RIP Neil Peart, best drummer i ever saw
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/neil-peart-rush-obituary-936221/
[Edited on 1/10/2020 by LeglizHemp]
RIP, Great drummer, one of the biggest kits I've seen, Neil, Alex, & Geddy were one the first prog fusion bands I dug, I'll be spinning 2112 tonight.
RS link
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/neil-peart-rush-obituary-936221/
Rush '76 Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ "Jersey's Beacon" (14:15 mark is 2112, I love that album)
…………..
[Edited on 1/11/2020 by Fretsman]
R.I.P., Thanks for the great music. 2112 for me to
I didn't know Neil was sick. Said he was 67, died in Santa Monica, California of brain cancer that he had been battling for a year.
Absolutely one of the best drummers I ever saw too. This is a big loss to those of us who get in the mood for some good drumming.
Just recently I found a video and posted here under the thread Drummer heaven of Neil playing a small kit like Jaimoe and many of the old jazz greats with the Buddy Rich Band. Neil didn't to me have Buddy's speed and snare technique but Neil played that piece with Buddy's band very, very well. He was excellent to me.
I think Buddy Rich also died of brain cancer in 1987 at age 69.
It was shortly thereafter a musician who play piano in Buddy's band let out these tapes the piano player made suruptisiously on Buddy's tour bus of Buddy cussing out and belittling the young men in his band. " The timing in this band is outrageous! We don't play two f*** bars in the same tempo"!! "You are worse than any f high school band I ever heard", " I've played with the greatest f*** musicians in the world. I dare you to play like that around me" etc etc.
Oh my. Neil Peart. This is a huge loss. Drummer World will stop the presses for this. May he RIP.
Wow, what a loss. Never been much of a Rush fan for other reasons, but always recognized the talents of the band and Neil in particular. And their/his popularity. Huge loss.
And kudos to the Rush camp for keeping this quiet, both for the last 3 years while he battled this awful disease, as well as past 3 days since he died to allow the Neil and his family to deal with it and make arrangements. Almost unbelievable that it wasn't leaked in this day & age.
Definitely explains the band's quick and seemingly early wind-down after that last tour.
RIP, Neil...What a loss and frankly a shock. I hope his passing was as painless and quick as possible. I hope if there's a heaven he's sitting in with Butch and Ginger right about now.
🙁 This one is going to sting. Rush was such a huge part of my youth. Neil was certainly the main reason for that I know. Not only is his drumming some of the best for any genre, but his ability to write the at times very creative lyrics is for me what pushed Rush to the level of success they enjoyed. Not to take anything away from Alex or Geddy. Seen them so many times over the years. Been a tough week up here. This one stings. Going miss you Neil 🙁
Maybe the most influential drummer since John Bonham?
Yes and Bonham was one of Peart's influences.
This is Peart playing with the last lineup of Buddy Rich's band. And he nails it!!
Listening to the surround sound version of 2112.
First time I saw Rush, they were a back-up to Head East. It was my senior year at Illinois State, and it was a FREE back to school concert. Rush had just released All the World's a Stage, but Head East was from central Illinois.
Next time was Rush backed up by April Wine at the Aragon in Chicago. I had friends in to see the show, and it was their first experience using the "L" in Chicago.
Saw them a few more times - my brother-in-law really liked them, so we saw the Vapor Trails tour and maybe the last 2 tours.
Every time I saw them I was amazed at the sound that 3 people can make.... I was blown away every time.
RIP Neil.........
Maybe the most influential drummer since John Bonham?
Without a doubt, he was a Master at all he did. Drumming, lyrics, writing, he had it all.
His drumming style was unique and made clock work precision with impossible time signatures and fills seem somehow easy.
It may sound funny to some in the States and elsewhere but in Canada, this is pretty big and sad news for all.
Geddy's voice is not for all and I get that but musically, those three guys created their own Prog style and sound and defied musical trends and always maintained their popularity.
Met all the guys many times over the years. Neil less than the others as he didn't really do the "R&R backstage" thing. But all three are incredibly nice guys.
Sad day.
Someone mentioned earlier in the thread that he was battling for a year but it was actually three and a half years and he toured while sick.
Sad day for sure.
Awesome drummer, loved the story of how he took off on his motorcycle after his daughter and wife died.
Wow.....this is a shock. I did not know he was sick, unless I missed something.
