Rush fans north, south and within the U.S. borders rejoiced Monday at the announcement on Instagram that bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson are getting the band back together for a 2026 tour.
And they should all send Sir Paul McCartney a thank-you card. But more on that in a minute.
Rush’s “50 Something” tour will run from June 7-September 17, beginning in Los Angeles, California, and wrapping up in Cleveland. Lee and Lifeson haven’t toured together in 11 years. The full Rush itinerary is below.
Drummer Anika Nilles will round out the trio, taking over for Neil Peart, who died in 2020. Nilles has played more than 60 shows with Jeff Beck and has released four solo albums.
In addition to banging the skins for Rush, Peart was the band’s lyricist and delivered epic words for Rush milestones, including “Tom Sawyer,” “Spirit of Radio,” “Limelight” and “Red Barchetta.”
Lee on rush.com called Peart “irreplaceable.”
He added, “Before we hit the stage, we also hope to add another musician or two to expand our sound a wee bit and free up Alex and I, in order to show off some of our new fancy dance steps.”
In an unexpected twist, Lifeson during an interview on Instagram with New York City’s Q1043 DJ Ken Dashow, shared how Sir Paul McCartney was a catalyst in the power trio’s decision to hit the road.
Lifeson and Lee encountered McCartney backstage at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute concert held at Wembley Stadium in London in 2022.
Lifeson, with his best Liverpudlian accent, recalled the encounter and punctuated the tale with fits of laughter.
“I thought, ‘Oh my God. It’s Paul McCartney standing beside me,’” Lifeson said. “I’m having a drink with him. We’re talking and I’m making him laugh. I’m joking around, you know. And he said, ‘You know, I don’t really know much about your band. I know the name but I don’t really know the material. You’re quite good, you know. Are you touring?
“And I said, ‘No.’ And Geddy said, ‘No we’re not. Our drummer passed and we haven’t been touring and Alex is not really interested anymore. And he said, ‘Oh no, you should definitely be touring.’
“And I said, ‘Oh, in that case, how ‘bout if you manage us? And he laughed and he said, ‘Oh, Alright. You’ve got a deal. I’ll do it.’ I made a mistake then—I said, ‘Oh, in that case, why don’t you be our caterer, as well?’ And I immediately regretted it, ‘cause he’s vegan. But he laughed. He said, ‘Oh, ok. I got it. I’ll be your manager and your caterer. It’s a deal.”
Rush’s 2026 50 Something tour:
June 7: Los Angeles: Kia Forum
June 9: Los Angeles: Kia Forum
June 18 Mexico City: Mexico Palacio de los Deportes
June 24 Fort Worth: Dickies Arena
June 26 Fort Worth: Dickies Arena
July 16 Chicago: United Center
July 18 Chicago: United Center
July 28 New York City Madison Square Garden
July 30 New York City Madison Square Garden
Aug 7 Toronto Scotiabank Arena
Aug 9 Toronto Scotiabank Arena
Sep 17 Cleveland, OH Rocket Arena
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