A great observation, @superrabbit. Okay, maybe I’m biased saying , great observation, because I too, was super impressed by the fact that she’s only using one bass drum pedal — I assumed that she was using a double bass pedal when I first heard her. Nope. She just has a super quick foot and great technique — and great technique all around. She’s an instructor and she formerly played with Jeff Beck (he only used top-notch players, of course).

I’m seeing social media posts from people hating on her, as if she’s not good enough to do the job. I’m sure Neil would acknowledge that she’s technically in another league from him, so I don’t think any of that drumming will be technically challenging for her. Of course, we drummers know that there’s much more than technique to make a great drummer — so that isn’t a slight on Neil. I think you share my love for Ringo’s playing in The Beatles. He has virtually no technique at all and Ringo created some of the most iconic drum beats and fills ever heard in rock. I can’t imagine another drummer more perfect for The Beatles — one of my all-time favorite bands. Neil, was, of course, much more proficient as a drummer than Ringo, and Anika is far more proficient than Neil was.

Anika has phenomenal technique AND feel. I think it will be awesome to hear her playing Neil’s drum parts. My guess is that she’s going to do those iconic fills that are musts for those songs plus inject her own style into the music too. I think that’s super exciting, as a drummer. I am really eager to hear her with the band. My only concern is that Geddy’s voice wasn’t able to handle the band’s music 10 years ago, so I can’t imagine that it’s improved with the years. Hopefully, they’ll put things in keys he can more easily sing.