Career Timeline of Neil Peart: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Neil Peart, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Neil Peart, a Canadian-American musician, was the drummer, percussionist, and primary lyricist for the rock band Rush. Nicknamed "the Professor," he was celebrated for his exceptional drumming skills, technical precision, and stamina in live performances. His contributions to music were widely recognized, including his induction into the Modern Drummer Readers Poll Hall of Fame in 1983, making him the youngest recipient of the honor.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

July 29, 1974: Peart Officially Joins Rush

On July 29, 1974, Neil Peart officially joined the band Rush, marking a pivotal moment in his career.

August 14, 1974: Peart's First Gig with Rush

On August 14, 1974, Neil Peart played his first gig with Rush at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, opening for Uriah Heep and Manfred Mann's Earth Band.

1974: Neil Peart Joins Rush

In mid-1974, Neil Peart joined the Toronto band Rush, six years after its formation, marking a significant moment in his career.

1975: Rand's philosophy influences Fly by Night

In 1975, Fly by Night was released containing early lyrics influenced by Ayn Rand's philosophy.

1975: Fly by Night Release and Juno Award

In 1975, Rush released "Fly by Night", their first album with Neil Peart, which won the Juno Award for most promising new act.

1976: Rand's philosophy influences 2112

In 1976, 2112 was released containing early lyrics influenced by Ayn Rand's philosophy.

1976: Release of 2112

In 1976, Rush released the album "2112", which became their breakthrough and gained a following in the United States, following the negative reception of "Caress of Steel".

1977: Rush Records A Farewell to Kings

In 1977, Rush recorded the album A Farewell to Kings in Rockfield Studios in Wales.

1978: Rush Records Hemispheres

In 1978, Rush recorded the album Hemispheres at Rockfield Studios in Wales, writing it entirely in the studio.

1980: Permanent Waves Release

In 1980, the album Permanent Waves was released, marking a shift in Peart's songwriting as he moved away from fantasy and mythological themes.

1981: Moving Pictures Release

In 1981, the album Moving Pictures was released, demonstrating Peart's continued interest in heroic figures, but within a modern and realistic setting. The album included "Limelight," addressing Peart's feelings about fame.

1984: Use of Simmons Electronic Drums

Beginning with 1984's Grace Under Pressure, Neil Peart used Simmons electronic drums in conjunction with Akai digital samplers.

1984: Grace Under Pressure Release

In 1984, Grace Under Pressure was released, featuring lyrics addressing dark themes like the Holocaust and the loss of friends.

1984: Elaborate 360-Degree Drum Kit

Starting in 1984 on the Grace Under Pressure Tour, Neil Peart began using an elaborate 360-degree drum kit that would rotate as he played different sections of the kit.

May 1987: Release of "Pieces of Eight"

In May 1987, a studio recording of Neil Peart's solo "Pieces of Eight" was released as a flexi disc exclusive in the May issue of Modern Drummer magazine.

1987: Hold Your Fire Release

In 1987, the album Hold Your Fire was released, continuing Peart's exploration of diverse lyrical themes.

November 1988: Cycling Tour Through Cameroon

In November 1988, Peart embarked on a month-long bicycling tour through Cameroon, which would later inspire his first book.

1989: Presto Release

In 1989, the album Presto was released, furthering Peart's exploration of diverse lyrical themes.

1991: Peart Performs at Buddy Rich Memorial Concert

In 1991, Neil Peart was invited by Buddy Rich's daughter to play at the Buddy Rich Memorial Scholarship Concert in New York City and performed for the first time with the Buddy Rich Big Band.

1991: Roll the Bones Release

In 1991, the album Roll the Bones was released, continuing Peart's trend of exploring diverse lyrical themes.

1993: Counterparts Release

In 1993, the album Counterparts was released, and Peart continued to explore diverse lyrical motifs, including love and relationships, topics he had previously avoided.

1994: Peart Becomes Pupil of Freddie Gruber

In 1994, Neil Peart became a friend and pupil of jazz instructor Freddie Gruber. It was during this time that Peart revamped his playing style by incorporating jazz and swing components.

1994: Burning for Buddy Tribute Album

In 1994, Neil Peart produced and played on the Buddy Rich tribute album Burning for Buddy: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Rich.

1996: The Masked Rider Published

In 1996, Peart's first book, The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa, was published, detailing his experiences on a bicycling tour through Cameroon.

