Why Neil is how he is with fans

[Earthshine]

Just was musing about possibly why Neil is how he is with fans, when so many other musicians are nice and friendly with their fans (signing things, taking pictures, meet & greets, etc.).

 

Please don't take offense to any of this. Just some thoughts:

 

He is extremely shy - If you have read any of Neil's books, it is obvious he has always been very shy and somewhat introverted. Sounds like he has always chosen the company he keeps very carefully. Therefore, he is not likely to be so open to complete strangers.

 

He is not into the whole "rock star" trip - Not that others (such as Alex and Geddy who are not) necessarily are, but I think that Neil really feels that what he does is no different than or no more special than what others do (though many of us think otherwise!). For him to be put on some kind of pedestal is very embarrassing to him.

 

He has learned from the mistakes of others - Rush toured with many bands in the 70's and 80's and even 90's. Especially in the early tours when Rush started out, Alex, Geddy and Neil saw how other bands dealt with it all. Partying all night, drinking heavily, drugs, groupies, jamming after hours, smashing up hotels, getting in fights with each other and other people, arguing with each other, letting it all go to their heads...Rush wanted no part of it. Look where those other bands wound up either personally, musically or both. Look how Rush has wound up. Enough said.

 

He does not like being followed or "stalked" - Again, from reading his books, he has had some very close calls with this. People following him, looking in his hotel room window, people he does not know sending things to his room and even some who have actually gotten on his bus!

 

He feels it is all UNREAL - As Limelight says. To him, posing for photos with people he does not know gives him the impression they think they "know" him. I don't agree necessarily with this, but it is how he feels I would guess and then some! Talking to people who act like they "know" him is very embarrassing and phony for him. Again, I don't necessarily agree with his point of view, but again that's Neil. We have to respect him.

 

 

From all I have read and heard, when one meets Neil on a genuine basis you could not ask for a nicer, down to earth person. I am just happy he is still playing with Rush after all he has been through and has come out of it all alive and well. And is happy.

 

 

[different strings]

Well said Earthshine and I think you may well be on the mark with what you say about Neil.Not everyone is prepared for fame if and when it does come to you and it is how you handle this fame that is the most intriuging factor. I too believe that he is quiet a shy person and this is misconceived as him being ignorant and or arrogant.

[Prince Sphinc-Tor]

[The O' Sullivan Factor]

I thought it was due to his funny uncle

[StuartBruce]

I don't mean to piss on your crisps but this is a crock.

 

Extremely shy people don't play in a band - ever. He may be self-conscious or may have been a little wary of playing in front of people at first, but after 30 + years ?!? Grow a brain.

 

There are very few people who are open to strangers, not even you or I would suddenly 'become mates' with a random person. Like Ricky Gervais said when someone recognised him "I was going to go to bed, but f**k it, do you wanna be mates?" It just doesn't happen, to anyone.

 

I haven't read any of Neil's books, he's a drummer and a lyricist. I can't think of anyone other than Rush fans who would read it. I guess he's happy to take your dollars and votes for "Worlds Best Drummer" but can't even fake a smile for a photo for someone lucky enough to bump into him or get backstage.

 

It doesn't matter if he's INTO the whole "rock star" trip. He IS a rock star. As for embarrassing him with all the votes and accolades - Jes' I can hear him now. "Stop it, I'm not the best really". He loves it and you know it.

 

I can't think of anyone who would ENJOY being followed or "stalked". You are just trying to justify his behaviour instead of accepting that he is a talented drummer and songwriter but a bit of an tosser. I don't think he'll be upset and leave Rush even if you held a card up at a gig stating the fact. He's had some awful luck, but if he wasn't in Rush, you'd read about it in the evening paper and forget it the very next day.

 

IT IS UNREAL - their world is so very different to anyone elses that we can't understand and nor can they. There are millions who would give anything to have lived his life, including the awful tradegies, instead of grinding themselves in to the ground eking out enough dollar to afford the next Rush Blu-Ray or gig ticket.

