Neil Peart Dead at 67

Good man, Scott. I decided to go w the Different Stages live version of 2112 from 1997.

Jan '86? The Power Windows tour. Arguably Neil at the second peak of his prowess, the first being Hemispheres in '78/79.

The Neil on that tour was absolutely nailing his timekeeping, and musical zen attitude in thinking several bars ahead while playing the current moment in time. This is what he relayed in his interviews of that tour in Modern Drummer etc.

This drumming was in advance even of Moving Pictures as he melded concise technique, zen timing and compositional awareness. Now it was the *song* that mattered, and serving it, not just the technique allowing him to get there. Neil's interviews were so enlightening in his evolving art and growth as a person.

Tommy Lee he was not Lol.

spiritofmusic said:

Bob, I think you would have on just fine w Neil. You're both pretty deep, zen individuals, and I think you'd have recognised that in each other.

Me? I'm a bit more angst driven. I'm sure Neil would tell me to stop looking at the ground and up a bit more.

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Me I think you bring the good spirit in us all; the Zu and the Zen /// Yin and Yang.

spiritofmusic said:

He truly deserves to rest in peace. If ever a musician's ethos on stage and in the studio reflected the man himself, that was Neil.

In late 90's, he lost his daughter and first wife both suddenly without warning within a year of each other, put his sticks down and got on his bike quite literally to disappear. There was no likelihood he would be seen again anytime soon since he'd lost EVERYTHING.

The fact he returned, and returned to play the drums, and play them to the level he had for another decade plus is midbendingly impressive. And now it seems that he was battling a crippling and finally fatal illness, w no publicity or fanfare. For three years. How can you not be affected?

Neil Peart, a true colossus.

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Have you read his book "Ghost Rider" about that period in his life and his travels; it's an amazing story.

Devastating news,....diehard Rush fan here growing up in Western NY right across the border.

Genius group, master musicians and great guys. I literally grew up with their music from their first album on, experienced them in small and large venues,.....extremely sad.

Best rock drummer in the world, bar none.

His life journey and trials are inspirational...read his book "Ghost Rider"; said a 2nd time for emphasis

As someone else said (and I love the phase), growing up with Rush in Western NY from album #1 onward, "in the sense of rock
music, Rush played the soundtrack of my life." Very true...

A huge loss...Very Sad days.

R.I.P.

Long time fan. Saw them first time 1982 in Phoenix, Great show.
Neil was a unique talent both for his drumming and lyrics. amazing to me how fresh and ever changing his lyrics remained over MANY years.

? https://nationalpost.com/opinion/matt-gurney-peart-obit ?

SCAudiophile said:

Have you read his book "Ghost Rider" about that period in his life and his travels; it's an amazing story.

Devastating news,....diehard Rush fan here growing up in Western NY right across the border.

Genius group, master musicians and great guys. I literally grew up with their music from their first album on, experienced them in small and large venues,.....extremely sad.

Best rock drummer in the world, bar none.

His life journey and trials are inspirational...read his book "Ghost Rider"; said a 2nd time for emphasis

As someone else said (and I love the phase), growing up with Rush in Western NY from album #1 onward, "in the sense of rock
music, Rush played the soundtrack of my life." Very true...

A huge loss...Very Sad days.

R.I.P.

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SC, I think I never really go into it. I'm not always a big fan of Neil's longform writing, and didn't get stuck in. There were a few books at the time I started but didn't finish. I had been meaning to revisit it...

Gosh, seeing them right from the start, what a thing. I really envy you. It's not hard to see why thru such a powerful work ethic, uncompromising attitude, and siege mentality from comprehensive media bias against, the fans who "got" Rush, REALLY got them.

gshelley said:

Long time fan. Saw them first time 1982 in Phoenix, Great show.
Neil was a unique talent both for his drumming and lyrics. amazing to me how fresh and ever changing his lyrics remained over MANY years.

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Well, as someone not at all into "boy meets girl" lyrics, Neil to me was heaven sent Lol.

And even when he did go this route, the words and themes were always "bigger picture", or off kilter. Songs like "Ghost Of A Chance" and "Cold Fire".

NorthStar said:

? https://nationalpost.com/opinion/matt-gurney-peart-obit ?

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There have been so many fantastic elegies to the man. This sums his mantra, he truly believed he was doing a job, but refused to do it to anything other than his v best. And no need for others to expect less. But not expect a piece of him. It certainly divided opinion amongst some fans, most truly ok w that, some feeling like he owed them more. Woe betide the latter fans actually meeting him.

Which period is your favorite? I tend to prefer the late 70s early 80s but I am also surprisingly digging Caress of Steel (Bastille Day, Lakeside Park and Fountain of Lamneth), which I like better than 2112. I also like most of Hold Your Fire and even quite a bit of Presto. After that my interest drops off...

Brad, 2112 is a bit like Bohemian Rhapsody and Last Supper and The Wall for me. The breakthru/fans' most faves. I'm not the biggest fan of those tracks and albums everyone else loves. 2112 remains the Rush "innoculation".

So, I fall twds Signals over Moving Pictures. In terms of pure emotional energy from Rush, I still think Grace Under Pressure is the highpoint of Neil's lyrics. Sums up the Cold War dark days of the mid 80s SO well.

Presto and Counterparts are the best of the commercial phase. A lot of love for Vapor Trails. Neil, back from the abyss.

Bye Neil Peart, gone way too early. Your music was part of my youth. Thank you for the great memories. Rock on dude, where ever you are.

Power trio somewhere up there.
Jimi Hendrix, Chris Squire and Neil.
Oh, and Frank Zappa. And Jack Bruce. And Ginger Baker. But since this is a Neil thread...lol.

spiritofmusic said:

Power trio somewhere up there.
Jimi Hendrix, Chris Squire and Neil.
Oh, and Frank Zappa. And Jack Bruce. And Ginger Baker. But since this is a Neil thread...lol.

