Neil Peart (1952

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Biography

Neil Ellwood Peart was a Canadian musician and author, who was the drummer, percussionist, and primary lyricist of the rock band Rush. He was nicknamed "the Professor", after the Gilligan's Island character of the same name. His drumming was renowned for its technical proficiency and his live performances for their exacting nature and stamina. Peart earned numerous awards for his musical performances, including an induction into the Modern Drummer Readers Poll Hall of Fame in 1983 at the age of 30, making him the youngest person ever so honoured.

In Their Own Words (1)

I define my approach to each day I am given as, "What is the most excellent thing I can do today?" – from the book "Far and Near: On Days Like These"

Timeline

The story of Neil Peart, told in moments.

1974 Event

Joins Rush, replacing the original drummer two weeks before a tour. He takes over lyric-writing duties too. His words lean literary: Ayn Rand, science fiction, mythology. His drumming leans technical. Together with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, they build a sound that fills arenas.

Was joining Rush two weeks before a tour sink-or-swim? Did Ayn Rand and mythology feel natural for drum-kit lyrics? Was the sound that fills arenas built from three people?

1981 Life

Moving Pictures is released. "Tom Sawyer" becomes Rush's biggest hit. His drum solo in "YYZ" becomes a benchmark. Drum magazines poll their readers: best rock drummer, year after year. He's uncomfortable with the praise. He practices more.

Is 'Tom Sawyer' the song that defines your drumming? Did drum magazines polling you as best year after year embarrass you? Was practicing more the only response to praise?

1997 Life

His daughter Selena dies in a car accident at 19. Ten months later, his common-law wife Jacqueline dies of cancer. He tells Geddy and Alex that Rush is over. Rides his motorcycle 55,000 miles across North and Central America. Ghost Rider, his book about the journey, doesn't pretend the grief goes away.

How do you survive losing your daughter and wife in ten months? Was 55,000 miles on a motorcycle enough distance from grief? Does Ghost Rider pretend the grief goes away?

2020 Death

Dies in Santa Monica of brain cancer. He was 67. He'd kept the diagnosis private for three years. Rush had played their final show in 2015. His kit had dozens of pieces. Each one placed exactly where his calculations said it should be.

Was keeping the cancer diagnosis private for three years a final act of privacy? Did dozens of drum kit pieces each placed by calculation define you? What would you tell a young drummer about endurance?

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Explore what happened on the days that shaped Neil Peart's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.