I read Geddy's book [ My Effin' Life, published in 2023], and he mentioned about all the drummers kind of offering themselves to them and how much it turned him and Alex off, Portnoy said. I did send my condolences to Geddy and Alex after Neil passed, but I never once tried to throw my hat in the ring for Neil's gig. I realize that's a sacred role that should only ever be filled if Geddy and Alex choose for it to be so. And sure enough, here we are with them choosing to finally do so, which has been really incredible.
Anika Nilles has been announced as RUSH's drummer for their upcoming reunion tour, which will mark the band's first shows in 11 years, and first concerts since the passing of the legendary Neil Peart in 2020. Rather than tap a well-known name to fill Peart's shoes, RUSH opted for a relative unknown in Nilles, a 42-year-old German virtuoso who comes from a family of drummers.