![]() ![]() A kind, thoughtful, brilliant man who ruled our radios and turntables not only with his drumming, but also his beautiful words. "An inspiration to millions with an unmistakable sound who spawned generations of musicians (like myself) to pick up two sticks and chase a dream. "Today the world lost a true giant in the history of rock and roll," said Foo Fighters frontman and Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, in a statement Friday. ![]() The band was heavily influential, and fans of Peart and Rush paid tribute on social media. Rush's 1990's "Chronicles" was a double platinum success, while 11 of the band's albums were certified platinum and 10 albums reached gold status. (They earned seven nominations throughout their career.) Rush's most successful album was 1981's "Moving Pictures," which sold 4 million copies and featured the instrumental hit "YYZ," helping the band earn its first Grammy nomination. In 1976 the band marked a major breakthrough with the album "2112," which sold 3 million units in the U.S. Rush's first album with Peart - now the band's principal songwriter - was 1975's platinum-seller "Fly by Night." They released a second album that same year, "Caress of Steel," which reached gold status. After a few weeks, Lee replaced Jones, and in 1974 Peart replaced Rutsey weeks before Rush's first U.S. When Rush formed in 1968, its original lineup included Lifeson, bassist Jeff Jones and drummer John Rutsey. Rush was honored for combining "the signature traits of progressive rock with a proto typical heavy-metal sound." Their most known songs include "Tom Sawyer" and "The Spirit of Radio." Peart, alongside bandmates Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, was inducted into the Rock Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. The respected musician placed fourth on Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time, behind Ginger Baker (Cream), Keith Moon (The Who) and John Bonham (Led Zeppelin). Peart was revered for his drumming skills, but was also the band's key songwriters, known for his fantastical lyrics. "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 over 45 years, Neil, has lost his incredibly brave three and a half year battle with brain cancer," the band wrote. The band posted a message on Twitter also confirming the news. I knew had to be in the band.His representative, Elliot Mintz, said in a statement Friday that Peart died at his home Tuesday in Santa Monica. "Al looked over at me and he said, 'OK, I understand why you got excited about the last guy,' " says Lee. "īut when the fourth and final guy came in for his audition, Lifeson had a change of heart. ![]() He wasn't saying much, but he was just mad at me. And that's not like Al, because, you know, Al is the funniest person on the planet Earth. "Afterwards, we sat on the floor and we talked about things we liked," Lee recalls. I was supposed to have a poker face, but how can you have a poker face when Neil Peart is playing drums for you?"Īfter jamming through a few songs, Lee knew he couldn't let Peart out of his sight - but Lifeson wasn't as pleased. I had promised him that I wouldn't make any decisions until we both talked about everybody afterwards. "I had this shit-eating grin on my face, and I was looking at, and Al was getting a bit miffed at me because I was getting too excited too quickly. And oh my effin' Lord - it was like machine guns. "He sets up his drums and … once he gets the kit tuned up, he sits on the throne and he starts playing triplets. "So he comes in and introduces himself, and he's very animated," Lee continues. How can you have a poker face when Neil Peart is playing drums for you? - Geddy Lee Sadly, Peart died in 2020 following a years-long battle with brain cancer. That lanky shirtless man with his drums stored in garbage bags was none other than the late Neil Peart, the Canadian rock icon who's best remembered as Rush's drummer and primary lyricist. He had short hair and he wasn't wearing a shirt, and it was a hot day and his drums were in garbage bags." He pulled up to the loading dock of this place in Pickering where we were rehearsing. And then the third was this lanky dude that showed up in a Ford Pinto. Sadly, I don't even remember the first guy, but the second guy was someone that had played with us when John had gotten sick and done a couple of gigs, so he was a natural person to try out.
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