The Untold Truth Of Rush

Publish date: 2024-05-06

If there's one thing even non-fans know about Rush, it's that their drummer, Neil Peart, was considered one of the greatest drummers in the history of modern music. Rolling Stone ranks him at #4 on its 100 greatest drummers of all time list, surpassed only by Ginger Baker, Keith Moon, and John Bonham—which is pretty good company. Originally modeling his drumming on Moon's frenetic, unconventional style, Peart ironically became known as "The Professor," a drummer who brought precision and intricacy to every song.

As noted by NPR, Peart also became the band's chief lyricist, writing most of the words for their songs and introducing an intellectual and verbose sensibility to rock and roll. In other words, Peart was essential to Rush—without Peart, Rush would have been a very different band.

So it's key to note that Rush almost was that different band. As explained by Ultimate Classic Rock, when formed in 1968 the band's drummer was John Rutsey, a childhood friend of Alex Lifeson. Rutsey was the band's timekeeper until 1974, co-wrote their debut single and played on the band's first record, which included the band's first breakthrough hit with "Working Man." According to Geddy Lee, Rutsey didn't like the touring life, and wasn't up for the type of drumming Lifeson and Lee wanted, so he left the band on amicable terms—paving the way for Peart to join and change the band's history.

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