Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy recently shared his thoughts on not being chosen for Rush’s upcoming reunion tour. He revealed his mixed feelings about the situation in an interview with Regis Tadeu.
When asked directly about whether he wished to be called to play with Rush for their anticipated tour, Portnoy provided a candid response about the challenging nature of such a role.
“Well, I mean, I’d be lying if I denied that, of course, playing with those guys would be a dream come true,” Portnoy said. “And, you know, I love and respect not only Rush’s music, but Neil Peart as a person and as a drummer.”
Portnoy acknowledged that he would have approached such an opportunity with great respect. He also expressed relief at not being selected.
“So I would, you know, if the hypothetical scenario ever occurred that they had to ask me, I would have approached it with the utmost respect, believe me,” he continued. “But, you know, in a way, I’m kind of relieved they didn’t ask me because that’s a very tough role to get into.”
Portnoy specifically mentioned the pressure that drummer Anika Nilles will face in filling Neil Peart’s position.
“You know, I think for Anika Nilles, she’s gonna have a lot of people making inevitable comparisons,” he said. “There’s no way around it. So that’s gonna be a very, you know, a very tough gig to have. So in a way, I’m relieved that they didn’t ask me.”
Portnoy’s comments come at a significant time in his career. He recently returned to Dream Theater after more than a decade away from the band. Louder Sound reported that Portnoy clarified he never offered his services to Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson after Neil Peart’s death, respecting it as a “sacred role.”
The drummer’s respectful approach to the situation reflects his understanding of the immense legacy left by Neil Peart. Louder Sound noted that Portnoy said taking on Rush’s drumming duties would have been “impossible” compared to challenges like Mike Mangini replacing him in Dream Theater.
Portnoy’s 2023 return to Dream Theater marked the end of a 13-year separation from the progressive metal band he co-founded. Metal Injection highlighted that his departure in 2010 was a significant moment in the band’s history, making his recent reunion all the more meaningful for fans.
The timing of any potential Rush collaboration would have created additional complications for Portnoy. Louder Sound explained that such an opportunity would have conflicted with his commitment to Dream Theater following his highly anticipated return to the band after more than a decade away.
