On January 10, 2020, fans of the Canadian progressive rock band, Rush, were saddened to hear of the unfortunate passing of Neil Peart, the drummer of Rush. Moreover than just fans, but the whole progressive rock scene has expressed their condolences to one of the most talented drummers in all of music history. In honor of Neil Peart’s life and legacy, we will illustrate the musician’s life, career, and contributions to progressive rock history.

Neil Peart was born on September 12, 1952, in Ontario, Canada. His parents, Glen Peart and Betty Peart raised Neil in the small town of St. Catherine’s, Ontario. Peart’s father, Glen, was a farm equipment salesman who managed a small parts store in rural Ontario. At a young age, Peart was an avid reader and consumed whatever books he could get his hands on. According to his mother, “He just read everything. He just read everything there was to read.” Peart’s early exposure to literature contributed to his lyrical style. This would ultimately influence his style of writing, encompassing fantasy, science fiction and philosophy as themes. Among reading as a hobby, Peart became fascinated with music and drumming at a young age as well. In 1966, Peart’s parents bought him a drum kit for his fourteenth birthday. It was then that Peart began to take drum lessons from Penisula Conservatory of Music. Peart’s first performance was at the St. John’s Anglican Church Hall Christmas pageant in Port Dalhousie. Peart joined his first band, The Eternal Triangle with his friends at his local high school, Lakeport High School.

In Peart’s late teenage years, as an attempt to gain success, Peart would continue to play in various local bands in basements, church halls, high schools, skating rinks and recreation rooms across Southern Ontario. In 1970 at the age of 18, Peart would travel to London in a bid to hopefully garner success in Great Britain. While in London, Peart would play with multiple local bands but still struggled to gain an image for himself. Disillusioned by multiple attempts for success, Peart would return to Canada to work at his father’s tractor parts shop.