I agree with what Jim mentioned about being the most influential drummer since JB. You never see or hear guys like that anymore.Truly one of kind, master of the drums/percussion.
Unfortunately I was only able to see Rush 4-5times over the last 25yrs or so.
Never earlier in their career 70's and such.
This is saying something. It's not everyday a drummer gets a feature solo on network TV. I remember seeing this when it aired.
Earlier in the day before I heard anything my co worker and I were at work and our patients can request music to listen to during their procedures. You get things all over the map and genres at times. The gentleman we had requested prog rock. He was roughly my age. I can't remember if we were using,Spotify,Amazon or what to stream but Mystic Rhythms came on. Have not heard that one in awhile. I always thought the drums/percussion in that time were/are very cool.
That lead us to the conversation of the movie I Love You Man were Rush make an appearance. Pretty funny.
Rush would do these little short skits/ features before each concert . Always entertaining and they had a great sense of humour.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Maybe the most influential drummer since John Bonham?
Without a doubt, he was a Master at all he did. Drumming, lyrics, writing, he had it all.
His drumming style was unique and made clock work precision with impossible time signatures and fills seem somehow easy.
It may sound funny to some in the States and elsewhere but in Canada, this is pretty big and sad news for all.
Geddy's voice is not for all and I get that but musically, those three guys created their own Prog style and sound and defied musical trends and always maintained their popularity.
Met all the guys many times over the years. Neil less than the others as he didn't really do the "R&R backstage" thing. But all three are incredibly nice guys.
Sad day.
Someone mentioned earlier in the thread that he was battling for a year but it was actually three and a half years and he toured while sick.
Sad day for sure.
yes they stated he battled for 3 1/2 years but unless he had it before that how did he tour while sick? the bands last show, unless i'm wrong, was in august 2015 and he died at the start of 2020. that means the tour finished about 4 1/2 years ago
I happened to catch the recently produced Rush documentary "Time Stand Still" on Showtime again over the holidays and hearing this sad news today I couldn't help but wonder if the band members and their inner circle didn't know then that Neil was very sick.
I'd seen this when it first aired but thinking about it now having seen it a few weeks ago, there's seems something was amiss during the segment when they mention all of Neil's ailments during their final tour.
I recommend any Rush fan watch this great documentary....Or any fan of music for that matter. Here's a link to find out more about it:
I suspect Showtime will air this again given Neil's passing.
Just finished reading a fine appreciation of Neil in this morning’s paper - front & center, before the news pages
“Your soul is cold if you don’t bust out the air drums when you catch the last 20 seconds of Limelight”
RIP sir
I saw Rush 3 times. Wasn't a big fan. It wasn't my kind of vibe but went with friends because technically they were very polished and impressive. Like Yes and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Not my bag but yet impressed with the ability of those bands when I saw them. I saw Emerson, Lake and Palmer on an Allmans bill in August of 1974 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
I think my friend then who was a Rush fan said they formed about 1967 and the guitarist was the only original and Neil Peart didnt join until 1974 but this was 1981 when I first saw them and what I saw was the lineup that put them on the map and made them famous.
Journey and Fleetwood Mac are two bands I can think of where it was a later lineup that put them into commercial success.
With the Allmans the original lineup put the band there but Duane only was around for two months to see the band hit big. Gregg said just when his brother got killed the money just started pouring in. Duane got one decent check. Gregg said it really bothered him for years as it seemed the man whom Gregg thought was the greatest guitar play he ever saw and the mover and shaker, the first one to face the fire, got cheated.
I saw Rush 3 times. Wasn't a big fan. It wasn't my kind of vibe but went with friends because technically they were very polished and impressive. Like Yes and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Not my bag but yet impressed with the ability of those bands when I saw them. I saw Emerson, Lake and Palmer on an Allmans bill in August of 1974 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
I think my friend then who was a Rush fan said they formed about 1967 and the guitarist was the only original and Neil Peart didnt join until 1974 but this was 1981 when I first saw them and what I saw was the lineup that put them on the map and made them famous.
Journey and Fleetwood Mac are two bands I can think of where it was a later lineup that put them into commercial success.
With the Allmans the original lineup put the band there but Duane only was around for two months to see the band hit big. Gregg said just when his brother got killed the money just started pouring in. Duane got one decent check. Gregg said it really bothered him for years as it seemed the man whom Gregg thought was the greatest guitar play he ever saw and the mover and shaker, the first one to face the fire, got cheated.
