Geddy Lee Slams Drummers After Neil Peart’s Death
Rush bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee has described an uncomfortable aftermath following the death of drummer Neil Peart, saying some musicians reached out far too quickly about the idea of replacing him. Lee said the timing and tone of those messages left him and guitarist Alex Lifeson stunned while they were still grieving their longtime bandmate, who died in 2020 after a private battle with brain cancer.
In a new interview, Lee said several drummers contacted him and Lifeson in the days after Peart’s passing to float themselves as possible replacements, a move he called “most distasteful” and “completely inappropriate timing,” Blabbermouth reported.
Lee stressed that close friends who are successful drummers would never have approached the subject because they had too much respect for Peart and the situation, adding that those people were grieving as well. He also referenced earlier comments from Lifeson, who previously said the band was “bombarded” with audition requests almost immediately after Peart died.
The fallout has taken on new relevance with Rush’s surprise “Fifty Something” reunion tour, which will feature fusion drummer Anika Nilles in the drum chair. Lee said the band didn’t start with a long list of candidates, but began with Nilles after she was recommended to him, and he liked her “vibe and diverse style,” later praising her intelligence and willingness to take on what he called an “impossible seat.” Our previous coverage noted that Neil Peart’s widow has also addressed Rush’s new drummer as the lineup change has been debated by fans.
Rush are set to launch the 2026 run on June 7 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, with “evening with” shows built around two-set performances and rotating selections from a 40-song catalog. The dates quickly sold out after being announced and were expanded due to demand, marking the band’s first major tour together since 2015.
