The drummer for Rush... Rest In Peace

The music of my youth...

‘Jacob’s Ladder’ by Rush.
I was late teens, early 20’s and loved drums. I went to a Rush concert and was transfixed by their drummer. I was also amazed 3 guys could make so much racket! Lol :-)

I never saw them live, I wish I had when they came to town.

Saw them in Toronto 2x and Buffalo once. One show started with the stage going dark and the Three Stooges theme playing and then turning into one of their songs lol.

They didn’t do the Stooges thing when I saw them, but I would have loved it.
Back in the 80’s, I listened almost exclusively to Rush.
I listened to both sides of their albums. Because of them being in the news, I started listening to them again and I’m amazed how familiar their songs are to me still :-)

He sure was busy, lol :-)

My all time favorite drummer hands down. I love Rush, but my wife is downright fanatical. We saw them on their last tour and while Geddy's voice wasn't quite there, Neil's drumming was phenomenal. Phil Collins quit drumming because of his back and I just figured that's why Neil needed to stop, I had no idea he had cancer...exit The Warrior. :-(

Sorry, I’ve been busy for a bit.
I had no idea Neil was sick at all, and was floored when I saw the news.
So glad I saw them live.
Back in the day, I listened to all the Rush albums and all the obscure songs that never made it on the radio. I studied the drums mostly.
I would wear my headphones backwards, right and left reversed, so I’d hear the music from the band’s perspective.
Then I could envision where the drums, cymbals and other toys were located.
Then I would turn down the speed on my turntable so I could try and decipher all the action that was too fast to understand otherwise.
Peace to you :-)

So gladI got to see them one last time. I heard somewhere that the first time they met Neil they hit it right off because they all had the same sense of humor. They started doing Monty Python routines etc. You can see their humor in a lot of what they do from using South Park ad their lead in to Tom Sawyer, incorporating Mel's Rockpile into the show, Geddy doing Take Off with Bob And Doug to Alex's acceptance speech at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame (complete with a cringing Neil and Geddy standing behind him)

Peace back at you! :-)

Wow, I had no idea about the sense of humor connection!
I didn’t really watch South Park, so I wouldn’t catch any references. I was a Stooges / Munsters / Benny Hill type.
I think it’s cool that they were goofing around with the Python sketches and all. What a bunch of fun guys!
One cool thing about music is, even after they’re gone, you can still listen to them :-)

I watched a lot of Three Stooges and my 6th grade teacher used to bring in Laurel And Hardy reels on Fridays. If you have a minute I would recommend Youtubing Tom Sawyer with intro by South Park and Alex's acceptance speech at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction if you haven't already seen it (and notice Geddy and Neil in the background...they look pissed)

Wow! Alex went off the deep end!
At first I thought he was only going to do that for a few seconds, but then he kept going. The other two probably wanted to hit him over the head. It was different, but that’s your ONLY chance to make that speech, and you do that.
Well, if I ever get into the Rock & Roll hall of fame, I won’t do that, lol.
I also saw the non P.C. South Park intro, lol :-)
Thanks for the tip, I would have never seen these.

I thought the speech was kind of Andy Kaufmanesque. I think it was intended to make people uncomfortable (perhaps because it took Rush so long to get into The RRHOF) and accomplished just that. It's one of those looks good on paper ideas...when I describe it, it sounds like a solid premise, but when I sit through it, it's unsettling. Would have worked better if it was shorter, but I don't think that was Alex's intent. Don't know what was up with Neil's nose and you can count on my vote if you're ever nominated for The RRHOF

Lol, that’s exactly right!
Yeah, I thought Alex would do just the first 3 blahs and then get on in English. But even 3 blahs would seem disrespectful to the group expecting gratitude.
If I ever get into the RRHOF, I’ll be standing next to you, so get your speech ready :-)

Wow, thanks! I've already written my speech: Yada, yada, yada... :-)

Neil sounds like the guy from the Bugs Bunny episode, “Hare Conditioned”, lol!
That video was hilarious! Tell your wife I said thanks :-)
Alex is a real clown.
Those guys really had fun together. All the more sad that Neil is gone.
I’m sure I’ll watch that again :-)

LMAO! That voice is spot on. My wife says your welcome...she and my stepson met Geddy last summer at a book signing

I just saw one of these annoying turbo-tax commercials, and thought of Alex’s speech, lol :-)
You’ve ruined me, lmao!
See you when it’s our turn :-)

https://youtu.be/OjbvZJaxcbw My wife just showed me this clip. It's long, but is a good insight into the humor of all three. Cheers! :-)

Sorry, I'm notable to post the link, but if you YouTube Rush dinner lodge you'll get a twelve minute insight into the band. :-)

Oh yeah, WTF is up with Neil’s nose?
It was noticeably dark.