Neil Peart (Source: Rush.com)
i just learned about the passing of Rush drummer and lyricist, Neil Peart.
Rush is one of my all-time favorite rock bands and their music has been an ever-present part of my life. Although all three of Rush’s members are incredibly talented musicians, Peart truly defined Rush, in my opinion. Rush is one of the few rock bands that prominently feature the drummer front-and-center in every piece.
Peart was a legend and surely a benchmark for any percussionist.
As the Rolling Stone put it:
“Peart was one of rock’s greatest drummers, with a flamboyant yet utterly precise style that paid homage to his hero, the Who’s Keith Moon, while going well beyond that example. He joined singer-bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson in Rush in 1974, and his virtuosic playing and literate, wildly imaginative lyrics – which drew on Ayn Rand and science fiction, among other influences – helped make the trio one of the essential bands of the classic-rock era.”
Peart passed away at the age of 67 after more than a three year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer
One of my favorite pieces by Rush is “The Spirit of Radio” which was released in 1980 and appeared on their iconic album Permanent Waves. The following live performance features an phenomenal intro into the song. If you like Rush, you’ll love this concert clip:
Click here to view on YouTube.
Rest in peace, Neil…
