Editing Neil Peart

{{Short description|Canadian drummer (1952–2020)}}
{{For|the footballer|Neil Peart (footballer)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name             = Neil Peart
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|OC|size=100%}}
| image            = NeilPeart.JPG
| caption          = Peart performing in 2008
| landscape        = yes
| birth_name       = Neil Ellwood Peart
| birth_date       = {{birth date|1952|09|12}}
| birth_place      = [[Hamilton, Ontario]], Canada
| death_date       = {{death date and age|2020|01|07|1952|09|12}}
| death_place      = [[Santa Monica, California]], U.S.
| alias            = The Professor, Bubba, Pratt
| citizenship      = {{flatlist|
* Canada
* United States}}
| occupation       = {{flatlist|
* Musician
* songwriter
* author}}
| years_active     = 1968–2015
| module           = {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| embed            = yes
| background       = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| genre            = {{flatlist|
* [[Progressive rock]]
* [[hard rock]]
* [[jazz]]
* [[Swing music|swing]]
* [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]]}}
| instrument       = {{flatlist|
* Drums
* percussion}}
| label            = {{flatlist|
* [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
* [[Mercury Records|Mercury]]
* [[Anthem Records|Anthem]]}}
| past_member_of  = {{flatlist|
* [[Rush (band)|Rush]]
* [[Buddy Rich|Buddy Rich Big Band]]}}
}}
| module2         = {{Listen |embed= yes |filename= Neil Peart Prior 40 years of Rush.ogg |title= Peart's voice|type= speech |description= On his time recording and performing for Rush}}
| website          = {{URL|neilpeart.net}}
| signature        = NeilPeartSignature.png
}}

'''Neil Ellwood Peart''' ({{IPAc-en|p|ɪər|t}} {{respell|PEERT}}; September 12, 1952 – January 7, 2020) was a Canadian and American musician, known as the drummer, percussionist, and primary lyricist of the rock band [[Rush (band)|Rush]]. He was known to fans by the nickname "the Professor",<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Hiatt |first1=Brian |title=Neil Peart, Rush Drummer Who Set a New Standard for Rock Virtuosity, Dead at 67 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/neil-peart-rush-obituary-936221/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=January 10, 2020 |access-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115172322/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/neil-peart-rush-obituary-936221/ |url-status=live }}</ref> derived from the ''[[Gilligan's Island]]'' [[The Professor (Gilligan's Island)|character of the same name]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2014 |title=Bubba and the Professor—Part 1 – Neil Peart |url=https://neilpeart.net/bubba-and-the-professor-part-1/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230193249/https://neilpeart.net/bubba-and-the-professor-part-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  His drumming was renowned for its technical proficiency and his live performances for their exacting nature and stamina. Peart earned numerous awards for his musical performances, including an induction into the ''[[Modern Drummer]]'' [[Modern Drummer#Readers poll|Readers Poll Hall of Fame]] in 1983 at the age of thirty, making him the youngest person ever so honoured.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/2020/01/rush-drummer-neil-peart-passes/|title=Rush Drummer Neil Peart Passes|date=January 10, 2020|website=Modern Drummer|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111213706/https://www.moderndrummer.com/2020/01/rush-drummer-neil-peart-passes/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Peart was born in [[Hamilton, Ontario]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/article-cancer-claims-rush-drummer-and-lyricist-neil-peart-at-67/|title=Cancer claims Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart at 67|access-date=January 11, 2020}}</ref> and grew up in [[Port Dalhousie, Ontario|Port Dalhousie]] (now part of [[St. Catharines]]). During adolescence, he floated between regional bands in pursuit of a career as a full-time drummer. After a discouraging stint in England, Peart returned home to concentrate on music where he joined Rush, a [[Toronto]] band, in mid-1974, six years after its formation. Together they released 19 studio albums, with 10 exceeding a million copies sold in the United States. ''[[Billboard magazine|Billboard]]'' lists the band third in "most consecutive [[gold album|gold]] or [[platinum album]]s by a rock band".{{efn-ua|Below [[The Beatles]] and [[Rolling Stones]].<ref name="Petrusich"/>}}

Early in his career, Peart's performance style was deeply rooted in [[hard rock]]. He drew most of his inspiration from drummers such as [[Keith Moon]], [[Ginger Baker]], and [[John Bonham]], players who at the time were at the forefront of the British hard rock scene.<ref>''Anatomy of a Drum Solo'' DVD, Neil Peart (2005); accompanying booklet. (Republished in ''[[Modern Drummer]]'' magazine, April 2006)</ref><ref name="Popoff">{{cite web |title=Neil Peart – Anatomy of a Drum Solo (Hudson Music) |date=May 1, 2006 |first1=Martin |last1=Popoff |url=http://bravewords.com/reviews/neil-peart-anatomy-of-a-drum-solo |access-date=January 11, 2020}}</ref> As time passed, he began to emulate [[jazz]] and [[big band]] musicians [[Gene Krupa]] and [[Buddy Rich]]. In 1994, Peart became a friend and pupil of jazz instructor [[Freddie Gruber]].<ref name=geocities>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/venue/9123/history.html+22:33:16|title=Neil Peart Biography|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021045636/http://geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Venue/9123/history.html|archive-date=October 21, 2009|access-date=January 11, 2020}}</ref><ref name="A Work in Progress, Worldcat DVD" /> It was during this time that Peart revamped his playing style by incorporating jazz and swing components.<ref name="Popoff"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=BraveWords|title=Neil Peart − Anatomy Of A Drum Solo|url=https://bravewords.com/reviews/neil-peart-anatomy-of-a-drum-solo|access-date=February 24, 2021|website=bravewords.com|language=en|archive-date=April 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414091608/https://bravewords.com/reviews/neil-peart-anatomy-of-a-drum-solo|url-status=live}}</ref>

In addition to serving as Rush's primary lyricist, Peart published several memoirs about his travels. His lyrics for Rush addressed universal themes and diverse subjects including science fiction, fantasy, and philosophy, as well as secular, humanitarian, and [[Libertarianism|libertarian]] themes. Peart wrote a total of seven non-fiction books focused on his travels and personal stories. He also co-authored with [[Kevin J. Anderson]] three [[steampunk]] fantasy novels based on Rush's final album, ''[[Clockwork Angels]]''. The two also wrote a dark fantasy novella, ''Drumbeats'', inspired by Peart's travels in Africa.

Peart announced his retirement from touring in an interview with ''Drumhead Magazine'' in December 2015.<ref name="drumhead2015">{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2015/12/rushs-neil-peart-says-hes-retired-from-music/|title=Rush's Neil Peart says he's retired from music|work=[[Consequence of Sound]]|date=December 7, 2015|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=June 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612204218/https://consequence.net/2015/12/rushs-neil-peart-says-hes-retired-from-music/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="blabbermouth.net">{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rushs-geddy-lee-says-neil-peart-hasnt-retired/ |title=Rush's Geddy Lee Says Neil Peart Hasn't Retired |date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=December 8, 2015 |archive-date=December 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210190346/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rushs-geddy-lee-says-neil-peart-hasnt-retired/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2018, bandmate [[Alex Lifeson]] confirmed that Rush had disbanded also due to Peart's health issues.<ref name="Blabbermouth">{{cite web |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rush-guitarist-alex-lifeson-we-have-no-plans-to-tour-or-record-any-more-were-basically-done/ |title='Rush' Guitarist Alex Lifeson: 'We Have No Plans To Tour Or Record Any More. We're Basically Done' |date=January 19, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2020 |archive-date=January 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111022606/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rush-guitarist-alex-lifeson-we-have-no-plans-to-tour-or-record-any-more-were-basically-done/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="uproxx.com">{{cite web|last=Rossignol|first=Derrick|title=Rush Officially Breaks Up, Two Years After They Quit Touring|url=http://uproxx.com/music/rush-break-up-touring-alex-lifeson-geddy-lee-neil-peart/|website=Uproxx|access-date=January 23, 2018|date=January 22, 2018|archive-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124005747/http://uproxx.com/music/rush-break-up-touring-alex-lifeson-geddy-lee-neil-peart/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rush.com/neil-peart-2/ |title=Neil Peart |publisher=Rush.com |language=en-CA |access-date=February 7, 2020 |archive-date=January 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111001720/https://www.rush.com/neil-peart-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Peart died of [[glioblastoma]] on January 7, 2020, at age 67.<ref name="death">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/neil-peart-rush-obituary-936221/|title=Neil Peart, Rush Drummer Who Set a New Standard for Rock Virtuosity, Dead at 67|date=January 10, 2020|access-date=January 10, 2020|first=Brian|last=Hatt|magazine=[[Rolling Stone|RollingStone.com]]|archive-date=January 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115172322/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/neil-peart-rush-obituary-936221/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Biography==
===Early childhood===
Peart was born on September 12, 1952, to Glen and Betty Peart and lived his early years on his family's farm in [[Hagersville, Ontario]],<ref name=Biography /> on the outskirts of [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]]. The first child of four,<ref>{{cite web|title=Neil Peart Biography, Videos & Pictures|url=http://www.drumlessons.com/drummers/neil-peart/|website=drumlessons.com|access-date=March 26, 2011|quote=Born Neil Ellwood Peart on the 12th&nbsp;of September 1952, Neil Peart would be the first of four kids his parents wound up raising.|archive-date=April 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110420224720/http://www.drumlessons.com/drummers/neil-peart/|url-status=dead}}</ref> his brother Danny and sisters Judy and Nancy were born after the family moved to [[St. Catharines]] when Peart was two years old. At this time his father became parts manager for Dalziel Equipment, an [[International Harvester]] farm machinery dealer. In 1956 the family moved to the [[Port Dalhousie]] area of the town. Peart attended Gracefield School and later Lakeport Secondary School, and described his childhood as happy; he stated he experienced a warm family life. By early adolescence he became interested in music and acquired a [[transistor radio]], which he would use to tune into popular music stations broadcasting from Toronto, Hamilton, [[Welland]], and [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]].<ref name=Biography />

