@terry williams, after reading pages 396-397 I stopped @ the line Neil wrote about meeting you in St. Catharines (P.397) while you were a Dj @ the local radio station. Just curious if you worked @1220 CHSC or 610 CKTB back in '72? Both AM stations (for anyone wondering) as the first FM rock station didn't start broadcasting from the Garden City until June 27, 1986 @ 97.7 CHTZ FM (aka. Hits FM).en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHTZ-FM
To be perfectly honest I was so shocked I went 'numb' and barely shed a tear at the time, so much so I avoided listening to Rush and watching their vids. I could not accept it until recently and now I'm grieving like everyone else. Odd how we react differently to death. What a loss.
@@suncookrocks I only saw them three times also. Yes, of course I went to see Neil, but I also went to see Alex and Geddy and the lights and to hear what Rush sounded like live! To be that close to three musicians who changed the way I listen to music was surreal. 1992, 1996, 2011.
Imo the reason it hit so hard is because Rush was calling it a day after 40 yrs of greatness and the fans always held onto the hope that they'd have a change of heart and come back out on tour, at least one more time. So while fans' hopes and expectations were still riding high, Neil's passing was the last thing anyone expected. No one knew about his condition, it was the ultimate shock to us all and it still hurts.
@@rickleblanc8900 And yet to add, Or just saying... I (personally) find/found Clockwork Angels album to be such a perfect rounding ender... I fing love CA.
As a funk drummer and a HUGE Neil Peart fan, I would like to point out that, even though most people would categorize Neil as a "Prog Rock" drummer, he had awesome groove and "pocket" feel. We called it the funky Neil Peart halftime breakdown. Tom Sawyer, and the end of Red Barchetta come to mind. Oh so Tasty!! RIP Professor!
Neils drum solo from frankfurt show ! Take a few and watch it . Makes me smile and get choked up near the end when he breaks into a superb jazz rant on his kit. AWESOME !!!
There isn't another artist whose death affected me as much as Neil's. He was a huge inspiration and influence in my drumming. He was definitely way ahead of his time. In a time where other drummers were around just to keep a beat and get a check, he was getting things done, pouring his heart and soul into the music. Neil, Geddy and Alex will forever be my favorite musicians. Awesome video Steve. 👌 R.I.P. Neil 😥💔🥁
He was at the definitive core of who I am, as a person. His precision, his focus, his work ethic, the quality of this work...all of that serves as a model and inspiration to me. I still feel like a part of me has been ripped out.
In addition to being a kind and decent human, what made him special as a world-class drummer was his motivation and commitment to purposeful, methodical, and deliberate practice. It wasn't just about talent ... it was more about dedication and willingness to put in the time, effort and energy to be the best he could be ... and one of the best we've ever seen.
That's true. He once said that every single beat or fill or lick was worked so hard because everything was so hard to him . And he pushed and pushed until he reached the excellence. He was an example of the benefits of hard work.
So true. And even though he was considered one of the best of his time, he never rested. He knew he could do better so he found a new mentor and relearned how the play the drums even better. Simply amazing.
I got into Rush when a saw A Show Of Hands on TV, and then I bought that tape and then bought Presto. Songs like War Paint, Scars and Presto are great, but The Pass really spoke to me, especially as a 17 year old kid going through some heavy shit. His lyrics still speak to me to this day as a 48 year adult.
@@stephenmiller2337 As a 14 year old I have to say rush really speaks to me as well. My dad loved to listen to rush as a kid and introduced me to it a few years ago. The lyrics are what amaze me. In a time where you could say random words as fast as possible and that be called music pales in comparison to the lyrics of rush.
Peart was a technically gifted drummer, one of the very best rock drummers. But with respect, some of these comments are verging on idolatry! “Neil was on a other plane both musically AND intellectually?” Artists like McCartney and Prince were perhaps on another plane musically as they could play just about any instrument; Neil played the drums.
@ He didn’t just play drums. He is also highly regarded as a lyricist, and he is a published author. That’s what I was referring to when I mentioned being him being on another plane intellectually.
“We're only immortal for a limited time.” “The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.” (Neil Peart)
That was always one my my favourite Lyrics from Rush and I have repeated them so many times cause its so true. We definitely are immortal for a limited time.
On more than a couple of occasions, since Neil's death, I've ended up binge watching everything Rush on RUclips, for several days straight. I'm surprised that I haven't seen your video until now. I just wanted to let you know that you did a wonderful job, Steve. Thank you for sharing this tribute here. I also feel privileged, and fortunate, to have been a part of the ride.
Thanks for showcasing for the extraordinary talent of Neil Peart. I'm an Aussie and the first time I heard Rush was when I was 17, coming back from the US and had to stop in Singapore to catch a connecting flight back to Aus. I had a 3 day lay-over in Singapore, met a beautiful girl and stayed with her for those 3 days (I really lucked out there). Anyway, she had a compilation tape with Tom Sawyer on it. I must have listened to it over and over about a thousand times, from that point on I was hooked on Rush, and knew I was going to be a drummer. I played in a lot of original bands in Perth, and my drumming was heavily influenced by Neil. I was shocked and deeply saddened by his death. These larger than life characters just seem to be immortal, you never really think they're gonna die. RIP Neil Peart, the most influential drummer to ever exist. You've certainly left your mark on this planet! (I think this is the longest comment I've ever left on RUclips ;)
Ok... THAT DID IT! That end piece with the last part from "Hemispheres" with all of the GREAT Pics of Neil... THAT'S when the water works started! Neil was my HERO, my MENTOR, my INSPERATION... He is the MAIN REASIN I BECAME a drummer back almost 42 yrs. ago! GODS his passing is like a HUGE Open wound... :(
Yep! I have a version of Hemispheres that is colored RED and the Cover Photo is Imprinted on it! VERY Rare record indeed! I have several RUSH "Color Disk" records like that in my collection! :D
He will never fade away. Maybe until the year 2112 when the priests take him from us, and even then we will rebel against it and Neil will assume control once more.
Agree - I was really disappointed he was retiring-hated to hear the guys say they would not tour due to deteriorating ability to play live - I’d love to see them play with back up musicians just to see them again, other musicians do it all the time as they age, but I respected them - they had substance to their character, and now we all really know - he suffered from a terrible disease and there’s no reason he needed to share it, it wasn’t like lung cancer with a teachable moment of poor decisions like smoking, he went his own way gracefully. RIP!!! Canada should dedicate a statue to Mr. Peart!
Neil's drumming was the perfect blend of technicality and musicality, his lyrics a wonderful combination of head and heart, and he topped it all off by being an incredibly decent person. An absolute one-off and an inspiration. The world is a much more empty place without him.
'Neil's drumming was the perfect blend of technicality and musicality, his lyrics a wonderful combination of head and heart, and he topped it all off by being an incredibly decent person.' Very well put.
Neil was an amazing person. He was an introvert, he felt uncomfortable meeting with his fans and found it hard to connect to them on a personal level. He went for a lot of years without saying much, and after his family tragedy, that part got even worse. He did come back to us, and he gave as much more of himself as he could before he passed on. His death is a tragedy, and I'll miss him and Rush dearly. I never took any of his isolationism as anything personal, everything I ever needed to hear him say, I heard in his music.
Live2Shred PERFECTLY put and nither did I. I don’t believe ANYONE should because the introvert is simply just a quiet version of everyone else in the world. It’s not “ABOUT YOU” so just get over yourself and move on to what’s for dinner.
And he chose to travel almost exclusively on a motorcycle... ( BMW GS 1200) Why?? because he could appreciate the landscape and the world ALONE. He was one of a kind.
I live in St Catharines, Ontario. Growing up, the stories of his compassion and charity were around, but he was always so selfless in his actions and never wanted it talked about. After his passing, things really started to come out. The level of kindness that Neil expressed is inspiring. And he did it just to do it. So other people could live better. He’s amazing.
I grew up in St. Kitts and now live in Welland. I went to Lakeside Park when I heard that he had passed. Others were there too. Some came across from the US. Fittingly, it was a rainy day.
Look at all the comments...I've never seen people react to the passing of a musician like Neil before and its 3 months after..Just shows you how much he and that band touched our souls. He was and will always be my hero. I grew up in the up in 70s through 80s listening to and playing my drums to him. God I loved his playing. This was an awesome tribute.. Thank you🙏🤟🥁
WHAT A WONDERFUL TRIBUTE, MY HUSBAND SCOTT WAS A DRUMMER IN SCHOOL AND ALSO HAD A DRUM SET ,BECAUSE OF HIS FAVORITE BAND RUSH, AND HIS FAVORITE DRUMMER NEIL, MY DEAR HUSBAND PASSED AWAY AT 54 YRS.OLD 2019, HE AND NEIL ARE PLAYING DRUMS IN HEAVEN TOGETHER. AND MY SISTER JULIE AND I WILL NEVER FORGET OUR RUSH CONCERT IN THE 80'S, IN CLEVELAND OHIO, OUR FAVORITE SONG, ( LIMELIGHT) GREAT MEMORIES OF THE BEST OF TIMES. HOW WE WISH WE COULD GO BACK. 😊🎵🎼🎶🎵🎵🎵
Your husband may be in heaven playing the drums but I don’t think Neil is. I’m not being mean I’m just saying that because Neil wasn’t exactly known for being religiously spiritual. Quite the opposite. From what I’ve read he was a good person but that won’t get you into the pearly gates.
@Bronze Brett: Couldn't agree more. I don't think I've ever directly commented to a video creator about their work, but giving this video a like just wasn't enough. Very well done, Steve.
The band Tool is the Rush of today. Listen to the full song Lateralus by Tool. Rush was great for their time but now there are other bands such as Dream Theater, or another band called The Aristocrats. If you give them a chance prepared to be blown away
@@aaroncrepeau3296 Thx. I have been listening to Tool a lot recently, as recommended by others on the interwebs. Danny Carey is in the same vein as Mr Peart- innovative, musical and intensely accurate. There is a video of Danny playing with Neil and Stewart at the Sacred Grove.
Steve, that was great. I actually got emotional again. Amazing how I never met this man and I’ve shed tears over his death. That’s never happened to me with a celebrity. I’ve been with them since All the worlds a stage. First concert was A Farewell to Kings at the Palladium in Manhattan. By the way, I’m the guy from Long Island that took a Skype lesson with you a few months ago. Hoping you’re well. And thank you again for a great tribute.
@Kali Southpaw I think of that often, how Geddy and Alex are doing after Neil's passing. I wish them the very best in whatever they do next in life. I am very thankful for all the music Rush gave us.
