Rush Grace the Cover of the Latest Issue of Classic Rock Magazine

Rush grace the cover of Classic Rock Magazine (Issue #352, May 2026), accompanied by a new interview that digs into the band’s decision to return to the stage and what that process has looked like behind the scenes.

Speaking with Philip Wilding, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson reflect on how things evolved in the years following the final R40 show. At the time, both viewed that 2015 performance as a definitive ending. “After R40 there was no question,” Geddy says. “It was over for us.”

The shift came gradually. Casual jams eventually turned into more focused sessions, including revisiting older material—something that didn’t come easily at first. “Let’s be fair, they were awful,” Geddy says of those early run-throughs, with Alex adding simply: “Oh, it was terrible.” Still, the process brought them back into the music, and the idea of playing again started to take hold.

What began as a limited run of shows quickly expanded. “Originally we were only going to do those summer dates… six or seven residencies,” Geddy explains. “Then the tickets were gone in an instant… and it just snowballed.” The result is a much larger tour that now stretches well beyond the initial plan.

A key part of that return is the addition of Anika Nilles. Introduced through longtime tech Scully, her first sessions with the band were exploratory. By the final day, things clicked. “She nailed the songs all day,” Alex recalls. “It was a real ‘Wow!’ moment.”

For Nilles, the focus has been on feel rather than replication. “First and foremost it’s about capturing the right feel… what makes the song the song,” she says, acknowledging the influence of Neil Peart while finding her own way into the material.

The upcoming shows will also take a slightly different approach, with setlists expected to vary from night to night. “If somebody comes back the second night… they’re going to hear something different,” Geddy notes.

While the logistics of a large-scale tour are part of the story, the interview keeps the focus on the experience of playing again—and the challenges that come with it. “I’ve got one goal,” Geddy says. “And that’s to be better than I was ten years ago.” Alex echoes that sentiment more simply: “All I want… is for us to be Rush and to be amazing.”

The full feature, including additional interviews and photos, is available to read HERE.

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