Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy Addresses Rumors He Was Approached to Join Rush After Neil Peart’s Death: ‘That’s a Sacred Role’

Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy Addresses Rumors He Was Approached to Join Rush After Neil Peart’s Death: ‘That’s a Sacred Role’

After Rush drummer Neil Peart died, rumors swirled that Mike Portnoy had been asked to join the legendary prog-rock band. Now, the iconic Dream Theater drummer has personally addressed the speculation. Portnoy said that he did not try to force his way into the band. He also called stepping into Peart’s shoes a “sacred role.” Portnoy did a Q&A with Metal Hammer readers when he was asked about the Rush rumors. Very directly, Portnoy made it clear …

Mike Portnoy Says He “Would Have Done It” If Asked to Join Rush Reunion Tour

Mike Portnoy says he would have agreed to play drums for Rush if the band had invited him to join their upcoming reunion tour. The Dream Theater drummer spoke about the idea while answering reader questions for Metal Hammer, where he addressed long-running talk among fans. Portnoy made clear that he was never contacted about […]

Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy ‘kind of relieved’ he wasn’t asked to join Rush - Regional Media News

Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy is not playing drums in Rush, and that's just fine with him. The "Tom Sawyer" rockers shocked the music world in 2025 by announcing they were reuniting for a tour in 2026, marking Rush's first live shows since the death of legendary drummer Neil Peart in 2020. Bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson will be joined by drummer Anika Nilles in place of Peart. Had Lee and Lifeson asked Portnoy to take the g…

Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy ‘kind of relieved’ he wasn’t asked to join Rush

Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy is not playing drums in Rush, and that's just fine with him.The "Tom Sawyer" rockers shocked the music world in 2025 by announcing they were reuniting… Source

Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy 'kind of relieved' he wasn't asked to join Rush

Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater performing live at Sweden Rock Festival on June 05, 2025 in Norje, Sweden. (Anne-Marie Forker/Redferns) Dream Theater‘s Mike Portnoy is not playing drums in Rush, and that’s just fine with him. The “Tom Sawyer” rockers shocked the music world in 2025 by announcing they were reuniting for a tour in 2026, marking Rush’s first live shows since the death of legendary drummer Neil Peart in 2020. Bassist/vocalist Geddy Le…

Mike Portnoy Says He "Would Have Done It" If Approached for RUSH Reunion

Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy said that he "would have done it" if approached to play drums for RUSH's reunion. Read his remarks.