Neil wasn’t just a drummer. He was a master percussionist, master lyricist ( he wrote nearly all of Rush’s lyrics), philosopher, best selling author……and he was “The Professor”. We miss ya, Neil.

"How many drums does one need?" Answer: All of them. He uses all of them in this solo.

I was a local stagehand in 1979 and as he was practicing I stood outside his door and listened to him practice. He noticed me and was so polite and asked me what I thought of the new piece he was working on. It was not recorded yet and it was Cygnus X-1. I was floored by how nice a guy he was and miss him being in the world, but him having given up all the music and his writing made a small part of my world a better place for knowing him for less than fifteen minutes.

Amazing how many drummers react to this video and never mention that for an extended period of time, Neil is playing a waltz beat with his feet and a totally different time signature with his hands. The limb separation is unbelievable, but instead they comment on his kit or the sound or whatever.

Almost brings a tear to my eye seeing the Ol’ Professor doing what he did best. And such a kind, humble, and quiet human being. RIP Neil.

Neil was one of a kind. I’ve followed Rush for over 40 years now. Nothing compares to them. Thanks for sharing.

As for having seen the professor, as he’s called: First saw him in Worcester, Ma in late 1982 and last saw him in Tampa in 2012 (and many times in between)- He played a solo each concert and he took elements from his beginnings and built upon them each time- Truly a master and a privilege to have witnessed/heard him play.

Unlike most drummers with huge kits, Neil’s isn’t for show, he utilizes everything and always has. A true percussionist.👍

In 1982 I was a sophomore in high school band as a drummer and my first concert was Rush (Signals tour). My life changed that night and 40 years later I’m still obsessed by Neil.

Saw him 12 times and hIs playing and drum solos were a major part of Rush's concerts. This kit is small compared to his 1977-1979 Hemispheres tour kit. From the tour book: "My drums are all by Slingerland, with the inner surface of the wooden shells treated with a process called Vibra-Fibing. This consists of a thin layer of glass fiber and resin. (The drums include) two 24" bass drums, 6",8",10", and 12" concert toms, 12", 13", 15", and 18" tom-toms, and a 5"x14" wood shell snare drum. All cymbals are by Avedis Zildjian, with the exception of an 18" Chinese cymbal. The Zildjians are 6" and 8" splash, two 16", one 18" and one 20" crash cymbals, and 22" ride, a pair of 13" hi-hats, and 18" pang and a 20" China type. In the percussion department are orchestra bells, tubular bells, wind chimes, crotales, timbales, tympani, gong, temple blocks, bell tree, triangle, and melodic cowbells. For heads I use Remo black dots on the snare and bass drums, Ludwig silver dots on the concert toms and timbales, and Evans Looking Glass (top), and Speed King pedals, and Tama and Pearl stands. I use Pro-Mark 747 drumsticks with the varnish sanded off the gripping area." The reason he needed so many drums and also sound triggers is because as you will see later Rush's songs included these drums and orchestral instruments. Neil "finally admitted defeat" when he gave into needing electronic drums and sampling a lot of those sounds instead of having a cumbersome all acoustic kit. So what you see here is a hybrid 50/50 kit that takes up much less space but was capable of having "any drum or any sound" at this finger tips with electronic drum pads and foot triggers, just like he demonstrated with playing the trumpet sounds on pads and foot trigger here in this solo. He also played his snare and clap trap with his feet to free up his hands to play other drums instead. Peart received the following awards in the Modern Drummer magazine reader's poll:[28][113] Hall of Fame: 1983 Best Rock Drummer*: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2006, 2008 Best Multi-Percussionist*: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 Best Percussion Instrumentalist: 1982 Most Promising New Drummer: 1980 Best All Around: 1986 1986 Honor Roll: Rock Drummer, Multi-Percussion (* - As a member of the Honor Roll in these categories, he is no longer eligible for votes in the above categories.) Best Instructional Video: 2006, for Anatomy of a Drum Solo Best Drum Recording of the 1980s, 2007, for "YYZ" from Exit... Stage Left Peart received the following awards from DRUM! magazine: 2007: Drummer of the Year, Best Progressive Rock Drummer, Best Live Performer, Best DVD (Anatomy Of A Drum Solo), Best Drumming Album (Snakes & Arrows)[114] 2008: Drummer of the Year, Best Live Drumming Performer, Best Progressive Rock Drummer , Best Mainstream Pop Drummer (Runner-Up)[115] 2009: Drummer Of The Year, Best Progressive Rock Drummer[116] 2010: Drummer of the Year, Best Live Performer , Best Progressive Rock Drummer [117] Other honors and awards Peart was made an Officer of the Order of Canada on May 9, 1996, together with Lee and Lifeson. The trio was the first rock band to be so honoured, as a group.[118] Peart was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame along with Lifeson and Lee in 2010.[119] On April 18, 2013, Rush was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[120] In 2020, the St. Catharines city council named the pavilion in Lakeside Park (in Port Dalhousie, Ontario) after Peart.[121][122] Peart was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 2020.[123] Best Recorded Performance: 1980: Permanent Waves 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 1993: Counterparts 1997: Test for Echo 1999: Different Stages 2002: Vapor Trails 2004: R30 2007: Snakes & Arrows 2011: Time Machine 2012: Clockwork Angels

