Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson recently explained their decision to hire Anika Nilles as Rush’s new drummer for the band’s reunion tour instead of a well-known rock drummer like Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy, in an interview with Fantástico.
The Rush frontman addressed the reasoning behind their drummer selection. He emphasized their desire to avoid obvious comparisons with established musicians.
“Well, there’s a few reasons for that. First of all, I think Alex and I wanted to stay away from the obvious comparisons,” Lee said. “When you are working with a drummer from this famous band or that famous band, it’s just too easy to make comments. You know what the Internet’s like, you know what fans could be like arguments.”
Lee continued to explain what specifically appealed to them about Nilles as their choice.
“So I think what appealed to us about Anika — first of all, we were so thrilled to see how well she plays and her technical ability,” he said. “And it never really occurred to us that she came from a different genre of music. So I think we wanted somebody fresh, someone that had a story, someone whose story would be welcomed by our fans. And I think Anika fits that bill completely.”
Alex Lifeson also shared insights about the band’s decision to return to touring. He explained how the reunion came together naturally.
“We never really talked about that, because that was never really a concern or an issue. As far as I was concerned personally, I went back and forth on the idea of going back on the road,” Lifeson said. “I did other projects, and I kept pretty busy. And I just didn’t know if I wanted to go through the whole thing of touring and being on the road.”
The guitarist explained how their reunion evolved from casual playing sessions into a full tour.
“But Geddy and I got together and we started playing some stuff, and invariably we started playing some Rush songs, and we really had fun and we realized how much we love playing,” he continued. “I mean, we’re very good friends — everybody knows that; we’ve been friends for a long time — but we were just having so much fun playing the songs, and after not having played them for a while, they were challenging to play. So that made it even more fun.”
“And then we started talking about, what about the idea of maybe sharing this? And the more we talked about it, the more interesting that idea sounded and it kind of took on a life of its own. And now here we are with a full-fledged tour,” Lifeson concluded.
The selection of Anika Nilles represents a significant moment for both the band and the German drummer. Her journey to this opportunity reflects years of dedication and artistic growth.
DrumRadar reported that Nilles began her musical journey at age six and later studied at the University of Popular Music and Music Business in Mannheim. Her path to professional drumming wasn’t straightforward. Ultimate Classic Rock noted that around 2010, she made the bold decision to leave a stable career in social education to pursue her musical dreams full-time.
Nilles gained international recognition through her innovative approach to drumming, particularly her hybrid style that blends acoustic and electronic elements. Roland Articles highlighted her use of Roland SPD-SX pads and her ability to create emotional dynamics in her performances. Her breakthrough came with viral videos and her 2017 album “Pikalar.” This work earned her accolades including Modern Drummer’s “Best Up and Coming Artist” award.
The connection between Nilles and Rush members reportedly developed during her 2022 tour with legendary guitarist Jeff Beck. Ultimate Classic Rock revealed that this high-profile collaboration caught the attention of Lee and Lifeson, who were impressed by her technical abilities and stage presence. Her work with Beck demonstrated her versatility and ability to adapt to different musical contexts while maintaining her distinctive style.
Rush’s decision to return to touring comes after a period of uncertainty following the death of longtime drummer Neil Peart in January 2020. The band had remained inactive as a performing entity since Peart’s passing. This makes this reunion particularly significant for fans who thought they might never see the Canadian prog-rock legends perform again. Nilles’ selection suggests the band’s commitment to honoring their legacy while embracing a fresh perspective that could introduce Rush’s music to new audiences.
