Rush have been the soundtrack to my life literally the entire time that I have been alive. My dad was a huge Rush fan, and even dragged my mom to the Lincoln, Nebraska stop of the "Hemispheres" tour while she was pregnant with me. I've been told that I spent the entire show "kicking up a storm". Since that first concert, Rush have been a huge constant in my life. I'll never forget my dad playing "Lucky Man", the final track from the debut Emerson, Lake & Palmer album, and following it up with the entire "Moving Pictures" album. The last second of "Lucky Man", and the first chaotic note of "Tom Sawyer" were so similar, and would always blow my young mind.
Growing up, my house was always full of music. My dad was a huge music buff, and I sort of followed in his footsteps, soaking in as much music as my young ears could handle. But my favorite was always Rush (except for a couple of weeks in the late 80's when I said that REM was my favorite band, in the hopes of seeing them in concert). My musical compass was pointed firmly towards the Great White North. I would spend hours just looking at my dad's Rush collection, first on vinyl, and then later on CD. The artwork was always so grand, so well done, and so mesmerizing.
I saw Rush live for the first time on June 20th, of 1990. It was the band's "Presto" tour, and I remember sitting in the seat, slowly feeling my mind be blown. I still wasn't the avid fan that I am now, and so there were many songs that I wasn't too overly familiar with, but by the time I saw the band again in November of 1991 on their "Roll the Bones" tour, I knew every note, every lyric, and ever single nuance. The band played live like the perfectionists they were, and to my young mind, it didn't seem like any note was out of place.
Since those first two shows, I was able to see Rush five more times, each time somehow better than the previous. I raised my kids on the music of Rush. My oldest daughter, Selena Taylor Mallory, was named after Neil Peart's daughter, who tragically passed away in a one car accident back in 1998. I thought it was a fitting tribute to a drummer that had done more for me than most people in the world had ever done for me; Neil wrote the lyrics to the Rush song "Everyday Glory", which literally saved me life when I was in high school.
This past Friday, as I was listening to the remixed version of Rush's 2002 album "Vapor Trails", and just as I was on the track "Ghost Rider" (a song about Neil dealing with the demons over the loss of his wife, and daughter), I read on Facebook that Neil had passed away, after a three and a half year battle with brain cancer. I was shocked, and heartbroken. Here was a man who walked away from Rush after over forty years, so that he wouldn't miss his youngest daughter growing up. And now, he was taken from this world at the age of 67, while his little girl was only ten. It just doesn't seem fair.
I have always been fascinated by drums, so it's no surprise that I always watched Neil drumming with admiration, and outright disbelief, as this man drummed with such passion, energy, and fire. After seeing Rush live seven times, and watching countless DVD's of Neil performing, not to mention listening to the music of Rush so much in my life that there isn't one note that I can't play in my own head, I feel that somehow they members of this band are more than just strangers, but friends in a way. They have helped me when I have been sad. They have picked me up when I've been down. They have done so much for me in this life that I don't believe there are enough thanks in the world, but I will try.
Neil, I want to thank you for your words, your music, and your shining example of how to be a good, and decent human being. I'm sure you miss-stepped along the way, but you did your best to be a good person, and you have taught so many to lead by your example. Your lyrics have touched countless fans around the world, and your drumming is an artform that stands in a class all its own. And while I am sad that you are gone too soon, I hope that wherever you are, you are happy. You've brought me such happiness, and so many others happiness, that if anyone deserves it, it's you.
Rest In Peace, Professor.
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"If the future’s looking dark
We’re the ones who have to shine
If there’s no one in control
We’re the ones who draw the line
Though we live in trying times —
We’re the ones who have to try
Though we know that time has wings —
We’re the ones who have to fly"
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