Who is Anika Nilles, the new Rush drummer

Ten years after the last concert of Rush In the historic trio formation and five from the disappearance of the drummer and lyricist Neil Peart, today 6 October Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson they officially announced their reunion, appointing Anika Nilles as a new drummer and setting a limited series of dates for a tour in 2026.

In the years following the end of the “R40” tour of the Rush, and to the death of Peart, which took place at the beginning of 2020, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson had expressed uncertainties about the band’s returneven excluding the idea, while sharing the desire to continue playing and making music together. The two also had started writing new songsbut without a real intention of going beyond the pleasure of playing. However, thanks to time and – apparently – to a small push by Paul McCartneyLee and Lifeson have decided to report the rush in the spotlight and on the stages.

Following the announcement, the question is now about who It’s Anika Nillescalled to collect the legacy of one of the greatest drummers in the history of rock.

Born in Aschaffenburg, Germany, May 29, 1983 – A year after the release of “Signals”, the ninth studio album of the Rush – Anika Nilles started playing the battery at six years old, but became professional only at 26. Despite having the ambition to make music a career, initially Anika studied social service for five years and worked as a kindergarten teacher. “Immediately after the high school I said to my parents that I wanted to play the battery to live. I was 16 years old,” said the musician in an interview for “Drume” taken from “Loudwire”. Explaining that the parents encouraged her to undertake “something serious”, he added: “I looked at my idols, my heroes. They were young and played like gods. I thought I would never be able to reach their level at my age. I seemed to have lost the train. But my goal was not to become a famous drummer or find a hilly with a big band. Everything I wanted to teach, Workshop “. Nilles then studied at the University of Popular Music and Music Business in Mannheim, Germany, obtaining a degree in popular music. He gained experience as a teacher in the Conservatory, as well as at “Drumeo” and Nexus ICA “, and collaborated with the magazine” Drum! ” offering advice and lessons. among other things, in various charts published by magazines such as “Modern Drummer Magazine”, “Drum!” And “Music Radar”, Nilles has been appointed several times as the best emerging star.

Until now, Anika Nilles has released four albums in his name: “Pikalar” (2017), “For a Colorful Soul” (2020), “Opunti (2022) and” False Truth “(2025). In addition, in 2022 Nilles played in Jeff Beck’s band during the European tour.