ER
NEIL ELLWOOD PEART, September 12, 1952 – January 7, 2020, was a Canadian musician, best known as the drummer and primary lyricist of the rock band RUSH. Peart earned numerous awards for his musical performances, including an induction into the Modern Drummer Reader Poll Hall of Fame in 1983 at the age of thirty, making him the youngest person ever so honored.
He was known to fans by the nickname ‘The Professor’. His drumming was renowned for its technical proficiency and his live performances for their exacting nature and stamina.
On this day in 2020, Neil Peart died. Peart was born in Hamilton in 1952.
He joined RUSH as their drummer mid-way through 1974 and became the band’s primary lyricist, helping take RUSH to a whole new level. He is regarded by many as the greatest rock drummer ever.
Peart announced his retirement from touring in an interview with Drumhead Magazine in December 2015. In January 2018, bandmate Alex Lifeson confirmed that Rush had disbanded also due to Peart’s health issues. During his last years Peart lived in Santa Monica, California, with his wife, Carrie Nuttall, and daughter. After a three and a half year illness, Peart died of glioblastoma on January 7, 2020, at age 67. [sources/photo special]
