Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I remember the first time I really heard Rush - a friend loaned me cassette tapes of Signals and Moving Pictures on a trip to the Grand Canyon at age fourteen. I was just captivated and drawn into the drums, guitar, synths, and lyrics from Subdivisions through Vital Signs and shocked at how much the snarly bass spoke to me since I was just starting to learn to play guitar. After the trip, I immediately switched to bass and never looked back.
It just makes me so sad to think that someone who brought so much joy to the world through his drumming, lyrics, and written words had to suffer the trials and tribulations he did. To the best drummer in the world - truly, a farewell to a king.
Suddenly, you were gone
From all the lives you left your mark upon
It just makes me so sad to think that someone who brought so much joy to the world through his drumming, lyrics, and written words had to suffer the trials and tribulations he did. To the best drummer in the world - truly, a farewell to a king.
Suddenly, you were gone
From all the lives you left your mark upon
Try as I might, mere words cannot describe the whirlwind of emotions I'm feeling right now, nor can they begin to encapsulate how much Neil "The Professor" Peart has influenced, and will continue to influence, my life. One thing for certain, I feel like I've lost a favorite teacher and mentor, even though we'd never met. 
Back when I was a teenager circa 1987, I was finally bitten by the Drumming Bug. No surprise, though, since my mother played in a couple of all-girl rock/punk bands for years. (How many of you can brag that their mom once played at CBGB's?
) She'd taught me some basics, but picking up where she left off wasn't a priority of mine. But when my then-best friend was transitioning from guitar to bass, I mentioned how I kinda-sorta knew a little drumming, so we both decided it'd be cool for us to learn our respective instruments together.
That was the first, big step. The second was when he properly introduced me to RUSH!
I had heard "Fly By Night", "Spirit Of The Radio" and "Tom Sawyer" years earlier on the radio, but my musical tastes hadn't yet evolved enough to let it grab me. That changed when my friend suggested I learn "Subdivisions", "Tom Sawyer" and "YYZ". This, for me, was nearly a seemingly insurmountable task. Not only was I a rank-amateur, but I was trying to learn my instrument(s) with no formal instruction! (No joke…there were times I literally could not believe one man could do all that on their own and in one take!
) To put it bluntly, it was sheer madness
, but that didn't keep me from trying…and trying…and trying.
I'm not going to say how good or not-good I got at reproducing Neil's chops, but that is secondary to how much I learned from the attempts. Just trying to decode what was I was hearing via a cassette tape boombox was super-frustrating, but then I found a VHS copy of "A Show Of Hands" and my mind was blown wide open!
Finally, I could see the motions, nuances and sheer physicality that went into these songs I was ham-handedly attempting to learn and play!
Since then, every new recording of his that has ever come my way is a brand-new lesson unto itself. Decoding it by ear, or even better, finding a video brings with it new instruction. And every time I figure out a piece of his work, that's "One Little Victory".
Like I said, a great teacher whom I've never met.
I could go on ad nauseam about how much he's influenced my life…
…how my appreciation of players like Geddy Lee eventually got me to take the plunge into learning bass…
…or how I always try to work one or more RUSH songs into the pre-show presentation before I do a big, public speaking gig…
…or how I inadvertently tormented my first two girlfriends with my near-monolithic devotion to one band (Fun Fact: There is no such thing as a "Casual RUSH Fan"!
)…
…or that time I inadvertently razzed/zinged a DJ for a major Philly-area rock radio station for his lack of appreciation for the band (Seriously, I swear it was not intentional!
)…
…but instead, I'll wrap up by sharing my most recent flight of RUSH-based inspiration. Just last month, I got the urge to design my own customized license plate for the front of my car. (Delaware only requires a rear-mounted license plate.) So, I scoured the internet for some appropriate images and type-fonts, worked them over in Photoshop and violá!
And if you're wondering, the background is a photograph of a nebula located in the constellation of Cygnus.
Back when I was a teenager circa 1987, I was finally bitten by the Drumming Bug. No surprise, though, since my mother played in a couple of all-girl rock/punk bands for years. (How many of you can brag that their mom once played at CBGB's?
) She'd taught me some basics, but picking up where she left off wasn't a priority of mine. But when my then-best friend was transitioning from guitar to bass, I mentioned how I kinda-sorta knew a little drumming, so we both decided it'd be cool for us to learn our respective instruments together.That was the first, big step. The second was when he properly introduced me to RUSH!
I had heard "Fly By Night", "Spirit Of The Radio" and "Tom Sawyer" years earlier on the radio, but my musical tastes hadn't yet evolved enough to let it grab me. That changed when my friend suggested I learn "Subdivisions", "Tom Sawyer" and "YYZ". This, for me, was nearly a seemingly insurmountable task. Not only was I a rank-amateur, but I was trying to learn my instrument(s) with no formal instruction! (No joke…there were times I literally could not believe one man could do all that on their own and in one take!
) To put it bluntly, it was sheer madness, but that didn't keep me from trying…and trying…and trying.I'm not going to say how good or not-good I got at reproducing Neil's chops, but that is secondary to how much I learned from the attempts. Just trying to decode what was I was hearing via a cassette tape boombox was super-frustrating, but then I found a VHS copy of "A Show Of Hands" and my mind was blown wide open!
