![]() Even though NP didn’t have classical training, his use of electronics, mallets, and various percussion was enough for me to literally want to BE HIM. When I finally decided to go to college, I wanted to be a rock drummer-with some classical training. Again, no idea what was going on, but all I could say was “wow!” Throughout high school I was studying to be an architect (hmm) but if the rock drumming thing DID happened, great. If I recall correctly, we all had to stop and listen to the drum fills in Tom Sawyer. We would play tackle football in my Mom’s backyard (sorry Mom) and the other guys always brought a boombox. I didn’t say “I want to do that” but later in life I DID want to do that-that actual thing. What he was playing was beyond anything I could comprehend (I didn’t start even playing till 4 years later) but I remember staring at the TV and this moment subconsciously laying the groundwork for things to come. White, short sleeve shirt, buttoned up all the way and a little red bowtie. Very late-maybe 10pm! While Limelight was playing, I was awestruck by the figure behind the vast array of drums. I’ll never forget asking permission to watch Rush on MTV when they played concerts on Friday nights. NP has been my biggest drumming influence since I was 9 years old. I can’t do justice to what he meant to everyone else, but I want to at least share my thoughts and anecdotes on my drumming hero. ![]() I mean, what drummer (who doesn’t sing) writes all the lyrics in a 40 year band career? Lyrics that were about philosophy, science fiction, society, poetry…what drummer has been air-drummed to more? Nobody. There are many posts about not even being a Rush fan, but appreciating him as an artist-drummer and lyricist. It’s a testament to how much of an influence he was on almost EVERYBODY. There might have never been as many tributes about any other drummer. I’ve spent all day going through the tributes online from Gene Simmons, Dave Grohl, Questlove, Stewart Copeland, Paul Stanley, Brian Wilson, and the list goes on and on and on. ![]() The list goes on and on, not just for millions of drummers around the world, but for all instrumentalists from some of the greatest bands that have existed. “The Professor” “The Master” “Neil Peart is God” “The GOAT” ![]()
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