Peart's first exposure to musical training came in the form of piano lessons; he later said in his instructional video ''[[A Work in Progress (video album)|A Work in Progress]]'' that these lessons did not have much influence on him.<ref name="A Work in Progress, Worldcat DVD" /> He had a penchant for drumming on various objects around the house with a pair of chopsticks, so for his 13th birthday his parents bought him a pair of drum sticks, a practice drum, and some lessons, with the promise that if he stuck with it for a year they would buy him a kit.<ref name=Biography />

Peart fulfilled his promise and his parents bought him a drum kit for his 14th birthday; furthermore, he began taking lessons from Don George at the Peninsula Conservatory of Music.<ref name=Biography /> His stage debut took place that year at the school's Christmas pageant in St. John's Anglican Church Hall in Port Dalhousie. His next appearance was at Lakeport High School with his first group, The Eternal Triangle. This performance contained an original number titled "LSD Forever". At this show he performed his first solo.<ref name=Biography />

Peart got a job in Lakeside Park, in [[Port Dalhousie, Ontario|Port Dalhousie]] on the shores of [[Lake Ontario]], which later inspired a [[Lakeside Park (song)|song of the same name]] on the Rush album ''[[Caress of Steel]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3110|title=Lakeside Park by Rush|website=Songfacts|access-date=January 11, 2020}}</ref> He worked on the Bubble Game and Ball Toss, but his tendency to take it easy when business was slack resulted in his termination. By his late teens, Peart had played in local bands such as Mumblin' Sumpthin', and the Majority. These bands practiced in basement recreation rooms and garages and played church halls, high schools, and skating rinks in towns across [[Southern Ontario]] such as [[Mitchell, Ontario|Mitchell]], [[Seaforth, Ontario|Seaforth]], and [[Elmira, Ontario|Elmira]]. They also played in the [[Northern Ontario]] city of [[Timmins]]. Tuesday nights were filled with jam sessions at the Niagara Theatre Centre.<ref name=Biography>{{cite web|url=http://geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Venue/9123/portboy.html|title="A Port boy's story" parts 1 & 2|author-last=Peart|author-first=Neil|editor-last=Collins|editor-first=Brian|work=St. Catharines Standard|date=June 24–25, 1994|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804153840/http://geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Venue/9123/portboy.html|archive-date=August 4, 2009|access-date=January 11, 2020|via=GeoCities}}</ref>

===Early career===
At 18 years old (and after struggling to achieve success as a drummer in Canada), Peart travelled to London, England, hoping to further his career as a professional musician.<ref name=geocities /> Despite playing in several bands and picking up occasional session work, he was forced to support himself by selling jewellery at a shop called The Great Frog on [[Carnaby Street]].<ref>Neil Peart in London [http://www.buckstar.com/index.php?pge=rush.pge Don Howe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708103128/http://www.buckstar.com/index.php?pge=rush.pge |date=July 8, 2011 }}. Retrieved February 19, 2008</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://white-barn.com/nms/html/nms_093.htm|title=Rush – Success Under Pressure|last=Gett|first=Steve|work=The National Midnight Star|number=93|date=November 6, 1990|access-date=January 11, 2020|via=White-Barn.com|archive-date=July 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718040656/http://white-barn.com/nms/html/nms_093.htm|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

While in London, he came across the writings of novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]. Rand's writings became a significant early philosophical influence on Peart, as he found many of her writings on [[individualism]] and [[Objectivism]] inspiring. References to Rand's philosophy can be found in his early lyrics, most notably "Anthem" from 1975's ''[[Fly by Night (album)|Fly by Night]]'' and "[[2112 (song)|2112]]" from 1976's ''[[2112 (album)|2112]]''.<ref>AllMusic Guide Review for 2112 [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r17123|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic Guide]. Retrieved February 10</ref>

After 18 months, Peart became disillusioned by his lack of progress in the music business; he placed his aspiration of becoming a professional musician on hold and returned to Canada.<ref name=geocities /> Upon returning to St. Catharines, he worked for his father selling tractor parts at Dalziel Equipment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rushisaband.com/blog/2008/08/21/1594/Neil-Peart-parts-manager|title=Neil Peart, parts manager|date=August 21, 2008|website=rushisaband|access-date=January 10, 2020}}</ref>

===Joining Rush===
After returning to Canada, Peart was recruited to play drums for a St. Catharines band known as Hush<!-- the 2010 beyond the lighted stage documentary is incorrect with regards to his last band before Rush -->, who played on the Southern Ontario bar circuit.<ref name=geocities /> Soon after, a mutual acquaintance convinced Peart to audition for the Toronto-based band Rush, which needed a replacement for its original drummer [[John Rutsey]]. [[Geddy Lee]] and [[Alex Lifeson]] oversaw the audition. His future bandmates describe his arrival that day as somewhat humorous, as he arrived in shorts, driving a battered old [[Ford Pinto]] with his drums stored in trashbags. Peart felt the entire audition was a complete disaster.<ref name=geocities /> Lee later remarked that he was instantly mesmerized by the way Peart played triplets, also hitting it off on a personal level (with similar tastes in books and music); meanwhile, Lifeson had a less favourable impression of Peart and still wanted to tryout one last drummer.<ref name=geocities />

After some discussion between Lee and Lifeson, Peart officially joined the band on July 29, 1974, two weeks before the group's first US tour.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Reed|first=Ryan|date=July 29, 2015|title=Revisiting the Day Drummer Neil Peart Joined Rush|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/neil-peart-joins-rush/|access-date=June 24, 2020|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|archive-date=June 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624194743/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/neil-peart-joins-rush/|url-status=live}}</ref> Peart procured a silver [[Slingerland]] kit which he played at his first gig with the band, opening for [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]] and [[Manfred Mann's Earth Band]] in front of over 11,000 people at the [[Civic Arena (Pittsburgh)|Civic Arena]] in [[Pittsburgh]] on August 14, 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chartattack.com/news/39903/neil-peart-speaks-about-new-rush-release|title=Neil Peart Speaks About New Rush Release|date=November 16, 2005|work=[[Chart (magazine)|Chart]]|access-date=August 9, 2009|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607181538/http://www.chartattack.com/news/39903/neil-peart-speaks-about-new-rush-release|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref>

Peart soon settled into his new position, also becoming the band's primary lyricist. Before joining Rush he had written a few songs, but, with the other members largely uninterested in writing lyrics, Peart's previously underutilised writing became as noticed as his musicianship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rush.robpagano.com/index.php?c=neil|title=Neil Peart Mini-Biography|website=rush.robpagano.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108062047/http://rush.robpagano.com/index.php?c=neil|archive-date=January 8, 2009|access-date=January 11, 2020}}</ref> The band were working hard to establish themselves as a recording act, and Peart, along with the rest of the band, began to undertake extensive touring.

His first recording with the band, 1975's ''[[Fly by Night (album)|Fly by Night]]'', was fairly successful, winning the [[Juno Award]] for most promising new act,<ref name="Individual awards list">{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Amphitheatre/2740/rmem.html|title=Individual awards list|access-date=February 2, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122140246/http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Amphitheatre/2740/rmem.html|archive-date=January 22, 2008}} Accessed July 16, 2007</ref> but the follow-up, ''[[Caress of Steel]]'', for which the band had high hopes, was greeted with hostility by both fans and critics.<ref>Caress of Steel Review [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r17118|pure_url=yes}} Greg Prato, AllMusic Guide]. Retrieved September 20, 2007</ref> In response to this negative reception, most of which was aimed at the B-side-spanning epic "[[The Fountain of Lamneth]]", Peart responded by penning "[[2112 (song)|2112]]" on their next album of the same name in 1976. The album, despite record company indifference, became their breakthrough and gained a following in the United States.<ref>AllMusic Guide Review for 2112 [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r17123|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic Guide]. Retrieved February 10, 2008</ref> The supporting tour culminated in a three-night stand at [[Massey Hall]] in Toronto, a venue Peart had dreamed of playing in his days on the Southern Ontario bar circuit and where he was introduced as "The Professor on the drum kit" by Lee.<ref>Geddy Lee Announces Neil Peart [http://nimitz.net/rush/faq2ans.html Rush Frequently Asked Questions]. Retrieved February 19, 2008</ref>

Peart returned to England for Rush's Northern European Tour and the band stayed in the United Kingdom to record the next album, 1977's ''[[A Farewell to Kings]]'', in [[Rockfield Studios]] in Wales. They returned to Rockfield to record the follow-up, ''[[Hemispheres (Rush album)|Hemispheres]]'', in 1978, which they wrote entirely in the studio. The recording of five studio albums in four years, coupled with as many as 300 gigs a year, convinced the band to take a different approach thereafter. Peart has described his time in the band up to this point as "a dark tunnel".<ref>Current Biography Magazine [http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/currentbiographyfeb2001.htm Power Windows Website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911160511/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/currentbiographyfeb2001.htm|date=September 11, 2009}}. Retrieved February 19, 2008</ref>

===Playing style reinvention===
In 1991, Peart was invited by [[Buddy Rich]]'s daughter, Cathy Rich, to play at the Buddy Rich Memorial Scholarship Concert in New York City.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/drums/drumkits/buddy_rich_memorial_1991.htm|title=Neil Peart Buddy Rich 1991 drums|website=www.andrewolson.com|access-date=March 19, 2021|archive-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413184311/http://www.andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/drums/drumkits/buddy_rich_memorial_1991.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Peart accepted and performed for the first time with the Buddy Rich Big Band. Peart remarked that he had little time to rehearse, and noted that he was embarrassed to find the band played a different arrangement of the song than the one he had learned.<ref name="neilpeart.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.neilpeart.net/news/november_08.html|title=Neil Peart's Official Website|publisher=Neilpeart.net|access-date=September 3, 2011|archive-date=January 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103031801/http://www.neilpeart.net/news/november_08.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Feeling that his performance left much to be desired, Peart produced and played on two Buddy Rich tribute albums titled ''[[Burning for Buddy: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Rich]]'' in 1994 and 1997 in order to regain his aplomb.

