Nandi Bushell Takes It Further With “Tom Sawyer” Cover

Nandi Bushell Takes It Further With “Tom Sawyer” Cover | Society Of Rock Videos

via Nandi Bushell / Youtube

The young drum prodigy Nandi Bushell has impressed us once again in a new video out where she does a drum cover of Rush’s “Tom Sawyer” nailing every part “the professor,” late Rush drummer Neil Peart created.

In the description of her new YouTube video, Bushell writes:

“This one is for you Professor Peart. I wanted to try a @rush song that would really challenge me. I watched an interview were the Professor said Tom Sawyer ‘remains so difficult to play’. So I thought I would give it a try. It’s actually really fun to play. I really hope I have done the song justice, Professor Pearts’ playing is incredible. I hope I got the strength and smoothness balance right. I have a new found love for RUSH now too!”

Peart’s drumming into Rush’s 1981 classic Tom Sawyer is one of the most iconic moments of his career as the man dubbed ‘The Professor’. But it seems like an easy challenge to the 11-year old Bushell who dazzled both her fans and Rush’s.

She has proven to have musically grown ever since she became an internet sensation and went viral for challenging Dave Grohl to a drum battle that led for her to perform “Everlong” on stage with the Foo Fighters on their 2021 concert at The Forum LA. Grohl even introduced her as “the most badass drummer in the world,” making it a very memorable night for Nandi.

Now, Bushell’s YouTube channel is full of other iconic rock artists such as Jack Black, Tom Morello, and Greta Thunberg whom she met along her drumming journey. She was even gifted a custom drum kit by Lenny Kravitz and Nate Smith.

Bushell’s cover drew a warm response form Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson, who tweeted:

“Oh @Nandi_Bushell, you brought a tear to my eye with this tribute! ‘Tom Sawyer’ is a difficult song to play drums to and you made it so much fun. Neil would have loved your performance and wonderful smile, as both Geddy [Lee] and I do!”

Watch her amazing performance below.

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