His use of the Hi-Hat is amazing. As a guitarist, I dunno why drummers don't use the hi-hat more. I know that the thing nowadays in metal is double-bass, but a well placed Hi-Hat roll really gets the adrenaline going on my end as a guitarist.
Its likely that hi hats are a thing of hard rock and jazz(and in these days heavy metal) probably why drummers dont use it so much. I love using the hi hat
My good friend Joe from my teens said it best imho ....."Thank you for sparking the passion and dreams of a restless youth searching for meaning and a place in the world. Your words and music were the soundtrack of my adolescence and your drumming is forever imprinted upon my DNA. Rest in peace professor." Thanks for taking a minute tho Steve. Peart was part of my identity too
Read his books. Rode some of the same roads on my motorcycle. Stayed in some of the same places. Could feel his pain. Damn just getting over Petty and then Neil. At 72 I'm already tired of losing friends and people who have made my life more enjoyable with their talents.
I'm 59 years old and a drummer and have read his books and ridden a BMW GS ( and other bikes) on many of the same roads. Lived the same life on the same bike. Same mom and pop motels. Same shitty weather. Same bad road food. The fact that with all his money and fame he chose to live his life the way that I do makes us brothers from a different mother.
Yeah I agree.. with these great loses.. and not having any greats coming into this world to replace them sort of speak.. the world's getting worse.. people are ruining music now days. I can't even give it a minute of attention and I know it's garbage! What the hell's this world coming to?
Same here, I listened to Rush when they first hit the scene and continued from the point when Neil replaced the original drummer. They progressed from one album to the next I was extremely inspired by Neil's talent, he set the bar for many drummers the torch was passed from John Bonham to Neil.
He never judged people, he just took them as they were.... "I knew he was different in his sexuality, I went to his parties as a straight minority , never felt a threat to my masculinity , he only introduced me to a wider reality ,, as the years went by, we drifted apart, when I heard that he had gone I felt a shadow cross my heart , " one of the most accepting, non judgemental people ever to walk the earth .
Neil's influence on millions of drummers and then in turn, the influence of those drummers influence in the bands they were in, is immeasurable . He and RUSH have had such an effect on bands to follow........it's just amazing. TOTAL FUCKING LEGEND. Words cannot do his talent justice. Those of us who know....just know.
Six months tomorrow. Thinking of Neil's parents and siblings, his wife, Carrie and daughter. And, of course, Geddy, Alex, the Rush team and the global Rush fan family. 💗🙏
I am not a musician, but when I look at you, I see a blurred mirror image of myself. I discovered Rush as a teen back in the early 80s. Neil's prose spoke to me like no other words I had ever heard before or since. That, coupled with the music created by Geddy and Alex occupied a spot in my soul that is the soundtrack of my youth. There is the like button here, but I wish there was a love button as well. Excellent video.
Well written sir. Like you, I am not a musician. Like you, the music of Rush and the insightful, intelligent lyrics of Neil Peart penetrated every pitiful defense I erected due to the unfortunate circumstances of my youth, and not only broke through to speak to my psyche, but deeply molded the person I evolved into. I cannot fathom how my teenage years (late 70's - early 80's) would've been without the music of Rush and the lyrics of Neil Peart to see me through the best of times and the worst of times. I am diminished at Neil's passing. At the risk of appearing jaded and cliche, if there's a Rock-n-Roll heaven, well you know they've got a hell of a band... R.I.P Neil Peart. To live on in the hearts of those he touched is to never die.
You would have loved being into the 70s Rush also. I couldn't wait until their next album came out and where and how many times I could to go see them that year.
mstrtwister Unfortunately, I had never heard of Rush until around the time they released Moving Pictures. My brother came home with a vinyl copy, and after one listen I was hooked for life. Of course, I soon dug into their early releases, and was blown away by the prog, and fantasy themes, as well as the straight up rockers.
@@elitewarrior0076 I know this is an old comment. But I just wanted to say that I listened to it today on my drive. And I'll listen to it again. Always been a fav. A hidden gem in their massive catalog.
@@idlemindedmage6925 yeah dude i've listened to it probably 100 times over the last year or so and all the time signature and rhythm changes blow my brains off every time. such a good song. Jacob's Ladder as well, another tremendous piece
Neil Peart is absolutely the best ever composer of percussion. And his greatest desire was to inspire others . And he did just that . Geddy inspired me to take up the bass guitar in 1981 . Neil Peart inspired me to learn about percussion and how to appreciate the importance of musicians playing together. I suspect I'm just one of millions he had that effect on . I remember when Elvis died .I was 11 at the time and didn't understand why people where so despondent. Now I do . There will never be another Neil Peart . Just like Elvis, the bar is far too high and the shoes to big . RIP Professor.
YEP! And I got to actually MEET several of my Drumming Heroes through out my life. Those were Neil, Stewart Copland and Buddy Rich. I got to clinic with Neil back in 1987. But it wasn't JUST Sitting and listening to him... we actually spent some time together talking and laughing and I'd LIKE to think he enjoyed MY company as much as I did?! I did get the better part of that bargain though in MY opinion! :D
Well... when I FIRST Met Buddy I was 12... the next summer I started to teach myself to play the drums. I had WANTED to play the bass and be "Gene Simmons"...{SO Glad I did do THAT!} Buddy was VERY Cool! He and his band played at the high school that was next to my middle school. I got a flyer for the concert and my dad INSISTED that we go! Tickets were like $5.00 each! Soooo we went And I was BLOWN AWAY! THEN After the show my Father and I went down to the stage to meet him and I got his Autograph! Fast Forward to Summer of 1985 at the Milwaukee Summer Fest and I see that "The Buddy Rich Orchestra" is playing that night. So I went to see him and even seven years later... and he was STILL INCREDIBLE! And after the show I went to the back stage area and there he was signing autographs. I waited 'till he was done and all the people had cleared out and I walked up and said "Hi Buddy... Nice to see you again!" He looked at me like "WHAT?!" THEN His eyes opened WIDE and he said, "Oh My God! Hey Kid How are you doing?!" And he Smiled wide and hugged me HARD and said "WOW! You've grown! How's your dad?" YEA! HE REMEMBERED! And I told him dad was doing good... and he asked what I was up to and I said. "Well.. since I saw you seven years ago I've since become a drummer too BECAUSE of YOU!" And ye says, "Well tell your folks I'm sorry!" And I said, "No actually they are VERY Proud of me! And we talked a bit longer but I could see he was very tired. So I shook his hand and he hugged me again and said he was VERY glad I stopped to say Hi! That was his LAST Concert in Milwaukee as he died later that year. I also got to meet and talk with Neil at a clinic in Hollywood Cal. in 1987... and I also met Stewart Copland at a local club that doesn't even EXIST anymore! All THREE Are. Were and AWAYS WILL BE MY DRUMMING/MUSIC Heroes! :D THEY gave me my DRIVE and I continue to "HOLD THE FIRE"!!!
"I'd like to think he enjoyed my company as much as I did! I did get the better part of that bargain though in my opinion!" LOL! I know what you meant to say but I can't stop laughing...it's like, "Full of yourself much?" Again, I know that's not what you meant, so don't get your feathers all ruffled. It's just funny :)
I’m just a simple man who lives in Louisiana and has been playing drums because of Neil for over 30 years and I’m glad I was able to take my daughter to see rush in 2015. Thank you Neil, and geddy, and Alex. Rip Neil!
Peart received the following awards in the Modern Drummer magazine reader's poll Hall of Fame: 1983 Best Rock Drummer*: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2006, 2008 Best Multi-Percussionist*: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 Best Percussion Instrumentalist: 1982 Most Promising New Drummer: 1980 Best All Around: 1986 1986 Honor Roll: Rock Drummer, Multi-Percussion As a member of the Honor Roll in these categories, he is no longer eligible for votes in the above categories. Best Instructional Video: 2006, for Anatomy of a Drum Solo Best Drum Recording of the 1980s, 2007, for "YYZ" from Exit... Stage Left Best Recorded Performance: 1980: Permanent Waves 1981: Moving Pictures 1982: Exit... Stage Left 1983: Signals 1985: Grace Under Pressure 1986: Power Windows 1988: Hold Your Fire 1989: A Show of Hands 1990: Presto 1992: Roll the Bones 1993: Counterparts 1997: Test for Echo 1999: Different Stages 2002: Vapor Trails 2004: R30 2007: Snakes & Arrows 2011: Time Machine 2012: Clockwork Angels Peart received the following awards from DRUM! magazine for 2007 Drummer of the Year Best Progressive Rock Drummer Best Live Performer Best DVD (Anatomy Of A Drum Solo) Best Drumming Album (Snakes & Arrows) Peart received the following awards from DRUM! magazine for 2008 Drummer of the Year Best Progressive Rock Drummer Best Mainstream Pop Drummer Best Live Drumming Performer Peart received the following awards from DRUM! magazine for 2009 Drummer Of The Year Best Progressive Rock Drummer Peart received the following awards from DRUM! magazine for 2010 Drummer of the Year Best Live Performer Best Progressive Rock Drummer
He probably sat at the top of the titled drum royalty of his era, possibly of any 20th century era of pop culture. He was also extremely intelligent and articulate, which lent itself well to his role of lead lyricist of Rush. I'm not so easily convinced that he was the BEST lyricist of his generation though. I say this for several reasons. He definitely nailed nearly every one of his advanced sci-fi poetry pieces in the decade spanning 1974-1983. However, I think his best work particularly had a tendency to get a bit too wordy and deep for the average listener. I get it, but my IQ is also 133. There are many people who don't necessarily possess the vocabulary skills that Mr.Peart was gifted with. On the flip side, he never allowed that to deter him from writing so many thought provoking lyrics, which I admire. My second gripe is that his lyrics got a bit too literal and inconsistent between 1984 and 1994 approximately. I was never a huge fan of the left turn the band made in the 80s into world flavored accompaniments or the leap from sci-fi lyrics to more cautionary tales about global preservation and social unrest that dominated that era of Rush albums. They did revert back to form a bit on Roll the Bones, but even it seemed a bit perfunctory compared to that golden era from Fly by Night on through to Signals. The Counterparts album went in another direction entirely, with a more stripped down, guitar oriented rock sound with lyrics ranging from the slightly obtuse and disjointed darkness of Stick it Out, to a sympathetic social justice ballad about a homosexual young man, with varying degrees of less inspired lyrical cocophonies that comprise the remainder of that album. I do find the final third of the bands work from Snakes and Arrows on to be more consistent and lyrically sound than the bands middle period, and the band seemed to enjoy a return to ubiquitous relevancy during the remainder of their existence. Finally (I apologize for the lack of brevity here, but it's a complicated discussion), I would argue that there were a number of immensely talented lyricists who were writing during the roughly 40 year recording tenure that Rush enjoyed. Black Sabbath bassist/GZR founder Geezer Butler was the godfather of dark, occult inspired lyrics that still influence a number of metal bands lyrics to this day. We also must take into consideration that each of The Beatles (Lennon and McCartney most notably)were active with solo careers that coincided with the active period of Rush. Ronnie James Dio penned alot of extremely imaginative Medieval period inspired fantasy based lyrics with Rainbow and Black Sabbath in addition to his successful solo career. Roger Glover and Ian Gillan penned quite a few anthemic sets of rock lyrics with Deep Purple from 1970-1973, again from 1984 to 1987, and yet again from 1996 to this day. (I'm not even including their solo careers, Gillans short stint with Sabbath, or Glovers five years writing the bulk of the original Bonnet and Turner era Rainbow tunes.) David Bowie had an impressive run of lyrical concepts from 1972/73 to 1980. Let's not forget the often overlooked Bob Daisley, who wrote the bulk of the Goalby era Uriah Heep lyrics, most of the lyrics for the first 3 or 4 Ozzy lyrics (despite the lack of credit and gratitude he received for those contributions ) and his lyrical contributions to a large portion of Gary Moores discography, in addition to a number of other writing credentials. Blue Oyster Cult have collaborated to write a number of intellectual, haunting lyrical pieces. Captain Beefheart was also busy throwing together a considerable collection of chaotic, abstract (ranging from the cleverly obscene to strangely beautiful) lyrics from 1967 to 1982 or so. I'm sure I'm forgetting at least a few, but as a lyricist alone Peart had some stiff competition. I would definitely say he was the king of lyricists among drummers, though his stiffest competition in that category is rather limited (Phil Collins and Ringo Starr immediately come to mind). At any rate, Neil Peart was certainly a God of modern rock culture, with lightning fast hands and a gift for poetry.
