{"id":2325505,"date":"2026-03-12T21:57:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T21:57:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2325505"},"modified":"2026-03-12T21:57:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T21:57:25","slug":"rushs-new-drummer-had-a-yikes-moment-over-one-classic-song","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/rushs-new-drummer-had-a-yikes-moment-over-one-classic-song\/","title":{"rendered":"Rush\u2019s new drummer had a \u2018Yikes\u2019 moment over one classic song"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Rush may have found the surprise successor to Neil Peart\u2019s drum throne, but she nearly balked at playing one of their biggest songs.<\/p>\n

With guitarist Alex Lifeson and bassist\/frontman Geddy Lee exploring a possible reunion, the progressive-rock giants have turned to German fusion drummer Anika Nilles, a left-field choice to step into the role once held by the late Neil Peart.<\/p>\n

But when it came time to tackle Rush\u2019s towering 1981 classic \u201cTom Sawyer,\u201d even the seasoned virtuoso had a moment of hesitation.<\/p>\n

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Alex Lifeson (left) and Geddy Lee picked Nilles to be their drummer in late 2025 after a week\u2019s audition.<\/strong> <\/span>(Image credit: YouTube)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rush\u2019s decision to retire after their 2015 R40 tour was largely driven by Peart. Speaking to Rolling Stone<\/em><\/a> at the time, Lifeson said the drummer \u2014 who died of cancer in 2020 \u2014 had found it \u201cincreasingly difficult\u201d to perform at the level he expected of himself. The anniversary run was intended as a dignified farewell.<\/p>\n

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