Web Exclusive: Neil Peart On Drumming

[grassy00]

Thinking mans drummer, everything has its place with neil.

[gunzlingerxj]

Rush is a band of truly masterful artists. They all took the time to know their instruments and are respectful of their influences. They are the what bands and musicians alike should aspire to be.

[TAILLGUNNERR]

Great interview

[pryt86]

greatest drummer ever

[ldmb1966]

worlds greatest drummer

[savantiflag]

A master of words.

[mwengel62]

One of the greatest drummers of all time.

[visionmaster153]

Neil - the gentleman of rock.

[falconseye97]

Neil has a fantastic voice!

[glezzery62]

I love watching this. To see Neil just utterly gush intelligence and how quick and fleet his mind works is inspirational. How many people speak that eloquently and deeply in so little time...

[Dannymusic1999]

Neil is never satisfied..., he now needs to change his style of playing most if not all of the time.

Now thats a sign of a great musician. Watch and learn, because thats what music is all about.. ``CHANGE``.

[shed412]

Neil is the only person that can talk more than interviewer

[spottedcuscus]

Awesome interview. Neil is so interesting to listen too. Wouldn't it be great to have a beer with him, even though I don't drink.

[ricky4001cs]

Very good interview. Glad to see he decided to come back to talking openly with people.

[TheLiverythm]

neil is cool and progressively awesome

[TheLiverythm]

fredy gruber inspired neil to go progressive! i pray for freddy's death

[TheLiverythm]

i love him i am americas biggest fan neil if you see this i love you you inspire me to be awesome! you are my hero i bow down to you!

[roniszR]

@live2drumit Got that right.

[live2drumit]

he talks fucking fast

[gozac123]

Oh that collision comparison seems somewhat... touchy.

[acidheadzzzz]

I think Neil is an genius...I think he's smarter than most

[MetalDrummer776]

@acidheadzzzz Hes a god lol

[thevisi0naryy]

@acidheadzzzz lol that sentance is hilarious

[toynazi]

wonder what he thinks of tony royster jr?

[SeerTrulth]

Young and old, take a look at pure energy and human honesty. Go, go, go, Mr. Peart.

[TheKrystahlPhoenix]

I wonder if all drummers everywhere have a tendency to become animated with their hands when they talk :D

That was cute. I tried to imagine him not using his hands to illustrate what he's saying.

lol

[JaccRabbit52]

I like Neil's voice. It's somewhat soothing.

[140jeff15834]

That's not a hairline. His hair was just burned so many times when his drumsticks caught fire.

Neil is one B.A. son of a bitch.

[Eat5hitCrytek]

LOL I how he's just brutally honest....and humble too.

What an awesome dude.

[dwilmer7]

Notice how gracefully Neil answered the somewhat fuktarded first question

[crayhead]

Is it me or does Neil seem like the coolest dude on the planet??

[Ideservethemoney]

Neil's being candid. Much his approach to music is very cognitive and mental driven. You can see while he's playing, focused and serious...Now just memorizing all those arrangements and fills takes a certain mental capacity, but then actually playing and creating that rhythm is a whole other story. Just a unique and gifted world class drummer.

[69drummerdan]

@Ideservethemoney Neil is a great rock drummer. But, that's where his skills end..... His Jazz playing was embarrassing. Most Neil fans are not students of the drums. Its very easy for them ramble on about drums when they don't have a clue. I really enjoyed his playing up until the 90's. Now he is just boring and so overrated.

[Ideservethemoney]

@69drummerdan I'm not a student of drums, your right. I do play though, and have some unique funk rock beats...Your salsa playing is tight dude, saw your page, definitely groove well...Don't think it's fair to call Neal boring though.

[69drummerdan]

@Ideservethemoney I love what he did in the 70's and 80's. But, when the 90's came around his playing changed. I miss the old Neil.

[MIKEPEARTNOY]

I wish he'd bang me as hard as he bangs his drums.

[GabrielNeil21]

@snaredrum110 No proof given of what you say? Check. Pointless statements? Check. Constant repetition? Check. You are either a troll or an idiot or both. Not interested either way. Fail troll is fail.