The drum kit is actually two different drum kits combined. The kit is Drum Workshop for the acoustic and Roland V-Drums for the electronic kit. There is Roland foot triggers on the floor and the midi mallet is also part of the kit. The Roland V-Drums and Midi Mallet and foot triggers are connected to a rack of synthesizers and samplers via midi. All sounds are played by Neil including the brass insturments during the jazz part at the end. This was played halfway during a three hour performance

How Neill plays a time beat with his foot and his hands are doing something completely different. Master.

I’m Canadian, so I got to see Rush way back in the day…1978 to be exact…and it was amazing. Neil was known for using Sabian cymbals.

I was lucky enough to see this Kit up close at a local Guitar Center. Neil wasn't with it, but his drum tech was and did cool walk around of the kit. Very cool!! As far as seeing them along with this solo, yes, many many times over the years! As far as tired, these solos were in the middle part of a 3 to 3 1/2 hour concert! Great reaction!!

I've been fortunate enough to see Rush live 17 times since the 80s, and IT NEVER GETS OLD!! One of the few bands that people don't head out for a break during the drum solo.

As I am an amateur drummer & a professional performance fabricator & builder of course my favorite Rush song is Red Barchetta. I was lucky enough to see Rush 4 times.

I was fortunate enough to see rush live about 30 times in my life from 1977 through 2010, always an unbelievable show

Couple of answers. You mentioned he must be tired, this was in the middle of a 3 hour concert. If you head down the Rush Rabbit hole, you'll find that while his solo is great, most songs are written at that level of quality, quantity and precision. With regardeds to Metal in him, Rush had been seen as one of the godfathers of progressive metal. If you listen to their catalogue, they are a progressive band in that they progress throughout their 40 year, 19 album career together. As you listen to them to you'll say, oh that sounds like... and then you'll see that they were a few years ahead of that genre of rock. All three members of Rush, Geddy Lee (lead vocals, bass, keys & peddles for synth and bass), Alex Lifeson (Lead acoustic, 12 string and 6 string guitar, mandolin & backing vocals) and Neil Peart (purcussion & lyrics) have been recognized as the best of their instruments at different times in their careers together as a 3 piece band. The washers were a joke. Geddy decided to get rid of the Amps on stage and go through the house mix and speakers, but Alex wanted to keep his Marshall amp stack. To balance the stage, Geddy had the road crew put washers and dryers, vending machines, roticcerie chicken ovens etc behind him. If you love drumming and want to see the band, watch YYZ: Rio, Xanadu: Exit stage left concert, then Tom Sawyer official video, Working Man - Live in Cleveland, The Weapon live... & La Villa Strangiato Then you'll be ready for 2112, Camera Eye,

Was very lucky to finally catch him on the last tour R40 in Dallas and beyond made my life getting to hear Xanadu!

