On This Day in 2020: Neil Peart, Rush’s Virtuoso Drummer and Lyricist, Passed Away After Private Battle With Cancer
Photo by ceedub13, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Death of a Rock Icon
On January 7, 2020, Neil Peart, the drummer and main lyricist for Canadian rock band Rush, died at the age of 67 after a private battle with brain cancer. Peart was widely regarded as one of the most skilled drummers in rock music and was ranked No. 4 on Rolling Stone’s list of all-time greatest drummers.
Peart passed away in Santa Monica, California, from glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain tumor he had fought for more than three years. His bandmates in Rush issued a statement saying, “It is with broken hearts and the deepest sadness that we must share the terrible news…” and described him as their “friend, soul brother and band mate of over 45 years.”
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Early Life and Rise to Fame
Born on September 12, 1952, in Hamilton, Ontario, Peart began playing the drums at a young age. He joined Rush in 1974, replacing the band’s original drummer, and quickly became both its rhythmic engine and its chief lyricist. His precise and musical approach helped shape Rush’s sound over decades of albums and tours.
With Rush, Peart explored complex time signatures and narrative lyrics, blending progressive rock with hard rock elements. Albums such as 2112, Permanent Waves, and Moving Pictures gained wide acclaim and expanded the band’s global fan base. Peart’s work behind the kit was as memorable as his writing, featuring long solo sections that became highlights of live performances.
Personal Struggles and Creative Output
Peart endured deep personal losses before his illness. In 1997, his 19-year-old daughter, Selena, died in a car crash. His common-law wife of more than two decades, Jacqueline Taylor, died of cancer less than a year later. In the wake of these tragedies, Peart took time away from the band and documented his reflections in the book Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road.
He later remarried in 2000 to photographer Carrie Nuttall and had a daughter, Olivia. Peart balanced family life with his roles in Rush and as an author of several non-fiction books inspired by travel and music.
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Legacy and Influence
Peart retired from musical performance in 2015 due to health issues, and Rush officially ended as a band in 2018. Over his career, Peart helped Rush sell millions of albums and gained admiration from drummers worldwide. Musicians from a wide range of genres have cited him as an influence, and fans continue to celebrate his work through his recordings and writings.
After his death, tributes poured in from fellow musicians and critics alike. Peart’s precision, creativity, and deep thought behind both his drumming and lyrics left a lasting impact on rock music and inspired generations of listeners and players.
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