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Can’t really imagine Neil with anyone else really...

spiritofmusic said:

Brad, 2112 is a bit like Bohemian Rhapsody and Last Supper and The Wall for me. The breakthru/fans' most faves. I'm not the biggest fan of those tracks and albums everyone else loves. 2112 remains the Rush "innoculation".

So, I fall twds Signals over Moving Pictures. In terms of pure emotional energy from Rush, I still think Grace Under Pressure is the highpoint of Neil's lyrics. Sums up the Cold War dark days of the mid 80s SO well.

Presto and Counterparts are the best of the commercial phase. A lot of love for Vapor Trails. Neil, back from the abyss.

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Well Signals is my favorite of favorites. Then probably Hemispheres.

Brad, there is an interesting jam of Neil w Alex and Billy Sheehan. On YouTube. It's v different, Neil is just setting a pulse. Alex is textural and other worldly. Billy is kinda Geddy-like. It's a fantastic showcase for Alex, probably the most underappreciated guitarist out there.

And mute point. Neil ABSOLUTELY didn't believe in an afterlife.

spiritofmusic said:

Brad, there is an interesting jam of Neil w Alex and Billy Sheehan. On YouTube. It's v different, Neil is just setting a pulse. Alex is textural and other worldly. Billy is kinda Geddy-like. It's a fantastic showcase for Alex, probably the most underappreciated guitarist out there.

And mute point. Neil ABSOLUTELY didn't believe in an afterlife.

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Alex’s reputation will grow in time I have no doubt

morricab said:

Well Signals is my favorite of favorites. Then probably Hemispheres.

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Two albums in history speak to me Brad. "Signals", and Marillion "Afraid Of Sunlight".

"Subdivisions" is like a revelation that some adults at least got the cloying claustrophobia and schizophrenia of growing up. Ironically as a 50+ yr old, I've swapped the city metropolitan mindset for the country.

NorthStar said:

You are a big Rush' fan Marc?
I think Mike is also...Ferrari Mike.

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Just a little bit eh!

Like everyone else I was completely unaware and blown away at the news. Yesterday while trolling Facebook a workmate from decades ago tagged me in a Peart drum solo, no text, nothing, just the drum solo video. The timing was a little off so I fired up my laptop to dig deeper and up pops a PM from my WBF Rush mate Marc.

I took a day to process before posting.

For me it all started in my high school library listening to my upper classmates rave about this album by a band named Rush titled 2112. They went on and on for the whole time we were in there. They were not talking to me, they were talking amungst themselves but the conversation sold the album to me so I went out and bought it and the rest as they say is history!

There was a radio interview, early 80's, by the infamous Jim Ladd on 94.7 KMET with Neil. My partner in crime (RIP) and I had planned on listening to it and were racing home to listen to in on the stereo and didn't make it in time. We were listening on the car radio and the conversation was so intense that we literally had to pull of the road into a parking lot and focus on dynamics of what he was saying.....that and to get into the right frame of mind.

I have seen them live every tour since Moving Pictures and even talked the sound engineer out of the set list from the mixing board on the Time Machine Tour in Louisville KY. Wanted to post a pick of it but its buried in storage.

Neil lived in Los Angeles and was known for showing up at jazz gigs in small clubs and sitting in unannounced or even playing whole gigs not listing himself as the prime mover. You just had to be in the right place at the right time and believe me I tried to find those gigs but never did. His love for jazz ran deep as evidenced by his Buddy Rich tribute albums he put together.

At one of my visits to Mikes place I brought 2112 and did my best to piss off his system which it did not but it did sort out Grand Finale better than anything I have ever heard it on and somewhat got Mike to listen to them.

The world can and should learn a lot from Neil and his actions as a member of the human race. He suffered travesties that I don't think I would have survived let alone return to as normal as a life as he did. He is a drummers drummer and lyricist at the same time captured the public eye as an outstanding human being. He had an unquestionable work ethic, stayed out of trouble and brought a positive message to all.

I leave you with this track with Rush as a guest on the Max Webster album Universal Juvenile (such a fun album to listen to) called Battle Scar. The song was recorded live in studio, both bands playing together, so you have two of everything, drums,bass ,guitar,vocal and keys. They used to play the song together when touring. Most people have never heard this track but the energy of two bands having a blast together comes through, you can hear the smiles and if you know anything about Rush and there antics, I assure you they were going on during this recording.

R.I.P buddy.

Great post. The man was loved, alright. I'm noticing a different vibe to the Twitter comments on Neil's passing. This is going beyond the usual platitudes paid to a dead musician. There's a universal outpouring of love and respect for the guy. It's as if everyone realises his and Rush's battle for success in the industry is emblematic of everyone's, and Neil's path can be totally empathised with.

And critically, the recognition of the sheer heartbreak his death represents. His work ethic and talent totally wasted by this illness. The sheer cruel hand of fate, and that it could be anyone of us.

spiritofmusic said:

Great post. The man was loved, alright. I'm noticing a different vibe to the Twitter comments on Neil's passing. This is going beyond the usual platitudes paid to a dead musician. There's a universal outpouring of love and respect for the guy. It's as if everyone realises his and Rush's battle for success in the industry is emblematic of everyone's, and Neil's path can be totally empathised with.

And critically, the recognition of the sheer heartbreak his death represents. His work ethic and talent totally wasted by this illness. The sheer cruel hand of fate, and that it could be anyone of us.

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absolutley!

If anyone wants to see Neil rise above watch Live in Rio concert and then watch the making of / behind the scenes bits as its his foray back into the limelight. If you are a fan its very emotional as a watcher. He is a better/stronger human than I could ever hope to be.