I had the privilege of working with Rush for the One Little Victory Tour - Rush In Rio. Neil was beyond words incredible.

I saw Neil and Rush perform many, many times over the years, and so fortunate to do so. RIP professor, u were the greatest

He had the nickname of The Professor, he was always learning from other drummers so he could improve. The Professor and the student.

That kit is 24 carat gold my friend! 2 kits actually! It breaks my heart that Neil is gone. 😢. Thanks for the video, I LOVE this solo, and have watched it many times! I never get tired of it!

The professor is just masterful, no one does it better in my opinion.

I started listening to Rush in 1976 and saw them live in 1977, my first concert! Got to see them play 2112! 2 points with this video.. 1, his percussion set then was Massive! 2, his age when he performed this solo. The Professor was and will Always be THE GOAT!!

Saw him play in 88, 90, 97 & 2002 We were so close in 88 I could see his drum set spin around in the dark from “regular” side to the electric side, he just sat there of course. This blew my mind as a 15 year old kid ❤ rest now Neal

I saw RUSH in concert 18 times in my life, going way back. RIP Neil Peart !!! .. The GOAT of percussion ...

Saw Rush in ‘04 in Tampa. Opened first set with spirit of the radio. Opened 2nd with Tom Sawyer. Incredible.

Thanks for the reaction. I saw them 7 times, I think. My visual memory sucks, so I've had to rely on ticket stubs, friends, etc, to figure it out! Favourite songs: Cygnus X-1, Books 1 & 2 Natural Science Limelight Spirit of Radio Losing It Subdivisions The Garden Red Barchetta Analog Kid Just FYI, Peart pronounced his name P-ear-T, not P-ur-T. In other words, it rhymed with ear, steer, or beer - not dirt, shirt, or hurt.

I saw Rush at least ten times live. They were memories I will never forget. Truly unforgettable. My favorite band. Also, There is a documentary out there about DW with Neil Peart. He had ordered his touring set from DW and they go over what it took to build and deliver it. It's fascinating.

I saw Rush 9 times, including this tour. Neil never disappointed. He gave it his all every single night for more than 40 years.

My very first concert ever was Rush Snakes & Arrows tour 2007 in Illinois, I was privileged enough to see him play, and they surprisingly came back around for a second go! I've always been very musically inclined, maybe not so much musically talented, but I'm still, to this day, very grateful I was allowed to experience the drum solos he brought. Of course Alex and Geddy were just as amazing, I will never forget those amazing concerts.

Neal Peart ( peeert ) designed this kit himself as well as the individual drums. He hand picked all the material they are made of. The hardware is 24k good plated. Red Barchetta, then Limelight.

Saw him live over 50 times. Never disappointed.

can we take a moment and be in awe at the section beginning at 3:12 - the limb independence required is nothing short of mind blowing.

I missed my high-school graduation and my girlfriend's junior prom (now my wife, who doesn't let me forget it) to see Rush concerts. Tells you all you need to know about how I feel about them I guess. :) Caught a t-shirt thrown out by Alex at two different back-to-back tours, and probably saw them over a dozen times throughout the decades. My older brother played 2112 for me when I was 8 and the rest was history. Bought my first album, of any band, when I was 9, and that album was Moving Pictures. Hard to pick a favorite album, let alone song, but MP is probably at the top.

I saw Rush Live from the mid 70's so many times I lost count LOL.

I got to see the Professor live in Porto Alegre in 2002. Now I can rest in peace

Saw them 27+ times. From A Farewell To Kings to R40. Amazing every time !!!

