Rush’s Fifty Something Tour: A Well-Deserved Opportunity to Pay Tribute to The Professor

Photo by Richard Sibbald / Live Nation

On Monday, October 6, 2025, on the car ride to work, my dad casually mentioned that Rush are planning to go back on tour in 2026. I thought it was a joke, at first, because how can the band tour without drummer and lyricist Neil Peart? He passed away on January 7, 2020 from glioblastoma, at age 67. I thought for sure Peart’s death solidified the deal that Rush were over because as bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee said, he was irreplaceable. Peart’s timeless lyrics and technically-crafted drumming played a huge part in the band’s sound. In fact, if it weren’t for him, we’d be looking at Rush in a completely different light (or “limelight,” I should say). I remember hearing about Peart’s passing in January 2020 and of course, this was before I got into the band, so I never thought much of it. My dad, however, was a little bummed about it because he grew up with Rush. In fact, he saw them in concert at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii on the Grace Under Pressure tour and said they were amazing. I ended up watching a live clip of Peart drumming because he was known as one of the greatest rock drummers of all time and my gosh, he knew how to play!

Once I looked up the news myself, I discovered my dad was not kidding around; Rush are going back on the road for a summer 2026 tour. It’s happening people, the impossible is becoming a reality. I’m sure there are mixed feelings all around about this news, but for sure, the Rush fans are thrilled to have the chance to see their favorite band live again. I don’t fault them for that, but before this tour was announced, I got used to the idea that I’d never have an opportunity to see Rush in concert ever. Without Peart, I didn’t see a reason for Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson to resume the band, especially because they ended on a high note with the R40 tour in 2015.

There are so many bands that just don’t know when to quit. They announce a farewell tour, only to announce a few years later that they’re going back on the road, yet they end up sounding worse than they did when they first retired. I admired Rush for knowing when to quit and ending when they had the opportunity to go out with a bang. Peart wanted to spend more time with his family, was tired of the monotonous nature of touring, and his playing ability was suffering because of his health problems. He knew he couldn’t play 100% anymore and didn’t want the fans to settle for anything less than that, so he called it quits. Lee and Lifeson weren’t ready to quit, but I’m glad they chose to respect their friend’s wishes because it shows how strong their friendship really was. 

Besides the band already ending on a high note, I didn’t think it was a good idea for the band to tour with a different drummer, no matter how good they were. When I saw Iron Maiden live with Nico McBrain behind the drum kit in October 2024, I couldn’t see him, but I knew he was there because of his playing. The same goes for Peart, even if you couldn’t see him, you knew he was there because of his magnificent drumming. Being a hard rock music fan for six years now, I’ve learned that drumming is more than just hitting the snare and a cymbal. Without the right feel and groove, the song can sound like crap. I think I’ve used this analogy before, but picture Lars Ulrich drumming for AC/DC; it wouldn’t work at all. For Lee and Lifeson, having performed with Peart, also known as “The Professor,” for 40 years, there will always be a big shadow lurking behind the drum kit, representing their fallen bandmate. 

Another reason why I was hesitant about Rush touring again was because of Lee’s vocals. His vocals were already declining by the time the band were on the R30 tour, maybe even going as far back as the Vapor Trails tour. By the time they were doing the R40 tour, Lee was croaking more than we would’ve liked him to. Since Peart’s passing, Lee and Lifeson have performed together a few times, most notably being the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert and the South Park 25th anniversary concert both in 2022, and his vocals did not get any better, unfortunately. If he sticks to singing the mid-range songs like “Tom Sawyer,” “Limelight,” “Distant Early Warning,” and “Subdivisions,” he’ll be fine. But a lot of hardcore Rush fans love the ‘70s stuff when he had an impressive higher octave vocal range for songs like “By-Tor and the Snow Dog,” “2112,” “Fly By Night,” and of course, “Working Man.” It’s the higher notes that scare me because that’s where the wear and tear really shows in Lee’s vocals. 

There are probably a million reasons why Rush shouldn’t tour again, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it actually makes sense for Lee and Lifeson to tour together again because they’re best friends and they love performing together. They’ve done it their entire lives and grown accustomed to that lifestyle, so it’s difficult for them to do anything else. Even with Lifeson recording with Envy of None and Lee writing books, I had a slight suspicion that those two would find their way back to each other. Technically, they’ve been playing Rush songs at Lee’s house for a few years now, so something was going to come eventually. But what really sold me was when Lee mentioned in a recent interview with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, announcing the tour, that they never had a chance to properly pay tribute to Peart because COVID-19 shook the world upside down in 2020. Live performances slowly returned in 2021, but by that point, people were just desperate to do something and move forward, rather than think about the past and what we’ve lost. With this upcoming Fifty Something tour, Lee and Lifeson can finally pay tribute to their fallen bandmate, while celebrating the music they’ve created together and the band’s legacy. 

To top it off, this tour will be a great opportunity for fans who’ve never seen the band live to experience a Rush concert for the first time, myself included. I’ve been spoiled with general admission shows these past two years, where the band is right in front of my face, so arena shows aren’t my favorite thing in the world, but I’ll have to make an exception because it’s Rush and they know how to put on a fantastic show; their visuals are stunning! What’s even more intriguing is the drummer that’ll be playing alongside Lee and Lifeson is a musician named Anika Nilles, who came to the band’s attention through Lee’s bass tech, John “Skully” McIntosh because of her touring with Jeff Beck. Yes, Rush playing with a female drummer; how awesome is that?

Most importantly, though, Peart’s widow and daughter, Carrie Nuttall-Peart and Olivia Peart, have given Lee and Lifeson their blessings to do the tour, which is good enough for me! There’s already been an overwhelmingly positive response to the tour announcement, therefore, I have a good feeling that the Fifty Something tour is going to be very successful. Whether Lee and Lifeson decide to record new Rush music afterwards, who knows, but with this tour, I’m glad they’ll finally be able to pay tribute to The Professor and give him the sendoff he deserves!

More info about Rush’s Fifty Something tour can be found here and listed below are the tour dates. New dates were announced on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, which are listed in bold lettering:

• Sunday, June 7 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California

• Tuesday, June 9 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California

• Thursday, June 11 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California

• Saturday, June 13 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California

• Thursday, June 18 at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, Mexico

• Wednesday, June 24 at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas

• Friday, June 26 at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas

• Sunday, June 28 at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas

• Tuesday, June 30 at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas

• Thursday, July 16 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois 

• Saturday, July 18 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois

• Monday, July 20 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois

• Wednesday, July 22 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois

• Tuesday, July 28 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York

• Thursday, July 30 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York 

• Saturday, August 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York

• Monday, August 3 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York

• Friday, August 7 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario

• Sunday, August 9 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario

• Tuesday, August 11 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario

• Thursday, August 13 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario

• Thursday, September 17 at the Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio 

• Saturday, September 19 at the Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio

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Take care and see ya real soon!

Lana