was the natural choice.

Why it matters

Neil Peart was the renowned drummer and lyricist for the iconic Canadian rock band Rush, who passed away in 2020. As Rush embarks on their first tour since Peart's death, honoring his legacy through special performances and visuals will be an important way for the band and their fans to celebrate his immense contributions.

The details

Lee and Lifeson plan to select two songs per show during the Fifty Something tour to play in tribute to Peart, accompanied by visuals that will celebrate his drumming skills and lyrical impact. While they initially discussed alternative ways to brand the tour without using the Rush name, they ultimately decided that was the right choice since they will be performing 40 Rush songs. Drummer Anika Nilles will be filling in for Peart on the kit.

  • The Fifty Something tour is set to kick off on June 7, 2026 in Los Angeles.
  • The North American leg of the tour will run through December 17, 2026.
  • The tour will also include dates in Europe and South America.

The players

Geddy Lee

The bassist and vocalist of the Canadian rock band Rush.

Alex Lifeson

The guitarist of the Canadian rock band Rush.

Neil Peart

The late drummer and lyricist of the Canadian rock band Rush, who passed away in 2020.

Anika Nilles

The drummer who will be sitting in for Neil Peart during Rush's Fifty Something tour.

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What they’re saying

“Well, we've been talking about certain songs that we feel really, really give us the vision of Neil. Twice a night we will pick a song to play sort of for him and we'll present a visual tribute behind us, to Neil, whether it be to his lyrics or just to his playing or whatever.”

— Geddy Lee, Bassist and Vocalist, Rush

“Of course there was a lot of discussion. (At) one point we were coming up with all these ways of not calling it Rush. And then it seemed ridiculous because when you're learning 40 Rush songs, what the hell are you supposed to call this thing you're doing?”

— Geddy Lee, Bassist and Vocalist, Rush

“It's a celebration of who he was as a person and a drummer, not so sad anymore.”

— Alex Lifeson, Guitarist, Rush

What’s next

The Fifty Something tour will kick off on June 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, with North American dates running through December 17, 2026. The tour will also include stops in Europe and South America.

The takeaway

As Rush embarks on their first tour since the passing of legendary drummer Neil Peart, honoring his legacy through special musical tributes and visuals will be a meaningful way for the band and their fans to celebrate Peart's immense contributions to the group's iconic sound and songwriting.