Saw him live twice...money and time well spent☺

Thanks for watching the greatest drummer ever. I have seen Rush ten times and his drum solos seen live shake the concert halls and walls with his energy. Without Rush I would not be the person I am today they inspired me in many ways possible. Neil’s integrity and passion to be the best at his mastery of drumming changed millions of their fans lives. This is not just music it is pure genius at its best. Neil Peart was fifty years of age on Sept 4, 2004 at the time of this recording and you will never see anyone play at this level at that age again. Oh those drum kits are priceless today and are now in a museum in Toronto. They were £250,000 to build custom and he had a new one built custom on every tour over their forty years as a band. I’m am truly privileged to have seen them as many times as I have. I first saw them on the Presto tour in Toronto at the Maple Leaf Gardens in 1990. Rush will always be the best three piece band ever to walk the face of Earth and they came from Canada. Neil Peart will live forever in our hearts and mind. RIP Neil Peart

He was voted no. 1 in the world by modern drummer magazine for 10-15 years in a row

Rest in peace ✌️ Professor! Great react!

Saw Rush open for Kiss, in 1975. I never missed a tour, from that day, forward. It was an incredible journey ✌🏼❤️

My very first Concert was KISS with a small 3-piece band I'd never heard of called RUSH. August 1977. in the years since I've seen RUSH 37 times. Met the "Boys" in person 3 times. As a self taught, dyslexic Drummer, The Professor is with out a doubt my #1 influence. When Jan7 2020, my best friend called me, He's like "are you driving" I'm like "Yeah". He replied "I really need you to pull over, this is going to be rough"... Immediately my mind went to my Wife and 2 Boys, or 1 of His family. The saying goes "Do you remember where you were when . I was driving north toward Wichita, KS. I pulled over, let out a deep breathe and replied "What's up? is everyone alright?" He's like We've been friends for going on 20 years. I called ~L and asked Her and She said she didn't have it in her to tell you".... Now I'm panicking... " WHAT!!?? Are they ok? WHAT!1?" He cleared his throat and almost Whispered ">Neil Peart past this morning" ... Long pause, no comment from Me. "~R? Buddy you there?" Longer pause. " Dude! talk to Me say SOMETHiNG!? Anything!" I croaked out "thank you for calling to let me know. I love you like the family you are. I have 5 more hours of driving and i need to switch my play list and soak this in"... I'm not being over dramatic or anything. As Queensryche said ".. I feel like I've hit by a 10 ton, heavy thing" is the best descriptor of my state of mind. I queued up my dedicated RUSH Spotify playlist which, in and of itself is selected with purpose and reason. I spent the next 5.5 hours drumming on my Subaru's steering wheel through tears. The greatest Drummer I've ever heard, known, and met. Neil, RIP joining your Wife and Daughter, which wrote, both lyrically and in book form, literally, many times. < bow> To The Professor. ~R.

Just watched this. I’m enjoying your videos. I did get to see Neil in Phoenix on this tour, and this is the solo he did. You probably know this now, but he was Canadian and played Sabian cymbals for the last several years of his career. Great channel you have. 👍🏼

Neil was a master of timekeeping , he would have two or three different themes going , never heard a miss step ever , pure mastery , will be missed.

I saw him live twice in my lifetime. Once in Oslo Spektrum 26th October 2007, second time in Sweden Rock Festival June 2013.

I did met Neil so many times in Toronto he as amazing person and friend ,got drum skin sing by hem from concert .

I saw Rush at Disneyland in about 1981 and was seated about 20 feet from Neil and his drums. It was an awesome experience. I was primarily a mallet percussionist but my friend who was a very serious drummer returned several nights in a row to watch the same performance.

Saw them from the Moving Pictures Tour all the way through and had the pleasure of working the Power Windows Tour (4/20/86). Worked the load in, soundcheck, truss spot for the show and the load out. Actually got the opportunity to help the drum tech and handled Neil's drum kit. Then spent the rest of the afternoon setting up Blue Oyster Cult. Favorite Rush tune, Lakeside Park and the drum kit he is playing in the video costs more than your house. Favorite saying about Neil; Drummers use metronomes, metronomes use Neil Peart.

Hi Colby- yeah i saw Rush live back in the 90s and he was incredible then......a Master just like he is now...No One will ever be like him or play like him.....the GOAT RIP Neil.....as far as my favorite song...there are many but the good ones are off Grace under pressure and Power Windows, Signals and many others, they are all great songs.

😂 lucky enough to have seen these guys around 15 times. From Hemispheres tour to thier last. And yet I still get goosebumps when I see him play.

