Legendary Rush drummer Neil Peart dies of brain cancer
Jan 10, 2020, 3:18 PM | Updated: 3:41 pm
Drummer Neil Peart of Rush performs at the Barclays Center on October 22, 2012 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
Neil Peart, the drumming hero who provided the heartbeat for iconic prog rock band Rush, has died. He was 67.
Peart, the Canadian power trio’s primary lyricist, died Tuesday of brain cancer, which he had been battling for more than three years.
The band requested that fans wishing to express their condolences make a donation to the cancer charity of their choice.
Neil Peart September 12, 1952 – January 7, 2020 pic.twitter.com/NivX2RhiB8
— Rush (@rushtheband) January 10, 2020
With his complex, powerful drumming and cerebral writing, Peart helped Rush become one of the most enduring acts of the classic rock era.
Behind overwhelming support from a rabid fan base, Rush was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
Rush was formed in Toronto in 1971 by guitarist Alex Lifeson with bassist Geddy Lee and drummer John Rutsey, whom Peart replaced in 1974.
Peart played on all of Rush’s albums except their 1974 self-titled debut.
The trio’s 19th and final album, “Clockwork Angels,” was released in 2012.
Rush remained active through 2015, when they completed their R40 Tour. A performance at US Airways Center in Phoenix, now Talking Stick Resort Arena, was among their final shows.
Peart is survived by his wife Carrie Nuttall and daughter Olivia.
His first daughter, Selena Taylor, was killed at age 19 in a 1997 traffic accident. His longtime common-law wife, Jacqueline Taylor, died of cancer the following year.