While producing the first Buddy Rich tribute album, Peart was struck by the tremendous improvement in ex-[[Journey (band)|Journey]] drummer [[Steve Smith (musician)|Steve Smith]]'s playing, and asked him his "secret". Smith responded he had been studying with drum teacher [[Freddie Gruber]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Peart |first1=Neil |title=Starting Over |magazine=Modern Drummer |date=November 1995 |volume=19 |issue=11 |page=130 |url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/md192cs.pdf |access-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924000128/https://www.moderndrummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/md192cs.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In early 2007, Peart and Cathy Rich discussed another Buddy tribute concert. At the recommendation of bassist [[Jeff Berlin]], Peart once again augmented his swing style with formal drum lessons, this time under the tutelage of another pupil of Freddie Gruber, [[Peter Erskine]], himself an instructor of Steve Smith.<ref name="neilpeart.net" /> On October 18, 2008, Peart once again performed at the Buddy Rich Memorial Concert at New York's [[Hammerstein Ballroom]].<ref>{{cite news |title=RUSH's NEIL PEART Performs 'YYZ' At Buddy Rich Memorial Concert; Video Available |url=https://search.blabbermouth.net/news/rush-s-neil-peart-performs-yyz-at-buddy-rich-memorial-concert-video-available/ |access-date=January 12, 2020 |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=October 20, 2008 |archive-date=April 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413184312/https://search.blabbermouth.net/news/rush-s-neil-peart-performs-yyz-at-buddy-rich-memorial-concert-video-available/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The concert has since been released on DVD.

===Family deaths and recovery===
On August 10, 1997, soon after Rush's [[Test for Echo Tour]], Peart's 19-year-old daughter (at the time his only child) Selena Taylor was killed in a single-car crash on [[Ontario Highway 401|Highway 401]] near the town of [[Brighton, Ontario]]. His [[common-law marriage|common-law wife]] of 23 years, Jacqueline Taylor, subsequently died of cancer on June 20, 1998. Peart attributed her death to the result of a "broken heart" and called it "a slow suicide by apathy. She just didn't care."<ref name=Peart-GhostRider>{{cite book|title=Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road|url=https://archive.org/details/ghostrider00neil|url-access=registration|last=Peart|first=Neil|year=2002|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|isbn=1-55022-546-4}}</ref>

In his book ''[[Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road]]'', Peart wrote that he told his bandmates at Jacqueline's funeral, "consider me retired".<ref name=Peart-GhostRider /> Peart took a long sabbatical to mourn and reflect, and travelled extensively throughout North and Central America on his motorcycle, covering {{convert|88,000|km|mi|abbr=on}}. After his journey, Peart returned to the band. Peart wrote the book as a chronicle of his geographical and emotional journey.

Peart was introduced to photographer Carrie Nuttall in Los Angeles by longtime Rush photographer Andrew MacNaughtan. They married on September 9, 2000. In early 2001, Peart announced to his bandmates that he was ready to return to recording and performing. The product of the band's return was the 2002 album ''[[Vapor Trails]]''. At the start of the ensuing tour in support of the album, the band members decided that Peart would not take part in the daily grind of press interviews and "meet and greet" sessions upon their arrival in a new city that typically monopolise a touring band's daily schedule. Peart always shied away from these types of in-person encounters, and it was decided that exposing him to a lengthy stream of questions about the tragic events of his life was not necessary.<ref>MacNaughtan, Andrew. Geddy Lee. and Alex Lifeson. ''"The Boys in Brazil"'', ''[[Rush in Rio (video)|Rush in Rio]]'' DVD Bonus Material. New York City: Atlantic Recording Corporation/Anthem/Msi Music Corp October 2003.</ref><ref>[[Daniel Catullo]] Rush. ''[[Rush in Rio (video)|Rush in Rio]]''. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Zoë Vision. 2003. {{OCLC|53877410}}</ref><ref>Jordan, Lawrence. Daniel E Catullo. Rush ''[[Rush in Rio (video)|Rush in Rio]]''. London: Sanctuary Visual Entertainment. 2003. {{OCLC|84678389}}</ref>

After the release of ''Vapor Trails'' and his reunion with bandmates, Peart returned to work as a full-time musician. In the June 2009 edition of Peart's website's ''News, Weather, and Sports'', titled "Under the Marine Layer", he announced that he and Nuttall were expecting their first child.<ref>{{cite web|last=Peart|first=Neil|url=http://www.neilpeart.net/news/index.html|title=Under the Marine Layer|work=News, Weather and Sports|date=June 2009|access-date=July 1, 2009|archive-date=March 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308155034/http://www.neilpeart.net/news/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Olivia Louise Peart was born later that year.<ref name="Chronology Lemieux">{{cite book |last1=Lemieux |first1=Patrick |title=The Rush Chronology |date=2015 |publisher=Across the Board Books |location=Toronto |isbn=978-1926462035 |page=223 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T_qaCgAAQBAJ&q=olivia |access-date=January 11, 2020}}</ref>

In 2014, Peart acquired U.S. citizenship.<ref name="rs">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/from-rush-with-love-59586/|title=From Rush with Love|date=June 16, 2015|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|last=Hiatt|first=Brian|access-date=March 21, 2019|archive-date=March 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321073828/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/from-rush-with-love-59586/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Retirement===
Peart described himself as a "retired drummer" in an interview in December 2015:
{{Blockquote|style=font-size: 100%|Lately Olivia has been introducing me to new friends at school as 'My dad—He's a retired drummer.' True to say—funny to hear. And it does not pain me to realize that, like all athletes, there comes a time to ... take yourself out of the game. I would rather set it aside than face the predicament described in our song "[[Signals (Rush album)|Losing It]]" ...<ref name="drumhead2015" />}} Peart had been suffering from chronic [[tendinitis]] and shoulder problems.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/rush-neil-peart-retirement-1.3354504|title=Rush drummer Neil Peart tells magazine he's retired|last=Wong|first=Jessica|publisher=[[CBC News]]|date=December 7, 2015|access-date=December 8, 2015|archive-date=February 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227043604/http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/rush-neil-peart-retirement-1.3354504|url-status=live}}</ref>

Geddy Lee clarified his bandmate was quoted out of context, and suggested Peart was simply taking a break, "explaining his reasons for not wanting to tour, with the toll that it's taking on his body."<ref name="blabbermouth.net" /> However, in January 2018, Alex Lifeson confirmed that Rush is "basically done".<ref name="uproxx.com" /> Peart remained friends with his former bandmates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/dec/24/geddy-lee-on-rush-greatest-songs|title=Geddy Lee on Rush's greatest songs: 'Even I can barely make sense of our concept albums'|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Michael|last=Hann|date=December 24, 2018|access-date=December 24, 2018}}</ref>

===Death===
Peart died from [[glioblastoma]], an aggressive form of brain cancer, on January 7, 2020, in Santa Monica, California.<ref name="Sweeny">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/neil-peart-obit-1.5422806|title=Rush Drummer Neil Peart dead at 67|last=Sweeny|first=Owen|publisher=[[CBC News]]|date=January 10, 2020|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110213102/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/neil-peart-obit-1.5422806|url-status=live}}</ref> He had been diagnosed three and a half years earlier, and the illness was a closely guarded secret in Peart's inner circle until his death. His family made the announcement on January 10.<ref name="Sweeny"/>

From the official Rush website:
{{Blockquote|style=font-size: 100%|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). We ask that friends, fans and media alike understandably respect the family's need for privacy and peace at this extremely painful and difficult time. Those wishing to express their condolences can choose a cancer research group or charity of their choice and make a donation in Neil's name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rush.com/neil-peart-2/|title=Neil Peart|website=Rush.com|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111001720/https://www.rush.com/neil-peart-2/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