 

Great Drummer - Mardy Bas*ard

 

[airmid12]

I agree Earthshine. Very interesting observations. Maybe the fact that the whole world knows his life and everything he has been through with his family etc also plays a part.

 

Some people think they "know you" because they know some intimate detail of your life such as a huge tragedy or accident, but this is not the case.

 

Being a person who has had a very minor tragedy in comparison of others I can't stand when people put forward their fake empathy and act as if they understand and just comment with all of the "oh, I know how you feel," because they don't, and never will. If someone learns of what happened to you they feel like they know you- and they don't, at all.

 

Perhaps this is also part of the shy-ness factor, just magnified due to his world-wide position of fame.

[Atomic]

QUOTE (StuartBruce @ Jan 5 2009, 07:42 AM)

I don't mean to piss on your crisps but this is a crock. Extremely shy people don't play in a band - ever. He may be self-conscious or may have been a little wary of playing in front of people at first, but after 30 + years ?!? Grow a brain. There are very few people who are open to strangers, not even you or I would suddenly 'become mates' with a random person. Like Ricky Gervais said when someone recognised him "I was going to go to bed, but f**k it, do you wanna be mates?" It just doesn't happen, to anyone. I haven't read any of Neil's books, he's a drummer and a lyricist. I can't think of anyone other than Rush fans who would read it. I guess he's happy to take your dollars and votes for "Worlds Best Drummer" but can't even fake a smile for a photo for someone lucky enough to bump into him or get backstage. It doesn't matter if he's INTO the whole "rock star" trip. He IS a rock star. As for embarrassing him with all the votes and accolades - Jes' I can hear him now. "Stop it, I'm not the best really". He loves it and you know it. I can't think of anyone who would ENJOY being followed or "stalked". You are just trying to justify his behaviour instead of accepting that he is a talented drummer and songwriter but a bit of an tosser. I don't think he'll be upset and leave Rush even if you held a card up at a gig stating the fact. He's had some awful luck, but if he wasn't in Rush, you'd read about it in the evening paper and forget it the very next day. IT IS UNREAL - their world is so very different to anyone elses that we can't understand and nor can they. There are millions who would give anything to have lived his life, including the awful tradegies, instead of grinding themselves in to the ground eking out enough dollar to afford the next Rush Blu-Ray or gig ticket. Great Drummer - Mardy Bas*ard

I think this is more spot on than Earthshine's post.

 

I've said it before... if he was such a private person, he wouldn't write books about himself, giving fans a window into his 'private' life and giving the stalkers more information and clues on how to track him down.

 

I'm not saying he likes stalkers. Who would? But after 30+ years living in the limelight, he not only likes the limelight, he revels in it. By shunning the spotlight, he brings the spotlight ever closer. Given Rush is sort of a cult band, it seems to bring out the stalkers among society.

 

Is NEP shy? Probably. Does he see himself as an average Joe? Methinks not. He has no formal education yet reads voraciously and likes to write. Good on him... but his writing style is difficult to read (i.e. bad flow) and he uses waaaay too many big words. As a professional writer and PR specialist, generally people who use big words ALL the time have an inferiority complex and are trying to prove that they're smarter than they really are. Not saying NEP isn't smart, but if he toned it down more, participated in the media junkets, he'd probably have more privacy than he does doing things the way he does now.

 

Alex and Ged are not out there telling fans 'don't bug me' and by and large we don't. I read nothing but threads about 'why is NEP such a wanker?' and yet never read a thread about Alex or Geds about that.

 

He's an exceptionally talented drummer who can write decent lyrics. If he got over himself and came down to earth a bit, he'd have the quiet life he wants. But fuelling a blog and writing about the most intimate details of his life and then doing the 'don't bug me' nonsense is BS.

