Neil Peart

Neil Ellwood Peart (IPA: [pɪɹt]) OC, (born September 12, 1952 in Hagersville, Ontario) is the drummer and lyricist for the progressive rock band Rush. Peart grew up in Beamsville, Ontario, Canada working the occasional odd job. However, his true ambition was to become a professional musician. At the early age of thirteen, Peart received his first drumkit and soon began rigorously practicing. During adolescence, he floated from regional band to band and eventually dropped out of high school in order to pursue his career as a full-time drummer. After a discouraging stint in England to concentrate on his music, Peart returned to his hometown of St. Catharines where he eventually joined local Toronto band Rush in the summer of 1974. Early in his career, Peart’s style of playing was deeply rooted in hard rock where he drew most of his inspiration from drummers such as Keith Moon and John Bonham, players who were at the forefront of the British hard rock scene. As time progressed however, he began to absorb the influence of Jazz and Big Band musicians such as Gene Krupa, and more recently, the late Buddy Rich. Peart is also one of the more recent pupils of Jazz instructor, Freddie Gruber. In terms of music, Peart has received many awards (see below) for his recorded performances and is widely regarded as one of the greatest rock drummers of all time due to his technical proficiency and stamina. In terms of influence, he is one of the most important drummers in history. In addition to his profession as a musician, Peart is also a prolific writer, being the author of several published travelogues and evidenced by his position as chief lyricist for Rush. Over the years, Peart has become known for an apersonal writing style and a propensity for addressing diverse subject matter including science fiction, fantasy, and philosophy, as well as secular and humanitarian themes. His last name is pronounced “Peert”, although many mispronounce it “Pert”. (Wikipedia)