Neil Peart, lyricist and drummer for Rush, is dead at 67, according to Rolling Stone.
The 67-year-old drummer reportedly battled brain cancer for three years, though the illness was kept quiet. According to reports, he died on Tuesday in Santa Monica, California. Rush, which Peart joined in 1974, stopped touring in 2015. Peart is survived by wife Carrie Nuttal and daughter Olivia.
The Hall of Fame drummer is considered to be one of rock’s most technical, masterful musicians, and his death immediately became the No. 1 Twitter trend in the United States on Friday as fans offered social media tributes. It also became the top search trend on Google News.
As rock critic Steven Hyden tweeted: “Deep, thoughtful, and sneaky hilarious dude. Great writer. Incredible drummer. 1/3 of one of the greatest hard rock bands ever.”
Words fail me when I think of the gift that Neil Peart was. Sometimes, cancer takes the finest people, and in this case, that is what happened. It's difficult to think of a world without Neil in it. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/ZqDnEYlG5x
— Donna Halper (@DevorahLeah) January 10, 2020
There are drummers and then there is Neil Peart. I believe for most of us he was the “one”. I would Rush ( no pun) home from school to play Natural science , subdivisions and numerous other tracks. His playing helped shape the drummer I am today. RIP professor .I💜Neil Peart
— Charlie Benante (@skisum) January 10, 2020
I am so emotional about my favorite musicians. This being one of them. Neil Peart you were the magician of a drum player. Being a drummer myself, watching you, was pure bliss. You will always be the master. Godspeed RIP 😪😪😪 #rollthebones 🥁🥁🥁 pic.twitter.com/7T5NPz6Qc6
— Christina Hand (@ChristinaHand9) January 10, 2020
Reddit’s Rush fandom community, which boasts 20,227 members, was likewise in mourning and shock.
“Shocked, stunned, speechless, numb, disbelieving,…” redditor mcjimmybingo wrote.
“I just got the news from my dad that Neil Peart died. My dad is a drummer in a rush tribute band, which means he is extremely devastated. It sucks to know that another great musician passed away,” added redditor Sir-Joseph.
Even on the Daily Dot’s company Slack, rock fans were bummed as hell.
H/T Rolling Stone