[SuperMegaUberGenius]

unconfounded boring to GOING THRU CHQANGES admired and mon padre et spiritus erkin halven

[MrMoterhed]

Snaredum...........you are a troll and a shitty one at that....not a drummer or any type of musician whatsoever. You aren't fooling anyone on here and never have. Just a pile of garbage hiding behind a computer keyboard living in your parents basement. THAT IS IT!!!

[GabrielNeil21]

@snaredrum110 Um, what? Firstly success is not measured in number of friends. Secondly, I may be middle class, but being boring is relative, so fuck you. Thirdly, I doubt you're as good as Peart on drums, but even if you were you'd still be a total douchebag.

[TheMirrorMystic]

Best drummer period.

[zombofreakazoid]

Well, he didn't go smash his drums after hearing someone really good because he's Neil Peart! No one's better than him! No one could make him want to do that! :D

[jfrankart]

this man made me want to pick up a drumstick. when you can do that for someone snaredrum, when you can change their life, or give them a passion, then you can run your suckhole :XD

[Th3Trooper]

@snaredrum110 Well, are you a drummer? And if so please post some damn videos and stop talking out of your ass

[MrMoterhed]

snaredum,,,,,,Im sure the drum professor is shaking in his boots......after all it's not too often that a videoless moron (like yourself) who hides behind a computer keyboard makes such foolish claims!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MrMoterhed]

snaredum........Will your parents be getting you a video camera for Christmas?? You know....so you can finally post a video of your drumming skills. I didn't think so!!! I guess you should learn how to play instead first rather than claiming you can in real life huh??? Back under your rock troll!!!!!!!!!!

[Th3Trooper]

@snaredrum110 Nope, Overated isn't you must mean Overrated?

[GabrielNeil21]

@snaredrum110 Stop trolling, you're not funny.

[eric80510]

to me solos , guitar, bass or drums are boring. I like when all are playing great together kind of like the DMB . Mathew's band is like everyone in the band is playing a solo but together not alone I know this sounds strange but Niel is great and sounds better in the context of the group.

[CE750]

God he looks like Tom Hanks!

[Th3Trooper]

@snaredrum110 Ovarated isn't a word :)

[bassplyrbobo]

I was thinking the same thing...Spacey and Hanks...funny...Neil is the greatest in my eyes...he's the first drummer I ever dreamed of becoming.

[semiLivedj]

Wow! He knows stuff!

[mcul2112]

good interviewer. shame old Neil isn't very articulate or interesting... ;)

[Jay435]

Wa.it a minute, you guys that's not Neil Peart, that's Kevin Spacey

[dwilmer7]

Tom Hanks and Neil Peart have never been in same room at same time.

[JNJChaos2]

@dwilmer7 it's a conspiracy o.o

[MrJobu73]

The lesson here is the best are always trying to get better. They are usually humble and complementary of others.

[Todzillah]

@MrJobu73 I get the same vibe from Dave Weckl.

[ThePebbleOne]

best drummer in the world.

[gagearmstrong1]

I was going to say he looks like Tom Hanks, but I can see you all realize it already.

[videotitan1]

Official: Neil Peart is half brother to Tom Hanks.

[kermicheo]

usually the best have that attitude of being inspired by fellow musicians instead of being threatened by them. that's why they're so good.

[moshmartyr]

Tom Hanks meets Kevin Spacey

[ziksee]

@moshmartyr yeeaa bro hes got tom hanks's face and he's got the huge kevin spacey forehead!

[sqweebel1]

@moshmartyr My words exactly :)

[Dannymusic1999]

@moshmartyr So what. Neil was around before those guy'.s, so they look like him.

[1nativeaustintexan]

@moshmartyr or Mr.Magoo

[TheRandomCrazyMan]

My God, He looks so much like Tom Hanks

[dogman7771]

No musician has inspired me more (possible exception: Kerry Livgren). Not just because of his ground-breaking drumming, but because of his intelligence and integrity. It comes through in his lyrics...a razor sharp intellect combined with morality. An amazing combination.

[PrimalRhythm]

Mr. Neil Peart is awesome.

[bmccabeutah]

The way to pronounce his name is "PEERT." This is confirmed by Geddy introducing his drum solo and referring to him by his full name on countless bootlegs, as well as the short film that played in venues as the conclusion of the Time Machine tour. Peart himself says "It's just 'PEERT'". It's not "pear" like the fruit with the T on the end, and it's not "Pert" like numbskulls everywhere insist.

