Neil Peart

[ElPredicador]

Do you think Neil Peart is really that good??
I'm not a die-hard Rush fan, but I've heard quite a bit, and I don't think he is that good. All right, he is a good player, but I think he is famous just because he was the first famous one, and not because he is "the best drummer in the world".
What do you think?

 

[ProgMetalFan]

Yes, I think he's that good. Just listen to his work on "Hold Your Fire" or "Power Windows".

NP: Nightingale - "The One"

 

[v01c354nd51gn5]

maybe my vote was a little influenced, cuz i just watched his drum solo on the Rush in Rio DVD, and i thought it was a pretty good solo. i've never been a die-hard rush fan either, but as far as drumming goes, i think Peart knows his stuff. i mean im not gonna run out and buy his signature snare drum or cymbals or anything, but yeah, i think he's a good player. i've learned more from other drummers: portnoy, rullo, carey, and many more, but i still think peart is good, if not that good. theres also stuff i dont like about his playing, but the good outweighs the bad. meh, i guess everyone has their own opinion. i wouldnt say he's the best drummer in the world, but he deserves what recognition he has. ElPredicador, who else are you into?

 

[ElPredicador]

Well, I'm not a drummer myself, but I think influences (you don't have to be a drummer to be influenced by them) are: Kirk Covington (Trial Tech), Sean Reinert (Cynic), Dave Weckl, and to some extent, Dennis Chambers (I haven't heard that much from him)...
Who are you into?

 

[Connauch]

Peart delivers consistently, which I really dig. While he isn't a tech player who's all over the place, he knows what sounds good and performs it well.

 

[Platinum Maze]

He's THAT good.

 

[glasscastle]

hmmm, Just as I thought! Born 1986!! Trust me son, most of the drummers out today would not sound like they do, if it wasn't for Peart. If that didn't clear things up this will....yes ...he is that good....Ask Portnoy!!


Recomended listening 2112, Exit Stage Left(duh), Signals

 

[MorphineChild205]

You better believe he's THAT good!

 

[Demonspell]

Yes, I do think he's more than worthy of the praise he receives from musicians and Rush fanatics. But I wouldn't call him the best drummer of all time...that would be Bill Bruford.

 

[ElPredicador]

Well, I am not saying he doesn't play well, he plays well, does his thing, and has influenced most modern drummers. But that does not necessarily mean he is worthy of all the praise he recieves. It's like saying that Mozart is good because he influenced most musicians after him. Mozart is good because of what he composed, not because he influenced many musicians. And also you have to see that Rush was a famous band, and Neil Peart was one of the first good drummers that became famous. So influence has also a lot to do with fame, since you can't influence people if they don't know you, and if more people know you, more possibilities you've got to influence them and be called a great drummer by them.

 

[urinalcakemix]

*Cough* Virgil Donati *cough*

Pearts Good, but hes a bit overrated. hes not the GOD, or greatest drummer, hes consistent, tight, and doesnt fuck up.

The best drummer award goes to Virgil Donati - Or Weckl.

 

[Prismatic Sphere]

YES, he's THAT good. And I would also go so far as to say that he's still a bit overlooked.(i.e. Keith Moon is mentioned 10 times for every time Peart is and who's better? C'mon!").

Is he the best drummer of all time?
Probably.

But he's definitely the best percussionist.

And anyone who's seen him live can testify that he plays traditionally(the way he holds the sticks) which is much harder.
He's also one hell of a lyricist. i can't think of anyone else who has the balls to utilize the influence of Ayn Rand so eloquently in a rock song.

 

[The Stormbringer]

Prismatic Sphere said it all. In my opinion, Peart is the best drummer ever, partly because he knows so well when NOT to show off his awesome chops. His incredibly classy and eloquent lyrics don´t have anything to do with his work behind the ´kit, but should be mentioned nonetheless.

 

[RobbM]

Virgil Donati, check out his solo on Vai's live at the Astoria. I had 3 drummers I know check it out, and there jaws were all on the floor...

 

[The Stormbringer]

Solos are by far the most blatant way to show what you´re capable of... I respect it far more if a drummer can do so in a song. Which Peart can.

 

[ProgMetalFan]

Solos are by far the most blatant way to show what you´re capable of... I respect it far more if a drummer can do so in a song. Which Peart can.

Agreed.

I'm a drummer myself... and I find 95 percent of drum solos to be boring and useless.

 

[v01c354nd51gn5]

are you saying just that becuase you can't solo, lol? i've found that soloing will brighten up the toughest crowds when you are playing live. what are the 5% that you do like, and have u seen Peart's solo on the Rush in Rio DVD?

 

[v01c354nd51gn5]

im still "jaws on the floor" from most planet X stuff with donati. i just had to rip off a few soloing techniques from him. i dont think peart's the absolute best drummer, but he's certainly good at what he does. portnoy's kinda the same way . Rullo's up there on my list, cuz he's real versatile and incorporates a lot (rudiments, speed, double bass, odd meters, dynamics, syncopation, etc.) in his playing, more so than most other prog metal drummers i've heard. now theres a guy who can solo . i'll agree that soloing isnt everything, but it makes a drummer look better.

 

[OfSinsAndShred]

I didn't think he was that good... but watch Rush in Rio. He's a busy man back there.

 

[Velocity]

He is overrated, but man considering how big influence he has been to the greatest drummers out there today he still deserves a lot of respect!
His drumming on the earlier Rush albums is groundbreaking!