 

 

[rushgoober]

QUOTE (Earthshine @ Jan 5 2009, 03:41 AM)

Just was musing about possibly why Neil is how he is with fans, when so many other musicians are nice and friendly with their fans (signing things, taking pictures, meet & greets, etc.). Please don't take offense to any of this. Just some thoughts: He is extremely shy - If you have read any of Neil's books, it is obvious he has always been very shy and somewhat introverted. Sounds like he has always chosen the company he keeps very carefully. Therefore, he is not likely to be so open to complete strangers. He is not into the whole "rock star" trip - Not that others (such as Alex and Geddy who are not) necessarily are, but I think that Neil really feels that what he does is no different than or no more special than what others do (though many of us think otherwise!). For him to be put on some kind of pedestal is very embarrassing to him. He has learned from the mistakes of others - Rush toured with many bands in the 70's and 80's and even 90's. Especially in the early tours when Rush started out, Alex, Geddy and Neil saw how other bands dealt with it all. Partying all night, drinking heavily, drugs, groupies, jamming after hours, smashing up hotels, getting in fights with each other and other people, arguing with each other, letting it all go to their heads...Rush wanted no part of it. Look where those other bands wound up either personally, musically or both. Look how Rush has wound up. Enough said. He does not like being followed or "stalked" - Again, from reading his books, he has had some very close calls with this. People following him, looking in his hotel room window, people he does not know sending things to his room and even some who have actually gotten on his bus! He feels it is all UNREAL - As Limelight says. To him, posing for photos with people he does not know gives him the impression they think they "know" him. I don't agree necessarily with this, but it is how he feels I would guess and then some! Talking to people who act like they "know" him is very embarrassing and phony for him. Again, I don't necessarily agree with his point of view, but again that's Neil. We have to respect him. From all I have read and heard, when one meets Neil on a genuine basis you could not ask for a nicer, down to earth person. I am just happy he is still playing with Rush after all he has been through and has come out of it all alive and well. And is happy.

 

Of course you'll never convince the people who get off on hating him, but still it's a great post.

 

And regardless, as far as I'm concerned NEIL OWES US NOTHING. He's the best rock drummer in the best rock band in the world who have given us great music for decades.

 

If anything WE OWE HIM our thanks, which we do by buying their albums and merchandise and seeing their tours. One could even make the argument that Neil has been the most open by even writing books about his life.

 

For some though, that'll never be enough - they want his soul too, or to judge how and why he does things the way he does them, or to unfairly compare him to Geddy & Alex because he doesn't play the game the same way they do. I have no such requirements on him for me to appreciate what he does.

[jacklifeson]

QUOTE (StuartBruce @ Jan 5 2009, 07:42 AM)

I don't mean to piss on your crisps but this is a crock. Extremely shy people don't play in a band - ever. He may be self-conscious or may have been a little wary of playing in front of people at first, but after 30 + years ?!? Grow a brain. There are very few people who are open to strangers, not even you or I would suddenly 'become mates' with a random person. Like Ricky Gervais said when someone recognised him "I was going to go to bed, but f**k it, do you wanna be mates?" It just doesn't happen, to anyone. I haven't read any of Neil's books, he's a drummer and a lyricist. I can't think of anyone other than Rush fans who would read it. I guess he's happy to take your dollars and votes for "Worlds Best Drummer" but can't even fake a smile for a photo for someone lucky enough to bump into him or get backstage. It doesn't matter if he's INTO the whole "rock star" trip. He IS a rock star. As for embarrassing him with all the votes and accolades - Jes' I can hear him now. "Stop it, I'm not the best really". He loves it and you know it. I can't think of anyone who would ENJOY being followed or "stalked". You are just trying to justify his behaviour instead of accepting that he is a talented drummer and songwriter but a bit of an tosser. I don't think he'll be upset and leave Rush even if you held a card up at a gig stating the fact. He's had some awful luck, but if he wasn't in Rush, you'd read about it in the evening paper and forget it the very next day. IT IS UNREAL - their world is so very different to anyone elses that we can't understand and nor can they. There are millions who would give anything to have lived his life, including the awful tradegies, instead of grinding themselves in to the ground eking out enough dollar to afford the next Rush Blu-Ray or gig ticket. Great Drummer - Mardy Bas*ard

