Rush’s New Drummer Scared Playing Tom Sawyer

Rush are gearing up to launch their “Fifty Something Tour” as Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are getting used to a new dynamic within the group. Lee recently opened up about rehearsing with drummer Anika Nilles and explained how she approached learning Neil Peart’s iconic parts.

During a chat with Planet Rock, Lee discussed what rehearsals have been like thus far playing with Nilles. Lee sounded like he and Lifeson are impressed with Nilles so far in rehearsal for their upcoming tour, the Fifty Something Tour, which will commence on June 7, 2026, at Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, and, will run until April 10, 2027, at Veikkaus Arena in Helsinki, Finland.

“It’s really fun to watch Anika as she starts to know the songs,” Lee said.

“It’s one thing to play it for the first time and to work out what are the parts that have to be, essentially Neil Peart’s parts and what parts she can make her own. And that has been wonderful to watch, and really exciting for Al and I, because now she doesn’t have to think about it, and she’s just grooving out. It’s just great.”

Geddy Lee went on to reveal that Rush’s new drummer initially wasn’t very familiar with the band’s catalog. She knew a few major songs and was aware of Neil Peart’s legendary reputation, but only really knew “Tom Sawyer.”

When preparing to play the song, she felt nervous because of its importance and Peart’s legacy. However, after working through it with the band, she managed the technical drum fills easily. Lee said the bigger challenge was capturing the groove and feel of the track, something she has now successfully adapted to.

“No, she didn’t know our music very well,” Lee admitted. “She knew, of course, a couple of the big songs. And of course, every drummer on Earth knew Neil and his reputation. Very respected. She knew ‘Tom Sawyer,’ and when we were going to play it for the first time, she just stopped and said, ‘Yikes. I don’t know if I want to play this one.'”

“She was kind of nervous because of the importance of that. But we talked through it, we worked through it. And the fills were not the hardest part for her. She could play those, no problem. But it’s the feel, sitting in that groove that that song has. She’s clued in now, really lovely to see.”