Neil Peart

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.

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.

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.

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.