Sebastian Bach has voiced strong support for Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson as they prepare to return to the road under the RUSH name in 2026 and 2027.
Speaking to Nathaniel Puente of Charlotte, North Carolina’s WCNC-TV, the former SKID ROW frontman shared his thoughts on the upcoming run, which marks Lee and Lifeson’s first official shows billed as RUSH in 11 years.
The trek, dubbed the “Fifty Something” tour, will celebrate RUSH’s music, legacy, and the life of late drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. The North American leg in 2026 will span Canada, the United States, and Mexico, before heading overseas in 2027 for the band’s first European shows since 2013 and a long-awaited return to South America after more than 15 years.
German drummer Anika Nilles will handle drum duties on the tour, while veteran keyboardist Loren Gold has also been added to the expanded touring lineup. The 2027 dates will continue the “evening with” format, featuring two sets per night and setlists drawn from more than 40 songs, with each show offering a different selection of classics and deeper cuts.
Asked for his opinion on Lee and Lifeson’s decision to move forward as RUSH following Peart’s 2020 passing, Bach didn’t hesitate.
“Well, I think it’s amazing,” Bach said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “You only have one life — you know what I’m saying? — so why should Geddy and Alex stop? There’s no reason for them to stop. Neil Peart probably wouldn’t want them to stop. He, unfortunately, did not get to live as long as he should have, but life is not fair at all.”
Bach also expressed enthusiasm about Nilles joining the lineup, pointing to her previous work with legendary guitarist Jeff Beck.
“Jeff Beck doesn’t mess around. Anika, the drummer, comes from the Jeff Beck group,” Sebastian continued. “Jeff Beck doesn’t hire crappy musicians. He hires the best musicians that are out there. So I’m figuring if she made great music with Jeff Beck, I can’t wait to hear what the music she’s gonna make with RUSH. They wouldn’t have her in the band if she stunk.”
The tour will begin at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles — the same venue that hosted RUSH’s final concert during the band’s “R40” anniversary tour — bringing the story full circle as Lee and Lifeson step back onto the stage to honor their past while moving forward into a new chapter.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.