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Neil Peart, the visionary drummer and lyricist of Canadian rock band Rush, died Tuesday of brain cancer complications. He was 67.
Alongside bandmates Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, Rush added essential listening into rock ‘n’ roll’s storied canon. His lyrical and musical work include radio staple “Tom Sawyer,” the altruistic “Spirit of the Radio” and sci-fi rock opus “2112,” a career-saving album that cemented Rush’s status as progressive rock torchbearers.
Peart joined Rush in 1974, retiring from the road following the band’s 40th anniversary tour in 2015. He battled brain cancer for three-and-a-half years, a statement from the band 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, has lost his incredibly brave three and a half year battle with brain cancer (Glioblastoma),” the statement said.
Obituary: Rush drummer Neil Peart dead at 67 from brain cancer: ‘Rest in peace brother’
While the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame outfit recorded nearly all of its 19 studio albums in Canada, Rush traveled in 2010 to Nashville’s Blackbird Studios for tracking parts of its would-be final record, “Clockwork Angels.”
The band teamed with Nashville rock producer Nick Raskulinecz for the 2012 release.
Lee discussed the band’s time in Nashville in a 2019 interview with The Tennessean, calling it “a great place to work.” Lee believed it to be the group’s only session in Music City, but the band did rehearse and open a tour in Nashville.
“Our experience of recording in America was really rather limited, considering how long we were together as a band,” said Lee. “I was shocked at the number of studios in (the) modest-sized city that Nashville is. The number of trained technicians and musical fanatics and passionate people I kept running into while working there was really inspiring, I found.”
In the interview, Lee also reflected on what he missed after Rush retired from touring. The band played Nashville twice in its last half-decade of touring, in 2011 and 2013 at Bridgestone Arena. In 2004, the band kicked off its 30th anniversary tour at Starwood Amphitheater.
“I miss playing with my bandmates who I played with for over 40 years, that’s for sure,” he said. “I don’t miss the gut-wrenching part of it and I don’t’ miss the wear-and-tear on my body. But, of course, I had a very unique relationship in Rush and these guys were my friends for over 40 years and to make music with your friends is a blessing of a different kind. It’s a wonderful thing. I do miss that.”
More: ‘A very interesting road’: Geddy Lee on his new bass book and what he misses most about Rush
Asked how Rush’s legacy should continue, Lee answered: “I don’t really know how to answer that, to be honest. A body of work like ours takes on a life of its own.A body of work like ours takes on a life of its own.”
Those wishing to share condolences can make a donation to cancer research in Peart’s name, the band statement said.
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