Beautifully done. Just when I thought I was done with crying I watched this and at the ending when The Sphere starts playing I lost it and bawled my eyes out again. This year I lost my musical idol Neil and a month later my mother passed away. May they both Rest In Peace.
Randy Sych so sorry for your loss. I’ve only cried twice to mourn the loss of someone. My brother who died suddenly at 53 and Neil Peart. Rush music framed my entire life since the release of Permanent Waves. There will never be another Rush or Neil. I’m just happy to have been along for the ride.
Doug Still thank you. I’m sorry for the loss of you brother. Rush has meant so much to me since the Fly By Night album. Hearing Neil play sent me in the direction all parents dread,the drums. I literally gave up playing guitar and talked my parents into buying me my first drum kit. 45 years later I still play them. I agree,there will never be another Rush or Neil. No band or drummer even comes close. Last night I was watching all the videos I shot from every concert I’ve seen since cell phones were video capable. I broke down once again. The sadness never ends. My first Rush concert was the Hemispheres tour 1978. I’ve seen many Rush concerts but sadly I didn’t get to the R40 tour.
I am so very sorry for your loss. My parents are both gone. It is very hard....traumatic. Neil's passing was one of the few celebrities was where I cried. I cried like I lost a brother.
Neil's passing was like one of a family member... I thought as much as we knew about him through his writing that we still didn't know him... He will be missed... my only brother and mother passed within a year of each other so I know that pain when Neil passed I vowed to become great at my craft so I say all of that to tell you to let Neil inspire you to greatness!!! #longliveneil
There never was before, and probably never will be again, a man as well spoken and capable of playing like Neil Peart. Many have learned and copied his music, but none have taken it to the next step.
He lead a wonderful life and we were lucky that he shared it along the way. My music teacher was a huge fan in high school and she used to quote Rush lyrics, confused the hell out of us. My favourite line about Neil was " most drummers use a metronome to keep perfect time, metronomes use Neil Peart "
His dedication to his craft...drums, songwriting, and being an author. His bookreading, his sense of wanting to continue to grow as a musician. Not standing on his laurels and being stagnant. Always willing to add to the "toolbox" and pushing the boundaries on his bandmates. I could go on and on...
Steve, thanks so much for putting this together. I honestly choked up at the end. My second Rush show was the Power Windows tour, at the Spectrum. Like many of us, there was a time in my life when I idolized Neil. In my early 20’s, I spent a month shedding La Villa in an unheated concrete practice room, obsessively rewinding a cassette over two-bar sections to figure out what he was playing. He left more than a legacy; his playing is hard-coded into a million drummers, whether they realize it or not. Thank you for being amazing, Neil. Thank you for reminding us, Steve.
Neil was an aggressive and very musical drummer. That is what made him great. Being in Rush didn't hurt. He pushed the musical threshold along with Lifeson and Lee.
Neil's death affected me more than any other musician since Stevie Ray Vaughan and maybe BB King. Great tribute and thank you for doing this! I find myself in awe of this man's immense talent--a true modern Renaissance man.
Love the story of Peart, who when widely considered one of the best drummers of all time, thought he had a hole in his drumming by playing match style. His solution was to relearn the Rush catalog playing traditional grip. That’s what takes a great drummer to legendary status. Imagine a someone like Stevie Ray Vaughn deciding to relearn his whole catalog playing left handed and doing it so well he was just as good with either hand. That’s what Peart did. Simply incredible.
I probably first started paying attention to Rush with Hemispheres in High School. Though not a musician of any note, I noticed, even then, that the drummer had an ability I knew was rare. I could hear a melody in Neil's playing that was obviously special. Not just a rhythmic backbone to the songs, but another actual melodic addition to the music. I have since never been surprised to always see Neil's name in any "Top whatever" list of drummers. Always near the top. As I have gotten (much) older and have seen many interviews with Neil, I have a deeper respect for him and realize he was not a superficial musician. His lyrics were deep and obviously came from a well of knowledge that few possess. This video was probably one of the best introspective I have ever seen on a musician. RIP Neil. It'll be another 30 or so years to see another like you...
The first time I'd even heard of Rush was the first time I saw them in concert, backing Aerosmith in 1976 as a 16 year old. In my eyes they stole the show. I immediately went out and bought all their records ( only 4 at that point). This band was a revelation. Hearing Neil for the first time on these records gave my the same feeling as when I discovered Hendrix for the first time, a couple of years earlier. I put Neil on the same level as Hendrix in his influence on the instrument he played. Excellent tribute
Nunca antes habia escuchado un tema de nadie solo para escuchar la bateria, me volvio loco la primera vez q puse un cassette de Rush, no podia creer que un trio suene asi. Bajo y bateria eran un solo instrumento, increible. Escuché tantas veces los solos de Neil como a cualquier otro tema, los se de memoria. Hoy, casi 33 años después sigue siendo sorprendente. Que descanses en paz querido Neil Peart y gracias por la felicidad que nos regalaste.
Steve: I was simultaneously smiling and sobbing throughout this brilliant tribute to Neil Peart. As time passes, we lose more and more of our musical heroes but as a Rush fanatic for nearly 40 years, Neil's passing has hit me especially hard still to this day. There aren't enough words to fully describe this once in generations human being, forever the "new guy" in a band composed of his true soul mate brothers. The tragic and cruel irony of succumbing to brain cancer was surely not lost on Neil himself in his final moments and I am sure was perhaps the most torturous part for him as a man who lived entire his life searching for knowledge and enlightenment every single day. His unmatched brilliance as a musician is really only part of the Neil Peart story. THANK YOU FOR THIS STEVE....Subbed....and this vid permanently added to my faves. RIP Neil Peart....Ride the stars and see Cygnus forever Neil - know that this world will not soon see another of your like...I'm so happy to have found you all those years ago and thank you for forever being part of the soundtrack to my life...
seeing Neil live was so incredible, there wasn't a cymbal on his kit not moving, he was just such an amazing blur of talent!!! I mean really, what hasn't been said about his stupendous abilities?!? he is sorely missed and we're extremely fortunate to have had his magic shared with us. thank you.
Steve, A great send off for a great man. You did an incredible job of “educating “ people on Neil Peart. You covered all aspects of his work, and didn’t just focused on “He’s the greatest drummer ever.” You gave his work, his contributions, and his value to the music world a sense of depth akin to what Neil shared through his work. Power Windows was my first concert, as well. And I had seen them at least a dozen more times since. I knew, after hearing “The Garden” for the first time that that last song would be Rush’s swan song, and that while watching in continued astonishment during the R40 concert that this would be the last time I would see Rush live. And now, the finality of those thoughts from years ago have become reality with Neil’s passing. Your video was heartfelt and well constructed. Thank you again for honoring Neil in the classy, REAL, way that you presented. Time to go dry my eyes. Dave
I am 53 years old... After video, had a little crying... Huge part of my life has gone with Neil and Rush... From year to year... "A farewell to kings" is a farewell to spirit of youth...
Thanks for posting this tribute to Neil from a drummer's perspective. What I think was a huge influence to many of us was the way that Neil orchestrated his fills as part of the songs, as opposed the more improvised style that many of us learned later in life. His style and influence led me to listening to Neil's influences- Phil Collins in early Genesis, Pierre Moerlen and Gong, etc. I will always be grateful for that.
Am I the only one who thinks world's disorder started after Neil has passed and left us behind? We needed him to hit it in right order. Thanks for your great video. RIP Neil Peart, the greatest drummer of the universe.
I remember when Modern Drummer magazine included a floppy 45rpm of Pieces Of Eight in the pages along with his article. I think it was when he swapped his TAMA kit for those beautiful white/rose tinted Ludwigs. He wrote a great little piece explaining the switch, how he had a number of kits from various manufacturers set up in a barn so he could play and assess each of them in the same environment on the same day. I loved reading his articles, and was always excited to hear from him. He wrote like a great short story writer. I married a high school English teacher and she was very impressed by his written work. But, I’ve gotten off topic. Pieces of Eight was on my turntable for a solid week, and I eventually wore it out completely. I remember the end of the article when he wrote something like, “What more could a drummer ask for. How about Pieces of Eight becoming a hit single.” Well, it was a hit with me, so he got his wish.
I love that you touched on his signature ride pattern. I realized after his passing that I have just subconsciously absorbed that pattern and I default to it in my own playing constantly. I literally play the ride the way I play it because of Neil. Like, there are dozens of techniques and patterns Neil developed that I, and many others, have spent our lives trying to CONSCIOUSLY master, but the ride pattern thing, it wasn't a conscious decision. It's not like at some point in my life I said to myself, "I'm gonna play the ride with the exact same pattern as Neil from now on." It just kind of happened through osmosis. I owe Neil a lot.
