Only a few drummers have earned a position among the greatest of all time, with the late Neil Peart of Rush securing his spot decades ago. His energy combined natural technical ability with a love of jazz and heavy rock. It was the perfect accompaniment to Geddy Lee’s rhythms and Alex Lifeson’s riffs. It’s not surprising that their trajectory accelerated following his arrival.
Peart’s work as Rush’s songwriter distinguishes him from other figures in rock music history. Despite the controversy, he often enhanced their soundscapes with his lyrical additions, inspired by Ayn Rand’s books. However, it’s worth emphasizing that, while Peart contributed significantly to the band beyond his drum kit. His drumming is still central to their story. The fact that future drumming giants like Dave Grohl and Chad Smith regard him as a hero demonstrates the tremendous impact of his rhythmic abilities.
“I started beating on the furniture and my baby sister’s playpen with a pair of chopsticks, and for my thirteenth birthday,” Peart once recalled how he picked up the sticks, “My parents gave me drum lessons, a practice pad, and a pair of sticks.” They refused to give me real drums until I demonstrated that I was going to be serious about it for at least a year. I used to lay magazines across my bed to create imaginary arrays of drums and cymbals. Then I would beat the covers off!
Neil Peart was influenced by the rhythmic maestros of his period who defied convention. “He frequently admired Cream’s Ginger Baker, Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham, and The Who’s Keith Moon.” He noted their talent and originality as reasons he fell in love with their style. These three drummers actively drew inspiration from jazz and large band traditions in shaping their styles
Naturally, Peart felt the same way, praising outstanding drummers from both eras alongside his contemporaries. Buddy Rich, the American jazz drummer who influenced practically every famous stickman of all time, particularly fascinated him. He was so good that the Rush man labeled him “too far out of reach.”
Peart once stated, “I would often see Buddy Rich play on television, on the ‘Tonight’ show, but I would just shake my head—he seemed too far out of reach.” Gene (Krupa) once observed about Buddy, “There are all the great drummers in the world—and then there’s Buddy.”
Rich is widely considered one of the most accomplished percussionists of all time. Neil Peart’s identifying Rich as one of the most accomplished percussionists of all time provides ample evidence.
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peart gave awesome solos both times i saw rush