I wont try to speak for anyone but myself but, I am a shy person (usually only until I get to know someone) and I am in a band. And, I tend to approach any "adulation" (if you can call it that for a regular schmuck like me) in the same way we think that Neil does...I get embarrassed if someone starts heaping too much attention my way and I feel uncomfortable (and we are lucky if there are 50 people at a gig, I cant imagine thousands) I play in a band because I love to play music and Im sure Neil was/is the same way.

 

This is all conjecture of course, he really could be a calculating bastard, we would never really know. But, as it stands, I personally dont see the big gripe about it, it could be MUCH worse. He could be spitting on fans like Johnny Rooten

[rushgoober]

QUOTE (jacklifeson @ Jan 5 2009, 07:03 AM)

QUOTE (StuartBruce @ Jan 5 2009, 07:42 AM) I don't mean to piss on your crisps but this is a crock. Extremely shy people don't play in a band - ever. He may be self-conscious or may have been a little wary of playing in front of people at first, but after 30 + years ?!? Grow a brain. There are very few people who are open to strangers, not even you or I would suddenly 'become mates' with a random person. Like Ricky Gervais said when someone recognised him "I was going to go to bed, but f**k it, do you wanna be mates?" It just doesn't happen, to anyone. I haven't read any of Neil's books, he's a drummer and a lyricist. I can't think of anyone other than Rush fans who would read it. I guess he's happy to take your dollars and votes for "Worlds Best Drummer" but can't even fake a smile for a photo for someone lucky enough to bump into him or get backstage. It doesn't matter if he's INTO the whole "rock star" trip. He IS a rock star. As for embarrassing him with all the votes and accolades - Jes' I can hear him now. "Stop it, I'm not the best really". He loves it and you know it. I can't think of anyone who would ENJOY being followed or "stalked". You are just trying to justify his behaviour instead of accepting that he is a talented drummer and songwriter but a bit of an tosser. I don't think he'll be upset and leave Rush even if you held a card up at a gig stating the fact. He's had some awful luck, but if he wasn't in Rush, you'd read about it in the evening paper and forget it the very next day. IT IS UNREAL - their world is so very different to anyone elses that we can't understand and nor can they. There are millions who would give anything to have lived his life, including the awful tradegies, instead of grinding themselves in to the ground eking out enough dollar to afford the next Rush Blu-Ray or gig ticket. Great Drummer - Mardy Bas*ard I wont try to speak for anyone but myself but, I am a shy person (usually only until I get to know someone) and I am in a band. And, I tend to approach any "adulation" (if you can call it that for a regular schmuck like me) in the same way we think that Neil does...I get embarrassed if someone starts heaping too much attention my way and I feel uncomfortable (and we are lucky if there are 50 people at a gig, I cant imagine thousands) I play in a band because I love to play music and Im sure Neil was/is the same way.   This is all conjecture of course, he really could be a calculating bastard, we would never really know. But, as it stands, I personally dont see the big gripe about it, it could be MUCH worse. He could be spitting on fans like Johnny Rooten People are individual and complex, as evidenced in this above post.   Just because Neil is the best rock drummer ever doesn't mean he thinks he's anything special or that he can't be shy or whatever.   People tend to put arbitrary conditions or rules on how they think he is or should be based on their own criteria, and he's got his own unique criteria. Why should he have to change to please others (much less fans who he doesn't even know), or be someone he's not so people will like him and approve of the way he does things? Why can't people just accept him for who he is and let him be who he is?

