The coolest hipster band of 2026 is Rush. How did that happen?

In a surprising turn of events for rock music fans, the legendary Canadian band Rush is set to return to the stage, nearly a decade after its official dissolution. Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, the band's iconic bassist/vocalist and guitarist respectively, have reformed Rush with the blessing of late drummer Neil Peart's family and a new percussionist, German drummer Anika Nilles.

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As a life-long Rush fan, I, like millions of others, was heartbroken when the group came to an end 11 years ago. With no fanfare whatsoever, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart played one last gig at the Forum in Los Angeles on Aug. 1, 2015.

Rush officially concluded their touring career in 2015 with a final concert in Los Angeles. Neil Peart, citing physical challenges at age 63, insisted on retiring, a decision that led to the band's end after 40 years. Peart's death in January 2020 seemed to seal the band's fate, as Lee and Lifeson had previously stated that Rush would not continue without him.

However, informal jamming sessions and guest appearances at events like the Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts and a South Park creators' gig sparked renewed interest. Encouraged by the positive reception and a nudge from Paul McCartney, Lee and Lifeson began exploring the possibility of resurrecting Rush in some capacity.

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At 63, Neil was starting to struggle to play at the same level he always had, and he, the perfectionist that he was, insisted that his body was telling him to quit. He wouldn’t budge, despite all the offers the band had on the table. A deal’s a deal, so Geddy and Alex had to accept that after 40 years, Rush was done. Neil’s death on Jan. 7, 2020. Sealed it.

After an extensive search, they found Anika Nilles, a drummer known for her solo work and performances with Jeff Beck. Following a period of getting acquainted, she was deemed the perfect fit. With the approval of Neil Peart's family, plans for a new tour, titled 'Fifty Something,' were set in motion. Neil's longtime drum tech, Lorne "Gump" Wheaton, was brought out of retirement to help Nilles prepare her drum kit.

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Except it didn’t. Geddy and Alex continued to jam together informally. They occasionally showed up to play live at events like the Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts and a gig put on by the creators of South Park. Those were fun, but without Neil, there would never be a Rush reunion.

The 'Fifty Something' tour is slated to cover Canada, the U.S., Mexico, South America, the U.K., and Europe, with a final show scheduled for April 10, 2027, in Helsinki. Despite initial skepticism about the members' ages and the absence of Peart, early ticket sales have been strong, leading to the addition of more dates.

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Sometime in 2023, Geddy was tipped off to the existence of Anika Nilles, a German drummer with both a solo career and a gig playing for Jeff Beck. A lengthy getting-to-know-you period ensued, and she seemed like the perfect fit. After getting the blessing from Neil’s family for them to bring Rush back, plans were set in motion for the current Fifty Something tour.