Neil Ellwood Peart OC (born September 12, 1952) is the main lyricist and drummer for the progressive rock band Rush. A perennial favourite of younger drummers, he has received many awards for his recorded performances (for example, from Modern Drummer magazine), yet remains vastly underrated. He uses a famously elaborate drum kit, which has ranged in size from merely large to truly elephantine. His drumming style is eclectic: he cites influences ranging from The Who's Keith Moon to jazz drummer Buddy Rich. He was born in Caledonia, Ontario; his last name is pronounced 'Peert'.

Literary references abound in Peart's lyrics. Examples include William Shakespeare ("Limelight"), Friedrich Nietzsche ("Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres"), John dos Passos ("The Camera Eye", "The Big Money"), and J. R. R. Tolkien ("Rivendell", "The Necromancer"). Some of the most oft-commented upon are homages to Ayn Rand's novel Anthem, in Rush's 1975 song of the same name on their Fly by Night album, and again in an explicitly acknowledged derivation in 1976's 2112 suite. Weary of accusations of "Fascism", or even simply ideological fealty to Rand's philosophy of "Objectivism" for acknowledging influence by Rand, Peart has sought to remind listeners of his eclecticism and independence in interviews. He did not, however, try to argue in defense of Rand's views. It may have made sense for him to explain that Objectivism is not entirely Right-Wing and in fact rejects Fascism.

For a start, the extent of my influence by the writings of Ayn Rand should not be overestimated -- I am no one's disciple.

In another interview Peart characterized his political views as simply "libertarian".

Peart observes that such sentiments led him to make fewer overt references to Rand in his lyrics. Peart has said "There was a remarkable backlash, especially from the English press— this being the late seventies, when collectivism was still in style, especially among journalists. They were calling us 'junior fascists' and 'Hitler lovers.' It was a total shock to me." In later recordings, Peart strives "to incorporate Rand's ideas in a more subtle manner".

Along with his Rush colleagues Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, Peart was made an Officer of the Order of Canada on May 9, 1996. The trio were the first rock musicians so honoured.

Peart's only child, daughter Selena Peart Taylor, was killed in a single-car accident in 1997, and his wife, Jaqueline Taylor, died of cancer only 10 months later in 1998. Peart subsequently remarried photographer Carrie Nuttall.

Peart is also the author of three travelogues, including such works as The Masked Rider, which documented a bicycle tour through Cameroon in late 1988, and Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road, which recounted his motorcycle travels through Canada, the United States, and Mexico following the deaths of his wife and child. His third, Traveling Music: The Soundtrack to My Life and Times, was released in June 2004, along with a re-release of The Masked Rider.

Neil Peart has received the following awards in the Modern Drummer magazine reader's poll:

• Hall of Fame: 1983
• Best Rock Drummer: 1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985
• Best Multi-Percussionist: 1983,1984,1985,1986
• Best Percussion Instrumentalist: 1982
• Most Promising New Drummer: 1980
• Best All Around: 1986
• Best Recorded Performance: 1981: Moving Pictures
• 1982: Exit... Stage Left
• 1983: Signals
• 1985: Grace Under Pressure
• 1986: Power Windows
• 1988: Hold Your Fire
• 1989: A Show of Hands
• 1990: Presto
• 1992: Roll The Bones
• 1986: Honor Roll: Rock Drummer, Multi-Percussion

External links

• Interview with Peart in which he addresses the influence of Ayn Rand on his lyrics
• Carrie Nuttall's website
• Official Rush Web site
• Fan site with the latest Neil Peart information, photos, reviews, and links