The Genius Of Neil Peart

Learn more about Neil Pearts' genius in our latest Beat article: www.drumeo.com/beat/neil-peart-genius/

Rush, a 3 man band that sounded like a 6 man band. Everyone of them was so talented and diverse in their playing!

Neil is the one and only “celebrity” death that brought tears to my eyes. I grew up listening to Rush. The man wrote the lyrics to a large part of the soundtrack of my life. He will forever be missed.

I saw the Clockwork Angels tour, Neil dropped a stick and played double with the other stick. He did it so well it was a good 30s before any of the stage hands noticed and passed him another pair, nobody in the crowd who wasn't a drummer noticed for sure. Absolute legend.

I met Neil 2 years before he passed away at Panamint Springs resort in Death Valley. PSR is a run down cowboy- miner camp in Death Valley, Calif. He was on a new BMW motorcycle. Talked to him for 90 minutes about motorcycles and I pointed out some destinations for him to stop at in the park. Only talk of music was when i asked if a 12 hour ride affects his work. He explained that he takes a day off after a long ride. I didnt say shit about the band or the 7 times I saw them live. Motorcycle talk. Gave him a Perrier water and he liked my safety-welding glasses. I had 3 pairs so I gave him one. Genuine great man. Riding his bike alone, not complaining about a terminal illness.

Neil deserves a holiday in canada, a documentary, and at least a full book with all his lyrics comprised, to show what the amazing filosopher he was

Best damn rock and roll drummer to ever exist on the face of the planet ever. RIP Professor.

dude's last show was over 3 years into having cancer and he still sounded amazing, he was a true professional

Neil said it was “ zero wasted movement” that he was aiming for. There’s no waste, just pure rhythm and sound. Mesmerizing.

He wasn't only a great drummer, his lyrics and poetry are brilliant.

He's not really gone. In a hundred years they'll still be studying and loving his music ❤️

I was fortunate enough to have seen Rush back in the middle 1980’s. Neil Peart of course was the BEST drummer of all time and a great guy. The tragedy that he went through with the death of his daughter and wife, followed by the soul searching that he went through in his travels on his BMW motorcycle, was simply heart wrenching and amazing. After that all, he made it back to his drums and RUSH. He was an intelligent man and always sought to better himself. Simply as a person…he was a role model to us all. RIP Neil…we were all fans.

The drum solo for YYZ on Exit Stage Left to me is the all-time Neal Peart solo. The snare drum in the beginning, and that crazy explosive ending. Nothing beats it.

Geez- what did I learn from Neil. I came up with Neil in St. Catharines,ONT. He was a phenom in those early high school bands. A few years after school I got the call that Neil's replacement in a local bar band had another gig so I worked for a couple of months subbing in. Neil came by one night and asked me about my ride patterns- I was a jazz based drummer so rock was not foreign to me (from the prog stuff) but I was more "swishy" than a rock player. He told me that toms were not the enemy and he sat in for a set that night and I got to see (on my drum set no less) him play the same tunes HIS way- it was eye opening. We spoke a bit after- I told him I would be working on voicing with more toms and bass drum if he got on the ride every so often lol.....he said he would but it would drive a lot harder to be useful...laughing.....a few bands later our orbits intersected as my bandmates ended up on the Moving Pictures album cover- our manager was Bob King (aka the Naked Guy) and Hugh was a pal . In the years following I found myself in Dan Lanois on a session with a big set of drums- 5 toms....!!! never played on a kit like that but what popped into my head- Neil's advice....!! I brought in all kinds of fills and orchestrations on that album and it was a blast. So thanks for the advice and when I first heard Spirit of Radio and the section with that driving ride/bell pattern- I smiled , he took our deal and made it into something amazing. He was meant to be great.

The awesome thing about Rush and Neil..is that you can listen to the same songs over and over AND STILL hear something different!! Pure Genius in our day..we got to witness Mozart!

I've known Rush since their first album came out in 1974, when I was 14, and I followed them all the way! I nearly saw them live in Paris, but unfortunately the venue burnt down and the concert was cancelled. I've never seen them live in France and that's my biggest regret! Neil Peart is for me one of the best drummers in the world, he's inventive and his playing can also be very technical, devastating, as well as super melodious, he inspired me a lot in my way of playing drums! It was with great sadness that I learned of his death, as well as that of John Rutsey, Rush's first drummer! Rush's music is still very much alive, and like fine wine, it ages very well! From France 💙🤍❤

This man's passing prompted me at 48 years old to finally take up the drums. There will never be another like him. RIP Professor.

I really love the drumming on Subdivisions.

NP is one of the greatest ever! I speak as a percussionist with over 30 years of experience! RIP Neil Peart!

A Farewell To Kings was my first introduction to RUSH. I was 10 years old, and the album was a gift from my older brother. My very first listen was through a very nice stereo at the time, and using high quality headphones. It changed my life. I listened to the record in its entirety over and over for weeks. Xanadu was, and is my all time favorite RUSH song. I think because it is a journey.... a story, with mysterious twists and turns, and elation in the end. And most likely because every time I hear it, it takes me to that first moment I heard RUSH. I began drumming in middle school. I was shunned by music teachers because I was left handed, but right footed. I played the kit in a standard right handed set up, but played hi hat and ride cymbal with my left hand. Working with teachers, I eventually became ambidextrous. Neil had the same talent. I now have had 35 years of experience, in school jazz labs, high school and college marching bands, and many rock bands. I've toured the world with some of those bands, and have always had the passion for drumming because of that fateful day I got "A Farewell To Kings". Thank you Alex, Geddy, and especially Neil Peart!