Back in Oct of 2010, my friends and I were fortunate enough to see Professor Neil and his bandmates of Rush when they performed in West Palm Beach, Florida during their Time Machine tour. Neil did a similar drum solo during the concert.

seen them a bunch of times but never met them. I did hang out with his best friend of 60 years, Brad, on new years. Super cool guy and very intelligent.

Sabian Paragon cymbals. Made for him. DW kit with 24k gold hardware. 23 inch bass drum. Roland V-Drums set in DW shells. Ive seen Rush 8 times and every show was amazing. Geddy used Dryers and vending machines because they ran his bass direct. What an amazing group. You should read Neil's books. He was a great writer.

Saw Rush live. My friends uncle dealt in mixing board equipment so we had mixing board seats. Best show.

Got to see Rush live several times over the last several decades. I am eternally grateful to have them in my life.

Saw Rush many times, I believe they were the best live band ever. All 3 excel in their talents. Neil always amazed me. Rush became part of me over the years like I didn't think possible.

My first concert was Rush. When vapor trails came out. Saw them five times after that! Best band live ever

He was involved in the building of that drumset.It's gold plated and it cost him more than one million dollars to build😮

I seen rush twice before he passed 😢 once in edmonton alberta for the clock work angels tour, and drove to Calgary to see the R40 concert !

Saw Rush in Vancouver. Fabulous concert. Neil did a 15 minute duelling drum solo.

I’ve seen them live around 20 or 30 times. Always astounding. A 3 member band that blasted you with sound. Every concert was flawless. My dad was a drummer in the 60’s and said he was the most impressive drummer he’s ever seen.

It's always particularly neat to watch drummers react to Neil's solo, because they see things from a different perspective than most of us and can appreciate it in different ways.

Someone put it perfectly on another channel when talking about Neil Peart: if he's not your favourite drummer he's your favourite drummers drummer.

The first, and sadly the only time I saw Rush live was in 2012 in their Clockwork Angels tour. They played most of their great hits, but also played more of their 80's material in that tour, which I'm very fond of to this day. Their live performance was simply incredible. Neil's drum solos were fantastic and goes to show why he was called The Professor. My personal favourite song from Rush is The Analog Kid, while my personal favourite album from Rush is Power Windows. Their career spanning 4 decades goes to show how resilient they were with music throughout the times, and how other artists and bands inspired their sounds throughout their career. Neil was such a legendary percussionist, and not just a drummer, but he was also a genuine person and was mostly an introvert. So grateful to see Rush in person, especially Neil. Rest in peace.

Was privileged to see RUSH live a few times. Fantastic live concerts! The master and professor of the percussions. Neil had triggers rigged to play the jazz piece at the end of the drum solo. Look closing as he hits symbols and you’ll hear the horn section. R.I.P. Professor❤

My favorite Rush song is tje Garden.. Seen the Band in Concert Many Many times.. So Happy when I became a parent to my only child and was able to spend time at their shows with Him. Memories that will last long after I will be gone.

He was the best drummer, hands down.. we have some very awesome drummer's today out there, but none of them play like this right they all want to play fast.. but as you can see here, it's not always about speed. Yes, speed is amazing, but this right here is talent like no other.. not to say others don't have talent, but this is on another level that i believe is going to be missed. RIP Neil, and thank you for all the years we got to see you play.. And as far as the best song from Rush lol i can't find one they are all killer tunes.. I've seen Rush 2 times.. thanks for sharing this with us..

I was listening to Rush's "Presto" album recently, and it sounds like elements from the first part of this drum solo were taken from the song "Scars". If you listen to the 3rd verse of the song you can hear the same tribal drums and African rhythm.

Fortunate enough to see him and the other guys twice live. Incredible experience.

