Why do people say Neil Peart is the greatest drummer ever? (First time reaction!)

Okay. I get it.

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[rochesterjharmon]

The professor was not just a "drummer." He was a percussionist, a composer, a poet, a student. The GOAT

[juanblanco]

I saw an interview with Stewart Copeland. He said Peart may not be everyone’s favorite drummer. But he is most definitely your favorite drummers favorite drummer.

[JohnnyPowers-oohg]

I have never added a comment to anything on the web before in my life(60 years old). But if anyone can name a band member (not just drummer) who has a more significant baseline part of every song written since he joined the band, written many of the lyrics, designed a number of the album cover art and influenced almost every musician in his genre (for at least a generation ), and will continue to do so for several generations to come, I'll consider the debate of whether he is the GOAT or not. Had the privilege of shaking his hand after a concert in Phoenix in 1982 or '83 (too many years to be certain, Subdivisions Tour). My highest compliment possible is that he was a "regular dude". Asked me if I enjoyed the show & meant it. There was zero "I'm a superstar and you're a nobody". He genuinely wanted to know if I enjoyed myself. Life long respect to that man. RIP Neil.

[improveourselves]

He's not listening to a metronome, he is the metronome 🙂

[lauriivey]

And this in the middle of a 3 hour concert ... the man was a machine ... RIP

[davparksoh]

Pro drummer here - Neil inspired more ppl to become drummers in the 70's thru 90's era than anyone else in rock - 40 yr career - same group - incredible live performances - he just did more than other rock drummers - more styles, time signatures, sounds, technical phrasings, creative global beats - his endurance was unmatched - after seeing them live, you really knew you experienced something, a master of his craft (besides being one of musics' most gifted lyricists) - he gave something for everyone - rudiments, polyrhythms, latin, jazz, classical, metal, funk/r&b, hip hop, afro cuban all into rock - made it a new hybrid - so many hits on the radio - an absolute rock legend -

[garysteinert]

As Geddy said… it’s Peart. Ear, with a P in the front and a T in the back

They use Neil to set up the timing at the metronome factory.

[jamricsloe]

He wasn't just a drummer. He was a composer.

[anthonybranch]

He was NOT listening to a metronome. He WAS the metronome.

Plus, Peart had 4-limb independence. That is, EACH hand and EACH foot could maintain a completely different rhythm SIMULTANEOUSLY.

Peart was a monster on the kit, but also put an enormous amount of thought and variety into his routines and his accompaniments.

AND he wrote all of Rush's deeply thought-provoking lyrics.

It's no wonder he was called "The Professor."

[dougbartleson]

Nothing make me happier than watching people experience the Professor for the first time.

[mrpeartssandwich]

Neil Peart (pronounced Peert): Known to his bandmates as "Pratt" and to fans as "The Professor". Always looking to improve, he would take rhythms and sounds from different cultures, most notably Africa and China where he toured the continents on bicycle. The marimba (xylophone) piece you hear is from a instrumental he created called "Pieces of Eight" in the eighties. The big band stuff at the end is a tribute to those drummers at that time particularly Buddy Rich. The music is played by triggers on the electric part of his set. He wrote 99% of Rush's lyrics. You would do yourself a great service and listen to the Rush library. Although never commercially as recognized as bands like Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd, Rush was a key ingredient in the progressive rock movement selling out concert halls for 40 years and killing it every time! He died in January of 2020 from brain cancer and the music world lost the greatest drummer of all time.

[favforsue]

My late husband worshipped Rush and Neil Peart. I went to many Rush concerts and listened to Rush at home and the car all the time, but Rush was never my cup of tea. However, I loved Neil Peart and his drum solos. My husband has been gone for 21 years, but I still search for Neil’s drum solos from time to time. That’s why the algorithm brought me here. I’m pretty sure my husband was waiting for Neil in heaven with a big WELCOME sign. 😂

[chrisnichols]

My brother had me listening to rush when I was a toddler in the 70’s. He was killed when I was nine but I never stopped listening. Saw them live in 2011 and just stood in awe and cried watching Neil on stage and how magnificent he was. ❤

[williamtauriello]

Neil Peart was quoted as saying that drumming while in Rush was akin to running a marathon while doing trigonometry.