[metaldad]

if he does not want to do meet & greets and most talk shows/ radio shows, who gives a shit ? it would be nice but it all comes down to what HE wants to do, not what we want him to do. imo, he should not complain about someone asking for a pic or sig but as long as he still puts out music it's all good by me after all , how many rock stars sign everything you mail backstage before a show. not many

 

[Ghost of a Rider]

QUOTE (StuartBruce @ Jan 5 2009, 07:42 AM)

I don't mean to piss on your crisps but this is a crock. Extremely shy people don't play in a band - ever. He may be self-conscious or may have been a little wary of playing in front of people at first, but after 30 + years ?!? Grow a brain. There are very few people who are open to strangers, not even you or I would suddenly 'become mates' with a random person. Like Ricky Gervais said when someone recognised him "I was going to go to bed, but f**k it, do you wanna be mates?" It just doesn't happen, to anyone. I haven't read any of Neil's books, he's a drummer and a lyricist. I can't think of anyone other than Rush fans who would read it. I guess he's happy to take your dollars and votes for "Worlds Best Drummer" but can't even fake a smile for a photo for someone lucky enough to bump into him or get backstage. It doesn't matter if he's INTO the whole "rock star" trip. He IS a rock star. As for embarrassing him with all the votes and accolades - Jes' I can hear him now. "Stop it, I'm not the best really". He loves it and you know it. I can't think of anyone who would ENJOY being followed or "stalked". You are just trying to justify his behaviour instead of accepting that he is a talented drummer and songwriter but a bit of an tosser. I don't think he'll be upset and leave Rush even if you held a card up at a gig stating the fact. He's had some awful luck, but if he wasn't in Rush, you'd read about it in the evening paper and forget it the very next day. IT IS UNREAL - their world is so very different to anyone elses that we can't understand and nor can they. There are millions who would give anything to have lived his life, including the awful tradegies, instead of grinding themselves in to the ground eking out enough dollar to afford the next Rush Blu-Ray or gig ticket. Great Drummer - Mardy Bas*ard

I suggest reading his books, you'll get a much better understanding of why he is the way he is. He has said repeatedly in his books and interviews that he feels embarrassed by the attention. In his mind he is just a bloke who happens to bang drums for a living and is not worthy of the adulation and really doesn't understand it.

 

Rushgoober is right, Neil doesn't owe any of us a damn thing. He simply chose a profession he enjoyed and was well suited for. We happen to enjoy his playing and/or lyrics but it is not his responsibility to respond to that.

 

We run into people every day just like him and don't give it a second thought. But because Neil's famous, he's the A-hole.

[AnalogAlex]

Ok generally I hold my tongue on these threads, but I'm going to post my thoughts.... 1st, buying an album is not buying the rights to his social life... if he doesn't want to meet people fine... all you have bought with an album is the right to hear the music, not the right to go and grab his attention at any time you see fit. If other musicians like to meet fans thats great.. but they're not obligated to do it!

 

2nd, yes he writes... but typing something into a computer and having strangers come up to you like an old friend wanting this and that is VERY different.

 

3rd, I think 95% of people must be well aware of what happened with his wife and daughter..... That changes people!!! I don't know how many of the people that slate have experience in burying a child... it's traumatic, and it changes you! Give the man a break, yes he's famous, but he's been through more hard times than I'd ever wish on anyone, and I'm not surprised that he is the way he is.

 

So if ya like his music, buy it, listen to it.. if you like his books, buy and read them. But that all, you've bought no other rights than that.

 

anyway thats my thoughts on it.

[Atomic]

Don't get me wrong here, I love Rush and largely because I am a drummer (not very good) and have been a fan of NEP for decades.

 

That said... As a father I can empathize about how horribly it would be to bury your own (and only) child. Gah...

 

However, to hang NEP's disposition on his two major tragedies is a crock. Sure it changes you, but it's well documented that NEP was a grumpy, fan-shy guy before this stuff happened. He also married kinda fast (IMO) for a guy in mourning. Not that he should live like a martyre but still.

 

Bottom line is, he is the way he is and people should respect it. He's given us 30+ years (and hopefully more) of phenomenal drumming and great lyrics in my fave band of all time. Can't ask for much more than that from anyone, really.

