Neil Ellwood Peart was a Canadian and American musician, known as the drummer and primary lyricist of the rock band Rush. He was known to fans by the nickname 'The Professor', derived from the Gilligan's Island character of the same name. His drumming was renowned for its technical proficiency and his live performances for their exacting nature and stamina. Peart earned numerous awards for his musical performances, including an induction into the Modern Drummer Readers Poll Hall of Fame in 1983 at the age of thirty, making him the youngest person ever so honoured.
Peart performing in 2008
Peart (right, behind Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee) performing with Rush
Neil Peart and his 360-degree drum kit
Neil Peart began incorporating electronic drums with 1984's Grace Under Pressure
Rush was a Canadian rock band that primarily comprised Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson (guitar) and Neil Peart. The band formed in Toronto in 1968 with Lifeson, drummer John Rutsey, and bass guitarist/vocalist Jeff Jones, whom Lee immediately replaced. After Lee joined, the band went through several line-up changes before arriving at its classic power trio line-up with the addition of Peart in July 1974, who replaced Rutsey four months after the release of their self-titled debut album; this line-up remained intact for the remainder of the band's career.
Promotional image of the band in 1981 (left to right): Geddy Lee, Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson
Alex Lifeson, co-founder of Rush
An Oberheim OB-X synthesizer, as used by Geddy Lee on the albums Moving Pictures and Signals
Neil Peart began incorporating Simmons Electronic Drums beginning with Grace Under Pressure, 1984