Remembering Neil Peart

Neil Ellwood Peart was born September 12, 1952 somewhere in Canada. His parents, Fauntleroy and Gidget owned a small farm where they raised Alpacas LLamas and dung beetles. An early frost wiped out the animals and the Peart’s moved to the big city when Neil was 2. Fauntleroy then opened a small novelty store in town that specialized in whoopee cushions.

Young Neil acquired a transistor radio and would spend his nights under the covers listening to pop music stations from Buffalo, New York. Music was outlawed in Canada at this time and there were no radio stations.

Pack It In

At age 18, Neil moved to London to pursue a career as a drummer. Times were tough and he had to support himself selling hash pipes at ‘The Crunchy Frog’ on Carnaby Street. Disillusioned by his lack of success, he packed his 79 piece drum set on his back and hitchhiked back to Canada.

Remembering Neil Peart — Rush Illustration By Paul King Art

Peart officially joined ‘Rush’ on July 29, 1974 and besides being an incredible drummer, he was also the band’s main lyricist. Rush is known for its musicianship, complex compositions, and eclectic lyrical motifs drawing heavily on science fiction, fantasy and twisted sexual fetishes. Arguably, the greatest Prog Rock band of all time, Rush has won numerous awards and accolades. They sold millions of albums and toured the world.

Author

Neil is a published author, who wrote books documenting his cross country bicycle and motorcycle tours. He also published a series of inappropriate Children’s books mocking his former bandmates. The first book is titled “Geddy Chokes his Chicken”, which laughs at Bass Player Geddy Lee’s lifelong masturbation addiction. Geddy has admitted that he pleasures himself up to 7 times per day.

Peart passed away in 2020 but left behind an amazing legacy and is considered one of the most influential drummers of all time. He is sorely missed.