1997: Second Buddy Rich Tribute Album

In 1997, Neil Peart released the second Buddy Rich tribute album titled Burning for Buddy: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Rich to regain his aplomb.

2001: Peart Decides to Return to Recording and Performing

In early 2001, Neil Peart announced to his bandmates that he was ready to return to recording and performing with Rush.

2002: Release of Vapor Trails

In 2002, Rush released the album Vapor Trails, marking the band's return after Peart's personal tragedies.

2002: Vapor Trails Release

In 2002, the album Vapor Trails was released, focusing heavily on Peart's personal struggles and humanitarian issues, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

2004: R30 30th Anniversary Tour

In 2004, Neil Peart's solo from the R30 30th anniversary tour became the example in the Anatomy of a Drum Solo instructional DVD.

2005: Release of Anatomy of a Drum Solo DVD

In 2005, Neil Peart's instructional DVD Anatomy of a Drum Solo was released, examining how he constructs a drum solo using his solo from the 2004 R30 30th anniversary tour as an example.

September 2006: Roadshow: Landscape with Drums Released

In September 2006, Peart released Roadshow: Landscape with Drums – A Concert Tour by Motorcycle, detailing Rush's 30th anniversary tour.

March 20, 2007: Snakes & Arrows Drum Kit

On March 20, 2007, Neil Peart revealed that Drum Workshop prepared a new set of red-painted maple shells with black hardware and gold "Snakes & Arrows" logos for him to play on the Snakes & Arrows Tour.

2007: Aqua Teen Hunger Force Cameo

In 2007, Peart had a brief cameo in the film Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters, with samples of his drumming being played.

2007: Peart Takes Formal Drum Lessons

In early 2007, Neil Peart took formal drum lessons under Peter Erskine, augmenting his swing style.

October 18, 2008: Peart Performs at Buddy Rich Memorial Concert Again

On October 18, 2008, Neil Peart performed at the Buddy Rich Memorial Concert at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom. The concert has since been released on DVD.

2008: Adventures of Power Cameo

In 2008, Peart had a brief cameo in the film Adventures of Power and participated in a drum-off competition in the DVD extra.

2009: Film Appearances

In 2009, Peart appeared in concert with Rush in the film I Love You, Man, and in a Funny or Die web short.

2010: Time Machine Tour Drum Kit

During the 2010 Time Machine Tour, Neil Peart used a new Drum Workshop kit outfitted with copper-plated hardware and time machine designs to match the tour's steampunk themes.

May 2011: Far and Away: A Prize Every Time Published

In May 2011, Peart's book, Far and Away: A Prize Every Time, was published, detailing his travels in North and South America.

2011: Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland

In 2011, Neil Peart's drum solo was included as a separate track in Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland.

2012: Clockwork Angels Novelization Release

In 2012, Peart collaborated with Kevin J. Anderson to release a novelization of Rush's album Clockwork Angels.

2014: Far and Near: On Days like These Published

In 2014, Peart's follow-up book, Far and Near: On Days like These, was published, covering his travels in North America and Europe.

December 2015: Peart Announces Retirement from Touring

In December 2015, Neil Peart announced his retirement from touring in an interview with Drumhead Magazine.

December 2015: Peart Describes Himself as a "Retired Drummer"

In December 2015, Neil Peart described himself as a "retired drummer" in an interview, signaling a potential end to his touring career.

2015: Clockwork Lives Published

In 2015, Peart and Kevin J. Anderson published Clockwork Lives, a loose sequel to the Clockwork Angels novel.

2015: R40 Live Tour

In 2015, Peart participated in the R40 Live Tour, with his travels between stops forming the basis for his final book.

2016: Far and Wide: Bring That Horizon to Me! Published

In 2016, Peart's last book, Far and Wide: Bring That Horizon to Me!, was published, based on his travels during the R40 Live Tour of 2015.

2016: Last Book Release

In 2016, Peart's last non-fiction book was released, marking the end of his authorial contributions during his lifetime.

January 2018: Rush Disbands

In January 2018, Alex Lifeson confirmed that Rush had disbanded, citing Peart's health issues as a contributing factor.

January 2018: Rush Is "Basically Done"

In January 2018, Alex Lifeson confirmed that Rush is "basically done", further solidifying Peart's retirement from the band.

2019: Graphic Novel of Clockwork Stories

In 2019, a graphic novel was created from Clockwork stories.

June 2022: Clockwork Destiny Published

In June 2022, Clockwork Destiny, the final novel co-authored by Peart and Kevin J. Anderson, was published posthumously.