Neil Peart, the drummer and lyricist (and one third) of Rush, the legendary progressive rock band from Toronto, Canada has died on the 7th of January, 2020.
Peart was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, in 2015; the same year Rush finished their final tour and announced their retirement. That year marked 40 years of touring all over the globe and producing 19 studio albums beloved by fans everywhere. Neil Peart and Rush have been cited multiple times over for inspiring some of the biggest rock bands in the world. These include former drummer of Nirvana and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and legendary metal band Metallica.
Neil Peart’s life is filled with accolades and high accomplishments through his music, philanthropy, and family. Most notable accomplishments include his Modern Drummer Hall of Fame induction in 1983, and Rush’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2013. Their most successful album, Moving Pictures, was released in 1981, and included the globally recognized song “Tom Sawyer.” Other hits on that album include “YYZ,” “Limelight,” “Red Barchetta” and “The Camera Eye.”
During his time as a member of Rush, Neil wrote seven non-fiction books that shine more light on his own life and his drumming. His most notable published work was Ghost Rider, which gave an in-depth look into Neil’s life with his daughter and his first wife’s passing in 1997. Later in the book, he talks about dealing with the heartache as he took a break from Rush.
He will be missed by his friends, family, and his fans all over the world.
