Rush Perform for the First Time With Drummer Anika Nilles in Surprise Appearance at Canada’s Juno Awards

In a symbolic return that kicked off their "Fifty Something" anniversary tour, Rush took the stage at Canada's Juno Awards in Hamilton, Ontario, on Sunday night. This marked the first public performance by the iconic rock duo with their new drummer, Anika Nilles. The choice of venue was poignant, as the Junos are Canada's premier music awards, akin to the Grammys, making it a fitting homecoming for the beloved band.

The setlist held deep significance. They opened with "Finding My Way," the very first track from their 1974 self-titled debut album. This is the only Rush album that did not feature the late, legendary drummer Neil Peart, who passed away in 2020 after a private battle with brain cancer. Peart, renowned for his technical prowess and philosophical lyrics, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 2013. Accompanied by touring keyboardist Loren Gold, the trio delivered a powerful rendition, with 72-year-old frontman Geddy Lee hitting the high-register vocals that defined the band's early sound.

All attention was understandably on Anika Nilles, the acclaimed drummer formerly of Jeff Beck's band, who performed behind a kit featuring Rush's classic early logo. While "Finding My Way" is less technically demanding than the band's later progressive epics, Nilles impressed with tasteful, florid fills that showcased her skill without overshadowing the song's raw energy. Guitarist Alex Lifeson concluded the performance facing her, and the group exchanged broad smiles—a clear sign of a successful new chapter. The emotional weight of the moment was amplified by archival video footage, including many shots of Neil Peart in his prime, playing on the giant screen behind them.

This performance was Lee and Lifeson's first official outing as Rush since concluding their R40 40th-anniversary tour in 2015, though they have collaborated on other projects, including tributes to Canadian icon Gordon Lightfoot and Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. As music critic David Fricke noted, "Filling Peart's seat is an impossible task, but the focus here was on celebration and forward momentum, not direct replacement." The upcoming tour will begin on June 7 in Los Angeles, the very city where Rush played their final concert with Peart in August 2015, bringing their journey full circle.