Neil Peart: Sep 12, 1952 - Jan 7, 2020
On Friday, Jan 10, we received the tragic news that Neil Peart, drummer for Rush, passed away at age 67 from brain cancer (Glioblastoma) on Tuesday, Jan 7, 2020. He had been quietly battling the disease for the last 3-1/2 years according to a statement posted on Rush.com.
The news of Neil's death has shocked many around the world. Three days later, tributes continue to pour in. You can read many of these as retweets and comments on my Neil Peart News Twitter account. Even though it's difficult to lose such an important person much too soon, reading about how Neil inspired so many has been incredibly helpful.
Neil is survived by his wife Carrie and daughter Olivia. Other survivors include his family, Glen and Betty Peart, two sisters, and a brother. My thoughts and condolences go out to them, as well as his bandmates Alex and Geddy, the Rush family, friends, collaborators, and fans.
While I'm also just a "fan" and never had the opportunity to meet Neil, his death is a great personal loss. I've spent most of my life studying Neil's drumming, lyrics, music, and writing -- and even put together this website to share what I learned with others.
Statement from Rush.com:
I'm also posting the intro and lyrics to "The Garden" from Clockwork Angels, Rush's last studio album. I think it provides a nice lens from which to view this "moment." If "love and respect" were the treasure of Neil Peart's life, he succeeded beyond measure.
It is what it is – and whatever
Time is still the infinite jest
The arrow flies when you dream, the hours tick away – the cells tick away
The Watchmaker keeps to his schemes
The hours tick away – they tick away
The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect
So hard to earn, so easily burned
In the fullness of time
A garden to nurture and protect
In the rise and the set of the sun
‘Til the stars go spinning – spinning ’round the night
It is what it is – and forever
Each moment a memory in flight
The arrow flies while you breathe, the hours tick away – the cells tick away
The Watchmaker has time up his sleeve
The hours tick away – they tick away
The treasure of a life is a measure of love and respect
The way you live, the gifts that you give
In the fullness of time
It’s the only return that you expect
The future disappears into memory
With only a moment between
Forever dwells in that moment
Hope is what remains to be seen
The news of Neil's death has shocked many around the world. Three days later, tributes continue to pour in. You can read many of these as retweets and comments on my Neil Peart News Twitter account. Even though it's difficult to lose such an important person much too soon, reading about how Neil inspired so many has been incredibly helpful.
Neil is survived by his wife Carrie and daughter Olivia. Other survivors include his family, Glen and Betty Peart, two sisters, and a brother. My thoughts and condolences go out to them, as well as his bandmates Alex and Geddy, the Rush family, friends, collaborators, and fans.
While I'm also just a "fan" and never had the opportunity to meet Neil, his death is a great personal loss. I've spent most of my life studying Neil's drumming, lyrics, music, and writing -- and even put together this website to share what I learned with others.
Statement from Rush.com:
It is with broken hearts and the deepest sadness that we must share the terrible news that on Tuesday our friend, soul brother and band mate of over 45 years, Neil, has lost his incredibly brave three and a half year battle with brain cancer (Glioblastoma). We ask that friends, fans, and media alike understandably respect the family’s need for privacy and peace at this extremely painful and difficult time. Those wishing to express their condolences can choose a cancer research group or charity of their choice and make a donation in Neil Peart’s name. Rest in peace brother.Neil Peart September 12, 1952 – January 7, 2020
I'm also posting the intro and lyrics to "The Garden" from Clockwork Angels, Rush's last studio album. I think it provides a nice lens from which to view this "moment." If "love and respect" were the treasure of Neil Peart's life, he succeeded beyond measure.
LONG AGO I READ A STORY FROM ANOTHER TIMELINE about a character named Candide. He also survived a harrowing series of misadventures and tragedies, then settled on a farm near Constantinople. Listening to a philosophical rant, Candide replied, “That is all very well, but now we must tend our garden.”
I have now arrived at that point in my own story. There is a metaphorical garden in the acts and attitudes of a person’s life, and the treasures of that garden are love and respect. I have come to realize that the gathering of love and respect – from others and for myself – has been the real quest of my life.In this one of many possible worlds, all for the best, or some bizarre test?
“Now we must tend our garden.”
It is what it is – and whatever
Time is still the infinite jest
The arrow flies when you dream, the hours tick away – the cells tick away
The Watchmaker keeps to his schemes
The hours tick away – they tick away
The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect
So hard to earn, so easily burned
In the fullness of time
A garden to nurture and protect
In the rise and the set of the sun
‘Til the stars go spinning – spinning ’round the night
It is what it is – and forever
Each moment a memory in flight
The arrow flies while you breathe, the hours tick away – the cells tick away
The Watchmaker has time up his sleeve
The hours tick away – they tick away
The treasure of a life is a measure of love and respect
The way you live, the gifts that you give
In the fullness of time
It’s the only return that you expect
The future disappears into memory
With only a moment between
Forever dwells in that moment
Hope is what remains to be seen