Rush Drummer Neil Peart Dead at 67

My first day in undergrad, I made one of those friends you hang out with for the first month or so before inevitably drifting apart to different social circles. His dad happened to have (really expensive) tickets through work to see Rush in our city the next month on the Clockwork Angels tour but couldn't use them. I'd never been to a concert before at that point.

Holy crap! That show changed and enhanced what I appreciated in music so much. It's still easily the most technically impressive show I've seen. I don't listen to Rush as much as I used to but I think about them and that concert often.

Sad to hear. I played the drums, and he was my hero growing up. Modern Drummer magazine had a "drummer of the year" in different categories, and eventually they made a hall of fame, so it wouldn't just be Neil.

By their reckoning, the third best drummer ever: https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/march-2014-50-greatest...

There was a documentary 10 years ago about the history of the band. IIRC the band's first drummer was very talented but for whatever reason wasn't working out. The drummer had an unusual role for rock drummers -- he was actually kind of the "frontman" in the sense he would handle the audience patter, introducing the band, etc.

They found Peart working in his uncle's animal feed shop out in the countryside. He was an amazing drummer, technically speaking. Unlike his predecessor, Peart seemed to be a total introvert, and also didn't seem to mesh well with Lee and Lifeson (best pals since middle school). Nevertheless, he proved himself to be a creative leader, writing many of the band's most memorable songs, and crafting lyrics with meaning that go beyond what most hard rock bands were putting out at the time (see 2112 and Moving Pictures).

He took a long hiatus from music about 15 or 20 years ago after the deaths of several family members, and toured North America on his motorcycle. I always wondered about that trip, and what he was able to discover.

Like many commenters here Rush defined so much of my teen years. Songs like Subdivisions, Limelight, both written by Peart, captured much of what I saw in my life. So sad to see Peart gone but the Rolling Stone article outlines how much sadness he had in his life. May he find some peace in the afterlife.

He was amazing.

This video is a favorite of his playing. He breaks a stick and replaces it without losing a beat. It's hard to notice!

Neil Peart Breaks a Stick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UweV2Av7RE

"The treasure of a life is a measure of love and respect The way you live, the gifts that you give In the fullness of time It's the only return that you expect".

- Neil Peart, The Garden

You've taken care of everything,

The beats we feel, the words we scream,

And now you've gone to your eternal rest.

Those inclined to think and feel,

In all good ways did love you Neil,

And know you truly were among the best.

Holy shit. I've been listening to Rush since I was 5 years old and I always thought of these guys as immortal. Just.. wow. RIP to one of the most talented drummers and songwriters of all time.

This is really sad news. RIP. I actually learned about Rush through Craig Federighi's references to the band during Apple keynotes. I'm sure he's sad today as well.

:(

> Selena’s mother – Peart’s common-law wife of 23 years

not sure how to feel about this not-exactly-wife tidbit being thrown in there; just call her his wife - these aren't legal proceedings.

I grew up on Rush and love Neil’s lyrics and drumming. One of the best rock trios ever. RIP.

I started listening to Rush in 1976 with the release of 2112. I was completely blown away. They've always been one of my favorite bands ever since.

What a sad day. One of rock's best drummers from one of rock's best bands. So fortunate to have seen them on their farewell tour. RIP Mr. Peart.

Sad news. RIP. I haven't listened to Rush for a few years, maybe time to pull some of the albums back out and do some air-drumming.

"God, there is no fucking drummer better than Neil Peart!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkQydoiDY28&feature=youtu.be

One of the very best. Inspired countless musicians and changed the world forever.

Had the good fortune to see Rush concerts in 2004, 2007, and 2015. The scalper outside Madison Square Gardens who sold me a concert ticket was calling out, "if you've never had your prostate checked, you're too young to go to this concert!" Glad I ignored the tongue-in-cheek advice -- their shows never failed to amaze.

Very shocking news indeed. Rush is not Rush anymore without him. Definitely one of the drummers that raised the bar.

RIP Neil.

Incredible loss for the music world. Perhaps the GOAT of rock drummers. RIP.

It seems that it was only now revealed that Neil had been battling brain cancer over the last 3 years. He had always valued keeping his private life separate from his public persona.

Oh wow. He was a god to every drummer I ever played with.

Lots of black armbands.

RIP. One of the best drummers and lyricists of all time from one of the best bands of all time.

It’s a tragic loss on so many levels...

RIP Neil...

A major loss. One of the giants. Thanks for all the music and influencing hundreds of bands.

This is awful news. Too young.

What a loss. I’ll be listening to his music for the rest of my life.