History of Neil Peart in Timeline
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.
September 12, 1952: Neil Peart's Birth
On September 12, 1952, Neil Ellwood Peart was born in Canada. He would later become the drummer and lyricist for the rock band Rush.
1956: Peart Family Moves to Port Dalhousie
In 1956, Neil Peart's family moved to the Port Dalhousie area of St. Catharines, Ontario. His father became parts manager for Dalziel Equipment.
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.
1983: Inducted into Modern Drummer Hall of Fame
In 1983, Neil Peart was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame, acknowledging him as one of the best rock drummers of all time.
1983: Induction into Modern Drummer Readers Poll Hall of Fame
In 1983, Neil Peart was inducted into the Modern Drummer Readers Poll Hall of Fame. At the age of thirty, he became the youngest person ever to be honored.
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.
October 1993: Interview with Jean Chrétien
In October 1993, shortly before the Canadian federal election, Peart appeared in an interview with Liberal Party leader Jean Chrétien, stating he was an undecided voter.
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.
1994: Rush Backstage Club Newsletter
In 1994, Peart distanced himself from strict Objectivism in his Rush Backstage Club Newsletter, while still emphasizing the importance of individual justice and liberty.
August 10, 1997: Death of Selena Taylor
On August 10, 1997, Neil Peart's 19-year-old daughter Selena Taylor was killed in a car crash.
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.
June 20, 1998: Death of Jacqueline Taylor
On June 20, 1998, Neil Peart's common-law wife, Jacqueline Taylor, died of cancer, which Peart attributed to a "broken heart" following their daughter's death.
September 9, 2000: Peart Marries Carrie Nuttall
On September 9, 2000, Neil Peart married photographer Carrie Nuttall in Los Angeles.
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.
2005: Described as a "left-leaning libertarian"
In 2005, Peart described himself as a "left-leaning libertarian", clarifying his political views.
April 2006: Acquisition of "West Coast kit"
In April 2006, Neil Peart took delivery of his "West Coast kit", configured similarly to the R30 set, in a Tobacco Sunburst finish over curly maple exterior ply, with chrome hardware.
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: Ranked on "Worst Lyricists" List
In 2007, Peart was ranked No. 2 on Blender's list of "worst lyricists in rock," though this contrasted with Allmusic's assessment of him as "one of rock's most accomplished lyricists."
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.
June 2009: Announcement of Peart and Nuttall Expecting a Child
In June 2009, Neil Peart announced that he and Carrie Nuttall were expecting their first child.
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.
June 2012: Rolling Stone Interview
In a June 2012 Rolling Stone interview, Peart stated that Ayn Rand's objectivist philosophy was no longer influential to him, marking a shift from his earlier identification with it.
2012: Clockwork Angels Novelization Release
In 2012, Peart collaborated with Kevin J. Anderson to release a novelization of Rush's album Clockwork Angels.
2014: Peart Acquires U.S. Citizenship
In 2014, Neil Peart acquired U.S. citizenship.
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.
2015: Peart's Views on the Democratic Party
In 2015, Peart stated in an interview with Rolling Stone that he viewed the US Democratic Party as the "lesser evil,".
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.
January 7, 2020: Neil Peart's Death
On January 7, 2020, Neil Peart, the drummer and lyricist for Rush, died at the age of 67 after a three-and-a-half-year battle with glioblastoma.
June 12, 2021: Death of Glen Peart
On June 12, 2021, Neil Peart's father, Glen, died of cancer.
June 2022: Clockwork Destiny Published
In June 2022, Clockwork Destiny, the final novel co-authored by Peart and Kevin J. Anderson, was published posthumously.
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