 

BTW, all this said, I'd still love to meet him in a non-threatening, innocuous situation and chew the fat with him.

 

 

[softfilter]

QUOTE (StuartBruce @ Jan 5 2009, 07:42 AM)

There are millions who would give anything to have lived his life, including the awful tradegies

I don't feel any envy for Neil's tragedies that happened in his life.

Sure has been a invasion of negative Brits on here as of late.

 

[circumstantial tree]

I'm special and yet nobody asks for my autograph.

[jacklifeson]

Oh and to just echo one of the above posts...it is true that you dont have the right to access a person's private life just because you bought or heard their work. Hell, I am graphic designer and does that give anyone the right to jump into my car because they saw some work I did? Even if they were big fans of it? Does that mean that I should just smile and say thank you, here is a signed piece of paper if people are camped outside of my house?

 

Nope.

 

Why would people want to get to know someone they dont know but only heard on the radio or in a book they wrote? Why does that qualify them to be a good person or without faults?

[theredtamasrule]

QUOTE (circumstantial tree @ Jan 5 2009, 11:05 AM)

I'm special and yet nobody asks for my autograph.

Yeah but special in a Corky from "Life Goes On" kind of special.

[Rushian King]

Back in the early 80s (sometime between Signals and GUP) Neil was riding his bike around Sunnybrook Park here in Toronto, I came up beside him and started telling him about how great he is and how great Rush are.

 

I asked him to autograph my bike but he wouldn't stop and he tried to ride away from me but I was in pretty good shape back then and kept up with him. I asked him again but the prick wouldn't stop so I kicked out at his rear tire and he wiped out.

 

After he got up I asked him to please sign my bike but the jerk told me to fvckoff! What an @sshole. As I rode off I told him Tommy Lee, the drummer for this new band Motley Crue, would be the best drummer in the world for years to come and people would be like, 'Neil who?' And I was right-- Tommy has his own TV show now.

[Atomic]

QUOTE (Rushian King @ Jan 5 2009, 12:00 PM)

Back in the early 80s (sometime between Signals and GUP) Neil was riding his bike around Sunnybrook Park here in Toronto, I came up beside him and started telling him about how great he is and how great Rush are. I asked him to autograph my bike but he wouldn't stop and he tried to ride away from me but I was in pretty good shape back then and kept up with him. I asked him again but the prick wouldn't stop so I kicked out at his rear tire and he wiped out. After he got up I asked him to please sign my bike but the jerk told me to fvckoff! What an @sshole. As I rode off I told him Tommy Lee, the drummer for this new band Motley Crue, would be the best drummer in the world for years to come and people would be like, 'Neil who?' And I was right-- Tommy has his own TV show now.

 

 

Hang on... you chase him demanding something he said he doesn't want to give you, you make him crash his bicycle, kiss the pavement, risking bodily harm and certain road rash... he tells you to effe off ...

 

and HE'S the A$$HOLE????

 

If this story is true, you sir, are the A$$HOLE. You're lucky he didn't sue your sorry butt into oblivian and are likely exactly why he has become so reclusive.

 

You must be a troll or a moron (or both).

[metaldad]

QUOTE (Atomic @ Jan 5 2009, 12:09 PM)

QUOTE (Rushian King @ Jan 5 2009, 12:00 PM) Back in the early 80s (sometime between Signals and GUP) Neil was riding his bike around Sunnybrook Park here in Toronto, I came up beside him and started telling him about how great he is and how great Rush are. I asked him to autograph my bike but he wouldn't stop and he tried to ride away from me but I was in pretty good shape back then and kept up with him. I asked him again but the prick wouldn't stop so I kicked out at his rear tire and he wiped out. After he got up I asked him to please sign my bike but the jerk told me to fvckoff! What an @sshole. As I rode off I told him Tommy Lee, the drummer for this new band Motley Crue, would be the best drummer in the world for years to come and people would be like, 'Neil who?' And I was right-- Tommy has his own TV show now.     Hang on... you chase him demanding something he said he doesn't want to give you, you make him crash his bicycle, kiss the pavement, risking bodily harm and certain road rash... he tells you to effe off ...   and HE'S the A$$HOLE????   If this story is true, you sir, are the A$$HOLE. You're lucky he didn't sue your sorry butt into oblivian and are likely exactly why he has become so reclusive.   You must be a troll or a moron (or both). you really don't belive the story is true do you??????