Steve, All I can say is Thank You Brother. I grew up listening to Rush in the '80s and to this day, I can still look back and remember walking into my first Junior High School dance and Subdivisions was playing through the PA system. From that day forward I knew that my ears, heart, and mind were touched by something very special indeed. So basically from then till now, I was blessed enough to have been able to pick up and self-teach myself to play the drums, guitar, keys & write lyrics. Then as my body decided all on its own that it didn't want me to play drums anymore, I by a stroke of luck, got into Internet Radio and Broadcasting, as it was the next best thing, not to mention I wasn't required to lug around the drum kit anymore. Not to mention that I think it's pretty safe to assume that any drummer/percussionist whose sole inspiration was Neil Peart was likely to be seen behind a 5 Piece Kit. Sorry if I kinda veered totally off course here, but my intended point was that if it weren't for those three amazing Canadiens, most of all The Professor, who knows what I would have wound up doing. Hope this comment finds you and everyone else here well, and have a great weekend.
I went into USAF to buy a Neil Pert drum set. I still have today. I have every Rush Album. We will never forget the Master of the drums. Thank you for sharing
Nothing against The Garden but thank you for not using that song as the outro section of your video because it’s almost getting to a cliched point to use it as a tribute for Neil because the lyrics are very relatable. Using that ending bit of Cygnus X1 book II was so good and resonated this idea of how he would want humanity to be now that he is gone. It made me smile
Excellent! Well done Steve. I grew up listening to them when I was 16. My first Rush concert was the 2112 tour 1976, in Ottawa, Canada. The tickets for the triple bill were $4.50...the other two performers were Max Webster and Ian Thomas. This was the first time I saw Neil do a drum solo, and I was hooked from then on. He added a whole new depth, and complexity to the kit I'd never heard before! They were one of the big names in Canada, and soon around the world. He will be terribly missed by fans and musicians alike.
It's amazing how Neil and Rush touched so many lives, and how deeply. I struggle to think of any recent artist or band who will be remembered like this.
An absorbing breakdown of what made Neil great, though you missed one important aspect of the man: the grace and humility with which he comported himself. And thank you for mentioning ‘Losing It’; like you, I can never get enough of Ben Mink’s solo which adds so much to the sense of sadness at the passing of one’s essential ability.
Thank you so much for making this, Steve. We needed this tribute, all of us that grew up with his influence heavy on our formative years. You expressed it all so well. Thank you, thank you.
Thank you Mr. Holmes for a really fine tribute to one of Earth's finest talents and people, Neil Peart. In our hearts and in our minds. Peace be with the memories.
Thanks for such a heartfelt and brilliant tribute to the great Neil Peart. His qualities were many. Personally, I grew to appreciate his structured complexity in songs: he would start with a groove and as the verses progressed he layered up ideas and created very long cycles of repetition. Truly a compositional style. I admire him more now than I ever did, and I was obsessed by his playing years back!! I'm still deeply shocked that he's gone tbh.
Beautiful tribute to a true light in this world. I found RUSH when I was 14 and it was like scales being peeled off of my eyes, they helped me see and feel the world differently. Neil's lyrics were so intricate and amazing. In those days you had to really work to find the lyrics and it was a journey of self-discovery as well. It's been almost 40 years since that fateful day and RUSH is still a part of my soul. I've seen them in concert many times and wish there was a way to tell them how grateful I am for their enduring excellence and independence throughout their careers, because their music has lifted many a down trodden soul. RIP Neil.
so inspiring..brings tears to the eyes, such a unique pioneering talant, and such a great loss. R.I.P. Neil. you will love on forever through you fantastic and loved music.
I love Neil Peart. I’m a drummer myself and everyone would ask me who my favorite drummer was and I said I don’t have one and then once I heard Tom Sawyer and yyz I knew he was my favorite drummer and always will be. Rip Neil
OMG Steve... That was just beautiful... and the pic montage with "the Sphere" in the background. I literally got a lump in my throat as I am typing this to you. Bravo... That just made my night. If you don't mind, I gonna share that with the subs on my channel.
Nice work Steve. Besides doing all of the albums, and he had a big input into all the artwork and concepts, they toured relentlessly, playing over 1,000 shows, and he played at a high level, with great energy. He pushed the limits of live performance, and Rush pushed the limits of live technology. He had an inspirational aspirational mindset. Miss him, wish he was still around....
A true genius is what we lost. But we will forever bask in his truely amazing existence. His drumming and being will inspire for generations and generations to come.
Wow! What an impressive piece you created going thru Neil Peart's chronological body of work! I too was inspired by Neil and Rush and had a massive double bass Tama set, and used to listen to Rush songs for hours trying to reverse engineer his fills and completely play the drums to Rush songs. I Wish I grew up today, as I think I would have been a much better player with all the teaching aides we have today. I too was born and raised in Philadelphia brother! Take care, and thanks for the hard work putting this piece together! 007
I remember being in my garage on my electric kit playing "Vital Signs" and my my wife at the time asking me not to forget her. But Carpal tunnel claimed it's grisly prize and I became a project manager. took all my kids to see them in Atlanta and they played the full 2112 album. Nice!
resistance stretch those arms and hands the carpal tunnel will be quickly removed, get back to playing brother, you will find vids on how to resistance stretch on youtube page gebimethod be blessed
What a great tribute! Hit it right on the drum. Neil is everlasting and his music will live forever. Thank you for capturing all this, and thanks to Neil for being all this. What a legacy!
This video is amazing. As a fellow Rush geek, I totally felt your emotion as you were explaining what Neil meant to you. He will forever be in my heart, and millions of others as well.
What a Beautiful Tribute to the Professor...I loved it, and teared up and smiled. Neil is the reason I play drums. My dream was to meet him, but I feel so grateful to have seen him perform several times in his prime. One of the absolute greats...and deeply missed.
Who else waved goodbye to Neil when he was in that frame with his hand up? Thank you. I like how you presented this. It made me cry. Especially the part about Ernest Hemingway. I bet Neil, such a brilliant mind, was so angry in his head for the last years of his life.
A heartfelt "thank you", Steve! I think you have put into images and words what a lot of us feel but haven't been able to express. Neil was a all-round artist, blessed with incredible intellect, curiosity, openness and musical abilities. He will be missed, as will his impressions of the human condition, and his musicianship. A wonderful tribute, thank you Steve, thank you, Neil!! ♥️🙏😔
As a long time friend of Neil's, I wanted to send along compliments to you and your recent tribute....
Is this Thee Terry Williams? Dire Straits? If so Thank-You sir for your awesome work.
Sorry. Different TW, tho I agree with your comment...
great work Terry! 😎
@NaghaviSystem Met Neil in 1972, before Rush. See "Ghost Rider" approx page 396...
@terry williams, after reading pages 396-397 I stopped @ the line Neil wrote about meeting you in St. Catharines (P.397) while you were a Dj @ the local radio station.
Just curious if you worked @1220 CHSC or 610 CKTB back in '72?
Both AM stations (for anyone wondering) as the first FM rock station didn't start broadcasting from the Garden City until June 27, 1986 @ 97.7 CHTZ FM (aka. Hits FM).en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHTZ-FM
The thing is, it wasn't just his drumming that was so exceptional, it was his entire existence.
Wish I'd thought 2 say that😟😎
He is my favorite lyricist of all-time.
@@eward41
I call him a true "Renaissance Man." Multiple talents, great in every one.
Theres millions of capable drummers but it's my belief it's the one with best imagination that makes one great
Well said and this is spot on!
He left us far too soon. I'm among the millions who were touched by his music and lyrics.
Who's cutting onions in here?!
Algoma Nation.
I am, but only for BBQ Sauce!
:)
I’m not crying....you’re crying!!
Been cutting onions since January.
To be perfectly honest I was so shocked I went 'numb' and barely shed a tear at the time, so much so I avoided listening to Rush and watching their vids. I could not accept it until recently and now I'm grieving like everyone else. Odd how we react differently to death. What a loss.
I've seen RUSH 23 times..
When the drummer takes a solo, most people got up and got a beer.
We watched Neil.
I've only seen Rush 3 times. I'm a guitar player, but I went to their shows to watch Neil.
@@suncookrocks I only saw them three times also. Yes, of course I went to see Neil, but I also went to see Alex and Geddy and the lights and to hear what Rush sounded like live! To be that close to three musicians who changed the way I listen to music was surreal. 1992, 1996, 2011.
@@drewper73 Good for you! Now go wash your hands.
u must not ever watch don brewer then lol....
@@jefferyfunk6819 Never been to a Grand Funk Railroad concert
"Neil was...." Words I hoped to never hear.
Hurts every time I hear it .........
So poignant...
Imo the reason it hit so hard is because Rush was calling it a day after 40 yrs of greatness and the fans always held onto the hope that they'd have a change of heart and come back out on tour, at least one more time. So while fans' hopes and expectations were still riding high, Neil's passing was the last thing anyone expected. No one knew about his condition, it was the ultimate shock to us all and it still hurts.
@@rickleblanc8900 And yet to add,
Or just saying...
I (personally) find/found Clockwork Angels album to be such a perfect rounding ender... I fing love CA.
@@HAKKY2112 oh ya, that album is brilliant, a fitting one to bookend their amazing career. And i saw them live on that tour, what an amazing concert.
As a funk drummer and a HUGE Neil Peart fan, I would like to point out that, even though most people would categorize Neil as a "Prog Rock" drummer, he had awesome groove and "pocket" feel. We called it the funky Neil Peart halftime breakdown. Tom Sawyer, and the end of Red Barchetta come to mind. Oh so Tasty!! RIP Professor!
Hell yeah, hear hear! 👍
Neils drum solo from frankfurt show ! Take a few and watch it . Makes me smile and get choked up near the end when he breaks into a superb jazz rant on his kit. AWESOME !!!
Well said. "Pocket feel" is a great term!
Well said Hakim
As a fan(atic) of both Rush and The Purple Yoda... 👍🏼 💜
There isn't another artist whose death affected me as much as Neil's. He was a huge inspiration and influence in my drumming. He was definitely way ahead of his time. In a time where other drummers were around just to keep a beat and get a check, he was getting things done, pouring his heart and soul into the music. Neil, Geddy and Alex will forever be my favorite musicians. Awesome video Steve. 👌 R.I.P. Neil 😥💔🥁
He was at the definitive core of who I am, as a person. His precision, his focus, his work ethic, the quality of this work...all of that serves as a model and inspiration to me. I still feel like a part of me has been ripped out.
@@TheCocoaDaddy I hear you. I still get emotional listening to Rush these days ever since his death.
Agreed. Greater than John Bonham in some degree.
Same Danny. Great person, and really great, not casually stated. I still get teary eyed thinking about it.