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are original members. Their original drummer left the group pretty early in their existence as he grew tired of their grueling touring in the early days. He was then replaced by Neil Peart. I want to say Neil joined in 1968 or 69 but I'm not certain of that.
They devote several minutes of this story in the documentary, "Time Stand Still." Particularly how blown away Geddy and Alex were by Neil's talent at the audition to replace their original drummer.
I saw Rush 3 times. Wasn't a big fan. It wasn't my kind of vibe but went with friends because technically they were very polished and impressive. Like Yes and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Not my bag but yet impressed with the ability of those bands when I saw them. I saw Emerson, Lake and Palmer on an Allmans bill in August of 1974 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
I think my friend then who was a Rush fan said they formed about 1967 and the guitarist was the only original and Neil Peart didnt join until 1974 but this was 1981 when I first saw them and what I saw was the lineup that put them on the map and made them famous.
Journey and Fleetwood Mac are two bands I can think of where it was a later lineup that put them into commercial success.
With the Allmans the original lineup put the band there but Duane only was around for two months to see the band hit big. Gregg said just when his brother got killed the money just started pouring in. Duane got one decent check. Gregg said it really bothered him for years as it seemed the man whom Gregg thought was the greatest guitar play he ever saw and the mover and shaker, the first one to face the fire, got cheated.
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are original members. Their original drummer left the group pretty early in their existence as he grew tired of their grueling touring in the early days. He was then replaced by Neil Peart. I want to say Neil joined in 1968 or 69 but I'm not certain of that.
They devote several minutes of this story in the documentary, "Time Stand Still." Particularly how blown away Geddy and Alex were by Neil's talent at the audition to replace their original drummer.
geddy lee is technically not an original member. they had a guy for a few weeks before he joined. john rutsey left in like 1974 after the band had already released an album. peart came in after that and the lineup was the same from album #2 until they disbanded
This pretty much sums it up - Once asked hypothetically by Rolling Stone if he’d consider taking up Peart’s sticks if offered, Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl told the magazine: “I would say, ‘I’m not physically or musically capable, but thanks for the offer.’ Neil Peart, that’s a whole other animal, another species of drummer.”
I did some digging. Apparently Getty Lee joined in 1969 and the band began in 1968. Alex on guitar is the only original. Lee quit later in 1969 but returned before the end of 1969. Original drummer left in 1974 and replaced by Peart. Getty, Alex and Neil brought stardom to the group beginning with their second album.
Neil decided the band was done in 2015 and later Getty said Neil misspoke and he just needed a break. But Alex in 2018 announced the band was done. I guess that website had all that close to right. There are several other musicians who were members early in Rush's existence but I won't list them. I see their wikipedia page has all of them listed now as past members including Alex and Getty.
You guys are funny with the "former members" stuff. Talking about high school years here guys. Playing high school dances. LOL
If you dig like that then some bands would have hundreds of members.
or is there someone out there that is a huge Jeff Jones Era fan from when they were 12. LOL
Less Wiki guys. LOL
I saw Rush 3 times. Wasn't a big fan. It wasn't my kind of vibe but went with friends because technically they were very polished and impressive. Like Yes and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Not my bag but yet impressed with the ability of those bands when I saw them. I saw Emerson, Lake and Palmer on an Allmans bill in August of 1974 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
I think my friend then who was a Rush fan said they formed about 1967 and the guitarist was the only original and Neil Peart didnt join until 1974 but this was 1981 when I first saw them and what I saw was the lineup that put them on the map and made them famous.
Journey and Fleetwood Mac are two bands I can think of where it was a later lineup that put them into commercial success.
With the Allmans the original lineup put the band there but Duane only was around for two months to see the band hit big. Gregg said just when his brother got killed the money just started pouring in. Duane got one decent check. Gregg said it really bothered him for years as it seemed the man whom Gregg thought was the greatest guitar play he ever saw and the mover and shaker, the first one to face the fire, got cheated.
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are original members. Their original drummer left the group pretty early in their existence as he grew tired of their grueling touring in the early days. He was then replaced by Neil Peart. I want to say Neil joined in 1968 or 69 but I'm not certain of that.
They devote several minutes of this story in the documentary, "Time Stand Still." Particularly how blown away Geddy and Alex were by Neil's talent at the audition to replace their original drummer.
geddy lee is technically not an original member. they had a guy for a few weeks before he joined. john rutsey left in like 1974 after the band had already released an album. peart came in after that and the lineup was the same from album #2 until they disbanded
I stand corrected and thanks for the clarification.