Peart's death was widely lamented by fans and fellow musicians alike, who considered it a substantial loss for popular music.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/rockers-react-rush-neil-peart-death/|title=Rockers React to Death of Rush's Neil Peart|website=Loudwire.com|date=January 10, 2020|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171335/https://loudwire.com/rockers-react-rush-neil-peart-death/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a30478882/neil-peart-rush-celebrity-reactions/|title=Celebrities and Rock Stars Memorialized Rush Drummer Neil Peart On Social Media|author=Bruney, Gabrielle|website=Esquire.com|date=January 11, 2020|access-date=January 13, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920163338/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a30478882/neil-peart-rush-celebrity-reactions/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Peart's father Glen died of cancer on June 12, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/glen-peart-father-rush-neil-peart-death/|title=Glen Peart, Father of Rush Legend Neil Peart, Has Died|website=Loudwire.com|date=June 14, 2021 |access-date=August 1, 2021}}</ref>  Peart's brother Danny died of glioblastoma on March 17, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/neil-pearts-brother-danny-peart-dies-of-same-type-of-cancer-that-killed-rush-drummer/|title=NEIL PEART's Brother DANNY PEART Dies Of Same Type Of Cancer That Killed RUSH Drummer|website=blabbermouth.net|date=March 17, 2025|access-date=March 20, 2025|archive-date=March 21, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321184229/https://blabbermouth.net/news/neil-pearts-brother-danny-peart-dies-of-same-type-of-cancer-that-killed-rush-drummer|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Musicianship==
===Style and influences===
[[File:Rush-in-concert.jpg|thumb|Peart (right, behind [[Alex Lifeson]] and [[Geddy Lee]]) performing with Rush]]
Peart's drumming skill and technique are well-regarded by fans, fellow musicians, and music journalists.<ref name=olson>Olson, Andrew C.[http://andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/neil_peart_awards.htm ''"Neil Peart Modern Drummer Awards"''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213080938/http://andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/neil_peart_awards.htm |date=December 13, 2010 }} – andrewolson.com – Updated 10/1/06 – Accessed July 18, 2007</ref><ref name=drummerworld>[http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Neil_Peart.html Neil Peart page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060329122549/http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Neil_Peart.html |date=March 29, 2006 }} – DrummerWorld – Accessed July 18, 2007</ref> His influences were eclectic, ranging from [[Pete Thomas (drummer)|Pete Thomas]], [[John Bonham]], [[Carl Palmer]], [[Michael Giles]], [[Ginger Baker]], [[Phil Collins]], [[Chris Sharrock]], [[Steve Gadd]], [[Warren Cann]], [[Stewart Copeland]],<ref name="From Rush With Love">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/from-rush-with-love-59586/|title=From Rush With Love|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=June 16, 2015 }}</ref> [[Michael Shrieve]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hit-channel.com/interviewmichael-shrieve-santanagospellbinder/76037|title=Interview: Michael Shrieve (Santana, Go, Spellbinder)|author=thodoris|date=January 29, 2015|work=Hit Channel|access-date=January 30, 2015|archive-date=July 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709095953/http://www.hit-channel.com/interviewmichael-shrieve-santanagospellbinder/76037|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rush.com/band/neil-peart/|title=Neil Peart|website=Rush.com|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112012941/https://www.rush.com/band/neil-peart/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Keith Moon]], to [[Jazz fusion|fusion]] and [[jazz]] drummers [[Billy Cobham]], [[Buddy Rich]], [[Bill Bruford]] and [[Gene Krupa]].<ref>Peart, Neil. Matthew Wachsman. Paul Siegel. Rob Wallis. ''[[Anatomy of a Drum Solo]]''. Hudson Music. Distributed by Hal Leonard. 2005. {{ISBN|1-4234-0700-8}}</ref><ref name="Popoff"/><ref>{{cite interview |first=Neil |last=Peart |title=Neil Peart Speaks With Zildjian... |url=https://www.zildjian.com/zevents.asp?ID=81 |date=January 2003 |work=[[Zildjian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031206001635/https://www.zildjian.com/zevents.asp?ID=81 |archive-date=December 6, 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Who was the first group that inspired him to write songs and play the drums.<ref>Dome, Malcolm. [http://www.2112.net/xanadu/interviews/neil.htm "Interview with Neil Peart"] – Metal Hammer – (c/o 2112.net) – April 25, 1988</ref>

Peart had long played [[matched grip]] but shifted to [[traditional grip|traditional]] as part of his style reinvention in the mid-1990s under the tutelage of jazz coach [[Freddie Gruber]].<ref name=geocities /> He played traditional grip throughout his first instructional DVD ''A Work in Progress'' and on Rush's ''[[Test for Echo]]'' studio album. Peart went back to using primarily matched, though he continued to switch to traditional at times when playing songs from ''Test for Echo'' and during moments when traditional grip felt more appropriate, such as during the rudimental snare drum section of his drum solo. He discussed the details of these switches in the DVD ''[[Anatomy of a Drum Solo]]''.<ref name="Popoff"/>

''[[Variety magazine|Variety]]'' wrote: "Widely considered one of the most innovative drummers in rock history, Peart was famous for his state-of-the-art drum kits—more than 40 different drums were not out of the norm—precise playing style and on stage showmanship."<ref name="Variety">{{cite news|title=Neil Peart, Rush Drummer, Dies at 67|first1=Jeff|last1=Cornell|first2=Jef|last2=Aswad|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/obituaries-people-news/neil-peart-rush-drummer-dead-dies-1203463418/|date=January 11, 2020|work=[[Variety magazine|Variety]]|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110215405/https://variety.com/2020/music/obituaries-people-news/neil-peart-rush-drummer-dead-dies-1203463418/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[USA Today]]''{{'}}s writers compared him favourably with other top-shelf rock drummers. He was "considered one of the best rock drummers of all time, alongside [[John Bonham]] of [[Led Zeppelin]]; [[Ringo Starr]] of [[The Beatles]]; [[Keith Moon]] of [[The Who]]; [[Ginger Baker]] of [[Cream (band)|Cream]] and [[Stewart Copeland]] of [[The Police]]."<ref name="USAToday">{{cite news|title=Rush drummer Neil Peart dies of brain cancer at 67: 'Rest in peace brother'|first1=Cydney|last1=Henderson|first2=Jayme|last2=Deerwester|newspaper=USA Today|publisher=[[Gannett News]]|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/01/10/rush-confirms-drummer-neil-peart-dead-67/4434938002/|date=January 11, 2020|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111005511/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/01/10/rush-confirms-drummer-neil-peart-dead-67/4434938002/|url-status=live}}</ref>  Noting that Peart was "known for his technical proficiency", the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame inducted him in 1983.<ref name="KCAL">{{cite news|title=Rush Drummer Neil Peart Dead At 67|date=January 10, 2020|publisher=[[CBS]] [[KCAL-TV|KCAL]]|url=https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/01/10/rush-drummer-neil-peart/|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111102116/https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/01/10/rush-drummer-neil-peart/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Music critic [[Amanda Petrusich]] in ''[[The New Yorker]]'' wrote: "Watching Peart play the drums gave the impression that he might possess several phantom limbs. The sound was merciless."<ref name="Petrusich">{{cite magazine |title=Neil Peart, Postscript: The Misfit Awesomeness of Neil Peart and Rush |first1=Amanda |last1=Petrusich |author-link1=Amanda Petrusich |magazine=The New Yorker |date=January 13, 2020 |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/postscript/the-misfit-awesomeness-of-neil-peart-and-rush |access-date=January 13, 2020 |archive-date=January 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113160837/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/postscript/the-misfit-awesomeness-of-neil-peart-and-rush |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Equipment===
[[File:Neil Peart3.jpg|thumb|right|Neil Peart and his 360-degree drum kit]]
With Rush, Peart played [[Slingerland]], [[Tama Drums|Tama]], [[Ludwig-Musser|Ludwig]], and [[Drum Workshop]] drums, in that order.<ref name=rusharch>{{cite web|url=http://www.rusharchives.com/rush-gear/rush-gear-gizmos-neil-peart|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070806023557/http://www.rusharchives.com/rush-gear/rush-gear-gizmos-neil-peart/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 6, 2007|title=Neil Peart's Equipment|website=Rush Archives|access-date=January 18, 2008}}</ref> From ''2112'' to ''Counterparts'', he used a 5 1/2 × 14 inch Slingerland "Artist" snare model (3-ply shell with 8 lugs).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Neil Peart Slingerland snare|url=http://andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/drums/drumkits/number_one_snare.htm|access-date=May 14, 2021|website=andrewolson.com|archive-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928224904/http://andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/drums/drumkits/number_one_snare.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> For the recording of ''Presto'', he used a Ludwig and Solid Percussion piccolo snare drum.

Peart played [[Zildjian]] A-series cymbals and [[Wuhan cymbals|Wuhan]] china cymbals until the early 2000s, when he switched to [[Sabian Cymbals|Paragon]], a line created for him by [[Sabian (company)|Sabian]].<ref name=rusharch /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM04/Content/Sabian/PR/Neil-Peart-Paragon-Cymbals.html|title=Sabian Launches Neil Peart Signature Paragon Cymbals|date=January 15, 2004|work=Harmony Central|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218012121/http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM04/Content/Sabian/PR/Neil-Peart-Paragon-Cymbals.html|archive-date=February 18, 2008|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref> In concert starting in 1984 on the [[Grace Under Pressure Tour (video)|Grace Under Pressure Tour]], Peart used an elaborate 360-degree drum kit that would rotate as he played different sections of the kit.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kile|first=Meredith|title=Neil Peart, Rush Drummer, Dead at 67|url=https://www.etonline.com/neil-peart-rush-drummer-dead-at-67-139269|website=etonline|date=January 10, 2020|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112123602/https://www.etonline.com/neil-peart-rush-drummer-dead-at-67-139269|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the late 1970s, Peart augmented his acoustic setup with diverse percussion instruments, including [[orchestra bells]], [[tubular bell]]s, [[wind chimes]], [[crotales]], [[timbales]], [[timpani]], [[gong]], [[temple blocks]], [[bell tree]], [[Triangle (musical instrument)|triangle]], and melodic [[Cowbell (instrument)|cowbell]]s.<ref name=rusharch /> From the mid-1980s, Peart replaced several of these pieces with [[Musical Instrument Digital Interface|MIDI]] [[Sound module|trigger pads]]. This was done in order to trigger sounds sampled from various pieces of acoustic percussion that would otherwise consume far too much stage area. Some purely electronic non-instrumental sounds were also used. One classic MIDI pad used is the [[MalletKAT]] Express, which is a two-octave electronic MIDI device that resembles a xylophone or piano. The MalletKAT Express is composed of rubber pads for the "keys" so that any stick can be used. Beginning with 1984's ''[[Grace Under Pressure (Rush album)|Grace Under Pressure]]'', he used [[Simmons Drums|Simmons]] electronic drums in conjunction with [[Akai]] [[sampler (musical instrument)|digital samplers]].<ref name=rusharch /> Peart performed several songs primarily using the electronic portion of his drum kit. (e.g. "[[Red Sector A]]", "[[Closer to the Heart]]" on ''[[A Show of Hands (video)|A Show of Hands]]'' and "[[Mystic Rhythms]]" on ''[[R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour|R30]]''.)

