Legendary Rush drummer Neil Peart dies of brain cancer at age 67
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Neil Peart, whose nearly five decades with prog-rock power-trio Rush established him as one of the greatest, most flamboyant, and most inventive virtuoso rock drummers of all time, died Tuesday after a three-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. His death was first reported by Rolling Stone on Friday afternoon and confirmed by a family spokesperson. Peart was 67 years old.
In a statement released Friday, Rush bassist/keyboardist/frontman Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson stated: “It is with broken hearts and the deepest sadness that we must share the terrible news that on Tuesday our friend, soul brother and bandmate over 45 years, Neil, lost his incredibly brave three and a half year battle with brain cancer. We ask that friends, fans and media alike understandably respect the family’s need for privacy and peace at this extremely painful and difficult time. Those wishing to express their condolences can choose a cancer research group or charity of their choice and make a donation in Neil Peart’s name. Rest in peace, brother.”
Peart was born on Sept. 12, 1952, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and after taking piano lessons as a child, he took up the drums at age 14. At age 18, he moved to London to pursue a career as a professional musician, and while he struggled to find work in the U.K., it was there that he discovered the writings of Ayn Rand — who became a major influence on him when he later became the primary lyricist for Rush, the Toronto band he auditioned for upon his return to Canada in 1974.
While Lee and Lifeson were at first amused and taken aback by Peart’s crazed, flashy drumming style, which owed much to Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham and the Who’s Keith Moon, they ultimately hired him; the trio played their first gig together on Aug. 14, 1974, opening for Uriah Heep and Manfred Mann for an audience of 11,000 spectators at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh. Peart’s first album with Rush was their sophomore effort, Fly by Night, released in 1975. Over the course of Rush’s career, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band released 24 gold records and 14 platinum or multi-platinum records, and sold about 40 million albums worldwide.
Peart went on to become arguably as legendary as his idols Bonham and Moon, due to his epic concert drum solos, odd time signatures, massive modified drum kits, incorporation of unorthodox instruments (orchestra bells, tubular bells, wind chimes, crotales, timbales, timpani, gong, temple blocks, bell trees, triangles, melodic cowbells), and "butt-end out" technique (reversing stick orientation for heavier impact). In 1983, he became the youngest person ever inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame. Peart was also a pioneer in the use of electronic drums, starting with 1984's Grace Under Pressure.
While Pearl enjoyed immense professional success, his personal life was marred by tragedy. In August 1997, his first daughter (and only child at the time), Selena Taylor, was killed in a car accident at age 19. Just five months later, his common-law wife of 23 years, Jacqueline Taylor, was diagnosed with terminal cancer; she succumbed in June 1998. Peart ostensibly retired from music at the time and embarked on a solo motorcycle trip across North and Central America to mourn the losses — an experience he later chronicled in the memoir Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road. However, he remarried in 2000 and returned to Rush in 2001. Peart announced his official retirement in an interview with Drumhead magazine in December 2015.
Upon hearing the sad news, many luminaries of the music community took to social media to pay tribute.
At the end of a crazy @rockhall night in 2013 where @rushtheband & @PublicEnemyFTP were inducted. It was just myself & Neil PEart alone talkin & laughing low in relief the long night was over-a small table backstage sharing a unique moment without much word. Rest in Beats my man
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) January 10, 2020
I just heard about Neil Peart passing. I feel real bad about this - he was way too young. Neil was one of the great drummers and he’ll be missed. Love & mercy to Neil’s family.
– Brian pic.twitter.com/T5qjECWX1W— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) January 10, 2020
It is unbelievably sad to hear that my favorite drummer of all time, Neil Peart, has left us. Very hard to find words to properly express the level of inspiration & influence he had on so so many musicians. He will forever remain at the top of my list. Farewell to a true king. pic.twitter.com/A9QkSWg2f9
— King Diamond (@kingdiamond) January 10, 2020
RIP to a master 💔 #neilpeart https://t.co/B8ssS79tRS
— Kirk Hammett (@KirkHammett) January 10, 2020
Sorry to hear this. https://t.co/cZWcAj1p2Y
— Krist Novoselić (@KristNovoselic) January 10, 2020
The master will be missed - Neil Peart RIP #RushForever pic.twitter.com/o4Y6chFiB3
— Jack Black (@jackblack) January 10, 2020
Sad to hear of Neil Peart passing. RIP. pic.twitter.com/2iMWJq1uoo
— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) January 10, 2020
Rest In Peace, Neil Peart pic.twitter.com/s7COUggkze
— Cheap Trick (@cheaptrick) January 10, 2020
The greatest of all time. RIP Neil Peart. I’m going to go raise a glass and then air-drum the shit out of Tom Sawyer. https://t.co/pL3xL4PUa0
— Scott Ian (@Scott_Ian) January 10, 2020
Sadly Neil Peart passed away earlier this week. One the greatest drummers of all time. One of the founding members of one of the greatest Rock n Roll bands of all time. Rush @ZildjianCompany @EvansDrumheads @vicfirth @HumesandBerg
— KennyAronoff (@AronoffOFFICIAL) January 10, 2020
The Greatest. Influenced every drummer i knew. Growing up in rural GA, when you first got a chance to stumble upon this guy’s genius as a kid, it was one of those magical and pivotal moments in the timeline. You just… https://t.co/DVZEJUrAET
— 🇺🇸Butch Walker🇺🇸 (@butchwalker) January 10, 2020
RIP Neil Peart. A true artist and a sweet, good guy. And probably the most air drummed drummer of all time. This is my tribute...air drumming one of THE greatest, iconic drum moments in rock history. #neilpeart #rush https://t.co/01RW6pYWIl
— Josh Freese (@joshfreese) January 10, 2020
Long Live Neil Peart - a quick video from behinds Neil’s kit- watch, feel and repeat pic.twitter.com/U2z9TLyfcg
— Stephen Perkins (@stephenperkins) January 10, 2020
Neil Peart thank you for getting me through every junior high math class and constantly blowing my mind #rushforever https://t.co/WUt8biznyX
— JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN (@JOANPOLICEWOMAN) January 10, 2020
Peart is survived by his second wife, photographer Carrie Nuttal, and their daughter, Olivia.
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