Countless Rush fans received long-awaited news this week as founding members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson announced their first reunion tour in 11 years, set to begin on June 7, 2026, at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles.
The prog-rock icons return to the stage after more than a decade, launching their emotional comeback where their journey once paused.
The aptly named “Fifty Something Tour” marks a significant milestone for the legendary rock band, commemorating over five decades of musical innovation while paying tribute to their late drummer and lyricist, Neil Peart, who passed away in 2020.
This announcement carries particular emotional weight as it represents the first tour without Peart, whose technical prowess behind the drum kit and philosophical lyrics defined Rush’s sound since 1974.
The symbolic choice to launch the tour at The Forum—the same venue where the band concluded their R40 Tour on August 1, 2015—creates a poignant full-circle moment for both the musicians and their devoted fanbase.
The tour schedule includes multiple performances across seven cities throughout Canada, the United States, and Mexico, with ticket presales beginning October 17.
While management has emphasized that this isn’t billed as a full reunion due to Peart’s absence, the tour is positioned as a celebration of the band’s extensive catalog and legacy. Acclaimed drummer Anika Nilles will join Lee and Lifeson for the performances.
Rush’s touring hiatus began after their 2015 R40 Tour, following Peart’s retirement from performing due to health concerns. His subsequent death in January 2020 left many fans assuming they’d never see any iteration of Rush perform live again.
Remarkably absent from the announcement was any mention of who might occupy the drum throne for the upcoming performances, leaving fans to speculate about potential guest drummers.
Longtime followers have suggested that aspiring drummers may find inspiration to learn Peart’s iconic techniques through proper posture and dedicated practice routines.
Lee and Lifeson, both now in their seventies, have remained musically active in various solo projects since Rush’s last performance, but this marks their first collaboration on a major tour in over a decade.
For a band whose history spans 19 studio albums, multiple platinum records, and a 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, this unexpected return promises to be both a celebration and an emotional farewell to an era.
The reunion is expected to generate substantial revenue through not only ticket sales but also through merchandise sales which have become an increasingly important income stream for veteran musicians in today’s music industry landscape.