Shortly after making the choice to include electronic drums and triggers, Peart added what became another trademark of his kit: a rotating drum riser.<ref name=rusharch /> During live Rush shows, the riser allowed Peart to swap the prominent portions of the kit (traditional acoustic in front, electronic in back). A staple of Peart's live drum solos was the in-performance rotation-and-swap of the front and back kits as part of the solo, a special effect that provided a symbolic transition of drum styles within the solo.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bosso|first=Joe|title=Interview: Rush's Neil Peart in-depth on drum solos|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/interview-rushs-neil-peart-talks-drum-solos-458100|website=Music Radar|date=January 10, 2020|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112114920/https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/interview-rushs-neil-peart-talks-drum-solos-458100|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Simmons SDS5 Electric Drum.jpg|thumb|left|Neil Peart began incorporating electronic drums with 1984's ''Grace Under Pressure'']]
In the early 2000s, Peart began taking full advantage of the advances in electronic drum technology, primarily incorporating [[Roland V-Drums]] and continued use of [[sampler (musical instrument)|samplers]] with his existing set of acoustic percussion. His digitally sampled library of both traditional and exotic sounds expanded over the years with his music.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://rolandblog.ca/neil-pearts-time-machine-drum-kit/|title=Neil Peart's Time Machine hybrid drum kit|publisher=Roland Canada|first=Darren|last=Schoepp|access-date=November 22, 2017|date=December 10, 2014|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032827/http://rolandblog.ca/neil-pearts-time-machine-drum-kit/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2006, Peart took delivery of his third Drum Workshop set, configured similarly to the R30 set, in a Tobacco Sunburst finish over curly maple exterior ply, with chrome hardware. He referred to this set, which he used primarily in Los Angeles, as the "West Coast kit". Besides using it on recordings with [[Vertical Horizon]], he played it while composing parts for Rush's album ''[[Snakes & Arrows]]''. It featured a custom 23-inch bass drum; all other sizes remained the same as the R30 kit.<ref>{{cite web|last=Peart|first=Neil|url=http://www.neilpeart.net/news/june_06.html|website=neilpeart.net|title=NEWS, WEATHER, and SPORTS|date=June 17, 2006}}</ref>

On March 20, 2007, Peart revealed that Drum Workshop prepared a new set of red-painted maple shells with black hardware and gold "Snakes & Arrows" logos for him to play on the [[Snakes & Arrows Tour]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neilpeart.net/news/march_07.html|title=The Count of Words|last=Peart|first=Neil|work=The N.E.P. News|via=Neilpeart.net|date=March 20, 2007|access-date=August 9, 2007|archive-date=August 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819052849/http://www.neilpeart.net/news/march_07.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Peart also designed his own signature series drumstick with [[Pro-Mark]], the Promark PW747W, Neil Peart Signature drumsticks, made of [[List of Quercus species|Japanese Shira Kashi white oak]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.daddario.com/products/percussion/promark/promark-drum-set/artist-series/shira-kashi-oak-747-neil-peart-wood-tip/item/promark-shira-kashi-oak-747-neil-peart-wood-tip-drumstick-9024/|title=Neil Peart Signature Shira Kashi Oak Wood Tip Drumstick &#124; Promark Drumsticks &#124; D'Addario|website=daddario.com}}</ref>

During the 2010–11 [[Time Machine Tour]], Peart used a new Drum Workshop kit; the kit was outfitted with copper-plated hardware and time machine designs to match the tour's [[steampunk]] themes. Matching Paragon cymbals with clock imagery were also used.<ref name="auto"/>

===Solos===
Peart was noted for his distinctive in-concert drum solos,<ref>Modern Drummer Magazine April 2006 Article "Soloing in the Shadow of Giants". Modern Drummer Publishing Inc. NJ</ref> characterised by exotic percussion instruments<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p113133|pure_url=yes}} ''"Neil Peart > Credits"''] – [[All Media Guide]] – Accessed July 18, 2007</ref> and long, intricate passages in odd time signatures.<ref name=drummerworld /><ref>Peart, Neil. [http://neilpeart.net/articles/modern_drummer/page3.html ''"Soloing in the Shadow of Giants"''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612192522/http://neilpeart.net/articles/modern_drummer/page3.html|date=June 12, 2010}} – [[Modern Drummer Magazine]] – (c/o NeilPeart.net) – April 2006</ref><ref name=piecesofeight>[http://www.2112.net/artifacts/volume1/track8/8.html ''"Pieces of Eight"''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927185429/http://www.2112.net/artifacts/volume1/track8/8.html |date=September 27, 2007 }} – [[Modern Drummer Magazine]] – (c/o 2112.net) – May 1987 – Accessed July 18, 2007</ref> His complex arrangements sometimes result in complete separation of upper- and lower-limb patterns; an [[ostinato]] dubbed "The Waltz" is a typical example.<ref>[http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Neil_Peart.html Neil Peart; The Waltz] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060329122549/http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Neil_Peart.html |date=March 29, 2006 }} – drummerworld.com – ([[QuickTime]] video) – Accessed July 18, 2007</ref> His solos were featured on every live album released by the band. On the early live albums (''[[All the World's a Stage (album)|All the World's a Stage]]'' and ''[[Exit... Stage Left]]''), the drum solo was included as part of a song. On all subsequent live albums through ''[[Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland]]'', the drum solo has been included as a separate track. The ''[[Clockwork Angels Tour (album)|Clockwork Angels Tour]]'' album includes three short solos instead of a single long one: two interludes played during other songs and one standalone. Similarly, the ''[[R40 Live]]'' album includes two short solos performed as interludes.

A studio recording of Peart's solo "Pieces of Eight" was released as a [[flexi disc]] exclusive in the May 1987 issue of ''[[Modern Drummer]]'' magazine.<ref name=piecesofeight/> Peart's instructional DVD ''Anatomy of a Drum Solo'' (2005) is an in-depth examination of how he constructs a solo that is musical rather than indulgent, using his solo from the 2004 R30 30th anniversary tour as an example.<ref name="Popoff"/>

==Lyricism==
Peart was the main lyricist for Rush. Literature heavily influenced his writings.<ref name=Interview2>Neil Peart Interview {{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Venue/9123/gpint.html|title=Rush: Off The Record with Mary Turner|access-date=February 21, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222214246/http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Venue/9123/gpint.html|archive-date=December 22, 2007}}</ref> In his early days with Rush, much of his lyrical output was influenced by fantasy, science fiction, mythology, and philosophy.<ref name=Interview>{{cite web|url=http://www.2112.net/xanadu/interviews/neil.htm|title=Interview with Neil Peart|work=Metal Hammer|date=April 25, 1988|access-date=February 21, 2008|archive-date=December 3, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203052905/http://www.2112.net/xanadu/interviews/neil.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 1980 album ''[[Permanent Waves]]'' saw Peart cease to use fantasy and [[Mythology|mythological]] themes. 1981's ''[[Moving Pictures (Rush album)|Moving Pictures]]'' showed that Peart was still interested in heroic, mythological figures, but now placed firmly in a modern, realistic context. The song "[[Limelight (Rush song)|Limelight]]" from the same album is an autobiographical account of Peart's reservations regarding his own popularity and the pressures associated with fame. From ''Permanent Waves'' onward, most of Peart's lyrics revolved around social, emotional, and humanitarian issues, usually from an objective standpoint and employing the use of metaphors and symbolic representation.<ref name=Interview />

Released in 1984, ''[[Grace Under Pressure (Rush album)|Grace Under Pressure]]'' strung together such despondent topics as [[the Holocaust]] ("Red Sector A") and the death of close friends ("Afterimage").<ref>Power Windows "Grace Under Pressure"[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/GUPlyrics.htm Power Windows Website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216075040/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/GUPlyrics.htm|date=February 16, 2008}}. Retrieved February 16, 2008</ref> With 1987's ''[[Hold Your Fire]]'', 1989's ''[[Presto (album)|Presto]]'', 1991's ''[[Roll the Bones]]'', and 1993's ''[[Counterparts (Rush album)|Counterparts]]'', Peart continued to explore diverse lyrical motifs, even addressing the topics of love and relationships<ref>Matt Scannell on Neil Peart [https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220632/http://www.drumheadftp.com/web/feature.php?id=7 Drumhead]. Retrieved February 19, 2008</ref> ("Open Secrets", "Ghost of a Chance", "Speed of Love", "Cold Fire", "Alien Shore"), subjects which he purposefully avoided in the past out of fear of using clichés.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19931100network.htm|title=The Godfathers of Cyber-Tech Go Organic|last=Stern|first=Perry|work=Network|date=November 1993|access-date=December 17, 2011|archive-date=April 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425073104/http://2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19931100network.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> 2002's ''[[Vapor Trails]]'' was heavily devoted to Peart's personal issues, along with other humanitarian topics such as the [[September 11 attacks|9/11 terrorist attacks]] ("Peaceable Kingdom"). The album ''[[Snakes & Arrows]]'' dealt primarily and vociferously with Peart's opinions regarding faith and religion.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57282/rush-wrestling-with-faith-on-new-album|magazine=Billboard|title=Rush wrestling with faith on new album|date=September 11, 2006|access-date=March 10, 2007|first=Jonathan|last=Cohen|archive-date=September 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915073544/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57282/rush-wrestling-with-faith-on-new-album|url-status=live}}</ref>

The song suite "[[2112 (song)|2112]]" focuses on the struggle of an individual against the [[Collectivism and individualism|collectivist]] forces of a [[Totalitarianism|totalitarian]] state. This became the band's breakthrough release, but also brought unexpected criticism, mainly because of the credit of inspiration Peart gave to [[Ayn Rand]] in the liner notes. "There was a remarkable backlash, especially from the English press, this being the late seventies, when collectivism was still in style, especially among journalists", Peart said. "They were calling us 'Junior fascists' and 'Hitler lovers'. It was a total shock to me".<ref>Rand, Rush, and Rock [http://www.nyu.edu/projects/sciabarra/essays/rush.htm Neil Peart Quotes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112123930/http://www.nyu.edu/projects/sciabarra/essays/rush.htm |date=January 12, 2008 }}. Retrieved February 16, 2008</ref>

