R.I.P. Neil Peart of RUSH

Canadian news media is reporting that Rush's Neil Peart has died at the age of 67.

R.I.P. sir!! (bows head)



https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/neil-peart-obit-1.5422806

Neil Peart, the drummer of iconic Canadian band Rush, has died at age 67.

The influential musician and lyricist died Tuesday in Santa Monica, Calif., after having been diagnosed with brain cancer, according to a statement issued Friday by family spokesperson Elliot Mintz.

His death was confirmed by Meg Symsyk, a media spokesperson for the progressive rock trio comprising Peart, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson.

Wow! That’s sad...

Now we know why he adamantly didn’t want to continue with Rush.

First his wife and child died, now this??

Poor guy. Very tragic!

Quote :

Wow! That’s sad...

Now we know why he adamantly didn’t want to continue with Rush.

Apparently he'd been battling the disease quietly for the past three years.

Fat Freddy wrote:

Quote :

Wow! That’s sad...

Now we know why he adamantly didn’t want to continue with Rush.

Apparently he'd been battling the disease quietly for the past three years.

I’m afraid for Eddie Van Halen now.

Apparently his common law wife had also died from cancer.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/neil-peart-rush-obituary-936221/

Rip. Sad news...

Rush's statement, via their official FB:

It is with broken hearts and the deepest sadness that we must share the terrible news that on Tuesday our friend, soul brother and band mate of over 45 years, Neil, has lost his incredibly brave three and a half year battle with brain cancer (Glioblastoma). 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.

Neil Peart September 12, 1952 - January 7, 2020

Sad to hear, R.I.P.

Well that sucks.

Terrible news! Such a tremendous loss for music.

I never got into RUSH - but I have heard - for decades - he was the best

Wow a shock to me I had no idea he was Ill. I need to go play Hemispheres now

I honestly had no idea he was even ill. I opened my instagram on my phone when I left work and saw this. Shocked me. I will certainly send a prayer skyward for him tonight. RIP, to a great musician and man.

RIP, Mr. Peart.

I have no idea what to say even though I want to say so much. Except RIP.

R.I.P. Neil Peart.

Rush is the band that sent me on my way to the metalhead I became. Neil Peart is the drummer that made me want to play the drums. I remember hearing his solo on Exit Stage Left, and it gave me goose bumps. I remember hearing Witch Hunt and being amazed at his drumming in it. Not because it was so technical, but because the song is pretty slow, but he just goes off in parts that didn't seem natural. His lyrics are top notch with deep meanings, and a poetry you just don't find in many bands. By far one of the most talented musicians on the planet has passed away. RIP and thank you for the memories, and the great music.

Wonderful drummer, musician. Thanks for the great music, Neil! Lucky for us he left behind a big fat discography.

Lari wrote:

Wonderful drummer, musician. Thanks for the great music, Neil! Lucky for us he left behind a big fat discography.

True. I will be spinning lots of Rush next week in my car.

I am shocked and saddened, the man was an incredible talent, and Rush was one of the bands that made up the soundtrack of my youth, actually my entire life, rest in power, Neil.

I don't claim to be a Rush expert by any means -- I own maybe a dozen albums, max, and actually I didn't really start digging deeper into their catalog till maybe ten or twelve years ago.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't say I ever disliked Rush  -- I liked the stuff that got radio/MTV play in the '80s just fine, and I had numerous high school and college friends who were absolutely obsessed with Rush, so Lord knows I heard a lot of them growing up  - but for whatever reason, I was always a casual fan, at best. For many years, I thought that owning Moving Pictures, 2112 and the Chronicles greatest-hits comp meant I had all the Rush I was ever gonna need.  

...I'm not even sure when or why Rush suddenly started to "click" with me in the early '00s, but when they did, they hit hard. For the past few years I've been snapping up their CDs whenever I come across them in my travels. Of course, when I listen to stuff like Permanent Waves or A Farewell to Kings now, I find myself wishing that I could reach back in time and smack my younger self, like "Why the hell weren't you all over this sh*t when it was current?"

...so anyway, I was walking the dog last night with my headphones on, listening to all of my Rush stuff on shuffle (thank you Google Play Music) and this lyric from "Nobody's Hero" (off of Counterparts) jumped out at me and sent a chill up my spine.

"As the years went by we drifted apart
But when I heard that you were gone I felt a shadow cross my heart"

...that pretty much sums up how I felt when I heard the news about Neil Peart yesterday.

I have a feeling I'll be filling a lot of gaps in my Rush collection over the next few months.

I went back and played "The Garden", which is the last song on their final album. If you've never heard it, I would encourage you to give it a listen.

I got into Rush after purchasing Counterparts back when it was released, and immediately fell in love with the album.

I was shocked later, when I read reviews that this was the worst in their catalogue.