[KarlMarxforpresident]

He speaks well.

[jgmartino]

jejeje, Tom Hanks!

[DyingSID666]

@jgmartino I still don't get what all that is about, he looks way more like Kevin Spacey.

[stewscuda]

Neil will always be number 1!! His love for drumming is true.

[bernerdsy]

i never liked peart until i saw this interview. hes a very smart man

[RainbowLogic]

go with him

[lastdaysguitar]

I love that Neal is very flattering to his teachers - he admits to standing on the shoulders of giants, and has very little ego - now pretty much every rock drummer can feel good about the learning process.

[ugleeamerican]

Neil is a genius. I always loved Rush for their meticulous and deliberate sound. Now he wants to be more improvisational. Its like he`s saying, "I want to try to be better than perfect".

[HendrixMarshmallows]

Da man Looks kinda like kevin spacy haha

[shed412]

i hope neil will do an album with big band music

[xtrememachead]

@shed412 he has done a few

[SupportShotgun]

This guy's a freaking genius. I'm so inspired.

[iforgotwhatiwasdoin]

He looks kinda like Tom Hanks

[ptwolf1]

@iforgotwhatiwasdoin TOTALLY! He could be Tom's brother!

[MelodicMantra]

It's pronounced "pert" you stupid fuck.

[wj100393]

@MelodicMantra he pronounced it correctly, it supposed to sound like Peert not Pert

[MelodicMantra]

@wj100393 Um. No. It's not.

[wj100393]

@MelodicMantra um. yes. it is.  Peart, like the fruit Pear with a t on the end. Not Pert, look it up

[tesfan4evr]

Neil Peart is the Chuck Norris of the music world...

[Todzillah]

No one ever credits him as one of the greatest lyricists in Rock N' Roll.

[TheDrumLines]

@Todzillah True, not many know what Neil is the writer behind 98% of all RUSH Lyrics.

So next time you listen to RUSH lyrics, remember those lyrics came straight from the mind of Neil Peart.

[BassWhiz92]

@Todzillah I think blender magazine or some other crap magazine called him the worst lyricist. Crazy world we live in huh

[Todzillah]

@BassWhiz92 Well....I hope the editors genitalia suffers great damage in a nasty cheese grinding accident!

I can't believe that ever made it to print.

[eqsmooth]

@Todzillah Because he rates w/Sting as one of the worst lyricists in music, up there w/Ian Anderson. Jim Morrison & Paul Stanley Not my opinion, but a writer did compile a list a few years ago. It was funny as hell. Blender Magazine, 2007

[JAB5625]

@eqsmooth Sting as one of the worst lyricists ever? Good freaking god. Go smoke some more crack...

[eqsmooth]

@J Your reaction, so strong it is. Who is smoking crack? I don't think I said that or agree w/the sentiment. I said it was NOT my opinion. I was referring to a listing by Blender Magazine in 2007. What that means is that people have different SUBJECTIVE opinions. Goodness in or of of lyrics is not OBJECTIVE. I just saw Sting w/band on the Ellen Show playing "Desert Rose". It was actually horrible. Embarrassing. I saw the "Dream of the Blue Turtles" tour in 1985. Sting was truly great back then.

[JAB5625]

@eqsmooth What are you, Yoda... ? My mistake, the idiots at Blender should get off the pipe then.

[eqsmooth]

@JAB5625 I'm a little more than YODA, I'm Neil.

[JAB5625]

@eqsmooth Armstrong or Diamond?

[eqsmooth]

@JAB5625 SEDAKA. I know you were thinking Rush's drummer, but I can't even pronounce his last name. I just saw a terribly horrific advert for a collection of Neil Diamond CD's. Never liked his work but did I have dinner w/his daughter Elyn once. Lovely gal. We were working on a charity project. We went to Comic Relief together as well. You were so close.

[Rougarou13]

@Todzillah I KNOW RIGHT?!?!

[andtheBeans]

he should use normal people words so i can understand him!

[grifballa]

@andtheBeans he's trying but he's just too smart

[1vrsc]

A Farewell to Kings!!!! Best ever!

