The music world was hit with the shocking news on Friday that legendary Rush drummer Neil Peart had passed away on January 7th, after an unpublicized three-and-half-year battle with brain cancer.
As to be expected, Rush’s fans are absolutely devastated by the news, as are the band’s peers in the rock community and from other musical genres. Peart was considered one of the greatest drummers in the history of rock music, and was also Rush’s primary lyricist.
In addition to a statement from Rush themselves, tributes and reactions have poured in from members of KISS, Black Sabbath, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Nirvana, and many more artists.
Among the posts below are tweets from Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Geezer Butler, Dave Grohl, Slash, Flea, Peter Frampton, Jack Black, Kirk Hammett, Krist Novoselic, Scott Ian, Billy Corgan, Dave Lombardo, and former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, who called Peart “one of my greatest heroes of all time.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also offered his condolences, saying that Peart’s “influence and legacy will live on forever in the hearts of music lovers in Canada and around the world.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with Neil Peart’s family, friends, and bandmates during this difficult time.
This post will be updated as more reactions pour in via social media …
Neil Peart September 12, 1952 – January 7, 2020 pic.twitter.com/NivX2RhiB8
— Rush (@rushtheband) January 10, 2020
It absolutely breaks my heart to pieces to get the news of the passing of one of my greatest heroes of all time. #RIPNeilPeart My deepest condolences to the band, crew & family. Rest In Peace my friend. You will always be my hero 😓
For further thoughts: https://t.co/kg0StEx0EB pic.twitter.com/KnmalW5PLD— Mike Portnoy 🤘 (@MikePortnoy) January 10, 2020
Absolutely Horrible News. Neal Peart has died after fighting brain cancer for years. His later life was filled with so much family tragedy. So, so sad. I’m just shocked. pic.twitter.com/EM4Ea1quaY
Advertisement— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) January 10, 2020
We’ve lost a legend. But his influence and legacy will live on forever in the hearts of music lovers in Canada and around the world. RIP Neil Peart. 🇨🇦
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 11, 2020
Rest In Peace, Neil… pic.twitter.com/ceZXPYaSdd
— Metallica (@Metallica) January 11, 2020
Sad to hear of Neil Peart passing. RIP. pic.twitter.com/2iMWJq1uoo
— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) January 10, 2020
I’m gonna go spend the day air drumming. R.I.P. Neil Peart. That dude fucking shredded. https://t.co/QzsOwBDKY8
— Flea (@flea333) January 11, 2020
RIP Neil Peart pic.twitter.com/PxNZ3W5WSs
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) January 10, 2020
RIP to a master 💔 #neilpeart https://t.co/B8ssS79tRS
— Kirk Hammett (@KirkHammett) January 10, 2020
My prayers and condolences to the Peart Family, Fans and Friends. Neil was a kind soul. R.I.P……. Rush Drummer Neil Peart Dead at 67 – Rolling Stone https://t.co/icYz6fnXfE
Advertisement— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) January 10, 2020
https://twitter.com/KristNovoselic/status/1215754752987820034
Rest In Peace Neil Peart. So sad to hear.
— Peter Frampton (@peterframpton) January 10, 2020
— William Patrick Corgan (@Billy) January 10, 2020
The greatest of all time. RIP Neil Peart. I’m going to go raise a glass and then air-drum the shit out of Tom Sawyer. https://t.co/pL3xL4PUa0
— Scott Ian (@Scott_Ian) January 10, 2020
The master will be missed – Neil Peart RIP #RushForever pic.twitter.com/o4Y6chFiB3
— Jack Black (@jackblack) January 10, 2020
Beyond saddened to hear the news about Neil Peart. His impact on rock history is indelible and his influence on drummers everywhere inescapable. Our thoughts are with Neil’s family, Alex, Geddy and the millions of people that his gift touched and inspired. This one hurts. pic.twitter.com/7UdkNyz6hn
Advertisement— Nickelback (@Nickelback) January 11, 2020
RIP Neil Peart drummer for Canadian rock band #Rush Condolences to his family and fellow band members Geddy and Alex #Rush #neilpeart
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) January 10, 2020
R.I.P. Neil Peart
An extraordinary talent.Photo by @RossHalfin Photography pic.twitter.com/6hbzr794eI
— Dave Lombardo (@TheDaveLombardo) January 10, 2020
At the end of a crazy @rockhall night in 2013 where @rushtheband & @PublicEnemyFTP were inducted. It was just myself & Neil PEart alone talkin & laughing low in relief the long night was over-a small table backstage sharing a unique moment without much word. Rest in Beats my man
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) January 10, 2020
I just heard about Neil Peart passing. I feel real bad about this – he was way too young. Neil was one of the great drummers and he’ll be missed. Love & mercy to Neil’s family.
