Neil Peart's Drumming Journey Before Joining Rush
Neil Peart, the legendary drummer and lyricist for the iconic band Rush, began his journey as a musician in the small town of St. Catharines, Ontario. Before becoming a household name, Peart played with several local bands before joining the global sensation, Rush. Let's explore the musical journey that led to his legendary status in the rock world.
Early Career with Hush
Peart's playing career started with Hush, a Canadian rock and pop band. Hush was formed in the early 1970s and was initially a unremarkable band, with Peart joining them briefly in the early 1970s. His time with Hush was short, as he was soon invited to join Rush, a band that would transform his career and solidify his place in rock history.
Local Bands in St. Catharines
Before joining Hush, Peart played in several local bands in St. Catharines, including Mumblin' Sumpthin', The Majority, and JR Flood. It was during his time with JR Flood that something significant occurred. JR Flood recorded a demo album at Toronto Sound Studios, the same studio where Rush would later record some of their seminal albums such as 'Fly By Night', 'Caress of Steel', and '2112'. However, the demo didn't garner any major label interest.
Feeling that opportunities for success were scarce, Peart decided to move to England in 1971. During this time, he briefly joined a London-based band called English Rose. Unfortunately, English Rose didn’t make any significant impact, and Peart eventually returned to Canada in late 1972, disillusioned with the music business. He took a job managing his father's farm equipment dealership, which provided a stark contrast to his former career path.
Unsolicited Audition and the Rush Tour
In July 1973, Peart received an unexpected offer. Vic Wilson, one of the managers of the band Rush, came to Dalziel Equipment and offered Peart an audition. At this point, he knew very little about Rush but was intrigued by their recent progress. They had released an independent Canadian album and were contracted by a major American label, Mercury Records. The opportunity to join a band with such potential was too good to miss, even if it meant skepticism about managers' promises.
Two weeks after the audition, Peart's first live performance with Rush took place at the Pittsburgh Civic Center. Rush was opening for Uriah Heep and Manfred Mann, providing a significant platform for the band. This moment marked the beginning of Peart's legendary career with Rush, where he would go on to become one of the most influential drummers in rock history.
Reflections from Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson
In a 2008 Rolling Stone interview, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, Peart's fellow Rush bandmates, reflected on the first time they met him. Peart's audition was memorable, and even despite initial misgivings, the rest is rock history.
The journey from a local band in St. Catharines to becoming a pivotal member of Rush is a testament to Peart's talent, dedication, and enduring passion for music. His experiences with bands like Hush and JR Flood played a crucial role in shaping the drummer who would later define the sound of Rush and inspire countless musicians around the world.