Last year, Ginger Baker left us. And now, Neil Peart. Yes, the man behind Rush’s drum. And also the main lyricist.
I see Peart as a “sober” version of Keith Moon (which not suprisingly, is one of his biggest influence). He orchestratedly pound his massive drum kit: lots of toms, added with cowbells, chimes, woodblocks, cylophone and so on to produce a big rhythmical compositions. And still in self control, without getting lose like Moon.
Rush is just a trio, and yet sounds soo huge. Yep, Peart’s exuberant drumming is one of the causes.
Beside the really high musicianship (eventually inspires lots of youngsters to pick the stick), another reason I admire Peart is he read books. A lot.
That doesn’t sound like your typical rockstar, right? And thanks to him, Rush produced many “fantasy-ish/Tolkien-ish” lyrics like Xanadu:
“To seek the sacred river Alph
To walk the caves of ice
To break my fast on honey dew
And drink the milk of Paradise…”
Or Anthem, a nod to Aynd Rand
Anthem of the heart and anthem of the mind
A funeral dirge for eyes gone blind
We marvel after those who sought
The wonders in the world, wonders in the world
Wonders in the world they wrought
I believe Peart is one among the drummers that raised the bar really high. Ask any rock drummers, and there’s a big chance Peart will be mentioned as of of the influences.
Peart was a such private person, and he probably didn’t tell many people about his brain cancer till succumbed to it.
Rush is definitely not Rush anymore without him, and this even makes me more sad because I know I won’t be able to see Rush live. Yes I’m aware they already retired from spotlight a few years ago.
Farewell Neil Peart, thank you for your legacy.