Anika Nilles discusses honoring Neil Peart's legacy in Rush

German fusion drummer Anika Nilles has discussed the challenge of stepping into the role of the late Neil Peart for Rush’s upcoming “Fifty Something” tours scheduled for 2026 and 2027.

In an interview with Thomann’s Drum Bash, Nilles revealed that while she was familiar with Peart’s reputation through classics like “Tom Sawyer,” she had not extensively explored the full Rush catalog prior to being approached. She described her preparation process as starting from zero, treating each song as a “blank page” to learn the complex arrangements and drum compositions.

Nilles emphasized her commitment to honoring Peart’s legacy, noting that she makes careful, song-by-song decisions regarding when to play the original parts exactly and when to allow for improvisation. She is performing alongside original members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, as well as keyboardist Loren Gold.