RIP Neil.
Maybe the most influential drummer since John Bonham?
Without a doubt, he was a Master at all he did. Drumming, lyrics, writing, he had it all.
His drumming style was unique and made clock work precision with impossible time signatures and fills seem somehow easy.
It may sound funny to some in the States and elsewhere but in Canada, this is pretty big and sad news for all.
Geddy's voice is not for all and I get that but musically, those three guys created their own Prog style and sound and defied musical trends and always maintained their popularity.
Met all the guys many times over the years. Neil less than the others as he didn't really do the "R&R backstage" thing. But all three are incredibly nice guys.
Sad day.
Someone mentioned earlier in the thread that he was battling for a year but it was actually three and a half years and he toured while sick.
Sad day for sure.
James, I came here hoping you were posting on this.
This is such a sad time for a lot of us. Fans all over the world are feeling the loss, but, damn. We just lost the Wayne Gretzky of drums.
With your years in the business plus being Canadian, can you maybe comment on the impact these guys had in the music business and how they did things as compared to the others, because their longevity was so incredible. I’m also wondering about what you think Rush has meant to Canada?
I mean, FFS. Gord Downie and Neil Peart pass away from the same thing? So sad. 🙁
Maybe the most influential drummer since John Bonham?
Without a doubt, he was a Master at all he did. Drumming, lyrics, writing, he had it all.
His drumming style was unique and made clock work precision with impossible time signatures and fills seem somehow easy.
It may sound funny to some in the States and elsewhere but in Canada, this is pretty big and sad news for all.
Geddy's voice is not for all and I get that but musically, those three guys created their own Prog style and sound and defied musical trends and always maintained their popularity.
Met all the guys many times over the years. Neil less than the others as he didn't really do the "R&R backstage" thing. But all three are incredibly nice guys.
Sad day.
Someone mentioned earlier in the thread that he was battling for a year but it was actually three and a half years and he toured while sick.
Sad day for sure.
James, I came here hoping you were posting on this.
This is such a sad time for a lot of us. Fans all over the world are feeling the loss, but, damn. We just lost the Wayne Gretzky of drums.
With your years in the business plus being Canadian, can you maybe comment on the impact these guys had in the music business and how they did things as compared to the others, because their longevity was so incredible. I’m also wondering about what you think Rush has meant to Canada?
I mean, FFS. Gord Downie and Neil Peart pass away from the same thing? So sad. 🙁
Good request, Bhawk.....And excellent point about both he and Gord Downie.
Just noticed Duane Betts posted a picture of Neil Peart on his Facebook page. Said before he decided to be a lead guitar player he was into drums and Neil was a hero.
Rush: Cinema Strangiato 2019 | OFFICIAL TRAILER
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Bummed. I was a big Rush fan, specifically of their 1974-1981 output up through Exit Stage Left. Rush in March 1983 at the Omni was my very first concert in 8th grade.
I was getting into music and collecting LPs in a big way in 7th grade and Rush hit me hard. Moving Pictures had come out then Exit Stage Left. I got those 2 then All the Worlds A Stage (1976 live album) which was a whole different beast. I then filled in all the blanks.
Geddy's voice didn't do it for a lot of folks, but I thought that around 1979-1981 he had dialed it in and wasn't screeching.
I saw them in 1983, late 1984 and then again 1987 (a little fuzzy on that one) and then again on their 2nd to last tour. I should have seen that last one. Their albums starting with Signals interested me less & less. The Big Money and synth heavy reggae/new wave stuff didn't didn't do it for me. I kept hoping they'd for them to do a guitar heavy album again but they didn't (and Geddy really dropped his vocals & didn't write the melodies the same way either).
But they could still deliver live even if Geddy couldn't sing the old stuff quite the same.
When I invited that time machine, one of my stops will be to see Rush in 1981 live to hear Red Barchetta, Trees, Zanadu, 2112, Anthem, Bastille Day, In the Mood, Spirit of Radio, Tom Sawyer, YYZ, Freewill, La Villa Strangiato, Working Man, Passage to Bankok, Limelight, Vital Signs, In the End
RIP Professor!
I too was fortunate enough to see them. Wow, all I can say is just, wow....
Mike