I hear you man, the only celebrity that brought me to tears. Since 2112 All the Worlds a Stage" super fan!
In addition to being a kind and decent human, what made him special as a world-class drummer was his motivation and commitment to purposeful, methodical, and deliberate practice. It wasn't just about talent ... it was more about dedication and willingness to put in the time, effort and energy to be the best he could be ... and one of the best we've ever seen.
That's true. He once said that every single beat or fill or lick was worked so hard because everything was so hard to him . And he pushed and pushed until he reached the excellence. He was an example of the benefits of hard work.
Very well said. Perfectly, actually.
So true. And even though he was considered one of the best of his time, he never rested. He knew he could do better so he found a new mentor and relearned how the play the drums even better. Simply amazing.
Right on Craig. Well said.
Well said.
As much as I appreciate Neil's drumming and composition, his lyrics are what really touch deep. His writing is soul deep and hear-felt.
All taken from his own life experiences
So true
I got into Rush when a saw A Show Of Hands on TV, and then I bought that tape and then bought Presto. Songs like War Paint, Scars and Presto are great, but The Pass really spoke to me, especially as a 17 year old kid going through some heavy shit. His lyrics still speak to me to this day as a 48 year adult.
@@stephenmiller2337 As a 14 year old I have to say rush really speaks to me as well. My dad loved to listen to rush as a kid and introduced me to it a few years ago. The lyrics are what amaze me. In a time where you could say random words as fast as possible and that be called music pales in comparison to the lyrics of rush.
It really, really is and I kind of felt it from early on only I didn't quite realize how deep and honest until years /decades later.
Neil was on another plane both musically and intellectually. This is a fitting tribute. Well done.
Peart was a technically gifted drummer, one of the very best rock drummers. But with respect, some of these comments are verging on idolatry! “Neil was on a other plane both musically AND intellectually?” Artists like McCartney and Prince were perhaps on another plane musically as they could play just about any instrument; Neil played the drums.
@ He didn’t just play drums. He is also highly regarded as a lyricist, and he is a published author. That’s what I was referring to when I mentioned being him being on another plane intellectually.
“We're only immortal for a limited time.” “The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.” (Neil Peart)
That was always one my my favourite Lyrics from Rush and I have repeated them so many times cause its so true. We definitely are immortal for a limited time.
Facts!
"Is it living or, just existence?"
-"The Enemy Within"
On more than a couple of occasions, since Neil's death, I've ended up binge watching everything Rush on RUclips, for several days straight. I'm surprised that I haven't seen your video until now. I just wanted to let you know that you did a wonderful job, Steve. Thank you for sharing this tribute here. I also feel privileged, and fortunate, to have been a part of the ride.
Thanks for showcasing for the extraordinary talent of Neil Peart. I'm an Aussie and the first time I heard Rush was when I was 17, coming back from the US and had to stop in Singapore to catch a connecting flight back to Aus. I had a 3 day lay-over in Singapore, met a beautiful girl and stayed with her for those 3 days (I really lucked out there). Anyway, she had a compilation tape with Tom Sawyer on it. I must have listened to it over and over about a thousand times, from that point on I was hooked on Rush, and knew I was going to be a drummer. I played in a lot of original bands in Perth, and my drumming was heavily influenced by Neil. I was shocked and deeply saddened by his death. These larger than life characters just seem to be immortal, you never really think they're gonna die. RIP Neil Peart, the most influential drummer to ever exist. You've certainly left your mark on this planet! (I think this is the longest comment I've ever left on RUclips ;)
Ok... THAT DID IT! That end piece with the last part from "Hemispheres" with all of the GREAT Pics of Neil... THAT'S when the water works started! Neil was my HERO, my MENTOR, my INSPERATION... He is the MAIN REASIN I BECAME a drummer back almost 42 yrs. ago!
GODS his passing is like a HUGE Open wound... :(
HEMISPHERES my favorite
J.S. Connolly Hemispheres blew me away,I bought an imported vinyl with the brains on the record label,prog !
Yep! I have a version of Hemispheres that is colored RED and the Cover Photo is Imprinted on it!
VERY Rare record indeed! I have several RUSH "Color Disk" records like that in my collection! :D
J.S. Connolly Very nice mate.
Thanks Jelly. :)
Very cool tribute to Neil - the Gentleman, the Professor, the Lyricist and the best drummer of all time! RIP Neil.
I'm just glad that Neil Peart is being remembered. He's too good to let fade away.
Can't ever fade away, too many drummers have scars on their index fingers from playing so long chasing the Master's touch!!!!!
He will never fade away. Maybe until the year 2112 when the priests take him from us, and even then we will rebel against it and Neil will assume control once more.
Agree - I was really disappointed he was retiring-hated to hear the guys say they would not tour due to deteriorating ability to play live - I’d love to see them play with back up musicians just to see them again, other musicians do it all the time as they age, but I respected them - they had substance to their character, and now we all really know - he suffered from a terrible disease and there’s no reason he needed to share it, it wasn’t like lung cancer with a teachable moment of poor decisions like smoking, he went his own way gracefully. RIP!!! Canada should dedicate a statue to Mr. Peart!
@@mikemallery913 I think this is one band that shouldn't try to continue without each other. Solo careers, fine, but not as Rush.
If Neil Peart had a passion for physics instead of music , he probably would have solved the Grand Unified Theory. What a great mind .
Neil's drumming was the perfect blend of technicality and musicality, his lyrics a wonderful combination of head and heart, and he topped it all off by being an incredibly decent person. An absolute one-off and an inspiration. The world is a much more empty place without him.
'Neil's drumming was the perfect blend of technicality and musicality, his lyrics a wonderful combination of head and heart, and he topped it all off by being an incredibly decent person.' Very well put.
What is technicality? Drums is a musical instrument so drumming should just be about musicality.
Neil was an amazing person. He was an introvert, he felt uncomfortable meeting with his fans and found it hard to connect to them on a personal level. He went for a lot of years without saying much, and after his family tragedy, that part got even worse. He did come back to us, and he gave as much more of himself as he could before he passed on. His death is a tragedy, and I'll miss him and Rush dearly. I never took any of his isolationism as anything personal, everything I ever needed to hear him say, I heard in his music.
Live2Shred PERFECTLY put and nither did I. I don’t believe ANYONE should because the introvert is simply just a quiet version of everyone else in the world. It’s not “ABOUT YOU” so just get over yourself and move on to what’s for dinner.
Perfectly said
And he chose to travel almost exclusively on a motorcycle... ( BMW GS 1200) Why??
because he could appreciate the landscape and the world ALONE. He was one of a kind.
Justin Fontaine Yesss . You read his book, I take it?
J.D. thanks☺️
Rush....Neil.....Alex.....Geddy…..Best band ever. Just my opinion. Been my favorite since 1975
I'll stand with that opinion.
Neil ..
Me 78ish but right behind ya!!!
All of the members can be argued as the greatest of their instrument of all time
...and still nobody brings up Terry Brown..... almost like he never played drums for Rush
"Follow men's eyes
As they look to the skies
The shifting shafts of shining
Weave the fabric of their dreams"
- Neil Peart
gr3gc0 only a genius can create a lyric like that.
Jacobs Ladder, those lines are amazing. Rush songs are some of the only songs I know the words too.
Jacobs ladder
I live in St Catharines, Ontario.
Growing up, the stories of his compassion and charity were around, but he was always so selfless in his actions and never wanted it talked about.
After his passing, things really started to come out. The level of kindness that Neil expressed is inspiring. And he did it just to do it. So other people could live better.
He’s amazing.
I grew up in St. Kitts and now live in Welland. I went to Lakeside Park when I heard that he had passed. Others were there too. Some came across from the US. Fittingly, it was a rainy day.
Look at all the comments...I've never seen people react to the passing of a musician like Neil before and its 3 months after..Just shows you how much he and that band touched our souls. He was and will always be my hero. I grew up in the up in 70s through 80s listening to and playing my drums to him. God I loved his playing. This was an awesome tribute.. Thank you🙏🤟🥁
WHAT A WONDERFUL TRIBUTE, MY HUSBAND SCOTT WAS A DRUMMER IN SCHOOL AND ALSO HAD A DRUM SET ,BECAUSE OF HIS FAVORITE BAND RUSH, AND HIS FAVORITE DRUMMER NEIL, MY DEAR HUSBAND PASSED AWAY AT 54 YRS.OLD 2019, HE AND NEIL ARE PLAYING DRUMS IN HEAVEN TOGETHER. AND MY SISTER JULIE AND I WILL NEVER FORGET OUR RUSH CONCERT IN THE 80'S, IN CLEVELAND OHIO, OUR FAVORITE SONG, ( LIMELIGHT) GREAT MEMORIES OF THE BEST OF TIMES. HOW WE WISH WE COULD GO BACK. 😊🎵🎼🎶🎵🎵🎵
Your husband may be in heaven playing the drums but I don’t think Neil is. I’m not being mean I’m just saying that because Neil wasn’t exactly known for being religiously spiritual. Quite the opposite. From what I’ve read he was a good person but that won’t get you into the pearly gates.
Well done, Steve. This passionate work was both highly interesting and informative.
@Bronze Brett: Couldn't agree more. I don't think I've ever directly commented to a video creator about their work, but giving this video a like just wasn't enough. Very well done, Steve.
The band Tool is the Rush of today. Listen to the full song Lateralus by Tool. Rush was great for their time but now there are other bands such as Dream Theater, or another band called The Aristocrats. If you give them a chance prepared to be blown away
@@aaroncrepeau3296 Thx. I have been listening to Tool a lot recently, as recommended by others on the interwebs. Danny Carey is in the same vein as Mr Peart- innovative, musical and intensely accurate. There is a video of Danny playing with Neil and Stewart at the Sacred Grove.
His brain made him special then ended up ending his life. Too young to die. RIP buddy 💔🙏
That was amazing. Thank you @Steve Holmes. Now where have I seen the shot of Neil on his BMW with both arms outstretched?
Steve, that was great. I actually got emotional again. Amazing how I never met this man and I’ve shed tears over his death. That’s never happened to me with a celebrity. I’ve been with them since All the worlds a stage. First concert was A Farewell to Kings at the Palladium in Manhattan. By the way, I’m the guy from Long Island that took a Skype lesson with you a few months ago. Hoping you’re well. And thank you again for a great tribute.
Jim Maone Yeah man! I’m so glad you liked it! I hope the drumming is going well. Good luck.
Mill
@Kali Southpaw I think of that often, how Geddy and Alex are doing after Neil's passing. I wish them the very best in whatever they do next in life. I am very thankful for all the music Rush gave us.
same about the emotional/tears/celebrity comment. crazy. super good video, thanks Steve!
