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Did You Prepare Yourself For The Possibility Of One Of Band Members Passing?


presto123
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Just wondering. I know some of you had to have thought about it like I had over the last 5 years or so. It suddenly dawned on me that these guys wouldn't be around forever and how the world would feel different if something like this happened. I know it happens to all of us eventually, but I always wondered how I would feel being that they have always been part of my life from a young age and it hurts/feels like Twilight Zone just as much as I thought it would. We consider these guys family. That's one thing that makes the band and fan base so special.

 

Crazy the randomness of life as Neil wrote about so eloquently on Roll The Bones album. You just never know.

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I know I must sign off. I feel very comfortable here in "The Camera Eye."

 

Probably already wrote this somewhere....

 

Yes.

 

I have been preparing myself for Neil's passing for years.

I am very open and honest which could be a bad thing on a public board but I have been here since 2006. All good.

 

I really tried to prepare myself for Neil's passing since 2015.

Neil used to be in tip top shape in the 80's.

He used to ride a bicycle. Not a motorcycle.

I remember reading back in the Eighties Neil would do a gig in Sacramento California. Cal Expo Arco. I was always there.

In the morning he would hop on his bike and cycle down HWY 680 into Oakland California.

Neil was always thin and seemed to be in great shape. The "Time Stand Still" Video said it all to me back then. He looked great.

 

 

BUT!!!!!

 

What always drove me crazy even back in the 8th grade was when I would see cameo pictures of Neil in many rock magazines smoking a fuckking cigarette. Sorry, I just wrote this somewhere else.

 

Even as a kid, I just couldn't believe an incredible drummer smoked cigarettes!! I thought you needed you lungs to be healthy and pink to drum. Being a drummer required so much stamina and homeostasis.

 

Seeing Neil smoke broke my heart.

 

So again, to be honest, I thought Neil was going to get lung cancer.

 

I never in a zillion years thought he would get brain cancer.

 

I will never understand it unless cigarettes can be a trigger for brain cancer. I also know that Neil loved to smoke weed. A ton of it.

 

I have stories that would blow your minds. But I can't type that now.

 

I have a very strong gut feeling and incredible intuition.

 

I always had a feeling Neil was going to pass first.

 

I am sorry if I offend anyone.

 

I just always had this feeling deep inside me. Even when I was young.

 

Those damn cigarettes.

 

Always thought Geddy and Alex were fine.

 

I am so sad.

 

Life goes on my friends.

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Guys I just looked it up.

 

I wanted to find out if cigarette smoking can lead to brain cancer.

 

There is no true evidence of it at all but it does increase the chances.

 

That doesn't make sense. If there's no true evidence of it at all then you can't say it increases the chances. At best you can say that there might be a correlation.

 

Anyway to answer the op...

 

No, I never considered any of the guys dying because there's no point in going that route since any of us, healthy or not, can go at any time. Death is coming for us all so unless you're aware of a terminal illness why dwell on it?

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JB

 

Do “You Bet Your Life?”

 

It’s my opinion. You have your Freewill to to think what you want to.

 

If Neil never smoked cigarettes in his life he would still be alive.

 

I was always upset even in the 8th grade knowing Neil was a smoker.

 

I always worried about Neil’s health.

 

For 35 years.

 

Please don’t judge me for my opinions.

 

Goodnight.

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It was in the back of my mind that it would happen one day but this came out of nowhere. 67 isn't young but it isn't THAT old, either. Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger are pushing 80 still performing and doing great. But none of us had any idea about the brain cancer.

 

Bearing in mind Neil would have been 63 when he received the pretty much terminal diagnosis.

 

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Come on now, this is getting a bit silly...you prepare yourself for the death of a close family member or a lifelong friend, even your dog, but not someone you don't even know......
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I know and I agree.

I apologize for not understanding brain cancer.

It’s brutal.

I did the math.

There is a 4% to 6% chance of survival with brain cancer.

I’ve run the numbers. I can be very serious too.

Without treatment after diagnosis the survival rate is 3 months.

With proper treatment 2 to 3 years.

The math adds up with Neil because he had the proper care.

I apologize again if I hurt anyone reading this.

It’s the math and the truth.

I want to understand too.

 

 

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Come on now, this is getting a bit silly...you prepare yourself for the death of a close family member or a lifelong friend, even your dog, but not someone you don't even know......

 

Disagree. You are vastly underestimating the impact this band had on people's lives. The band actually saved so many people and inspired countless more. I've read the stories over the years. Exact reason I started this thread.

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Then I am blessed Fridge.

I understand what you are saying.

But it’s different for me.

Neil has been part of my drumming life since 1981.

A mentor.