I love all rush songs "A passage to Bangkok", "The trees", "The Spirit of radio".. way too many songs to pick a favorite🔥🔥

Peart's mastery spanned several facets: precision, digital-level timekeeping, taste, and a style that served the music while also showcasing his love of drums, and lastly, his own musicality translated through percussion. Perhaps El Estepario Siberiano has the physical speed and precision to follow in Neil's footsteps. I bet as EES gains experience, and if he cares to, he will one day reach Peart's level of absolute mastery. Good thing he likes to practice. :)

It was the pleasure of my life to have seen Rush live 28 times and it got better and better each time! Neil was a god amongst mortals! Rest in Peace sir!

Saw them in the 90s 00s and 2012, always a great show

I saw rush live 8 times. (2007-2015) I’m 24 years old. Lucky guy I am

Have seen every tour since permanent waves 1979/1980. Never disappointed!!!

I had the privilege of seeing this solo live along with the rest of the awesomeness that was a Rush concert. We all flipped our shit when the kit spun, best drum solo ever.

It was VERY amazing seeing him live. I remember the concert I was at where I suddenly realized that he was a literal living legend and told my partner as much.

Saw them live many times and never left without a smile on my face!

I saw Rush live just three times...and the band and Neil's drum solos never disappointed. I wish I'd had the chance to see them a few more times live.😊

“You would have to get tired after this”, and this solo was towards the end of a three hour set.

I had the pleasure of attending every Rush concert in Toronto since 1984 until the very end. Neil's solo was always a highlight. His solo wasn't at the end of the show, it was usually in the middle and he'd still pound it out until the end of the night. I appreciated your reaction, keep up the great work, I'd suggest Rush's Working Man, live from Cleveland for you, it was their last song in their encore that night, shows their stamina.

I had the opportunity to be front row center in Fresno when rush plaid opening show for the roll the bones tour. then 5 month later in reno amazing shows.

Great reaction!! I was fortunate to see Rush, on the Roll The Bones tour. Neil had his drum setup, configured in a cylinder, with each level/section, independent from the others. At one point, he spun the top section clockwise, the middle section counter-clockwise and hit every piece, as they rotated around him. That was something I'd never ever seen before...just God-like. I think that may have inspired him to expand his drum kit, into two full kits. Check out La Villa Strangiato (studio version) and analyze his style, from that time. See what you think.

I've seen RUSH live a few times, first time was 77 when UFO opened for them, WOW!

I had the pleasure of seeing Rush 53 times including the final show at the Forum in LA.... Neil was always amazing and spot on.... Best live band ever, and I have been to over 300 concerts in my life. Look forward to more Rush reactions from you.

Song "the weapon" is badass!!! Thats one of my favorite rush songs.

some random drummer: "I have the biggest drum set in the world!!!" Neil Peart: "hold my beer..."

Watching Neil videos today on the 4 years anniversary of his passing. Love ya miss ya, Neil. RIP.

I never liked Rush until I was invited by a friend to go see them live. Wow!!! Musicianship extraordinaire. Bass awesome! Guitar awesome! Drums, GODLIKE. BEEN. Huge fan ever since.

Yes I did see him in Quebec at the summer festival and yes it was almost the same solo. We lost someone you can't get back.

Been a Rush fan since 79 have seen them many times but the best was taking my sons to their 1st Rush concert on the Snake & Arrows tour I can't wait to introduce my new grandson to their music

Neil Peart created an orchestra of percussion. How many icons have played an instrument but have gone to compose some of the most memorable music to date? Mr Neil Peart is that icon. RIP

Neil is so fun to play and learn! For 35 years!

Rush was the first band I ever saw in person I think I was maybe 13. It was a pretty bad ass experience sitting right next to the stage watching him do his solo. Rip Mr.Peart. He was a truly special and intelligent human being.

Ran into Niel in North Dakota I was a trucker he was in the truck stop his bike parked right in front of the window he was eating at. We chatted about BMW motorcycles, never let on I knew who he was. What a wonderful, calm man could have talked about the roads for days. He rode off, I was a mover, then I went onto Washington State.

Saw Rush 5 times , From the 70s thru the 80s The Best of all time!!!

I saw a rush in the 80s at MSG and what a drum solo he did then awesome, such great talent!!! 🌈🕊️🆙🕊️🌈