His use of the Hi-Hat is amazing. As a guitarist, I dunno why drummers don't use the hi-hat more. I know that the thing nowadays in metal is double-bass, but a well placed Hi-Hat roll really gets the adrenaline going on my end as a guitarist.
Its likely that hi hats are a thing of hard rock and jazz(and in these days heavy metal) probably why drummers dont use it so much. I love using the hi hat
Stewart Copeland too
My good friend Joe from my teens said it best imho ....."Thank you for sparking the passion and dreams of a restless youth searching for meaning and a place in the world. Your words and music were the soundtrack of my adolescence and your drumming is forever imprinted upon my DNA. Rest in peace professor." Thanks for taking a minute tho Steve. Peart was part of my identity too
I am not a drummer, however I believe that Neil Peart was probably the best drummer ever on this planet. I love you too John Bonham.
I am a drummer and concur
I hate the whole 'best ever' argument...but if he isn't in someones top 5 their opinion is invalid in my eyes.
Great rock drummer. Best drummer ever on the planet was probably his idol Buddy Rich!
He was a genius. Saw and and could articulate things most can’t.
Read his books. Rode some of the same roads on my motorcycle. Stayed in some of the same places. Could feel his pain. Damn just getting over Petty and then Neil. At 72 I'm already tired of losing friends and people who have made my life more enjoyable with their talents.
I feel your pain brother. Unfortunately it's starting to happen all to often.
I'm 59 years old and a drummer and have read his books and ridden a BMW GS ( and other bikes) on many of the same roads. Lived the same life on the same bike. Same mom and pop motels. Same shitty weather. Same bad road food. The fact that with all his money and fame he chose to live his life the way that I do makes us brothers from a different mother.
Lee Jennings this was a tough one to take. Still cried during this video. Don’t think I will ever be able to listen to their music with out tears.
Yeah I agree.. with these great loses.. and not having any greats coming into this world to replace them sort of speak.. the world's getting worse.. people are ruining music now days. I can't even give it a minute of attention and I know it's garbage! What the hell's this world coming to?
Thank God for the music they've left! Inspired musician here.
It took me a day to gird myself to watch this. I wanted to be in the right headspace. This was really beautiful Steve.
Thank you Penny!
Same here, I listened to Rush when they first hit the scene and continued from the point when Neil replaced the original drummer. They progressed from one album to the next I was extremely inspired by Neil's talent, he set the bar for many drummers the torch was passed from John Bonham to Neil.
“When I heard that he was gone I felt a shadow cross my heart.” That was a beautiful tribute.
He never judged people, he just took them as they were....
"I knew he was different in his sexuality, I went to his parties as a straight minority , never felt a threat to my masculinity , he only introduced me to a wider reality ,, as the years went by, we drifted apart, when I heard that he had gone I felt a shadow cross my heart , "
one of the most accepting, non judgemental people ever to walk the earth .
Steve, man... This is the most respectfull and well done retrospective about Neil. Thank you!! I cry the entirelly video... Again Thank you!!
Neil's influence on millions of drummers and then in turn, the influence of those drummers influence in the bands they were in, is immeasurable . He and RUSH have had such an effect on bands to follow........it's just amazing. TOTAL FUCKING LEGEND. Words cannot do his talent justice. Those of us who know....just know.
To put it simply, Neil was a drummer's drummer hence the professor.
I cannot like this comment enough 👍
Six months tomorrow. Thinking of Neil's parents and siblings, his wife, Carrie and daughter. And, of course, Geddy, Alex, the Rush team and the global Rush fan family. 💗🙏
He was a beautiful man and mind. The greatest rock band.
I am not a musician, but when I look at you, I see a blurred mirror image of myself. I discovered Rush as a teen back in the early 80s. Neil's prose spoke to me like no other words I had ever heard before or since. That, coupled with the music created by Geddy and Alex occupied a spot in my soul that is the soundtrack of my youth. There is the like button here, but I wish there was a love button as well. Excellent video.
Well written sir. Like you, I am not a musician. Like you, the music of Rush and the insightful, intelligent lyrics of Neil Peart penetrated every pitiful defense I erected due to the unfortunate circumstances of my youth, and not only broke through to speak to my psyche, but deeply molded the person I evolved into. I cannot fathom how my teenage years (late 70's - early 80's) would've been without the music of Rush and the lyrics of Neil Peart to see me through the best of times and the worst of times. I am diminished at Neil's passing. At the risk of appearing jaded and cliche, if there's a Rock-n-Roll heaven, well you know they've got a hell of a band... R.I.P Neil Peart. To live on in the hearts of those he touched is to never die.
You would have loved being into the 70s Rush also. I couldn't wait until their next album came out and where and how many times I could to go see them that year.
mstrtwister Unfortunately, I had never heard of Rush until around the time they released Moving Pictures. My brother came home with a vinyl copy, and after one listen I was hooked for life. Of course, I soon dug into their early releases, and was blown away by the prog, and fantasy themes, as well as the straight up rockers.
I am SO glad that, for once, "Natural Science" finally got a mention!
Bro, its one of my favorites and like nobody talks about how insanely awesome that song is.
Song bangs
@@elitewarrior0076 I know this is an old comment. But I just wanted to say that I listened to it today on my drive. And I'll listen to it again. Always been a fav. A hidden gem in their massive catalog.
@@idlemindedmage6925 yeah dude i've listened to it probably 100 times over the last year or so and all the time signature and rhythm changes blow my brains off every time. such a good song. Jacob's Ladder as well, another tremendous piece
Neil Peart is absolutely the best ever composer of percussion. And his greatest desire was to inspire others . And he did just that . Geddy inspired me to take up the bass guitar in 1981 . Neil Peart inspired me to learn about percussion and how to appreciate the importance of musicians playing together. I suspect I'm just one of millions he had that effect on . I remember when Elvis died .I was 11 at the time and didn't understand why people where so despondent. Now I do . There will never be another Neil Peart . Just like Elvis, the bar is far too high and the shoes to big . RIP Professor.
YEP! And I got to actually MEET several of my Drumming Heroes through out my life. Those were Neil, Stewart Copland and Buddy Rich. I got to clinic with Neil back in 1987. But it wasn't JUST Sitting and listening to him... we actually spent some time together talking and laughing and I'd LIKE to think he enjoyed MY company as much as I did?!
I did get the better part of that bargain though in MY opinion! :D
Wow, That's an awesome story. What was it like meeting Buddy?
Well... when I FIRST Met Buddy I was 12... the next summer I started to teach myself to play the drums.
I had WANTED to play the bass and be "Gene Simmons"...{SO Glad I did do THAT!} Buddy was VERY Cool!
He and his band played at the high school that was next to my middle school. I got a flyer for the concert and my dad INSISTED that we go! Tickets were like $5.00 each! Soooo we went And I was BLOWN AWAY!
THEN After the show my Father and I went down to the stage to meet him and I got his Autograph!
Fast Forward to Summer of 1985 at the Milwaukee Summer Fest and I see that "The Buddy Rich Orchestra" is playing that night. So I went to see him and even seven years later... and he was STILL INCREDIBLE!
And after the show I went to the back stage area and there he was signing autographs. I waited 'till he was done and all the people had cleared out and I walked up and said "Hi Buddy... Nice to see you again!"
He looked at me like "WHAT?!" THEN His eyes opened WIDE and he said, "Oh My God! Hey Kid How are you doing?!" And he Smiled wide and hugged me HARD and said "WOW! You've grown! How's your dad?"
YEA! HE REMEMBERED! And I told him dad was doing good... and he asked what I was up to and I said. "Well.. since I saw you seven years ago I've since become a drummer too BECAUSE of YOU!"
And ye says, "Well tell your folks I'm sorry!" And I said, "No actually they are VERY Proud of me! And we talked a bit longer but I could see he was very tired. So I shook his hand and he hugged me again and said he was VERY glad I stopped to say Hi!
That was his LAST Concert in Milwaukee as he died later that year.
I also got to meet and talk with Neil at a clinic in Hollywood Cal. in 1987... and I also met Stewart Copland at a local club that doesn't even EXIST anymore!
All THREE Are. Were and AWAYS WILL BE MY DRUMMING/MUSIC Heroes! :D
THEY gave me my DRIVE and I continue to "HOLD THE FIRE"!!!
"I'd like to think he enjoyed my company as much as I did! I did get the better part of that bargain though in my opinion!"
LOL! I know what you meant to say but I can't stop laughing...it's like, "Full of yourself much?"
Again, I know that's not what you meant, so don't get your feathers all ruffled. It's just funny :)
I’m just a simple man who lives in Louisiana and has been playing drums because of Neil for over 30 years and I’m glad I was able to take my daughter to see rush in 2015. Thank you Neil, and geddy, and Alex. Rip Neil!
I’m from Louisiana too man- been a Rush fan since mid 80s. Nice to see another big Rush fan from “The Boot.” Rip Neil Peart- truly inspirationa!
“I’m Just A Simple Man.” That sounds like a good title for a song!
What Made Neil Peart So Special? Talent Like No Other & The Greatest Drummer & Lyricist Of His Time . . .
Peart received the following awards in the Modern Drummer magazine reader's poll
Hall of Fame: 1983
Best Rock Drummer*: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2006, 2008
Best Multi-Percussionist*: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Best Percussion Instrumentalist: 1982
Most Promising New Drummer: 1980
Best All Around: 1986
1986 Honor Roll: Rock Drummer, Multi-Percussion
As a member of the Honor Roll in these categories, he is no longer eligible for votes in the above categories.
Best Instructional Video: 2006, for Anatomy of a Drum Solo
Best Drum Recording of the 1980s, 2007, for "YYZ" from Exit... Stage Left
Best Recorded Performance:
1980: Permanent Waves
1981: Moving Pictures
1982: Exit... Stage Left
1983: Signals
1985: Grace Under Pressure
1986: Power Windows
1988: Hold Your Fire
1989: A Show of Hands
1990: Presto
1992: Roll the Bones
1993: Counterparts
1997: Test for Echo
1999: Different Stages
2002: Vapor Trails
2004: R30
2007: Snakes & Arrows
2011: Time Machine
2012: Clockwork Angels
Peart received the following awards from DRUM! magazine for 2007
Drummer of the Year
Best Progressive Rock Drummer
Best Live Performer
Best DVD (Anatomy Of A Drum Solo)
Best Drumming Album (Snakes & Arrows)
Peart received the following awards from DRUM! magazine for 2008
Drummer of the Year
Best Progressive Rock Drummer
Best Mainstream Pop Drummer
Best Live Drumming Performer
Peart received the following awards from DRUM! magazine for 2009
Drummer Of The Year
Best Progressive Rock Drummer
Peart received the following awards from DRUM! magazine for 2010
Drummer of the Year
Best Live Performer
Best Progressive Rock Drummer
Neil = Picasso on a drum set . Artist who happened to use drum sticks
He probably sat at the top of the titled drum royalty of his era, possibly of any 20th century era of pop culture. He was also extremely intelligent and articulate, which lent itself well to his role of lead lyricist of Rush.