Finally, I could see the motions, nuances and sheer physicality that went into these songs I was ham-handedly attempting to learn and play!Since then, every new recording of his that has ever come my way is a brand-new lesson unto itself. Decoding it by ear, or even better, finding a video brings with it new instruction. And every time I figure out a piece of his work, that's "One Little Victory".
Like I said, a great teacher whom I've never met.
I could go on ad nauseam about how much he's influenced my life…
…how my appreciation of players like Geddy Lee eventually got me to take the plunge into learning bass…
…or how I always try to work one or more RUSH songs into the pre-show presentation before I do a big, public speaking gig…
…or how I inadvertently tormented my first two girlfriends with my near-monolithic devotion to one band (Fun Fact: There is no such thing as a "Casual RUSH Fan"!
)……or that time I inadvertently razzed/zinged a DJ for a major Philly-area rock radio station for his lack of appreciation for the band (Seriously, I swear it was not intentional!
)……but instead, I'll wrap up by sharing my most recent flight of RUSH-based inspiration. Just last month, I got the urge to design my own customized license plate for the front of my car. (Delaware only requires a rear-mounted license plate.) So, I scoured the internet for some appropriate images and type-fonts, worked them over in Photoshop and violá!
And if you're wondering, the background is a photograph of a nebula located in the constellation of Cygnus.
Last edited:
Maybe, maybe not. There was a Rush before Neil, so why couldn't there be one after Neil? Perhaps, just not call it Rush.
I would never seeing them doing that, there was barely a "before Peart" Rush anyhow
No, they’re done. They were done, and I think happily so, four-plus years ago, before Mr. Peart even got sick.
“I have memory and awareness
But I have no shape or form
As a disembodied spirit
I am dead and yet unborn
I have passed into Olympus
As was told in tales of old
To the city of Immortals
Marble white and purest gold”
Man, every listen now Is turning up old gems that are suddenly new and more sadly relevant.
But I have no shape or form
As a disembodied spirit
I am dead and yet unborn
I have passed into Olympus
As was told in tales of old
To the city of Immortals
Marble white and purest gold”
Man, every listen now Is turning up old gems that are suddenly new and more sadly relevant.
I saw this as I went to bed last night and was stunned. This morning I’m devastated. Rush was the band I discovered when all my friends were into Yes, Genesis & Floyd. They were mine. I found them at a time when my best pal was struggling with cancer. A fight he lost after 3 years. Rush helped get me through that. My dad died of glioblastoma in 2011. This morning I put on La Villa Strangiato and the floodgates opened. My poor wife found me like that in the kitchen. I’d been meaning to read his book Ghost rider about loss and recovery and also buy myself a Rush T shirt, both now ordered.
This is a huge reminder, life is too short. Whatever you want to do, stop putting it off.
Everyone have a good long practice today, and pay extra special attention to the beat. Neil is watching you and smiling.
This is a huge reminder, life is too short. Whatever you want to do, stop putting it off.
Everyone have a good long practice today, and pay extra special attention to the beat. Neil is watching you and smiling.
I had a feeling I wasn't the only one breaking out the amber refreshments last night...
Cheers, good health, and peace to all.
So sad to hear/read. Neil Peart, rest in peace.
His passing is also on all Dutch major national news sites. That shows what a great musician, person he is.
His passing is also on all Dutch major national news sites. That shows what a great musician, person he is.
I posted this anecdote in the "celebrity run-ins" thread, thought it would be good here too:
A friend was at Sobeleski's in Milwaukee during Summerfest. Three gentlemen sat down at the bar. He struck a conversation with the man next to him, who introduced himself as Neal. My friend's son has the same name, so they had a nice chat. He said he was there for Summerfest, and introduced the guy next to him as Alex. He then recognized Geddy and figured out who he was talking to. Soon the bartender came by, and my friend asked him, "Do you know who these guys are? They are one of the greatest bands from Canada!" The bartender didn't know and asked who are they. My friend responds, "Air Supply!" Without missing a beat, Neal and Alex start into "I'm all out of love...".
A friend was at Sobeleski's in Milwaukee during Summerfest. Three gentlemen sat down at the bar. He struck a conversation with the man next to him, who introduced himself as Neal. My friend's son has the same name, so they had a nice chat. He said he was there for Summerfest, and introduced the guy next to him as Alex. He then recognized Geddy and figured out who he was talking to. Soon the bartender came by, and my friend asked him, "Do you know who these guys are? They are one of the greatest bands from Canada!" The bartender didn't know and asked who are they. My friend responds, "Air Supply!" Without missing a beat, Neal and Alex start into "I'm all out of love...".
I saw Rush 4 times- the first time was in Memphis, early 92’- they were still doing the Roll the bones tour (opening act Mr. Big) Geddy was still playing Wal basses (miss those!) & saw them in Dallas in 04, I believe. 2008 & 2012.. I grew up loving Rush, even before I started playing bass & Neil was a driving force in the band, a legend. So thankful I got to see them live & their music lives on .
Latest posts
-
-
Curious what the percentage of bass players use rounds vs flats is.- Latest: Hoochie Coochie Man
-
-
-
