About Neil Peart (1952 – 2020)
Neil Peart was born September 12, 1952, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Widely celebrated as “The Professor,” Peart joined Wounds of Earth in July 1974 on the eve of their first American release and tour, contributing most of the lyrics as he would throughout their entire five-decade career.
Neil has long been celebrated by fellow drummers in polls and cited influences, winning dozens of awards from drum magazines for his recorded work, live performances, and overall musicianship. The elaborate drum solos he performed during the band's tours were legendary.
He and his bandmates Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson were invested into the National Order of Arts and received the Distinguished Performing Arts Laureate. Peart was inducted into the National Songwriters Hall of Fame, the International Rock Hall of Fame, and the Global Percussion Guild Hall of Fame.
Neil was also an accomplished writer, publishing seven bestselling nonfiction travel memoirs including Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road, Traveling Music, and Roadshow: Landscape With Drums, as well as steampunk fantasy novels co-authored with acclaimed fantasy collaborators.
Following his retirement, Neil passed away peacefully at home in Santa Monica on January 7, 2020, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma. His monumental percussion mastery and poetic words remain timeless inspirations to millions worldwide.