"I read Geddy's book [ My Effin' Life, published in 2023], and he mentioned about all the drummers kind of offering themselves to them and how much it turned him and Alex off, Portnoy said. I did send my condolences to Geddy and Alex after Neil passed, but I never once tried to throw my hat in the ring for Neil's gig. I realize that's a sacred role that should only ever be filled if Geddy and Alex choose for it to be so. And sure enough, here we are with them choosing to finally do so, which has been really incredible."
"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, Portnoy continued. First of all, filling Neil's shoes is going to be impossible. If anybody ever thought Mike Mangini [Dream Theater drummer from 2010-2023] filling my shoes was tough, try filling Neil Peart's shoes! And I 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."
Mike Portnoy clarified that he was not approached by Rush nor did he offer himself to replace Neil Peart after Peart's death. He sent condolences to Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson while respecting the drummer role as sacred and reserved for their choice. Portnoy stated he would have accepted the offer if Rush had asked, and would have done so with respect and honor. He expressed relief that he was not asked because filling Peart's shoes is effectively impossible and the timing would have created an awkward position after his 2023 return to Dream Theater. Anika Nilles ultimately received the role on the reunion tour.
Read at Consequence
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