In a 1993 interview for a fan newsletter, Peart stated: "For a start, the extent of my influence by the writings of [[Ayn Rand]] should not be overstated. I am no one's disciple."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/peartbsccp.htm|title=Neil Peart Interview|website=Power Windows|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603075341/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/peartbsccp.htm|archive-date=June 3, 2004|access-date=January 11, 2020}}</ref> The lyrics of "Faithless" exhibit a life stance which has been closely identified with [[secular humanism]]. Peart explicitly discussed his religious views in ''The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa'', in which he wrote: "I'm a [[Vertical thinking|linear thinking]] agnostic, but not an [[atheist]], folks."<ref name="Peart">{{cite book|title=The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa|last=Peart|first=Neil|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|isbn=1-55022-667-3|year=2004}}</ref>

In 2007, Peart was ranked No. 2 (after [[Sting (musician)|Sting]]) on the now defunct magazine ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'''s list of "worst lyricists in rock".<ref>{{cite news|title=Sting tops list of worst lyricists|publisher=Reuters|date=October 9, 2007|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lyricists/sting-tops-list-of-worst-lyricists-idUSN0845096420071009|access-date=October 9, 2007|archive-date=September 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926210555/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lyricists/sting-tops-list-of-worst-lyricists-idUSN0845096420071009|url-status=live}}</ref> In contrast, Allmusic called him "one of rock's most accomplished lyricists".<ref>{{cite web|last=Prato|first=Greg|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/hemispheres-r17127|title=Hemispheres – Rush|website=AllMusic|date=October 28, 1978|access-date=September 3, 2011|archive-date=February 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222095317/http://www.allmusic.com/album/hemispheres-r17127|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Political views==
For most of his career, Peart had never publicly identified with any political party or organisation in Canada or the United States. Even so, his political and philosophical views have often been analysed through his work with Rush and through other sources. In October 1993, shortly before that year's [[1993 Canadian federal election|Canadian federal election]], Peart appeared with then-[[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]] leader [[Jean Chrétien]] in an interview broadcast in Canada on [[MuchMusic]], but stated in that interview that he was an undecided voter.<ref>{{YouTube|jwJLGEDnFfs|Neil Peart Interviews Jean Chrétien – October 1993}} (accessed January 29, 2012)</ref>

Peart has often been categorised as an [[Objectivism|Objectivist]] and an admirer of [[Ayn Rand]]. This is largely based on his work with Rush in the 1970s, particularly the song "[[Fly by Night (album)#Track listing|Anthem]]" and the album ''[[2112 (album)|2112]]''; the latter specifically credited Rand's work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nyu.edu/projects/sciabarra/essays/rush.htm|title=Rand, Rush and Rock|publisher=Nyu.edu|access-date=March 2, 2011|archive-date=February 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227230031/http://www.nyu.edu/projects/sciabarra/essays/rush.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in his 1994 ''Rush Backstage Club Newsletter'', while contending the "individual is paramount in matters of justice and liberty," Peart specifically distanced himself from a strictly Objectivist line.<ref>{{cite web|last=Peart|first=Neil|title=Rush – Counterparts: Rush Backstage Club Newsletter, January 1994|url=http://2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19940100backstageclub.htm|publisher=2112.net|access-date=June 1, 2012|archive-date=April 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418082625/http://2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19940100backstageclub.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In a June 2012 ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' interview, when asked if Rand's words still speak to him, Peart replied, "Oh, no. That was 40 years ago. But it was important to me at the time in a transition of finding myself and having faith that what I believed was worthwhile."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Greene|first=Andy|title=Q&A: Neil Peart On Rush's New LP and Being a 'Bleeding Heart Libertarian'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/q-a-neil-peart-on-rushs-new-lp-and-being-a-bleeding-heart-libertarian-20120612|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=June 12, 2012|date=June 12, 2012|archive-date=June 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613043954/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/q-a-neil-peart-on-rushs-new-lp-and-being-a-bleeding-heart-libertarian-20120612|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although Peart was sometimes assumed to be a "[[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]]" or "[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]" rock star,<ref>{{cite web|last=Greenberg|first=Dan|url=http://www.thearkansasproject.com/republican-rock-stars/|title=Republican Rock Stars|publisher=Thearkansasproject.com|date=August 11, 2008|access-date=March 2, 2011|archive-date=July 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717075633/http://www.thearkansasproject.com/republican-rock-stars/|url-status=dead}}</ref> he criticised the U.S. Republican Party by stating that the philosophy of the party is "absolutely opposed to Christ's teachings."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macleans.ca/2012/08/13/on-introverts-learning-to-improvise-and-why-people-should-be-nicer-to-one-another/|title=Neil Peart on introverts, learning to improvise, and why people should be nicer to one another|first=Mike|last=Doherty|work=Maclean's|date=August 13, 2012|access-date=April 19, 2013}}</ref> In 2005, he described himself as a "[[Left-libertarianism|left-leaning libertarian]]",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jewsrock.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=words.view&wordid=5C400234-ACA1-4A3E-8CDCC1A3C6B074C4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183904/http://jewsrock.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=words.view&wordid=5C400234-ACA1-4A3E-8CDCC1A3C6B074C4|archive-date=May 3, 2008|title=The Spirit of Rand|date=May 3, 2008|access-date=September 3, 2011}}</ref> and is often cited as a libertarian celebrity.<ref>{{cite web|title=LIbertarian Celebrities & VIPs: Neil Peart|url=http://www.libertarianism.com/pop_celebrity/26|publisher=libertarianism.com|access-date=June 1, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527063945/http://www.libertarianism.com/pop_celebrity/26|archive-date=May 27, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jackson|first=Josh|url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/high_gravity/2008/09/5-biggest-libertarian-musicians.html|title=5 Biggest Libertarian Musicians|work=Paste|access-date=March 2, 2011|date=September 6, 2008|archive-date=October 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009021210/http://www.pastemagazine.com/high_gravity/2008/09/5-biggest-libertarian-musicians.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In a 2015 interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', Peart stated that he saw the U.S. [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] as the lesser evil: "For a person of my sensibility, you're only left with the Democratic party."<ref name="From Rush With Love" />

Peart was a member of the Canadian charity Artists Against Racism and worked with them on a radio [[public service announcement]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://artistsagainstracism.org/radio-2/|title=Radio – Artists Against Racism|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=October 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007213912/http://artistsagainstracism.org/radio-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
===Nonfiction===
Peart authored seven non-fiction books during his lifetime, the last of which was released in 2016.

Peart's first book, titled ''[[The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa]]'',<ref name="Peart" /> was written in 1996 about a month-long bicycling tour through [[Cameroon]] in November 1988. The book details Peart's travels through towns and villages with four fellow riders. The original had a limited print run, but after the critical and commercial success of Peart's second book, ''Masked Rider'' was re-issued by ECW Press and remains in print.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ecwpress.com/products/masked-rider|title=The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa|website=ECW Press|access-date=January 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Roadshow: Landscape with Drums – A Concert Tour by Motorcycle|last=Peart|first=Neil|date=2006|publisher=Rounder|isbn=1-57940-142-2|edition=1st|location=Cambridge, MA|oclc=71643376}}</ref>

After losing his wife and (at the time) only daughter, Peart embarked on a lengthy motorcycle road trip spanning North America. His experiences were penned in ''[[Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road]]''.<ref name=Peart-GhostRider /> Peart and the rest of the band were always able to keep his private life at a distance from his public image in Rush. However, ''Ghost Rider'' is a first-person narrative of Peart on the road on a [[BMW R1100GS]] motorcycle, in an effort to put his life back together as he embarked on an extensive journey.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/map_of_heart-neil_peart_finds_rhythm_of|title=Map of the Heart Neil Peart Finds the Rhythm of the Road|website=Exclaim.ca|language=en-ca|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111123029/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/map_of_heart-neil_peart_finds_rhythm_of|url-status=live}}</ref>

Years later, after his marriage to Nuttall, Peart took another road trip, this time by car. In his third book, ''[[Travelling Music: Playing Back the Soundtrack to My Life and Times]]'',<ref>{{cite book|title=Traveling Music: The Soundtrack to My Life and Times|last=Peart|first=Neil|year=2004|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|isbn=1-55022-664-9}}</ref> he reflects on his life, his career, his family, and music. As with his previous two books, it is a first-person narrative.

Three decades after Peart joined Rush, the band found itself on its [[R30: 30th Anniversary Tour|30th anniversary tour]]. Released in September 2006, ''Roadshow: Landscape with Drums – A Concert Tour by Motorcycle'' details the tour both from behind Peart's drum kit and on his [[BMW R1150GS]] and [[BMW R1200GS|R1200GS]] motorcycles.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Rush Drummer Peart Chronicles Life on the 'Road'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57239/rush-drummer-peart-chronicles-life-on-the-road|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111160537/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57239/rush-drummer-peart-chronicles-life-on-the-road|url-status=live}}</ref>

Peart's next book, ''Far and Away: A Prize Every Time'', was published by [[ECW Press]] in May 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Neil Peart's New Book ''Far And Away: A Prize Every Time'' Out Now|url=http://knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=7904|access-date=May 14, 2011|publisher=[[KNAC]]|date=May 12, 2011|quote=Rush drummer Neil Peart's fifth full-length book, ''Far And Away: A Prize Every Time'', has been released by ECW Press.|archive-date=June 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611041813/http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=7904|url-status=live}}</ref> This book, which he worked on for two years, is formed around his travelling in North and South America. It tells how he found in a Brazilian town a unique combination of West African and Brazilian music.<ref>Baldwin, Stephen. "Rush drummer's motor runnin' again", ''[[Winnipeg Free Press]] (sourced from [[Postmedia News]])'', Winnipeg, April 19, 2011.</ref> In 2014, a follow-up book, ''Far and Near: On Days like These'', was published by ECW. It covers travels in North America and Europe.<ref>{{citation|title=Far and Near by Neil Peart|year=2014|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/neil-peart/far-and-near/|work=[[Kirkus Reviews]]|access-date=September 29, 2014|isbn=978-1770412576|last1=Peart|first1=Neil|archive-date=August 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820052905/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/neil-peart/far-and-near/|url-status=live}}</ref> His last book, ''Far and Wide: Bring That Horizon to Me!'', was published in 2016 and is based on his travels between stops on the R40 Live Tour of 2015.

