RIP Neil Peart

[kevinb1994]

It is with great sadness that his fellow band mates and henceforth have reported his passing at the age of 67 from a form of brain cancer. While I didn't always agree with his lyrics, I did appreciate his percussion work on the albums that RUSH managed to release at the peak of their decades-long career. I can't say which of his drum solos I like, but I always dug him with the mallets.

[mgk920]

 

Mike

[jp the roadgeek]

Devastating.  Saw them 4 times between 94 and 04.  His drum solo was often the highlight of the show.

[roadman65]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/4434938002

[nexus73]

My fave Rush song was "Big Money".  Didn't Peart write the lyrics for it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KqKMJmvk4s

Rick

[SectorZ]

My favorite band, my favorite drummer, and one of my favorite lyricists.

It pains to know that he fought a battle like that for so many years and only people close to him knew (Mike Portnoy - formerly of Dream Theater - confirmed he knew for most of the time). It stinks that he retired not only due to his body starting to fail him physically but also due to having a second chance at a family after his first wife and daughter each died in the late 90's, and only years later this happens. He has a young daughter who I believe isn't even 10 years old yet.

[roadman65]

My fave Rush song was "Big Money".  Didn't Peart write the lyrics for it?

Rick

He was the band's drummer/percussionist AND lyricist.


Not when John Rutman was drummer.

[hbelkins]

When I was in high school, I was visiting with my cousins. The male sibling had a killer stereo system. He knew my taste in music, so he told me he had something I needed to listen to. I'd heard of Rush, but had never heard any of their music. He put on side 4 of "All The World's A Stage," which included the drum solo at the end of the "Working Man/Finding My Way" medley. I instantly became a fan.

I admit to not being a fan of the 80s stuff; it's a rare occasion that I will listen to the three albums that followed "Signals." But they went back to a sound more in tune with their earlier days, and I really liked a lot of their later releases. They're one of the few bands I liked when I was in high school that stuck around for awhile that I still stayed really interested in their music. I haven't cared much for the new stuff Chicago or Aerosmith have released in recent years. The Kiss stuff with Thayer and Singer is OK, but not as good as either the 70s stuff or what they were putting out in the 80s after the makeup came off. But with the exception of that "Grace Under Pressure/Hold Your Fire/Power Windows" era, I've remained a fan.

Peart was a devotee of Ayn Rand. In fact, "2112" is basically one of her books set to music. Unfortunately, that also included her atheism. Peart's atheistic views were really on display in lyrics on "Freewill," "BU2B," and much of the "Snakes & Arrows" album.

I'm very in tune with Rand politically, but not spiritually. It's my hope and prayer that as Peart's life came to a close, he came to know God.

Terry Kath (Chicago guitarist who died in 1978 of an accidental shooting) and Peart performed much of the soundtrack of my youth.

[kevinb1994]

When I was in high school, I was visiting with my cousins. The male sibling had a killer stereo system. He knew my taste in music, so he told me he had something I needed to listen to. I'd heard of Rush, but had never heard any of their music. He put on side 4 of "All The World's A Stage," which included the drum solo at the end of the "Working Man/Finding My Way" medley. I instantly became a fan.

I admit to not being a fan of the 80s stuff; it's a rare occasion that I will listen to the three albums that followed "Signals." But they went back to a sound more in tune with their earlier days, and I really liked a lot of their later releases. They're one of the few bands I liked when I was in high school that stuck around for awhile that I still stayed really interested in their music. I haven't cared much for the new stuff Chicago or Aerosmith have released in recent years. The Kiss stuff with Thayer and Singer is OK, but not as good as either the 70s stuff or what they were putting out in the 80s after the makeup came off. But with the exception of that "Grace Under Pressure/Hold Your Fire/Power Windows" era, I've remained a fan.

Peart was a devotee of Ayn Rand. In fact, "2112" is basically one of her books set to music. Unfortunately, that also included her atheism. Peart's atheistic views were really on display in lyrics on "Freewill," "BU2B," and much of the "Snakes & Arrows" album.

I'm very in tune with Rand politically, but not spiritually. It's my hope and prayer that as Peart's life came to a close, he came to know God.

Terry Kath (Chicago guitarist who died in 1978 of an accidental shooting) and Peart performed much of the soundtrack of my youth.

He did say that he regretted being associated with Rand and moved on as a result of the criticism. He was, as of late, a Democrat due to recent shifts in the political world. He was a left-leaning libertarian for many years, however.

[bugo]

I'm very in tune with Rand politically, but not spiritually. It's my hope and prayer that as Peart's life came to a close, he came to know God.

