Widely considered one of the greatest rock and roll drummers of all time, Neil Peart toured the world as part of Canadian prog-rock trio Rush.
Since forming in 1968, the band has sold more than 40 million records and picked up more than half-a-dozen Grammy nominations, among many other accolades.
Peart joined Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson as a permanent member of the band in 1974, and remained part of the trio until he retired from music in 2015.
Born in 1952 in Hamilton, Ontario, he developed a love of music early in his childhood and was given his first drum from his parents as a 13th birthday present.
During his late teens he performed with a range of bands and also spent a spell in London trying to achieve success as a drummer.
Neil Peart September 12, 1952 – January 7, 2020 pic.twitter.com/NivX2RhiB8
— Rush (@rushtheband) January 10, 2020
He was given his break after moving back to Canada and auditioning for Rush, in front of Lee and Lifeson, just two weeks before their first US tour.
Peart quickly became a key member of the band and found himself its main lyricist, with his influences in fantasy, sci-fi and philosophy making their way into Rush’s music.
He was credited with writing some of the band’s best-loved tracks including Tom Sawyer and The Spirit of Radio.
Peart retired from music in 2015, after the band’s final world tour. A documentary about them was released in 2016 and Rush disbanded in 2018.
Peart died on Tuesday aged 67.
A statement posted on the band’s Twitter said: “It is with broken hearts and the deepest sadness that we must share the terrible news that on Tuesday our friend, soul brother and band mate of over 45 years, Neil, has lost his incredibly brave three-and-a-half year battle with brain cancer (glioblastoma).
Foo Fighters frontman and former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl inducted Peart into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2013.
He said: “Today the world lost a true giant in the history of rock and roll.
“An inspiration to millions with an unmistakeable sound who spawned generations of musicians, like myself, to pick up two sticks and chase a dream.
“A kind, thoughtful, brilliant man who ruled our radios and turntables not only with his drumming but also his beautiful words.”
Tributes also flooded in from the likes of Kiss frontman Gene Simmons, who called Peart a “kind soul”, while actor and Tenacious D musician Jack Black said: “The master will be missed.”