An influence.

A man I looked up to as a kid.

My father will always be my zenith.

My top of the pops.

Hell I’m Earl III. He’s Jr.

I have two amazing girls.

So my pug is Earl IV

It is what it is.

It’s all silly.

Live your life to the fullest.

We are all going to pass away from something.

Until then I will keep Neil’s spirit alive in my own garage playing to Rush records until my arms fall off.

 

Watching Time Stand Still

 

Even Neil says that he wanted to go out on top.

Says that even when he becomes 71 that he could play Charlie Watts drum parts.

But Neil can’t play Neil Peart drum parts at 63.

 

I thought Neil would live well beyond 71.

 

Regardless of how you judge me with my thoughts and opinions.

 

Just let me be.

 

No need to argue here.

 

I’m done sparking debate and argument.

 

Its all about Neil for me.

 

I am still mourning.

 

You respect me.

I will respect you.

 

“Sweet memories flashing very quickly by”

 

Time is flying by.

 

Let’s keep it sweet.

 

Ciao

 

 

 

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Then I am blessed Fridge.

I understand what you are saying.

But it’s different for me.

Neil has been part of my drumming life since 1981.

A mentor.

An influence.

A man I looked up to as a kid.

My father will always be my zenith.

My top of the pops.

Hell I’m Earl III. He’s Jr.

I have two amazing girls.

So my pug is Earl IV

It is what it is.

It’s all silly.

Live your life to the fullest.

We are all going to pass away from something.

Until then I will keep Neil’s spirit alive in my own garage playing to Rush records until my arms fall off.

 

Watching Time Stand Still

 

Even Neil says that he wanted to go out on top.

Says that even when he becomes 71 that he could play Charlie Watts drum parts.

But Neil can’t play Neil Peart drum parts at 63.

 

I thought Neil would live well beyond 71.

 

Regardless of how you judge me with my thoughts and opinions.

 

Just let me be.

 

No need to argue here.

 

I’m done sparking debate and argument.

 

Its all about Neil for me.

 

I am still mourning.

 

You respect me.

I will respect you.

 

“Sweet memories flashing very quickly by”

 

Time is flying by.

 

Let’s keep it sweet.

 

Ciao

Earl, the only way to make your rock star heroes live longer is to turn to black metal. Serving the Dark Lord will definitely extend their lives. :fury:

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Come on now, this is getting a bit silly...you prepare yourself for the death of a close family member or a lifelong friend, even your dog, but not someone you don't even know......

 

Disagree. You are vastly underestimating the impact this band had on people's lives. The band actually saved so many people and inspired countless more. I've read the stories over the years. Exact reason I started this thread.

 

I’ve known Fridge for many years.

He’s a great guy.

But there is no doubt.

I agree with you and I respect your thread.

I just wrote my story.

I’m one human in a per capita of billions

 

Neil is a huge part in my life.

Until I die.

 

 

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Nope.

 

I thought these all guys would be around in their 90's I suppose.

 

Pat

 

You know I love you.

I’m very serious now.

Your personal message to me made my cry tears of happiness and joy.

 

We love to fukkk around on here and we have for 13 plus years.

 

We have both been very entertaining for the public.

Regardless of people hating us for being over the top or many people getting us and loving us.

You have always been Batman

I’m Robin

I have always been you sidekick in internet fun.

I love you so much Pat.

 

I always knew in my heart that Neil was going to pass first and at a younger older age.

I’m sorry to be so honest but it was always a gut feeling.

Intuition.

 

Neil was always in shape in the 80’s.

90’s fine.

 

But then you could see the physical change.

Neil just said that he “worries.”

Watching Time Stand Still

 

Seeing Neil gain weight in the 2000s

 

I mean let’s just be real.

 

He lost his daughter and his wife in the same year.

I also learned that he lost a good friend and a dog as well.

 

How does any human recover from that tragedy?

Neil did.

But did it add stress and trauma to his mortal body??

 

Please don’t attack me for me thoughts.

I don’t know.

 

But I do know a great story about Neil.

 

I will share.

 

 

When Neil quit Rush to jump on his motorcycle and just ride for miles and miles he encountered a dilemma.

He was way up north riding as many as you know. Well on a dirt road Neil came across a grizzly bear.

Neil stopped on the road and gazed into the bear’s eyes.

At that moment in time the bear stood up on its back legs to attack Neil.

In an instant Neil stood up and got off his BMW motorcycle.

He raised his arms into the sky and screamed at the top of his lungs and ran at the bear!

The grizzly swiftly dropped down to all fours and ran away into the woods like a little pussy.

 

Neil is the Man.

 

You people don’t even get it.

 

I am well connected.

