30 replies to this topic

[Syrinx]

Yep it utterly floored me.  I remember it vividly, hearing it on the radio.

[BigMontanaSKY]

Analog_Bro, on 16 January 2020 - 05:43 PM, said:

With Neil, his humanity and empathy really I think was just as special as his eloquence in speech, drumming, and lyric writing was.

He wasn't a "typical rock star".  He was just a guy who saw the big picture of the world and wanted to learn more about it, while also being a part of a kickass band and working at his craft.  And to me that is symbolic of a person who really puts positivity into the world, and for me that is why I always loved Rush as a band.  Three guys who just wanted to put thoughtfulness into the world

Of course we are all here as fans of Neil and not personal friends - but it is very hard not to take the loss of Neil personally because his art and writings certainly hit us all on a personal level

Well said!

[PW_Guitarist]

I was shocked at the impact this had - on myself, on my circle, and in the world in general. People at work came up to me and offered condolences. It made headlines on all mainstream media. As a fan for nearly 40 years, I felt like I lost someone I knew personally even though I had never met the man.

It comes down to the impact his life had on so many others - not just on the musical world, where his influence was greatest, but his accomplishments as a person, his intelligence, his integrity. He was just such a well-rounded human being, a shining example and inspiration in all spheres of life.

I was reminded of something someone wrote about Frank Zappa's passing in 1993, along the lines of "Damn. The world needs Frank Zappa." Well, I guess the world needed Neil Peart too, now more than ever. Somedays it feels like there are too many lights going out in the world, and we never really imagined a world without The Professor.

[78jazz]

PW_Guitarist, on 13 January 2021 - 07:56 PM, said:

Somedays it feels like there are too many lights going out in the world, and we never really imagined a world without The Professor.

The last half of your sentence nails it IMO.

We are aware that death is the great inevitable, but picturing the world without Neil is a bummer. A BIG bummer..

I did not completely break down, but I have been misty eyed several times in accepting that Rush is done because one guy is no longer here.

RIP Neil. Thank you for what you did. You had a great run of lyrics from about 1985-1994 that will probably stick with me for life.

[Principled Man]

I mourned for Neil Peart much like I mourned for Carl Sagan.

Both men were magnificently intelligent, honest, honorable, assertive, creative, direct and hugely influential.  They both shaped my mind and worldview very much.  

When it comes to people in the public eye, I've never admired anyone as much as I did Peart and Sagan.

[Weatherman]

I always thought of Neil as like a big tree in the backyard. The majestic one that nonetheless, because of familiarity, you only notice now and then. It's always been there, always will be.
Then one day there's nothing but a stump left, and with a lump in your throat you realize how much you needed that tree.

[Weakly Criminal]

I still get smile-cry when I watch videos of the last couple of tours. There's no stopping the smile they've always put on my face since I was 14, but there will be a tear.

It's like when the suns shining but it's raining too.

[lerxt1990]

I felt this at the Primus show - they did a good job w the music but what I didn't expect was a holy shit I wish I was looking at Rush right now tugging at my heart, and.. on those drums, I wish it was... him.  When the crowd gave a big cheer for Neil it put a lump in my throat.  Damnit.

[Bahamas]

<p>presto123, I saw this post once or twice in the past.

I can't explain my personal reactions last year, other than cycling madly around the rural country side during the first few months of Covid. It felt right. I felt like I was with him, at times.
The announcement on the CBC at the time is an entire story I have written.

I have listened to lots of musicians in my life and really, never felt very moved by their passing. But Neil?

And about men crying...

Up here in Canada, in the newspaper National Post, there is a similar thought by a writer, John Ivison, back in January 2020. I don't know if the lower link will work, but google the guy and this article. It's sweet!

(Edit: I don't know why a post shows what is written and then upon saving, it disappears. Search: John Ivison, National Post, Neil Peart.)

Edited by Bahamas, 06 October 2021 - 06:49 PM.

[lerxt1990]

Ive been listening to The Masked Rider.  Some parts when he talks about Jackie and Selena just tear at your heart.

[Weakly Criminal]

It's interesting that Neil had such a personal impact on his fans and yet couldn't understand why they would feel so connected to him. It's one thing to expect privacy and respect of boundaries, but art is supposed to stir emotion and Neil certainly did so. His lyrics spoke so directly to my life experience at such a formative age that I just can't help feeling close to him. He helped me, and think he was trying to help. He taught me, and I'm sure he was trying to. His example of absolute dedication to his craft(s) are worthy of admiration by anyone. His self examination and self expression to try and share as much of himself as he could with his fans is so laudable. Who else does that?

Neil might well have been embarrassed by my gushing, but I'm not the least bit embarrassed to share how a flipping rock star impacted my life for the better and that I grieve what is a very real loss for me. No future Peart wisdom, no future exhilaration and elation watching the boys kill it live. What's he going to write about next? Gone. Which direction are they going to go next? Gone.

Think me pathetic, but I'm crying about him right now and I don't GAF what you think.