Geddy Lee Details Setlist Pact With Rush Drummer
Rush bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee has opened up about the give-and-take involved in rehearsing with drummer Anika Nilles as the band prepares for a return to the stage. In a new interview, Lee described how one last-minute setlist change led to a frank negotiation over workload, underscoring the pressure of stepping into the role long held by the late Neil Peart.
Lee told Rick Beato the band recently added one extra song with “a lot of complicated time signature changes,” prompting Nilles to tell him, “My hard drive is full,” before they agreed to pull two songs in exchange for the new addition.
Lee also addressed the scrutiny Nilles faces from Rush’s fanbase, saying some listeners may “never forgive” the band for continuing with another drummer. He credited her for having the confidence and respect to take on what he called “a very difficult seat to sit in,” and stressed that playing with someone new is not meant to diminish Peart’s legacy.
The comments build on previous discussion around Nilles’ role, including how she spoke about the nerves of performing key Rush staples while learning to balance technical demands with the band’s feel.
Rush have not detailed a full touring schedule or confirmed a final setlist, but Lee’s remarks highlight the practical reality of mounting performances of material known for its complexity, and the careful calibration involved in presenting those songs live with a new drummer.