That is offensive and patronizing. Shame on you, HB, shame on you. Statements like this are why you have a reputation.

[bugo]

And I think his politics evolved over by the years.

[hbelkins]

I'm very in tune with Rand politically, but not spiritually. It's my hope and prayer that as Peart's life came to a close, he came to know God.

That is offensive and patronizing. Shame on you, HB, shame on you. Statements like this are why you have a reputation.

I'll gladly accept that reputation, because I don't want anyone to spend eternity in hell.

[hotdogPi]

I'm very in tune with Rand politically

Fitting that you're from Kentucky.

Oh wait, that's the other Rand.

[hbelkins]

I'm very in tune with Rand politically

Fitting that you're from Kentucky.

Oh wait, that's the other Rand.

Actually, I'm often more critical of him than I am complimentary.

[dcharlie]

I'm very in tune with Rand politically, but not spiritually. It's my hope and prayer that as Peart's life came to a close, he came to know God.

Terry Kath (Chicago guitarist who died in 1978 of an accidental shooting) and Peart performed much of the soundtrack of my youth.

Well said HB.  Thanks for that...

[Mark68]

Rush was my first concert (what was then the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa, CA). I have seen them a total of 5x in three states. My wife and I are in the audience in the photo of Red Rocks that graces the cover of Neil's Roadshow book. He had a profound influence on this audiophile and I have such a great appreciation for his work, both as a drummer and as a lyricist (also as an author). His flirtation with Ayn Rand caused me to read some of her work and subsequently reject her philosophy, as he did later in life. But his whimsical stories about science fiction and fantasy, I very much appreciate. And while reading Roadshow, I could not help but appreciate his sense of humor (especially when he would (with a sense of irony and mirth) remark upon random sayings he saw on church signs as he passed them on his motorcycle.


I heard someone mention that Neil was "your favorite drummer's favorite drummer". We have seen this with all of the social media posts from the likes of Lars Ulrich, Mike Portnoy, Dave Grohl, Stewart Copeland and others about how they enjoyed his work. Those who met Neil (he was a very private individual) have always marked about how gracious he was, even though he was not fond of the fame he had attained (read/hear the lyrics to "Limelight", and you'll understand).


Anyway, Rush, and Neil in particular, were a seminal part of my young adulthood, and I have remained a fan into middle age. He was lost too soon, and having recently dealt with my father's cancer (he is cancer-free now), I cannot help but express my admiration & utmost sympathy for what his wife and daughter, as well as his bandmates, Geddy & Alex, are going through right now.


RIP, Professor. And Fuck Cancer!

[hbelkins]

Back in the late 70s or early 80s, my brother bought a four-pack paperback set of her books because of her influence on Peart. In that four-pack were "Anthem" (the short book on which "2112" was based), "The Fountainhead," and "Atlas Shrugged." I forget the fourth one in that set. I admit to struggling through "Fountainhead" and "Atlas." They were far too long and involved for me to get through or appreciate. Fast-forward to a few years ago, when "Atlas Shrugged" was turned into a movie. My brother bought me a set of her paperbacks as a gift. The seal's not off the package, and I don't know where those books ended up. Ain't got time for a book the length of "Fountainhead" or "Atlas."

[Duke87]

Back in the late 70s or early 80s, my brother bought a four-pack paperback set of her books because of her influence on Peart. In that four-pack were "Anthem" (the short book on which "2112" was based), "The Fountainhead," and "Atlas Shrugged." I forget the fourth one in that set. I admit to struggling through "Fountainhead" and "Atlas." They were far too long and involved for me to get through or appreciate. Fast-forward to a few years ago, when "Atlas Shrugged" was turned into a movie. My brother bought me a set of her paperbacks as a gift. The seal's not off the package, and I don't know where those books ended up. Ain't got time for a book the length of "Fountainhead" or "Atlas."

I read Atlas Shrugged years ago when my daily commute involved an hour-long train ride each way. At that point I appreciated the book's thickness since it meant it lasted. Took me about a month to finish it.

[ET21]

One of my personal favorite albums is Hemispheres, but funny enough I was not turned onto the band until I heard One Little Victory on Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2. Found out my Dad had all the original 45 records and after he ripped them to digital I fell in love with the band.

[kurumi]

I liked all the proggy stuff (basically Farewell to Kings thru Signals)

Maybe another word for heaven is the Great White North ("it's like it was sung by angels"). Here's Geddy Lee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jm4LoOaAWI

[sbeaver44]

My favorite band.

FYI it seems Neil's literary works are largely free on Audible through 1/28.  I'm about 7 hours into Ghost Rider.  Great so far.