Since 1988, the year in which I was introduced to Rush, Neil has been my preeminent EARTHLY teacher.
When Rush was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame, Neil spoke of inspiration, and how inspiring someone is one of the greatest things you can do.
Neil has inspired me to read more, write better, drum harder, want an escape on my own BMW motorcycle, and view our world with unrelenting intelligence and logic.
Because of Peart, I discovered Ayn Rand, Buddy Rich, and a shared love of Tolkien.
Neil taught by example that you can strive for excellence in every layer of life while maintaining self-resilience, integrity, and humility.
When I heard that he was gone, passing away from this physical realm, I mourned for months, unable to listen to music, let alone Rush.
Because of the inherent wisdom, brevity, and power within Peart’s lyrics, I still become emotional when listening to Rush.
Before our Nathan was born, my wife let me add one more middle name so I could honor Neil Peart, whose initials are NEP.
Nathan
Eric
Patrick
Gardner
Our 4th and final kid shares initials with Neil E Peart 🙂
I’ve been blessed to know Neil Peart through his words, actions, and Rush, the greatest band of all time.
Even though he’s not with us anymore, we’re blessed to have one last lesson from our great professor, Neil Peart.
“Suddenly you were gone, from all the lives you left your mark upon.” – Neil Peart, #Rush
Nights growing colder
Children growing up
old friends growing older
Experience slips away…
Neil Peart, Time Stand Still
We miss you, Neil
What was there is gone
The road unwinds before me
And I go riding on…
IT’S MY TURN TO DRIVE”
We just need a break
From the headlong race”
Song: Between Sun and Moon
– Neil Peart, Rush
Agree 1000% with your view. RUSH is always emotional to myself. I just saw two shows – the ones in Brazil – and I really regret I didn’t move to USA ten years before, to be nearer other shows. I grow up appreciating music after listening THE BAND for the first time, on Grace Under Pressure. I couldn’t believe somebody could make so complex music, except for the Classic composers. Due to RUSH I simply cannot appreciate two other rock bands considered “the greats”, one really makes me sleep (the one from England), and the other is disgusting in every way (will not write their names).