Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, a self-professed massive RUSH fan, was thoroughly impressed by the first show of the legendary prog-rock band’s reunion tour, offering high praise to new drummer Anika Nilles.
Portnoy is one of the greatest drummers of all time, and has cited late RUSH drummer Neil Peart as one of his heroes. In fact, Portnoy’s name constantly popped up as a potential replacement for Peart if RUSH decided to tour again, but he’s been very gracious and complimentary since Nilles was announced as the new drummer.
While Portnoy couldn’t make it out to Los Angeles for RUSH’s kickoff show on Sunday, June 7th, at the Kia Forum, like thousands of other fans, he watched the footage online, and was blown away. He wrote the following on Instagram:
“So many feelings and emotions today…I wasn’t there in person last night, but like so many of us around the world, I was glued to YouTube all night long…I watched the RushCon live stream in real time for the entire show as it was happening (as well as getting play by play texts from my buddy Chris Jericho who was there in attendance last night).
What can I say that hasn’t been written already by everybody online today…? It was magical! The setlist was absolutely PERFECT!! (and to think they still have around 3 other variations up their sleeves to come…) Anika absolutely KILLED IT in the best way imaginable. I was so happy for her…nailing all of the big Neil moments with a giant smile on her face the whole time! She really is the perfect choice for this! The tributes to Neil throughout the show were so tasteful and emotional. (Yes I’ll admit I cried at a few points) The production was absolutely INSANE (Major props to Howard Ungerleider).
And most importantly of all, I am so happy for Geddy and Alex to be able to do this again! Seeing this tour come to life, it is very obvious this needed to happen. As not only a proper tribute to Neil, but most importantly to honor the legacy of this band. Geddy and Alex deserve it. And the fans deserve it as well…
I’m still trying to figure out which show I will be able to attend (likely NYC or Philly), but I will be counting the days until I can witness this in person and soak up every single moment… Welcome back Rush!”
Portnoy previously said he would have taken the RUSH gig if offered to him, telling Metal Hammer, “If they hypothetically ever approached me with it, of course, I would have done it with the utmost respect and honor… But frankly, I’m kind of relieved they didn’t. First of all, filling Neil’s shoes is going to be impossible… And I [recently] came back home to Dream Theater, which is where I belong. So if, hypothetically, if they had approached me with this reunion that they’re doing, it would have put me in an incredibly awkward position because of the timing of it all.”
RUSH’s North American reunion tour runs all the way into December, with tickets available here. See Mike Portnoy’s Instagram post below.
