RIP Neil Peart

In this social media age, the first thing I reached for this morning was my phone, only to see something that shocked me out of bed faster than ever being late for work…

Neil Peart Dead.

I think the word BULLSHIT must have been heard by my immediate neighbours, but when checking various news sites, it was indeed true.

Neil Peart dead at 67 after succumbing to cancer.

The musician’s death was confirmed by spokespersons representing the drummer’s family, as well as the band. Peart had been secretly battling brain cancer for three years.

In a message to the official Rush Twitter page, the band asked fan’s wishing to express their condolences to “choose a cancer research group or charity of their choice and make a donation in Neil’s name.”

With the news confirmed, I felt literally broken hearted as the world has lost one of its finest musicians. Neil, indeed, was one of the greatest drummers of all time. Right up there if not the absolute pinnacle. The best.

But it wasn’t just drums. As Rush’s chief lyricist, he contributed so much of what was and is and always will be Rush.

His later life was full of tragedy. Losing his young daughter and soon after his wife would have left any man absolutely shattered. But Neil rode on. Quite literally. All documented so wonderfully in his book ‘Ghost Rider’.

The world’s heart will beat a little differently from now on. Neil Peart is gone but his legacy and his music and his contribution to the arts will live on forevermore.

RIP Neil Peart…