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

The iconic rock band plans to honor their late drummer through visuals and song selections during their upcoming tour.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:00am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked and shattered drum cymbal, capturing the intricate textures and patterns of the metal surface in dramatic high-contrast lighting, conceptually representing the loss of legendary drummer Neil Peart.A shattered drum cymbal pays tribute to the late Neil Peart, whose virtuosic drumming defined the sound of the iconic rock band Rush.Los Angeles Today

Rush's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have revealed plans to pay tribute to their late drummer Neil Peart during their upcoming Fifty Something tour. The duo will select certain songs each night to play in Peart's memory, accompanied by visual tributes to the legendary percussionist. Drummer Anika Nilles will fill in for Peart, who passed away in 2020, and Lee and Lifeson considered whether to use the Rush name without their longtime bandmate before ultimately deciding it was the 'natural thing to do.' The Fifty Something tour is set to kick off on June 7 in Los Angeles and run through December 17, with stops across North America, Europe, and South America.

Why it matters

Rush's Neil Peart was widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers in rock history, and his death in 2020 was a major loss for the band and its legions of devoted fans. By honoring Peart's memory and musical legacy during the Fifty Something tour, Lee and Lifeson are ensuring that his spirit remains an integral part of the band's live performances, even in his absence.

The details

According to Geddy Lee, Rush will select two songs per show to play as a tribute to Neil Peart, accompanied by visual elements that capture his drumming prowess and poetic lyrics. The band considered alternative names for the tour rather than using the Rush moniker, but ultimately decided that calling it a Rush tour was the most natural choice given the extensive catalog of the band's music they'll be performing. Drummer Anika Nilles will take over the drum kit in Peart's place.

  • The Fifty Something tour is set to kick off on June 7, 2026 in Los Angeles.
  • The tour will run through December 17, 2026, with stops across North America, Europe, and South America.

The players

Geddy Lee

The bassist and lead vocalist of the iconic Canadian rock band Rush.

Alex Lifeson

The guitarist and founding member of Rush.

Neil Peart

The late drummer of Rush, widely regarded as one of the greatest percussionists in rock history.

Anika Nilles

The drummer who will be filling in for Neil Peart on the 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 Lead 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 Lead 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 is set to kick off on June 7, 2026 in Los Angeles and run through December 17, 2026, with stops across North America, Europe, and South America.

The takeaway

Rush's decision to honor Neil Peart's memory and musical legacy during their Fifty Something tour demonstrates the enduring impact of the band's iconic drummer, even in his absence. By incorporating visual tributes and carefully selected songs, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are ensuring that Peart's spirit remains an integral part of the live experience for Rush fans around the world.