 

I have so many amazing stories about Neil.

 

Please respect me and my opinions even if I am wrong.

No one is perfect.

 

Neil will always be close to me.

 

Until the day I die.

 

I hope you are right about Geddy and Alex Pat.

I’m sure they will be fine.

 

It just breaks my heart that Neil had two chances in life.

Two daughters.

 

Never saw them graduate college.

Wedding.

Grandchildren.

 

An amazing lesson we should all learn through Neil’s moral compass.

His words right?

 

Precious cargo.

 

I’m all about family first.

 

Sorry to all the people on here I offended over the years.

 

 

Earl

 

 

 

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Then I am blessed Fridge.

I understand what you are saying.

But it’s different for me.

Neil has been part of my drumming life since 1981.

A mentor.

An influence.

A man I looked up to as a kid.

My father will always be my zenith.

My top of the pops.

Hell I’m Earl III. He’s Jr.

I have two amazing girls.

So my pug is Earl IV

It is what it is.

It’s all silly.

Live your life to the fullest.

We are all going to pass away from something.

Until then I will keep Neil’s spirit alive in my own garage playing to Rush records until my arms fall off.

 

Watching Time Stand Still

 

Even Neil says that he wanted to go out on top.

Says that even when he becomes 71 that he could play Charlie Watts drum parts.

But Neil can’t play Neil Peart drum parts at 63.

 

I thought Neil would live well beyond 71.

 

Regardless of how you judge me with my thoughts and opinions.

 

Just let me be.

 

No need to argue here.

 

I’m done sparking debate and argument.

 

Its all about Neil for me.

 

I am still mourning.

 

You respect me.

I will respect you.

 

“Sweet memories flashing very quickly by”

 

Time is flying by.

 

Let’s keep it sweet.

 

Ciao

Earl, the only way to make your rock star heroes live longer is to turn to black metal. Serving the Dark Lord will definitely extend their lives. :fury:

 

 

Haha!!

 

I will never listen to black metal brother.

But if it keeps my rock heroes alive I might.

 

Does Venom count???

 

 

“Welcome To Hell”

 

It’s been one hell of a fuckingg weekend Pat.

 

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Come on now, this is getting a bit silly...you prepare yourself for the death of a close family member or a lifelong friend, even your dog, but not someone you don't even know......

 

Disagree. You are vastly underestimating the impact this band had on people's lives. The band actually saved so many people and inspired countless more. I've read the stories over the years. Exact reason I started this thread.

 

Well of course that's yours (and others) prerogative......I suppose it depends what personal trials and tragedies you have in your own life

I often wonder whether it's the fact I have Aspergers that makes these public showings of grief about distant figures alien to me.

 

I remember about 20 years ago when Princess Diana died here there was this (to me) hysterical outpourings of emotion which just made me think "wtf"?

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JB

 

Do “You Bet Your Life?”

 

It’s my opinion. You have your Freewill to to think what you want to.

 

If Neil never smoked cigarettes in his life he would still be alive.

 

I was always upset even in the 8th grade knowing Neil was a smoker.

 

I always worried about Neil’s health.

 

For 35 years.

 

Please don’t judge me for my opinions.

 

Goodnight.

 

While smoking for many years certainly does seem to increase the possibility of getting cancer, that doesn't necessarily mean that Neil being a smoker is what caused it. My mom passed away at 50 from ovarian cancer and she never smoked a day in her life. She only drank on special occasions and lived a very clean life. Cancer is just one of those things that can get you no matter what.

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Nope. While there's the obvious fact that nothing and no one lasts forever, I wasn't expecting tragic news like this anytime in the near or intermediate future. Not from these guys anyway.
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I remember about 20 years ago when Princess Diana died here there was this (to me) hysterical outpourings of emotion which just made me think "wtf"?

 

I don't think you can compare Diana mania with the reaction of Rush fans on a Rush forum to a member of Rush dying.

 

If Elton John releases a tribute single I will stand corrected though.

 

 

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No, I never thought about or prepared myself for any of the band members dying. I think the only musical artist I'm a fan of that I ever thought about that with is Ozzy Osbourne. Let's be real, how many more times can he dodge the grim reaper? He has to be out of chances by now. Edited by J2112YYZ
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Nope.

 

I thought these all guys would be around in their 90's I suppose.

 

Pretty much the same, here. The only thought I had about any one of them dying was completely in the abstract, and still a fair number of years off in the distance.

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For many years I had a deal with the Almighty: make sure these 3 dudes live til at least their 80s. Because I knew itd be difficult to witness.

 

It's beyond my imagination how tough it's been. I wonder how challenging the last 3 years have been for Geddy n Al.

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