– Brian pic.twitter.com/T5qjECWX1WAdvertisement— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) January 10, 2020
What an incredibly sad moment. Neil, Geddy & Alex changed my life as a young aspiring musician. Condolences to the family and @rushtheband organization. https://t.co/FX6QtE8k4c
— David Ellefson (@ellefsondavid) January 10, 2020
RIP #NeiPeart https://t.co/YAiYBtzobj
— Slash (@Slash) January 10, 2020
Neil Peart's carefully-crafted, precision drumming and virtuosic solos compelled fans to air-drum along to his impeccable fills during his iconic live performances. A drummer’s drummer, Peart’s contributions to @rushtheband catapulted the band & prog rock itself to the next level pic.twitter.com/yfwxe9jTH2
— Rock Hall (@rockhall) January 11, 2020
It is unbelievably sad to hear that my favorite drummer of all time, Neil Peart, has left us. Very hard to find words to properly express the level of inspiration & influence he had on so so many musicians. He will forever remain at the top of my list. Farewell to a true king. pic.twitter.com/A9QkSWg2f9
Advertisement— King Diamond (@kingdiamond) January 10, 2020
Rush embodied Rock & Roll in a way that transcended whether you were a fan or not-they did exactly what they wanted to do-exactly the way they wanted to do it. NO COMPROMISE.
Love them – or not. RESPECT is totally due.
Neil Peart fused Heart.Mind.Body. To a seamless whole.
R.I.P.— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) January 11, 2020
RIP Neil. @rushtheband Thoughts go out to Neil’s family and friends. Thank you for the music, your legacy lives on pic.twitter.com/N7EMydFaRd
— OVERKILL (@OverkillBand) January 10, 2020
Fuck this timeline. Definition of gut punched. I feel like I just lost my cool uncle. My cool uncle that was also the best rock drummer to ever live. So sad there will never be Rush 50, still thought I’d see them one last time in Toronto doing a one off. RIP Neil Peart pic.twitter.com/FpMTMJT199
Advertisement— Brian Posehn (@thebrianposehn) January 10, 2020
Sadly Neil Peart passed away earlier this week. One the greatest drummers of all time. One of the founding members of one of the greatest Rock n Roll bands of all time. Rush @ZildjianCompany @EvansDrumheads @vicfirth @HumesandBerg
— KennyAronoff (@AronoffOFFICIAL) January 10, 2020
Another family member gone pic.twitter.com/3NMWH8AXyP
— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) January 10, 2020
My deepest and most sincere condolences to Neil’s family and friends, and to Rush fans everywhere. What a brilliant and wonderful man. He left his mark on the world, music, drumming and so much more. With absolute love and Respect, Rest In Peace. https://t.co/569ssIL8pr pic.twitter.com/5bccoBnuIf
— Billy Sheehan (@BillyonBass) January 10, 2020
Wow… speechless… stunned.. RIP Neil Peart @rushtheband as per Rolling Stone: Drummer Neil Peart Dead at 67 – Rolling Stone https://t.co/uvmIIP5BEV
Advertisement— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) January 10, 2020
RIP Neil Peart. A true artist and a sweet, good guy. And probably the most air drummed drummer of all time. This is my tribute…air drumming one of THE greatest, iconic drum moments in rock history. #neilpeart #rush https://t.co/01RW6pYWIl
— Josh Freese (@joshfreese) January 10, 2020
Forever the master – Neil Peart pic.twitter.com/3iXVkq4jH1
— Danko Jones (@dankojones) January 10, 2020