I'm not so easily convinced that
he was the BEST lyricist of his generation though. I say this for several reasons. He definitely nailed nearly every one of his advanced sci-fi poetry pieces in the decade spanning 1974-1983. However, I think his best work particularly had a tendency to get a bit too wordy and deep for the average listener. I get it, but my IQ is also 133. There are many people who don't necessarily possess the vocabulary skills that Mr.Peart was gifted with. On the flip side, he never allowed that to deter him from writing so many thought provoking lyrics, which I admire.
My second gripe is that his lyrics got a bit too literal and inconsistent between 1984 and 1994 approximately. I was never a huge fan of the left turn the band made in the 80s into world flavored accompaniments or the leap from sci-fi lyrics to more cautionary tales about global preservation and social unrest that dominated that era of Rush albums. They did revert back to form a bit on Roll the Bones, but even it seemed a bit perfunctory compared to that golden era from Fly by Night on through to Signals. The Counterparts album went in another direction entirely, with a more stripped down, guitar oriented rock sound with lyrics ranging from the slightly obtuse and disjointed darkness of Stick it Out, to a sympathetic social justice ballad about a homosexual young man, with varying degrees of less inspired lyrical cocophonies that comprise the remainder of that album. I do find the final third of the bands work from Snakes and Arrows on to be more consistent and lyrically sound than the bands middle period, and the band seemed to enjoy a return to ubiquitous relevancy during the remainder of their existence.
Finally (I apologize for the lack of brevity here, but it's a complicated discussion), I would argue that there were a number of immensely talented lyricists who were writing during the roughly 40 year recording tenure that Rush enjoyed. Black Sabbath bassist/GZR founder Geezer Butler was the godfather of dark, occult inspired lyrics that still influence a number of metal bands lyrics to this day. We also must take into consideration that each of The Beatles (Lennon and McCartney most notably)were active with solo careers that coincided with the active period of Rush. Ronnie James Dio penned alot of extremely imaginative Medieval period inspired fantasy based lyrics with Rainbow and Black Sabbath in addition to his successful solo career. Roger Glover and Ian Gillan penned quite a few anthemic sets of rock lyrics with Deep Purple from 1970-1973, again from 1984 to 1987, and yet again from 1996 to this day. (I'm not even including their solo careers, Gillans short stint with Sabbath, or Glovers five years writing the bulk of the original Bonnet and Turner era Rainbow tunes.) David Bowie had an impressive run of lyrical concepts from 1972/73 to 1980. Let's not forget the often overlooked Bob Daisley, who wrote the bulk of the Goalby era Uriah Heep lyrics, most of the lyrics for the first 3 or 4 Ozzy lyrics (despite the lack of credit and gratitude he received for those contributions ) and his lyrical contributions to a large portion of Gary Moores discography, in addition to a number of other writing credentials. Blue Oyster Cult have collaborated to write a number of intellectual, haunting lyrical pieces. Captain Beefheart was also busy throwing together a considerable collection of chaotic, abstract (ranging from the cleverly obscene to strangely beautiful) lyrics from 1967 to 1982 or so.
I'm sure I'm forgetting at least a few, but as a lyricist alone Peart had some stiff competition. I would definitely say he was the king of lyricists among drummers, though his stiffest competition in that category is rather limited (Phil Collins and Ringo Starr immediately come to mind). At any rate, Neil Peart was certainly a God of modern rock culture, with lightning fast hands and a gift for poetry.
LLP TV's the stand
@@markrago7217 .... no one said he was the ONLY ONE writing good lyrics , (you forgot Merillion BTW) Just he was on the leading edge .
Beautifully done. Just when I thought I was done with crying I watched this and at the ending when The Sphere starts playing I lost it and bawled my eyes out again. This year I lost my musical idol Neil and a month later my mother passed away. May they both Rest In Peace.
Randy Sych so sorry for your loss. I’ve only cried twice to mourn the loss of someone. My brother who died suddenly at 53 and Neil Peart. Rush music framed my entire life since the release of Permanent Waves. There will never be another Rush or Neil. I’m just happy to have been along for the ride.
Doug Still thank you. I’m sorry for the loss of you brother.
Rush has meant so much to me since the Fly By Night album. Hearing Neil play sent me in the direction all parents dread,the drums. I literally gave up playing guitar and talked my parents into buying me my first drum kit. 45 years later I still play them. I agree,there will never be another Rush or Neil. No band or drummer even comes close. Last night I was watching all the videos I shot from every concert I’ve seen since cell phones were video capable. I broke down once again. The sadness never ends. My first Rush concert was the Hemispheres tour 1978. I’ve seen many Rush concerts but sadly I didn’t get to the R40 tour.
Same here
I am so very sorry for your loss.
My parents are both gone. It is very hard....traumatic.
Neil's passing was one of the few celebrities was where I cried.
I cried like I lost a brother.
Neil's passing was like one of a family member... I thought as much as we knew about him through his writing that we still didn't know him... He will be missed... my only brother and mother passed within a year of each other so I know that pain when Neil passed I vowed to become great at my craft so I say all of that to tell you to let Neil inspire you to greatness!!!
#longliveneil
There never was before, and probably never will be again, a man as well spoken and capable of playing like Neil Peart. Many have learned and copied his music, but none have taken it to the next step.
He lead a wonderful life and we were lucky that he shared it along the way. My music teacher was a huge fan in high school and she used to quote Rush lyrics, confused the hell out of us. My favourite line about Neil was " most drummers use a metronome to keep perfect time, metronomes use Neil Peart "
Wonderful life? Daughter killed in a car crash and lost wife to cancer. A wonderful life you say?
@@taunokekkonen5733 and yet he lived a full life dispite all that !! What a special man !
She? Damn you are lucky to have known one of the 3 female rush fans!
His dedication to his craft...drums, songwriting, and being an author.
His bookreading, his sense of wanting to continue to grow as a musician. Not standing on his laurels and being stagnant. Always willing to add to the "toolbox" and pushing the boundaries on his bandmates.
I could go on and on...
Steve, thanks so much for putting this together. I honestly choked up at the end. My second Rush show was the Power Windows tour, at the Spectrum. Like many of us, there was a time in my life when I idolized Neil. In my early 20’s, I spent a month shedding La Villa in an unheated concrete practice room, obsessively rewinding a cassette over two-bar sections to figure out what he was playing. He left more than a legacy; his playing is hard-coded into a million drummers, whether they realize it or not. Thank you for being amazing, Neil. Thank you for reminding us, Steve.
Rush shows at the Spectrum were my teen years! My first was Moving Pictures with FM opening. It doesn’t get more Canadian prog than that.
Neil was an aggressive and very musical drummer. That is what made him great. Being in Rush didn't hurt. He pushed the musical threshold along with Lifeson and Lee.
Neil's death affected me more than any other musician since Stevie Ray Vaughan and maybe BB King. Great tribute and thank you for doing this! I find myself in awe of this man's immense talent--a true modern Renaissance man.
When you have the respect of virtually every musician on the planet, who cares what the media thinks. His fans knew what he was.
Love the story of Peart, who when widely considered one of the best drummers of all time, thought he had a hole in his drumming by playing match style. His solution was to relearn the Rush catalog playing traditional grip. That’s what takes a great drummer to legendary status.
Imagine a someone like Stevie Ray Vaughn deciding to relearn his whole catalog playing left handed and doing it so well he was just as good with either hand.
That’s what Peart did. Simply incredible.
I probably first started paying attention to Rush with Hemispheres in High School. Though not a musician of any note, I noticed, even then, that the drummer had an ability I knew was rare. I could hear a melody in Neil's playing that was obviously special. Not just a rhythmic backbone to the songs, but another actual melodic addition to the music. I have since never been surprised to always see Neil's name in any "Top whatever" list of drummers. Always near the top. As I have gotten (much) older and have seen many interviews with Neil, I have a deeper respect for him and realize he was not a superficial musician. His lyrics were deep and obviously came from a well of knowledge that few possess. This video was probably one of the best introspective I have ever seen on a musician. RIP Neil. It'll be another 30 or so years to see another like you...
There will never be another Neal, he was a gift.
The first time I'd even heard of Rush was the first time I saw them in concert, backing Aerosmith in 1976 as a 16 year old. In my eyes they stole the show. I immediately went out and bought all their records ( only 4 at that point). This band was a revelation. Hearing Neil for the first time on these records gave my the same feeling as when I discovered Hendrix for the first time, a couple of years earlier. I put Neil on the same level as Hendrix in his influence on the instrument he played. Excellent tribute
Nunca antes habia escuchado un tema de nadie solo para escuchar la bateria, me volvio loco la primera vez q puse un cassette de Rush, no podia creer que un trio suene asi. Bajo y bateria eran un solo instrumento, increible. Escuché tantas veces los solos de Neil como a cualquier otro tema, los se de memoria. Hoy, casi 33 años después sigue siendo sorprendente. Que descanses en paz querido Neil Peart y gracias por la felicidad que nos regalaste.
God... I still can't believe he's gone. RIP Professor Neil.
Steve: I was simultaneously smiling and sobbing throughout this brilliant tribute to Neil Peart. As time passes, we lose more and more of our musical heroes but as a Rush fanatic for nearly 40 years, Neil's passing has hit me especially hard still to this day. There aren't enough words to fully describe this once in generations human being, forever the "new guy" in a band composed of his true soul mate brothers. The tragic and cruel irony of succumbing to brain cancer was surely not lost on Neil himself in his final moments and I am sure was perhaps the most torturous part for him as a man who lived entire his life searching for knowledge and enlightenment every single day. His unmatched brilliance as a musician is really only part of the Neil Peart story. THANK YOU FOR THIS STEVE....Subbed....and this vid permanently added to my faves.
RIP Neil Peart....Ride the stars and see Cygnus forever Neil - know that this world will not soon see another of your like...I'm so happy to have found you all those years ago and thank you for forever being part of the soundtrack to my life...
Thanks Joe - glad you enjoyed it.
seeing Neil live was so incredible, there wasn't a cymbal on his kit not moving, he was just such an amazing blur of talent!!! I mean really, what hasn't been said about his stupendous abilities?!? he is sorely missed and we're extremely fortunate to have had his magic shared with us. thank you.