[itsthearistocrat]

"Web Exclusive" means too boring for anyone that isn't a musician.

[duder6666]

I feel the same, I hear great music and it makes me want to play!

[HeavyMetalCanuck]

awesome interview! Rush is one of the best bands of all time. Amazingly poetic lyrics and complex drumming by Peart, and amazing bass by Gheddy make this band sooooooooo good!!

[notnilccm]

neil peart = best lyricist ever... period

[SuperMegaUberGenius]

Experimental Glamping

/watch?v=oIQ7YCTgtCk

Steampunk Athiesm Boogze

[snapascrew]

ya dude this was supposed to be on tv a while back but wasn't!

[DannyGloverIsAwesome]

Neil Pert is a fucking asshole. He took a shit in my bathroom and didn't flush.

[llHuckleBuddyll]

@DannyGloverIsAwesome

That shit could be worth a fortune, buddy. You're one lucky person. The toilet of yours will definitely be inducted into the Rock ''n'' Roll Hall of Fame.

[DannyGloverIsAwesome]

@llHuckleBuddyll i had to flush it because he stunk up my whole house with one dump

[Teeebs]

For a guy who apparently doesn't like to do interviews, he sure is fun to listen to. Wish this clip was longer..... :D

[KingZerxst]

@Teeebs Yeah, he's kinda like Thom Yorke in that sense.

[SoaringMuse]

this is why I love RUSH. they continue to evolve and make creating music a process. I stand by my original impression of Peart: fucking hitman, would not like to encounter in dark alley.

[dwilmer7]

NEIL PEART ATE MY GFs BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ModulatedTesticle]

cough* BOSS cough*

[dwilmer7]

i wonder how many words per minute Neil clocks at? Damn he talks fast and he practically interviews himself! PURE AWESOMENESS

[soulstice99]

simply brilliant. a very inspiring man.

[daddysevenpointfiver]

we love the professor!!!

[drummerkid71]

for a guy that never does interviews and rarely speaks during interviews with the band...he sure let loose here....lol. Rock on, Neil !!!!

[myonecent]

Neil's a straight up awesome and genuine guy!

[BLITZKIS]

There is a Solar system in a galaxy somewhere that we dont know about with a planet whose entire population plays percussion. THIS MAN IS THE PERCUSSION GOD OF THAT PLANET.

[Zombieman27]

damn i never knew most of his solos r improvised... that shows that he is so talented and gifted that he can do something crazy on the spot like that

[RockNRoll418]

what a smart man not only on drums but on music!

[SuperMegaUberGenius]

sweet paprika and resh cilantro

feeling stronger everyday going thru changes

/watch?v=pZiv8vkxMac&feature=r­elated

approach the instrument, or Rush the stage when approaches the unreal

/watch?v=pZiv8vkxMac&feature=r­elated

Why Bash when U can Rash?

dedicated that paradiddle, watne and garth, empty side of me

/watch?v=pZiv8vkxMac&feature=r­elated

give me back my rigid metrommeter, don't become lucifer, puhlease!

[BDizDaBest]

Simply put, Neil Peart is a genius...

[JonP1961]

That's cool that he studied with Erskine. There's nothing like expanding one's breadth of experience beyond the primary genre 

[buddybopper]

He's a true musician.

[wilsoncopper]

Only an accomplished musician could really understand the subtle, sometimes verbose communicative form he uses to allow us into his complex world of music. He tries to "dumb it" down for us to show how much he wants to exhibit humility as a strength, but one who states by example the very essence of "change" thru study etc after achieving pinnacle after pinnacle in his career simply stated; he's in a class of his own.

[KDH321111111111]

cool rush covers at derekd2112 too

[keithmurraymusic]

What a humble and brilliant man, raise a cup to Neil Peart, cheers!

[drumwrkshp]

I always thought if a movie was ever made about Rush, Tom Hanks would play Neil and Keifer Sutherland would play Alex. Not sure about Geddy.

[JoeyRapps1]

@drumwrkshp Hanks as Peart, Jeff Daniels as Alex, Patrick Fischler as Geddy and time's a-wastin'!!

[s6g2k]

@bsbungie Yes, that is true. Their appearance on the Colbert report was for exactly that reason. However, I see the videos of Neil just running off stage to get to the truck or whatever after a show. I am sure the tragedies played a role. All I can say is that I am glad he is embracing the public eye to some degree.

