JUST IN: Iconic progressive rock band Rush announced their first tour since the death of drummer Neil Peart Monday and are coming to Chicago

Iconic progressive rock band Rush announced their first tour since the death of drummer Neil Peart Monday and are coming to Chicago.

The band announced in 2018 that they were done after 41 years. Sadly, legendary drummer and lyricist Neil Pert died at 67 in early 2020 following a battle with brain cancer.

The band announced that drummer Anika Nilles is joining the band for the tour. Nilles is a German drummer who launched her career on YouTube in the early 2010s and has toured with Jeff Beck.

The band is playing United Center on Thursday, July 16 and Saturday, July 18.

Bassist Geddy Lee released the following statement.

“It’s been over 10 years since Alex and I have performed the music of RUSH alongside our fallen bandmate and friend Neil. A lifetime’s worth of songs that we had put our cumulative hearts and souls into writing, recording and playing together onstage. And so, after all that has gone down since that last show, Alex and I have done some serious soul searching and come to the decision that we fucking miss it, and that it’s time for a celebration of 50-something years of RUSH music. So in 2026, my BFF Lerxst (aka Alex Lifeson) and I are going to hit the road once again to pay tribute to our past and to Neil by performing a vast selection of RUSH songs in a handful of cities. No small task, because as we all know Neil was irreplaceable.

Yet life is full of surprises, and we have been introduced to another remarkable person; an incredible drummer and musician who is adding another chapter to our story while continuing her own fascinating musical journey. Her name is Anika Nilles, and we could not be more excited to introduce her to our loyal and dedicated RUSH fanbase, whom, we know, will give her every chance to live up to that near impossible role. 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.

Lerxst, Anika and myself, along with many of our longstanding crew members have been hard at work rehearsing and designing the kind of RUSH show you’ve grown accustomed to expect from us. We dearly hope you will come along and help us celebrate our history together.”
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The full dates are below.

6/7 and 6/9 — Los Angeles
6/18 — Mexico City
6/24 and 6/26 — Fort Worth
7/16 and 7/18 — Chicago
7/28 and 7/30 — New York
8/7 and 8/9 — Toronto
9/17 — Cleveland

Pre-sale registration is available now and general tickets go on-sale on Oct. 17