25 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.