[janajon]

Neil inspired my son @ age 3..."I want to be just like Neil Peart!" He is now 10 and very active in the percussion world...RUSH is his favorite band. Just saw their "Time Machine Tour" concert in Austin, TX....GREAT show! RUSH still ROCKS!

[timmoral]

So rare that he speaks, I hope he keeps on sharing his wisdom with us. He really is a drummer I admire, he is one of the most tuneful percussionists I have ever seen.

[s6g2k]

One thing I am appreciating with the likes of this interview and the solo on Late Night is that Neil seems to be coming out of a (sometimes offensive) shell...getting himself out there, being a little public.

[bsbungie]

@s6g2k That's an observation I think I share with you. Sometimes I wonder if it's possibly a chicken/egg thing; that folks that admire Neil are now in a position to actually ask for him, whereas years ago, the people in charge didn't know what was so special for this Neil character. :)

[ForeverMusicFan]

The horn player Neil is referring to who wanted to smash his horn after hearing Miles Davis is Wynton Marsalis. This interview excerpt is similar to Neil Peart's journal story he posted on his website back in November 2009 titled 'Autumn Serenade' about his drumming and how it has evolved.

[bd36576]

I got view 7777

[FELONtheband]

Such an inspiring human being and musician.

[gearsofwar2112]

I agree with @AhKillees, when I saw the little pick in my menu, I thought it was Tom Hanks playing with Neil Peart

[thebestforlast100]

its good to see Neil doing interviews, very smart guy.

dont think he looks like tom hanks or kevin spacey, i think people say that because they look at him quickly and notice subtle comparisons

[francbiss]

I could listen to him for hours. He is so articulate and the way he words his passion for his music and the courage to constantly challenge himself after al these years and adulation is remarkable. Long live Rush!!

[gotsoupguy]

When you ride down a road that is closed, you get to ride back up and see it again.

[gotsoupguy]

When you ride down a road that is closed, you get to ride back up and see it again.

[racefaceec90]

the guy is a machine also.i couldn't keep up with him air drumming at the n.e.c (am not a drummer ;-)what a guy :-D

[skibothy]

neil killed it on letterman

[amrasmord]

This guy is a fuckin' GOD!

[erikk77]

"When someone says 'You inspired me to take up drummiing' , say I'm sorry to your parents."

Busted a Gut !!

[ensisorionis]

hit, hit, hit hit hit

[tracey2112]

What a great guy!! Oh and a great drummer!!!

[Mr96tears]

Awesome drummer! He does look like a mix of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen.

[SuperMegaUberGenius]

hey douchebag cowfart brainweaver who says words like occur or deliberate occult big ban Bubba n Magnetic Angels.

make me wanna, freedom.

vhatever you mayfly think i am

percy omalley douchebag birther hat- high

heiniken's cap red star (winning!)

typical athiest weiner libertarian glenn beck devil's haircut Obama Lanes Prattville batflinch people

working them marketwords eh. make me not wanna.

[AceOfHeart2012]

If you don't love Neil Peart. You are WRONG!!!

[27dedrummer]

theres no "best" drummer. Neil's just extremely dedicated

[SuperMegaUberGenius]

even the loving watchmaker is a revisionist historian

/watch?v=zCEMFVoNJuA

living in the time machine's past, old timer

why anton fig and not dr. fig's Rx over the famous blotter

[machonine]

Fantastic interview, for 4 minutes. Great insight out of Neil. Special!

[kreynolds2008]

Great interview. . .he is the best drummer ever!!!!!

[kreynolds2008]

Great interview. . .best drummer ever!!!!!!

[kreynolds2008]

Great interview. Best drummer ever!!!!!

[canajian]

Neil is such an intelligent talented human being...An amazing musician, and humble in spirit.... A true rarity....

[Aughtabe]

Neil! You sure made George's job easy! He barely got a word in! Love everything you do buddy!

[ohchityall]

Surprised, I thought he didn't do interviews but interesting to hear him talk about technique vs feel. It's so amazing that someone at his stature is so aware and still has the passion to learn and evolve as a musician.

[Woodsyscatt]

Like to Jam with Neil some day!