I wish it would have been one of us.
My favorite band in the whole wide world is Rush; I’ve been saying that since 1981. Nothing has changed since that time and nothing ever will. As all of us Rush fans had to suffer the lose of our beloved drummer Neil Peart, we could never imagine anyone else taking his place. But, after a few years, the remaining band members decided that the show must go on. I can’t blame Alex and Geddy for wanting to get back out and start playing as Rush again. I mean, come on, they’re musicians. Playing music is their passion. And for us fans, we wanted to see them on stage again.
So, enter Anika Nilles. Rush’s new drummer.
My feelings are this.
There is no question she is a great drummer and has done a magnificent job as Rush’s drummer. Yes, there’s a BUT here. Why do I feel that this is just another job for her. Maybe it’s not, but I feel like it is. I feel like they picked her, she accepted, here are the songs you need to learn, got it, preform them, it’s been fun and on to the next job.
It just doesn’t feel genuine. Yes, it sounds great but it just doesn’t feel right to me. Could it be that I just can accept someone else back there taking the place of Neil? Maybe. But, I don’t think so. It just feels like, she is not one of us.
I wish Geddy and Alex would have gone with a drummer who lived and breathed Rush. I know there are hundreds of us out there. Someone who you could answer instantly, for example, what album is Circumstances on? Or, What is the name of the space shuttle in Countdown? Someone who could answer those kinds of questions without hesitation. You know, someone like us.
Well, it’s not my band and not my call. But, I would have felt better if it were one of us, a true diehard Rush fan.
