Rush drumming legend Neil Peart dead at 67

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Rush have confirmed drummer Neil Peart has died from brain cancer

Neil Peart in 1977
Neil Peart in 1977 (Image credit: Fin Costello / Getty Images)

Rush drummer Neil Peart has died at the age of 67.

In a statement, Rush's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson said: "It is with broken hearts and the deepest sadness that we must share the terrible news that on Tuesday our friend, soul brother and band mate of over 45 years, Neil, lost his incredibly brave three and a half year battle with brain cancer (Glioblastoma). 

"We ask that friends, fans, and media alike understandably respect the family’s need for privacy and peace at this extremely painful and difficult time. 

"Those wishing to express their condolences can choose a cancer research group or charity of their choice and make a donation in Neil Peart's name. Rest in peace brother."

Peart was an inspiration to a generation of drummers, including Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters, who inducted Rush into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2013.

Speaking with Classic Rock, Peart said: "The highest possible compliment is if someone that you admire respects your work. To those that have said I inspired them to start drumming, the first thing I say is, 'I apologise to your parents.' But it’s wonderful just to be a little part of someone’s life like that."

Peart was born on September 12, 1952, in Hagersville, Canada. He received a drum kit for his 14th birthday, and four years later travelled to London in the hope of becoming a professional musician.

After returning to Canada he auditioned for Rush following the departure of John Rutsey, joining them in time for second album Fly By Night. He subsequently played on all of Rush's albums, including the classics 2112, Hemispheres, A Farewell To Kings, Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures. 

Unusually for a drummer, Peart was responsible for Rush's lyrics. In 2015, Rush singer and bassist Geddy Lee told Classic Rock: "I am a fan of Neil’s, and I love being a collaborator with him, because he is so objective and easy to work with. 

"We’ll be recording songs, and stumbling over a word or something, and if Neil is not in the studio we’ll get him on the phone and discuss it. 

"He’ll even allow me to suggest lyrics – a word that might work well – and he’ll accept it or he’ll come up with a better one. He’s really a pleasure to work with. With Neil there are no hissy fits, ever." 

In 1997, Peart's 19-year-old daughter Selena Taylor was killed in a car accident, and a year later, his long-time partner Jacqueline Taylor succumbed to cancer. Peart took a sabbatical, travelling throughout North and Central America by motorbike, subsequently documenting the journey in the book Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road.

Peart returned to Rush in 2002 for the album Vapor Trails, and, despite being one of the music’s finest drummers, also went back to the drawing board to revamp his playing style under the watchful eye of master teacher Freddie Gruber.

The lyrics to the Rush track Headlong Flight were partially inspired by the death of Gruber in 2011, with Peart telling Classic Rock: "Freddie gave me the line in that song, ‘I wish I could do it all again’. Because there he is: 84, he grew up in New York in the 40s, worked out through Chicago and Vegas in the 50s, LA in the 60s, and since then his path has crossed with everybody. 

"And his response to it all was: ‘I’ve had quite a ride, I wish I could do it all again.’ I don’t feel that way. Maybe I will when I’m older. Nevertheless, I respected it so much, and what a great thing for my character to reflect upon."

He added: "Anyone who’s subject to depression or has suffered grief knows that even sunny days can look dark, right? So that little couplet occurred to me, 'Some days were dark, some nights were bright, I wish I could live it all again’. It worked perfectly for my character, but it’s obviously a tribute to Freddie too. I love that I could make it personal as well as universal."

Peart remained with Rush until his retirement, with the band playing their final show at the LA Forum in Inglewood, California, on August 1, 2015.

Last month, Rush's 2012 album Clockwork Angels was voted as the Best Album Of The 2010s by Classic Rock readers.

Fraser Lewry
Fraser Lewry
Online Editor, Classic Rock

Online Editor at Louder/Classic Rock magazine since 2014. 40 years in music industry, online for 27. Also bylines for: Metal Hammer, Prog Magazine, The Word Magazine, The Guardian, The New Statesman, Saga, Music365. Former Head of Music at Xfm Radio, A&R at Fiction Records, early blogger, ex-roadie, published author. Once appeared in a Cure video dressed as a cowboy, and thinks any situation can be improved by the introduction of cats. Favourite Serbian trumpeter: Dejan Petrović.