Nonfiction works include:
* ''[[The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa]]'' (1996, Pottersfield Press, {{isbn|1895900026}})
* ''[[Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road]]'' (2002, [[ECW Press]], {{isbn|1550225464}})
* ''[[Traveling Music: Playing Back the Soundtrack to My Life and Times]]'' (2004, ECW Press, {{isbn|1550226649}})
* ''Roadshow: Landscape with Drums – A Concert Tour by Motorcycle'' (2006, Rounder Books, {{isbn|1579401422}})
* ''Far and Away: A Prize Every Time'' (2011, ECW Press, {{isbn|978-1770410589}})
* ''Far and Near: On Days like These'' (2014, ECW Press, {{isbn|978-1770412576}})
* ''Far and Wide: Bring That Horizon to Me!'' (2016, ECW Press, {{isbn|978-1770413481}})

===Fiction===
Peart worked with [[science fiction author]] [[Kevin J. Anderson]] to develop a novelisation of Rush's 2012 album ''[[Clockwork Angels]]''; the book was published by ECW Press and debuted at #18 on the ''[[New York Times]]'' hardcover fiction best seller.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13592828-clockwork-angels|title=Clockwork Angels by Kevin J. Anderson – Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists|publisher=Goodreads.com|access-date=July 16, 2014|archive-date=March 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320200943/http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13592828-clockwork-angels|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="rush wandering 2019">{{cite book |title=Rush: Wandering the Face of the Earth: The Official Touring History |first=Hansen |last=Daly |year= 2019 |isbn=978-1683834502 |publisher=Insight Editions |page=438 }}</ref> The two collaborated again on a loose sequel, ''Clockwork Lives'', published in 2015, which won the 2016 Colorado Book Award in the science fiction category.<ref name="aspen times 20160527">{{cite web|url=https://www.aspentimes.com/entertainment/activities-events/lafferty-wins-second-colorado-book-award |title=Lafferty wins second Colorado Book Award |date=May 27, 2016 |work=[[The Aspen Times]] |access-date=November 17, 2021 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122171837/https://www.aspentimes.com/entertainment/activities-events/lafferty-wins-second-colorado-book-award/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Snippets of the band's lyrics can be found throughout both stories.<ref name="Gizmodo Dvorsky">{{cite news |last1=Dvorsky |first1=George |title=Kevin J. Anderson talks Clockwork Angels, his new novel with Rush drummer Neil Peart |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/kevin-j-anderson-talks-clockwork-angels-his-new-novel-5940743 |access-date=January 11, 2020 |work=Gizmodo |date=September 6, 2012 |quote=The Rush lyrical references sprinkled throughout the novel are natural extensions of the prose, not shoehorned in with a big grin and a wink. If you catch them, you catch them, but if you don't get the references, it should not affect your enjoyment in any way. Neil and I plotted this story from its inception; he approached me with his own ideas for scenes and characters, and he knew the lyrics he was writing, so we built the world, the storyline, the villains and heroes around the songs; but it also had to work as a novel, too. Clockwork Angels should be an enjoyable steampunk fantasy regardless of whether or not you're a Rush fan. |archive-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112032707/https://io9.gizmodo.com/kevin-j-anderson-talks-clockwork-angels-his-new-novel-5940743 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Owens |first1=Skip |title='Clockwork Lives' Is Now a Graphic Novel |url=https://geekdad.com/2018/06/clockwork-lives-is-now-a-graphic-novel/ |website=GEEKDAD |access-date=January 11, 2020 |date=June 26, 2018 |quote=Speaking of Rush, being a Rush fan is another reason to read Clockwork Lives. Not only are there lyrics and themes from various Rush songs throughout the book but there is even a cameo appearance from the band! |archive-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112032957/https://geekdad.com/2018/06/clockwork-lives-is-now-a-graphic-novel/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Graphic novels of the first two ''Clockwork'' stories were created in 2015 and 2019, respectively. Peart worked with Anderson on a third and final novel during the last years of his life; after his death, his widow gave Anderson permission to continue the project. The book, ''Clockwork Destiny'', was published by ECW Press in June 2022; like the first two novels, it incorporates portions of lyrics from Rush songs.

Fiction works include:
* "Drumbeats" with [[Kevin J. Anderson]], short story published in ''Shock Rock II'' edited by Jeff Gelb (1994, [[Pocket Books]], {{isbn|0-671-87088-2}}).
** ''Drumbeats'' (2020, WordFire Press, {{isbn|978-1680571295}}, illustrated and expanded edition)
* ''Clockwork'' series:
** ''[[Clockwork Angels#Novel|Clockwork Angels]]'', written by [[Kevin J. Anderson]], based on the story and lyrics by Neil Peart (2012, [[ECW Press]], {{isbn|978-1-77041-121-0}})
*** ''Clockwork Angels – The Graphic Novel'', written by [[Kevin J. Anderson]] and Neil Peart, artwork by Nick Robles (2015, [[Boom! Studios]], {{isbn|978-1608863686}})
** ''Clockwork Lives'' with Kevin J. Anderson (2015, ECW Press, {{isbn|978-1-77090-810-9}})
*** ''Clockwork Lives – The Graphic Novel'' with Kevin J. Anderson (2019, Insight Editions, {{isbn|978-1-68383-377-2}})
** ''Clockwork Destiny'' with Kevin J. Anderson (2022, ECW Press, {{isbn|978-1-77041-651-2}}))

==Side projects==
{{main|List of songs recorded by Rush#Neil Peart}}
* [[Jeff Berlin]]'s 1985 album ''Champion'', played drums on two songs, the title track "Champion", and "Marabi".
* [[Vertical Horizon]]'s 2009 album ''[[Burning the Days]]'' – drums on three songs including "Save Me from Myself", "Welcome to the Bottom", and "Even Now", and co-wrote "Even Now" with Matt Scannell
* [[Vertical Horizon]]'s 2013 album ''[[Echoes from the Underground]]'' – drums on two songs including "Instamatic"<ref>{{Citation|title=Watch Neil Peart's "Instamatic" Tracking Session With Vertical Horizon!| date=November 20, 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nywYiKeX6g| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211031/1nywYiKeX6g| archive-date=October 31, 2021 | url-status=live|language=en|access-date=February 7, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and "South for the Winter"
* ''[[Burning for Buddy: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Rich]]'' {{ASIN|B001208NUQ}}
* ''[[Burning for Buddy: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Rich, Vol. 2]]'' {{ASIN|B000002JD4}}

Peart had a brief cameo in the 2007 film ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters]]'', in which samples of his drumming were played.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rushisaband.com/display.php?id=933|title=Rush is a Band Blog: Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie now playing|publisher=Rushisaband.com|date=April 14, 2007|access-date=July 16, 2014}}</ref>

Peart also had a brief cameo in the 2008 film ''[[Adventures of Power]]'' and in the DVD extra does a drum-off competition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adventures of Power information |url=http://andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/adventures_of_power/adventures.htm |access-date=March 2, 2024 |website=andrewolson.com |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302201345/http://andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/adventures_of_power/adventures.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Peart appeared in concert with Rush in the 2009 film ''[[I Love You, Man]]'', as well as a ''[[Funny or Die]]'' web [[short (film)|short]] in which the film's main characters sneak into the band's dressing room.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Jason Segel and Paul Rudd: Neil Peart Was a 'Thunderbolt of a Human Being' |first=Daniel |last=Kreps |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=January 11, 2020 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jason-segel-paul-rudd-rush-neil-peart-i-love-you-man-936604/ |access-date=January 13, 2020 |archive-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112152155/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jason-segel-paul-rudd-rush-neil-peart-i-love-you-man-936604/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==DVDs==
Apart from Rush's video releases as a band, Peart has released the following DVDs (the first originally in VHS tape format) as an individual:
* ''[[A Work in Progress (film)|A Work in Progress]]''<ref name="A Work in Progress, Worldcat DVD">{{cite AV media |title=A Work in Progress |first=Neil |last=Peart |publisher=Warner Bros. Publications |location=Miami, Florida |series=Warner Bros. Classics series |isbn=978-0757990298 |oclc=52762882 |type=DDVD-ROM with DVD video, Internet features, 2 booklets |date=2002 |orig-year=1996 (VHS) |others=produced and directed by Paul Siegel, Rob Wallis; production, Langa Communications}}</ref>
* ''[[Anatomy of a Drum Solo]]'', Hudson Music, distributed by Hal Leonard (2005), {{ISBN|1-4234-0700-8}}<ref name="Popoff" />
* ''[[Burning for Buddy: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Rich, Vol. 2|The Making of Burning for Buddy (A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Rich)]]'', {{ASIN|0739045059}}
* ''Taking Center Stage: A Lifetime of Live Performance'', distributed by Hudson Music (2011), {{ISBN|978-1-4584-1174-7}}
* ''Fire on Ice: The Making of the Hockey Theme'', distributed by Drum Channel (2011), {{ASIN|B00481YQPW}}

