R.I.P. Neil Peart

RIP Neil.:(
One of the top rock groups in the history of the world.

Neil has always had a special place in my heart not only as a world famous rock drummer but as a person.

I had an unexpected introduction back in spring of 1977 with Neil.

I had the pleasure as a 16 year old teenager to meet Neil after 2112 had been released.
(It's always reported that Neil grew up in Hagersville,ON then other places such as St. Catharines, ON but from what I knew at the time is that he was in a small village of Campden, ON a few miles from where I lived as a teenager.
His sister Nancy went on the bus with us as well since her parents lived but there are conflicting reports from fans so I don't argue the point if it comes up as to where he or his family lived.)

(I admit that I didn't realize it was him at first but once he asked me if I had heard of the rock group Rush, I responded by telling Neil that I had all their albums & couldn't listen to the music enough times.)
He wore a bomber jacket with the stiching "RUSH" on his right arm.
I played a bit of football at the time and asked what position it was since I had never heard of this positon.
That's when he asked if I had heard of the group... The dim lights in my brain went on & even I was in total disbelief...

Being a non-popular kid at school of course I waited about 3 weeks to tell my friends & no one believed that he had given me a ride in his Mercedes as I hitch hiked home from Beamsville high school one day as I made my way home once I did tell anyone.
I couldn't believe that he had stopped for me but he told me that he had hitch hiked many times and knew how it felt to get past by.

I didn't accept an autograph from Neil knowing that no one would believe it & he understood it (perhaps even appreciating that I didn't ask for one), but as karma or good fortune would have it, later in the year I proved to them that I did meet Neil on the way to the Rush/Max Webster concert in TO at the CNE summer of 1977 when we met again on the QEW in stop & go traffic near Stoney Creek, ON.
Geddy Lee was hanging his arm & head out the window of the bus enjoying the warm summer air as they crawled along the highway when we pulled up along side.

I recognized Geddy immediately & hollered asking if Neil was on board.
Geddy got Neil & he stuck his head of the bus window and shouted out my name.
(He was known for his photographic memory...)

All the guys were great to speak with. Very humble & down to earth at the time.
My idiot friends that did hop on the bus with me for a few minutes were too gob smacked to utter any words that made much sense other than the still disbelief that I had met Neil.
We got to meet the group & Kim Mitchell as well.

That was the last time I met Neil in person but have followed his life at a distance through his books & reports of his events in his life.
I don't share this story much as I think that people may not believe it but it is a true event that took place in my modest life.

RIP Neil. Everyone will miss you.:(
 
My son told me today about Neils passing and have been sorrowed by it since. Growing up in western n.y. not far from St.Catherine's Rush was my band and Neils drumming has always blown me away. His loss of his daughter and then his wife a year later was a huge tragedy in his life and he dealt with it in his way,I had great respect for the man.RIP.
 
So many to choose from but this one is about weed. Don't get cooler then that.

 
If ever given the chance. Get a copy of Neil's book "Ghost Rider". Its a tale of a mans triumph over tragedy and puts life into perspective.


It’s Neil’s autobiography, and it is amazing!
 
Awesome story! Mr.Fix It.I believe every word of it I saw that same tour in Rochester that year with Max Webster ,we didn't appreciate it then but that was our "simpler times" Thank You for that story
 
In the car today, I heard Limelight on one station, switched to another station and heard Tom Sawyer. Hadn’t heard at the time that he had passed. Damn. R.I.P. sir, and thanks for the cool music.
 
Not to take away from Neil's (one of my drumming hero's)passing but, Ray Sawyer from Dr. Hook just passed also on New Year's eve at 81. Makes you wonder who's next?
 
"When I heard that he was gone
I felt a shadow cross my heart"

Have been a fan my entire 27 years on this planet. I Remember hearing the albums Presto, Roll the Bones, Counterparts, and Test for Echo booming through the Speakers in Dads 71 Polara when I was a little guy, watching the digital equalizer in the center AC vent moving up and down with the music. Got the pleasure of seeing them several times with my Dad too!

A part of what made me, ME, is Neil's Lyrics and the music those 3 created, it helped me get through alot of low points in my life.

This Sucks. Rest in Peace Professor.
 
I heard the news this afternoon, and I actually cried. RUSH has been my favorite since my gf's little brother intoduced me to 2112 in 1976. There is a four-hour documentary on youtube (a 2-part deal) that features Peart. He was an amazing drummer and lyricist, and incredibly erudite and well-spoken. No "uh's" or stammering like most these days. Saw them once in Oklahoma in 1984. Without a doubt, the very best concert I've ever attended.

I will certainly miss his talent. People like him don't exist in music in 2020. Our world is worse off for that loss.



 
. People like him don't exist in music in 2020.

You're just in a sore mood, like most of us. He was the best of the best. Danny Carey from tool, and other projects, is the closest I can think of. I chose this song as it's the most universally liked tool songs. It was released in 1996, so nowhere near 2020. I saw them live a year and a half ago, and they released a full length album six months ago, so that should count. Sorry if I "shattered the illusion of integrity, yaa!

 
Neil Peart....Always rated as the top drummer of all time! Great loss! Ginger Baker just a month or so ago, also a great drummer with "Cream". John Bonham (Lead Zepplin) he was one of my Favs. They're having a heck of a Jam session in the Sky!
 
Back
Top