Incredibly sad news today. Neil Peart,the drummer and lyricist for Rush died Tuesday, in Santa Monica, California at age 67. A spokesperson for the band said the cause was brain cancer, which he had been quietly battling for three years.
RollingStone.com said, "Peart was widely considered one of the best drummers in rock history, with a flamboyant yet utterly precise style. He joined singer-bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson in Rush in 1974, and his virtuosic playing and literate lyrics – which drew on Ayn Rand and science fiction, among other influences – helped make Rush one of the key bands of the classic-rock era."
Going to see Rush, it was hard not to just stare at Neil most of the show. Sitting behind what looked like a hundred drums and cymbals, his hands a blur, he was definitely one of the greatest drummers in rock history.
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson released a statement calling Peart their “friend, soul brother and bandmate over 45 years,” and said he had been “incredibly brave” in his battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of 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,” Lee and Lifeson said. “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.”
RIP Neil...