Being partially weaned
(musically) on Rush by my amazing older brother when I was a just a wee
'schmuck' (as he would quite frequently call me), the news of
Neil Peart's death has hit me as a bit of a shock. I was aware that Rush played their very last tour some time ago, but I didn't really know why the band was calling it quits. It's all making sense now. DAMN cancer!!!
We lost an incredibly phenomenal, skillful, talented and gifted musician / drummer, lyricist, writer... the likes of which (dare I say it) Canada may likely never, ever, see repeated again - that calibre of craftsmanship, level of skill - from one of its own, in the form of a drummer who also crafts lyrics just as incredibly well as intricate drum fills, patterns, parts, etc..
Never got to see Rush play live, but did get to hear them play live, in person, on two separate unplanned occasions, by complete surprise and I can attest, that what you heard on record, was definitely what you heard in real life, at a Rush gig! If not even more enthralling. It's quite mind-blowing how incredible a 3pc unit, band, can sound when all the dynamics are met spot-on, right-on, head-on. Musically speaking, that is. Nothing against Geddy, but Lee's vocals
(just like Dylan's own) did take an
awful lot of getting used to in the beginning. It's an acquired taste, for sure. But getting back to game-changing 3pc bands, they're truly hard to come by these days, especially via the influx of younger bands. Even though they weren't the only ones to do so, Rush were one of
the bands that raised that bar, so to speak, and raised it pretty fcukin' high.
It's been a while since I played any stuff from Rush. I too, will be queuing-up a lot of old favourites and new-to-me material, in the coming days (more like, possibly months ahead). Never did get around to exploring much further than what my brother and Canadian radio & TV introduced me to. Time I changed this. Have to look into all the documentaries Rush released as well as track down each of the books Mr. Peart penned, on his various travels and what-not. He loved his motorbike, would often ride instead of travelling on his separate tour bus. I love memoirs, biographies, especially when they're in some way tied to Canada, however slight-ly. Have this gut feeling, Peart's books are going to be really great reads. Hoping that they're still in print.
Thank you Mr. Peart, for adding to this place - this world - in more ways than just musically. Rest in peace...