And he made it look easy.
Thank you, Neil.
RIP

[SuperNance]

He wrote that entire composition. It’s not just off-the-cuff drumming. Imagine remembering this entire set. In his mind’s eye he sees every note and translates it to his hands and feet. That’s why he looks extremely focused. In his mind’s eye he’s reading the sheet music. Yes, drum musicians read sheet music specifically for drums only. I’m a drummer, 65 yrs old, a mom, and a Nana of 10 grandkids, and he IS the GOAT. Watch how he switches how he holds the sticks. First in a rock n roll grip (loose freeform), then drum line proper grip, back to rock n roll grip. Back and forth. It’s incredible. That drum set you see is now in a museum enclosed in an acrylic panel surround. They’re set exactly as how he played them. Every drum and cymbal was made specifically from his specs. He wanted each to have a very specific sound. He also wrote the lyrics to all their songs. And no metronome. What you hear is his perfect 4:4 time from the floor bass, and smattered in from a high hat, and one with a tom that has bells attached to the rim. He double hits that bass drum with precision. Consistent 4:4 count no matter what. There’s a glimpse of him mouthing, “1-2-3-4.” The count for 4:4 time is 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and, keep repeating. 3:4 time is 1 and 2 and 3 and 1 and 2 and 3 and, keep repeating. 2:4 count is 1 and 2 and 1 and 2 and, keep repeating. He always wore wrestling shoes so he could have freer movement with his legs, ankles, and feet, and he could feel the pedals not hindered from the sole of a shoe. He’s a musician, not a drummer. Drums are a percussion instrument, like a trumpet is a brass instrument. Just incredible drumming. Side note: I wrote out the time stamp not for you because you play guitar and you know the counts. It’s for people who don’t play an instrument that read my comment.

[jeremycochrane]

One day I was talking music with my ex-wife's dad. He was a huge Rush fan! He had seen them in concert over 40 times.
I was telling her dad about how much I love the drums and who my favorite drummers were. Without saying a word he got up and put in a dvd (Rush in Rio if I am remembering correctly) and came and sat back down.
He turns it on and says, "You like drums, huh? Neil Peart has a brain controlling each of his limbs, we call him the professor"
At this time in my life I had really only heard the songs Tom Sawyer and working man.
We sat and watched the entire concert together and I had a new favorite band and drummer by the end of it.
I only wish I could've seen them live.
I look back very fondly on that memory.
R.I.P. Neil Peart

[Abraided]

If you want a real tour of what Rush was capable of, react to Xanadu live. Watch it and remember that this was 3 people in the 80's before computer tracking or assistance. Every sound, created by the three people, on stage, in real time. This includes Neil doing all the percussion in addition to playing drums. The bass player plays bass, guitar and keyboards, some of them at the same time. The guitar player is playing a double necked guitar (while the bass player is playing a bass with a 12 string guitar on it as well). That video will blow your mind with it's musicianship.

[willdouglas]

You ain't never seen a setup like Neil's and you will never hear anyone like him again. No one can match his accuracy and his melodic changes. No metronome, just the professor. Glad you showed him respect. RIP Niel.

[bobcarn]

Neil is great not because of any particular performance or album, but because of how much he contributed to the art of percussion over the decades. He was amazing. The "band" you heard were digital samples of a full band. He hired a band to record various samples he then assigned to digital drums and activates. His drum solos over the decades were each a highlight of the concert. His drumming on their albums was always innovative and melodic and standout. At one point in their late career, I was watching them in concert and realized we were actually watching a living legend.

[cntrldfision]

Every member of RUSH should be considered musical geniuses.