Now, when you here thunder it's just Neil in heaven playing.....
That was beautiful Steve!! Thankyou for that!!
stoooopppp
Absolutely fitting!
Steve,
A great send off for a great man. You did an incredible job of “educating “ people on Neil Peart. You covered all aspects of his work, and didn’t just focused on “He’s the greatest drummer ever.”
You gave his work, his contributions, and his value to the music world a sense of depth akin to what Neil shared through his work.
Power Windows was my first concert, as well. And I had seen them at least a dozen more times since. I knew, after hearing “The Garden” for the first time that that last song would be Rush’s swan song, and that while watching in continued astonishment during the R40 concert that this would be the last time I would see Rush live.
And now, the finality of those thoughts from years ago have become reality with Neil’s passing.
Your video was heartfelt and well constructed. Thank you again for honoring Neil in the classy, REAL, way that you presented.
Time to go dry my eyes.
Dave
I am 53 years old... After video, had a little crying... Huge part of my life has gone with Neil and Rush... From year to year... "A farewell to kings" is a farewell to spirit of youth...
If you think you appreciate great drumming and enjoy musicianship, and you gave this a thumbs down, you actually do neither.
Truth spoken; Amen to you brother.
60 meatheads gave this a thumbs down ?? Fucking idiots
That's why he was known as the Professor, such a sad loss. This one of the best tributes to him I've seen........many thanks.
Their music was the background sound during the best times of my life... still are ❤
Thanks for posting this tribute to Neil from a drummer's perspective.
What I think was a huge influence to many of us was the way that Neil orchestrated his fills as part of the songs, as opposed the more improvised style that many of us learned later in life. His style and influence led me to listening to Neil's influences- Phil Collins in early Genesis, Pierre Moerlen and Gong, etc. I will always be grateful for that.
Great video. Neil was a true example of a "one-off" - you aren't going to get anyone else like him ever again.
Am I the only one who thinks world's disorder started after Neil has passed and left us behind? We needed him to hit it in right order. Thanks for your great video. RIP Neil Peart, the greatest drummer of the universe.
Wow. So touching. Two months on since his passing and I still get a tear from heartfelt tributes like this. Well done.
Anybody who does a Neil retrospective and includes Pieces of Eight gets automatic street cred in my book! Nice job sir.
I remember when Modern Drummer magazine included a floppy 45rpm of Pieces Of Eight in the pages along with his article. I think it was when he swapped his TAMA kit for those beautiful white/rose tinted Ludwigs. He wrote a great little piece explaining the switch, how he had a number of kits from various manufacturers set up in a barn so he could play and assess each of them in the same environment on the same day. I loved reading his articles, and was always excited to hear from him. He wrote like a great short story writer. I married a high school English teacher and she was very impressed by his written work. But, I’ve gotten off topic. Pieces of Eight was on my turntable for a solid week, and I eventually wore it out completely. I remember the end of the article when he wrote something like, “What more could a drummer ask for. How about Pieces of Eight becoming a hit single.” Well, it was a hit with me, so he got his wish.
Oh man that ending brought tears to my eyes. RIP Professor ...
I love that you touched on his signature ride pattern. I realized after his passing that I have just subconsciously absorbed that pattern and I default to it in my own playing constantly. I literally play the ride the way I play it because of Neil.
Like, there are dozens of techniques and patterns Neil developed that I, and many others, have spent our lives trying to CONSCIOUSLY master, but the ride pattern thing, it wasn't a conscious decision. It's not like at some point in my life I said to myself, "I'm gonna play the ride with the exact same pattern as Neil from now on." It just kind of happened through osmosis.
I owe Neil a lot.
Steve, All I can say is Thank You Brother. I grew up listening to Rush in the '80s and to this day, I can still look back and remember walking into my first Junior High School dance and Subdivisions was playing through the PA system. From that day forward I knew that my ears, heart, and mind were touched by something very special indeed. So basically from then till now, I was blessed enough to have been able to pick up and self-teach myself to play the drums, guitar, keys & write lyrics. Then as my body decided all on its own that it didn't want me to play drums anymore, I by a stroke of luck, got into Internet Radio and Broadcasting, as it was the next best thing, not to mention I wasn't required to lug around the drum kit anymore. Not to mention that I think it's pretty safe to assume that any drummer/percussionist whose sole inspiration was Neil Peart was likely to be seen behind a 5 Piece Kit. Sorry if I kinda veered totally off course here, but my intended point was that if it weren't for those three amazing Canadiens, most of all The Professor, who knows what I would have wound up doing.
Hope this comment finds you and everyone else here well, and have a great weekend.
I can't believe he's gone. Greatest drummer in my opinion.
I went into USAF to buy a Neil Pert drum set. I still have today. I have every Rush Album. We will never forget the Master of the drums. Thank you for sharing
Neil was my brother, the brother whom I had never met. I miss him. God bless. Rest in peace Neil. We will never forget you.
Nothing against The Garden but thank you for not using that song as the outro section of your video because it’s almost getting to a cliched point to use it as a tribute for Neil because the lyrics are very relatable. Using that ending bit of Cygnus X1 book II was so good and resonated this idea of how he would want humanity to be now that he is gone. It made me smile
Excellent! Well done Steve. I grew up listening to them when I was 16. My first Rush concert was the 2112 tour 1976, in Ottawa, Canada. The tickets for the triple bill were $4.50...the other two performers were Max Webster and Ian Thomas.
This was the first time I saw Neil do a drum solo, and I was hooked from then on. He added a whole new depth, and complexity to the kit I'd never heard before!
They were one of the big names in Canada, and soon around the world. He will be terribly missed by fans and musicians alike.
He was an exceptional human being. He will be missed but never forgotten
It's amazing how Neil and Rush touched so many lives, and how deeply. I struggle to think of any recent artist or band who will be remembered like this.
An absorbing breakdown of what made Neil great, though you missed one important aspect of the man: the grace and humility with which he comported himself. And thank you for mentioning ‘Losing It’; like you, I can never get enough of Ben Mink’s solo which adds so much to the sense of sadness at the passing of one’s essential ability.
Thank you so much for making this, Steve. We needed this tribute, all of us that grew up with his influence heavy on our formative years. You expressed it all so well. Thank you, thank you.
Thank you Mr. Holmes for a really fine tribute to one of Earth's finest talents and people, Neil Peart. In our hearts and in our minds. Peace be with the memories.
Thanks for such a heartfelt and brilliant tribute to the great Neil Peart. His qualities were many. Personally, I grew to appreciate his structured complexity in songs: he would start with a groove and as the verses progressed he layered up ideas and created very long cycles of repetition. Truly a compositional style. I admire him more now than I ever did, and I was obsessed by his playing years back!! I'm still deeply shocked that he's gone tbh.
Beautiful tribute to a true light in this world. I found RUSH when I was 14 and it was like scales being peeled off of my eyes, they helped me see and feel the world differently. Neil's lyrics were so intricate and amazing. In those days you had to really work to find the lyrics and it was a journey of self-discovery as well. It's been almost 40 years since that fateful day and RUSH is still a part of my soul. I've seen them in concert many times and wish there was a way to tell them how grateful I am for their enduring excellence and independence throughout their careers, because their music has lifted many a down trodden soul. RIP Neil.
I remember getting the “Permanent Waves” album in 80’ and with my headphones I’d air drum myself to sleep everynite!#🥁#R.I.P. NeilP.
so inspiring..brings tears to the eyes, such a unique pioneering talant, and such a great loss. R.I.P. Neil. you will love on forever through you fantastic and loved music.
I love Neil Peart. I’m a drummer myself and everyone would ask me who my favorite drummer was and I said I don’t have one and then once I heard Tom Sawyer and yyz I knew he was my favorite drummer and always will be. Rip Neil
I love everything about Rush... From their talent, uniqueness, and powerful lyrics
OMG Steve... That was just beautiful... and the pic montage with "the Sphere" in the background. I literally got a lump in my throat as I am typing this to you. Bravo... That just made my night. If you don't mind, I gonna share that with the subs on my channel.
Nice work Steve. Besides doing all of the albums, and he had a big input into all the artwork and concepts, they toured relentlessly, playing over 1,000 shows, and he played at a high level, with great energy. He pushed the limits of live performance, and Rush pushed the limits of live technology. He had an inspirational aspirational mindset. Miss him, wish he was still around....
A true genius is what we lost. But we will forever bask in his truely amazing existence. His drumming and being will inspire for generations and generations to come.
Wow!
What an impressive piece you created going thru Neil Peart's chronological body of work!
I too was inspired by Neil and Rush and had a massive double bass Tama set, and used to listen to Rush songs for hours trying to reverse engineer his fills and completely play the drums to Rush songs.
I Wish I grew up today, as I think I would have been a much better player with all the teaching aides we have today.
I too was born and raised in Philadelphia brother!
Take care, and thanks for the hard work putting this piece together!
007
I remember being in my garage on my electric kit playing "Vital Signs" and my my wife at the time asking me not to forget her. But Carpal tunnel claimed it's grisly prize and I became a project manager. took all my kids to see them in Atlanta and they played the full 2112 album. Nice!
2112 in its entirety... your family received the royal treatment, some have all the luck :)
resistance stretch those arms and hands the carpal tunnel will be quickly removed, get back to playing brother, you will find vids on how to resistance stretch on youtube page gebimethod be blessed
The professor doesn't even look like he's breaking a sweat. Truly a remarkable legend. RIP Neil
Pure effort made to look completely effortless!
What a great tribute! Hit it right on the drum. Neil is everlasting and his music will live forever. Thank you for capturing all this, and thanks to Neil for being all this. What a legacy!
This video is amazing. As a fellow Rush geek, I totally felt your emotion as you were explaining what Neil meant to you. He will forever be in my heart, and millions of others as well.
What a Beautiful Tribute to the Professor...I loved it, and teared up and smiled. Neil is the reason I play drums. My dream was to meet him, but I feel so grateful to have seen him perform several times in his prime. One of the absolute greats...and deeply missed.
Who else waved goodbye to Neil when he was in that frame with his hand up?
Thank you. I like how you presented this. It made me cry. Especially the part about Ernest Hemingway. I bet Neil, such a brilliant mind, was so angry in his head for the last years of his life.
A heartfelt "thank you", Steve! I think you have put into images and words what a lot of us feel but haven't been able to express. Neil was a all-round artist, blessed with incredible intellect, curiosity, openness and musical abilities. He will be missed, as will his impressions of the human condition, and his musicianship. A wonderful tribute, thank you Steve, thank you, Neil!! ♥️🙏😔