Calling Neil Peart a drummer feels a little inadequate.
He was a drummer in roughly the same way Eddie Van Halen played a little guitar.
In this special Stuck in the ’80s memorial episode, we remember Neil Peart, the legendary drummer and primary lyricist for Rush, who died in 2020 at age 67 after battling brain cancer.
For generations of musicians, Peart wasn't simply one of rock's great drummers.
Neil Peart and Rush Enter the ’80s
Rush arrived in the ’80s already established as progressive-rock giants, but the new decade brought some of the band's most accessible — and enduring — music.
First came Permanent Waves in 1980, featuring “The Spirit of Radio” and “Freewill.”
Then, in 1981, Rush released Moving Pictures.
For many fans, it's the definitive Rush album.
“Tom Sawyer.” “Limelight.” “Red Barchetta.” “YYZ.”
The album managed to preserve the band's formidable musicianship while packaging it into tighter songs that worked on rock radio.
And behind it all was Peart, delivering drum performances that caused countless aspiring musicians to sit behind a kit and immediately reconsider their career choices.
Rush Embraces the ’80s
Rush didn't simply carry its ’70s sound into a new decade.
Synthesizers became increasingly prominent on albums such as Signals, Grace Under Pressure, Power Windows and Hold Your Fire.
“Subdivisions” became one of Rush's signature ’80s songs, while tracks including “Distant Early Warning,” “The Big Money” and “Time Stand Still” showed a band willing to change even when it already had a devoted audience.
Peart's lyrics evolved as well, exploring alienation, technology, relationships and the experience of growing older.
Remembering Neil Peart
Peart was famously private offstage, but behind the drum kit he was impossible to ignore.
His enormous setups became legendary. His solos were concerts within concerts. His technical precision inspired generations of drummers.
But Peart's legacy is bigger than technique.
As Rush's primary lyricist, he helped give the band its intellectual and emotional identity. And after suffering unimaginable personal tragedies later in life, he rebuilt his world, returned to music and wrote openly about that journey.
In this Neil Peart memorial episode, we celebrate his life, his music and the extraordinary contribution he made to Rush and rock history.
There will never be another Neil Peart.
But fortunately, the records remain.
And prepare to air-drum far beyond your actual abilities.
Join Us on The ’80s Cruise
Want to celebrate the music and artists of our favorite decade with thousands of fellow fans? Join Stuck in the ’80s aboard The ’80s Cruise for live music, trivia, podcasts and plenty of other ’80s fun at sea.
Use promo code STUCK when booking to receive $250 in onboard credit.
No 47-piece drum kit required.
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