Neal Peart wrote some amazing lyrics, so deep in their meanings of everyday life. I have friends who worked and toured with them back in the day, both before and after the unfortunate tragedies in Neal’s family life. They all have said about him that he read so much, and about so many things, that he could carry on deep conversation on just about anything. He was also, by far, the most conservative person in the group. Also a bit of a recluse, both on tour and in his personal life. His home was literally hidden in the middle of nowhere in Quebec.
Huge Rush fan since 1979. Neil Peart was truly a mensch. Reading his motorcycling adventures (55,000 miles in 14 months) reveals so much about him. He was a master drummer nad his lyrics are timeless. The music world misses him. I miss him. Some of his insights - the first one is my favorite as I 100% agree with it:
When I’m riding my motorcycle, I’m glad to be alive. When I stop riding my motorcycle, I’m glad to be alive.
We’re only immortal for a limited time.
Everything in moderation, with occasional excess
I have come to believe that anger and grudges are burning embers in the heart.
Adventures suck when you’re having them.
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Half the world cries Half the world laughs Half the world tries To be the other half
The Rush documentary “Beyond the Lighted Stage” is a must see for any Rush fan and really for non Rush fans. After watching that movie almost anyone with a brain would be cheering them on whether they liked the music or not. They went their own way despite the record companies wanting 4 minute singles, they kept sending them side long songs and concept albums and then the fans took over and the record companies learned their lesson. Rush fans are probably the most fervent in the world, with the one exception of Taylor Swift.
I believe your friends. Neal was truly talented with words and music. In the early days, people would talk about his intelligence, and the story I heard was that Neal was a schoolteacher who taught mythology. I don’t know how that rumor started. I now see it wasn’t true. He was simply well-read and self-taught. It’s sad that he had so much heartbreak in his life.
Neal became more “socialist” over time.