Anika Nilles Says She’ll Respect Neil Peart Parts
German drummer Anika Nilles has addressed how she plans to handle Neil Peart’s iconic drum work as she joins Rush for the band’s upcoming “Fifty Something” tour. Nilles, who has previously played more than 60 shows with Mr. Jeff Beck, said she’s approaching the material with care given how closely fans know the band’s catalogue.
Discussing the balance between faithful recreation and personal feel, in a new interview Nilles said Peart’s parts are “a composition within the composition” and that there will be “many songs” where she plays his parts exactly, while improvising only when there is genuine room to do so.
Nilles added that she focuses primarily on the energy that defined Peart’s playing, rehearsing at home before bringing those choices into band rehearsals to see what works. She also noted that the goal is respect first, with any changes limited to moments where the arrangement allows it without undermining what Peart originally wrote.
The comments come as Rush’s touring plans—reportedly featuring extended dates and a deep setlist—continue to draw scrutiny from longtime fans, especially after a previous conversation about replacing Neil Peart underscored how difficult it is to step into one of rock’s most scrutinised roles.
For Rush, the approach signals a deliberate effort to protect the integrity of the songs while still allowing the current lineup to perform with conviction. For Nilles, it’s a tight line to walk: honouring one of progressive rock’s defining drummers while delivering the kind of live energy audiences expect from a band whose arrangements were built around precision.
