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Dream Theater<\/strong> drummer Mike Portnoy<\/strong> has shared his thoughts on Rush’s surprise return to the stage, offering a fan’s perspective on the Canadian legends’ upcoming Fifty Something reunion tour \u2014 and the decision to enlist acclaimed fusion drummer Anika Nilles<\/strong> to step into the unenviable role once held by the late Neil Peart<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Speaking in a new interview with Chile’s Futuro<\/em><\/a>, Portnoy<\/strong> described the announcement as “extremely exciting,” emphasizing both his lifelong devotion to Rush<\/strong> and his personal connection to Peart<\/strong>.<\/p>\n “It’s extremely exciting. I, as a fan, can’t wait to see how they do this and what it’s gonna be like,” said Portnoy<\/strong>. “Neil Peart<\/strong> was not only one of my biggest drum heroes, but he was somebody that I was honored to become friends with in the last decade or so of his life. So, yeah, as a fan of the band and as a friend of Neil<\/strong>‘s, I’m very happy to see them doing this, and I can’t wait to hear what they do.”<\/p>\n While Portnoy<\/strong> admitted he hasn’t yet seen Nilles<\/strong> perform live, he was quick to praise her credentials. Like many fans, he dove into her online performances following the announcement, citing her work with Jeff Beck<\/strong> and her jazz-fusion background as evidence of her formidable skill. “She’s obviously a tremendous drummer,” he noted, adding that he’s eager to hear how the new lineup sounds.<\/p>\n Portnoy<\/strong> also addressed a question he says followed him relentlessly for years: whether he would ever consider playing with Rush<\/strong>. Though the idea may seem logical given his prog-metal pedigree, the drummer revealed a sense of relief that the call never came. “Of course, those guys are my heroes,” he said. “But in all honesty, I’m kind of glad that they didn’t even ask me. That would be way too much pressure.”<\/p>\n