Photo Credit: RKH Images (RKH-Images.com)
Countless members of rock royalty have taken to the Internet to pay tribute to Rush drummer Neil Peart, who lost a battle with brain cancer this week at the age of 67.
Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson says, “Neil was one of the great drummers and he’ll be missed.” Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian echoed Wilson’s sentiment, adding, “I’m going to go raise a glass and then air-drum the sh*t out of ‘Tom Sawyer.'” KISS bassist Gene Simmons calls Peart “a kind soul,” while his bandmate Paul Stanley says he was “shocked” by the “absolutely horrible news.”
Both Jack Black and Metallica‘s Kirk Hammett call Peart “a master,” while King Diamond says Peart was his “favorite drummer of all time.”
Also among those paying tribute was E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg, who wrote, “So saddened by the passing of Neil Peart. Drumming legend as we all know but a truly kind man.” And Dave Grohl, who says he’ll remember Peart as a “kind, thoughtful, brilliant man,” tells Rolling Stone, “His power, precision, and composition was incomparable. He was called ‘The Professor’ for a reason: We all learned from him.”
Neil Peart September 12, 1952 – January 7, 2020 pic.twitter.com/NivX2RhiB8
— Rush (@rushtheband) 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/T5qjECWX1W— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) 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
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) January 10, 2020
The master will be missed – Neil Peart RIP #RushForever pic.twitter.com/o4Y6chFiB3
— Jack Black (@jackblack) January 10, 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
— King Diamond (@kingdiamond) January 10, 2020
RIP Neil Peart pic.twitter.com/PxNZ3W5WSs
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) January 10, 2020
Our band may have never existed without our love for this band. #RIP #nealpeart #rush https://t.co/7ViHZTaXU6
— Gravity Kills (@GravityKillsSTL) January 10, 2020
Without the immense talent, daring musical direction and sheer innovation of this legendary drummer… Todays drum hero’s would not exist. Lil bro @arejayhale and I went to see Rush at the Hershey Arena during the… https://t.co/jlB2fVrGIc
— Lzzy Hale (@LZZYHALE) January 12, 2020
Here’s a link to my conversation yesterday with WMMR’s Tribute To Neil Peart…today, I will be calling in to Eddie Trunk’s show on Sirius XM Volume around 3pm to also share stories and pay tribute to Neil https://t.co/kBsxV4HySk
— Mike Portnoy 🤘 (@MikePortnoy) January 13, 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
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
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) January 10, 2020
RIP to a master 💔 #neilpeart https://t.co/B8ssS79tRS
— Kirk Hammett (@KirkHammett) January 10, 2020
So saddened by the passing of Neal Peart. Drumming legend as we all know but a truly kind man. Personally arranged for my son, Jay (then a teenager) to open at a venue in Boston for Rush. Huge for an aspiring drummer! Condolences to his family from our family
— Max Weinberg (@EStreetMax) January 10, 2020
Rest In Peace Neil Peart. So sad to hear.
— Peter Frampton (@peterframpton) January 10, 2020
Neil 😢
— Damon Johnson (@DamonJOfficial) January 10, 2020
Godspeed you fucking genius!! Changed my life at the age of 7, made me grab sticks and start hitting shit! Thank you for your kindness and direction in 94’ you taught us all so much, candlebox will forever be… https://t.co/qAlLUNWVzE
— CANDLEBOX (@candlebox) January 10, 2020
The Greatest. Influenced every drummer i knew. Growing up in rural GA, when you first got a chance to stumble upon this guy’s genius as a kid, it was one of those magical and pivotal moments in the timeline. You just… https://t.co/DVZEJUrAET
— 🇺🇸Butch Walker🇺🇸 (@butchwalker) January 10, 2020
It was bananas … I was sitting at the table between Rick Rubin and Spike Lee …. A Rush fanatic ROAR shook the entire building… Spike looks at me and says YO!!! WE on the ROAD! ‘ like it was a playoff game in a opposing building… lololololol https://t.co/ygYVlVljTD
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) January 13, 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
— Nickelback (@Nickelback) January 11, 2020
“Somewhere out of a memory
Of lighted streets on quiet nights…” pic.twitter.com/DcLOJoLjVK— greg dulli (@MrGregDulli) January 10, 2020