[Broncos730]

QUOTE (Atomic @ Jan 5 2009, 12:09 PM)

QUOTE (Rushian King @ Jan 5 2009, 12:00 PM) Back in the early 80s (sometime between Signals and GUP) Neil was riding his bike around Sunnybrook Park here in Toronto, I came up beside him and started telling him about how great he is and how great Rush are. I asked him to autograph my bike but he wouldn't stop and he tried to ride away from me but I was in pretty good shape back then and kept up with him. I asked him again but the prick wouldn't stop so I kicked out at his rear tire and he wiped out. After he got up I asked him to please sign my bike but the jerk told me to fvckoff! What an @sshole. As I rode off I told him Tommy Lee, the drummer for this new band Motley Crue, would be the best drummer in the world for years to come and people would be like, 'Neil who?' And I was right-- Tommy has his own TV show now.     Hang on... you chase him demanding something he said he doesn't want to give you, you make him crash his bicycle, kiss the pavement, risking bodily harm and certain road rash... he tells you to effe off ...   and HE'S the A$$HOLE????   If this story is true, you sir, are the A$$HOLE. You're lucky he didn't sue your sorry butt into oblivian and are likely exactly why he has become so reclusive.   You must be a troll or a moron (or both). Somehow I think he's pulling your leg..

[Sigourney]

Who wants smarmy primadonna rock stars anyway? There are plenty of those going around.

[circumstantial tree]

QUOTE (theredtamasrule @ Jan 5 2009, 11:27 AM)

QUOTE (circumstantial tree @ Jan 5 2009, 11:05 AM) I'm special and yet nobody asks for my autograph. Yeah but special in a Corky from "Life Goes On" kind of special. Who?

[softfilter]

QUOTE (Broncos730 @ Jan 5 2009, 12:19 PM)

QUOTE (Atomic @ Jan 5 2009, 12:09 PM) QUOTE (Rushian King @ Jan 5 2009, 12:00 PM) Back in the early 80s (sometime between Signals and GUP) Neil was riding his bike around Sunnybrook Park here in Toronto, I came up beside him and started telling him about how great he is and how great Rush are. I asked him to autograph my bike but he wouldn't stop and he tried to ride away from me but I was in pretty good shape back then and kept up with him. I asked him again but the prick wouldn't stop so I kicked out at his rear tire and he wiped out. After he got up I asked him to please sign my bike but the jerk told me to fvckoff! What an @sshole. As I rode off I told him Tommy Lee, the drummer for this new band Motley Crue, would be the best drummer in the world for years to come and people would be like, 'Neil who?' And I was right-- Tommy has his own TV show now.     Hang on... you chase him demanding something he said he doesn't want to give you, you make him crash his bicycle, kiss the pavement, risking bodily harm and certain road rash... he tells you to effe off ...   and HE'S the A$$HOLE????   If this story is true, you sir, are the A$$HOLE. You're lucky he didn't sue your sorry butt into oblivian and are likely exactly why he has become so reclusive.   You must be a troll or a moron (or both). Somehow I think he's pulling your leg..   Neil dosen't strike me as a person who would just "ride away" after a incident like this. Peart is in good shape also, he would of either kicked his ass or reported to the authorities and filed assault charges. My guess RK was making a point on how ridiculous and extreme some "fans" can be when it comes to wanting contact with there idols . I hope that was his angle..