==Awards and honours==
Peart received the following awards in the ''[[Modern Drummer]]'' magazine
readers' poll:<ref name="Individual awards list" /><ref>Awards List [http://rush.robpagano.com/index.php?c=hist Rush Awards list] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604090917/http://rush.robpagano.com/index.php?c=hist|date=June 4, 2009}}. Retrieved August 2, 2007</ref>
{{Div col}}
* Hall of Fame: 1983
* Best Rock Drummer*: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2006, 2008
* Best Multi-Percussionist*: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
* Best Percussion Instrumentalist: 1982
* Most Promising New Drummer: 1980
* Best All Around: 1986
* 1986 Honor Roll: Rock Drummer, Multi-Percussion
:(* – As a member of the Honor Roll in these categories, he is no longer eligible for votes in the above categories.)
* Best Instructional Video: 2006, for ''[[Anatomy of a Drum Solo]]''
* Best Drum Recording of the 1980s, 2007, for "[[YYZ (song)|YYZ]]" from ''[[Exit... Stage Left]]''
* Best Recorded Performance:
** 1980: ''[[Permanent Waves]]''
** 1981: ''[[Moving Pictures (Rush album)|Moving Pictures]]''
** 1982: ''[[Exit... Stage Left]]''
** 1983: ''[[Signals (Rush album)|Signals]]''
** 1985: ''[[Grace Under Pressure (Rush album)|Grace Under Pressure]]''
** 1986: ''[[Power Windows (album)|Power Windows]]''
** 1988: ''[[Hold Your Fire]]''
** 1989: ''[[A Show of Hands]]''
** 1990: ''[[Presto (album)|Presto]]''
** 1992: ''[[Roll the Bones]]''
** 1993: ''[[Counterparts (Rush album)|Counterparts]]''
** 1997: ''[[Test for Echo]]''
** 1999: ''[[Different Stages (Rush album)|Different Stages]]''
** 2002: ''[[Vapor Trails]]''
** 2004: ''[[R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour|R30]]''
** 2007: ''[[Snakes & Arrows]]''
** 2011: '' [[Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland|Time Machine]]''
** 2012: ''[[Clockwork Angels]]''
{{Div col end}}

Peart received the following awards from [[Drum!|''DRUM!'']] magazine:
* 2007: Drummer of the Year, Best Progressive Rock Drummer, Best Live Performer, Best DVD (''Anatomy Of A Drum Solo''), Best Drumming Album (''Snakes & Arrows'')<ref>DRUM! Magazine Awards [http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=87294 Blabbermouth.net] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228022648/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=87294|date=December 28, 2007}}. Retrieved January 1, 2008</ref>
* 2008: Drummer of the Year, Best Live Drumming Performer, Best Progressive Rock Drummer (Runner-Up), Best Mainstream Pop Drummer (Runner-Up)<ref>DRUM! Magazine Awards [http://bigdrumthump.com/winners-of-drum-magazine-readers-poll-2008/ Big Drum Thump] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213114938/http://bigdrumthump.com/winners-of-drum-magazine-readers-poll-2008|date=February 13, 2009}}. Retrieved July 2, 2008</ref>
* 2009: Drummer Of The Year, Best Progressive Rock Drummer<ref>DRUM! Magazine Awards [http://www.drummagazine.com/features/post/drummies2009/ Drummies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714053457/http://www.drummagazine.com/features/post/drummies2009/|date=July 14, 2009}}. Retrieved July 13, 2009</ref>
* 2010: Drummer of the Year, Best Live Performer (Runner-Up), Best Progressive Rock Drummer (Runner-Up)<ref>DRUM! Magazine Awards [http://www.drummagazine.com/drummies/ Drummies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717032706/http://www.drummagazine.com/drummies |date=July 17, 2010 }}. Retrieved July 16, 2010</ref>

Other honours and awards
* Peart was made an Officer of the [[Order of Canada]] on May 9, 1996, together with Lee and Lifeson. The trio was the first rock band to be so honoured, as a group.<ref>[http://www.maplemusic.com/artists/rus/bio.asp ''"RUSH highlights"''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715180526/http://www.maplemusic.com/artists/rus/bio.asp|date=July 15, 2010}}, [[MapleMusic]] – Accessed May 23, 2007</ref>
* Peart was inducted into the [[Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame]] along with Lifeson and Lee in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/rush-to-be-among-inductees-to-songwriters-hall-of-fame-1.475300|title=Rush to be among inductees to songwriters hall of fame|date=January 19, 2010|publisher=[[CTV Television Network|CTV]]|access-date=January 20, 2010|archive-date=January 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109172637/http://www.ctvnews.ca/rush-to-be-among-inductees-to-songwriters-hall-of-fame-1.475300|url-status=live}}</ref>
* On April 18, 2013, Rush was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].<ref>[http://ca.news.yahoo.com/rush-heart-inducted-rock-roll-hall-fame-during-062355951.html ''"Toronto's Rush finally inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at L.A. gala"''] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130506030214/http://ca.news.yahoo.com/rush-heart-inducted-rock-roll-hall-fame-during-062355951.html|date=May 6, 2013}}, [[The Canadian Press]]</ref>
* In 2014, Peart (along with bandmates Lee and Lifeson) was awarded an Honorary [[Doctorate of Music]] from [[Nipissing University]], recognizing the band for their "significant and lasting contribution to live music and performing arts in Canada and worldwide."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2014-06-05 |title=RUSH To Receive Honorary Degree From Ontario's Nipissing University |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/rush-to-receive-honorary-degree-from-ontarios-nipissing-university |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116074335/https://blabbermouth.net/news/rush-to-receive-honorary-degree-from-ontarios-nipissing-university |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Giles |first=Jeff |date=2014-06-13 |title=Rush Receive Honorary Doctorates from Canadian University |url=https://i95rocks.com/rush-doctorates-canadian-university/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=I-95 FM |language=en |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116085309/https://i95rocks.com/rush-doctorates-canadian-university/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* In 2020, the St. Catharines city council named the pavilion in Lakeside Park (in [[Port Dalhousie, Ontario]]) after Peart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2020/01/28/neil-peart-pavilion-under-consideration.html|title=Neil Peart pavilion under consideration|date=January 28, 2020|website=stcatharinesstandard.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2020/06/04/rush-s-neil-peart-honoured-with-lakeside-park-pavilion-in-port-dalhousie.html |title=Rush's Neil Peart honoured with Lakeside Park pavilion in Port Dalhousie |website=stcatharinesstandard.com |accessdate=May 17, 2022 |date=June 4, 2022 |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519155448/https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2020/06/04/rush-s-neil-peart-honoured-with-lakeside-park-pavilion-in-port-dalhousie.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Peart was inducted into the [[Percussive Arts Society]] Hall of Fame in 2020.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=David |first=Stanoch |date=August 2020 |title=2020 Hall of Fame: Neil Peart |journal=[[Percussive Notes]] |volume=58 |issue=4 |pages=19–24}}</ref>

==Additional reading==
* ''Rhythm & Light'', Peart photographed by [[Carrie Nuttall]] (2004, Rounder Books, {{isbn|1579400930}})
* ''Taking Center Stage: A Lifetime of Live Performance'' by [[Joe Bergamini]] (2013, Hudson Music, {{isbn|978-1458494276}})

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=upper-alpha}}

===Citations===
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wHSDST9VvU8C&pg=RA1-PA58|title=Ghost Rider--Rush's Neil Peart: Rockin' and rollin' ... rollin' ... rollin' ...|first=Brian|last=Catterson|journal=[[Cycle World]]|date=February 2003|pages=58–63|ref=none}}
* {{citation|work=Archives – Honours|publisher=[[Governor General of Canada]]|title=Order of Canada: Neil E. Peart, O.C.|date=April 30, 2009|url=http://archive.gg.ca/honours/search-recherche/honours-desc.asp?lang=e&TypeID=orc&id=3606|access-date=August 12, 2014}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q313668|n=no|b=no|s=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|species=no}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{allMusic}}
* {{Discogs artist|Neil Peart}}
* [http://www.andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/building_the_kit.htm Snakes and Arrows tour drumkit assembly]
* {{IMDb name|id=1307637}}

{{Rush}}
{{2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
{{Long distance motorcycling}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Peart, Neil}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:2020 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American drummers]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian drummers]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian memoirists]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian multi-instrumentalists]]
[[Category:21st-century American drummers]]
[[Category:21st-century American memoirists]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian drummers]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian memoirists]]
[[Category:American agnostics]]
[[Category:American heavy metal drummers]]
[[Category:American libertarians]]
[[Category:American lyricists]]
[[Category:American male drummers]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:American people of Canadian descent]]
[[Category:American rock drummers]]
[[Category:American rock songwriters]]
[[Category:American travel writers]]
[[Category:Anthem Records]]
[[Category:Canadian agnostics]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate musicians in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriates in England]]
[[Category:Canadian heavy metal drummers]]
[[Category:Canadian jazz drummers]]
[[Category:Canadian libertarians]]
[[Category:Canadian lyricists]]
[[Category:Canadian male drummers]]
[[Category:Canadian male jazz musicians]]
[[Category:Canadian male songwriters]]
[[Category:Canadian percussionists]]
[[Category:Canadian rock drummers]]
[[Category:Canadian travel writers]]
[[Category:Deaths from brain cancer in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from glioblastoma]]
[[Category:Drummers from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Former Objectivists]]
[[Category:Left-libertarians]]
[[Category:Long-distance motorcycle riders]]
[[Category:Motorcycle touring writers]]
[[Category:Musicians from Hamilton, Ontario]]
[[Category:Musicians from St. Catharines]]
[[Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of Canada]]
[[Category:Progressive rock drummers]]
[[Category:Rush (band) members]]
[[Category:Writers from Hamilton, Ontario]]
[[Category:Writers from Los Angeles]]