11 things we learned from the Neil Peart documentary

Drummers often get short shrift. Hidden behind the kit, they remain mysterious, even anonymous. Not so for Neil Peart, who was a tour-de-force for the Canadian rock band Rush and is widely considered one of the best drummers of all time. In Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple, co-directors Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn celebrate Peart’s life, extraordinary musicianship and lasting influence through interviews and musical performances. Bandmates Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, along with Peart’s fellow drummers and friends — including Stewart Copeland of the Police and Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers — share insights into the wizard behind the kit and perform Rush songs together as a tribute to his enduring legacy.

World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival

As reported by The Canadian Press, the film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 16. Bandmates Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson were expected to attend the screening of Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple, along with co-directors Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen. For those not able to make it to TIFF, the documentary is set to debut on CBC next Wednesday.

The project arrives as Rush recently launched their first tour since Peart died of brain cancer at age 67 in January 2020.

Pronunciation, Early Poverty, and Heavy Reading Habits

Among the revelations in the documentary is a simple correction regarding his surname. It's not 'Pert' like the shampoo, says Dunn, correcting a mispronunciation that has even appeared in films such as School of Rock and I Love You, Man.

Long before filling stadiums, after leaving high school, Peart moved from St. Catharines, Ont., to England at 18 determined to become a musician. He lived in cheap rooms and shared flats, experiencing what he later described as anonymity and poverty — an early test of the focus and stubbornness that would define his career. When his bandmates first met Peart, he was reading five or six books a day, according to Lee, who said it soon became obvious that their new drummer should also be writing lyrics.

Shaping the Theatrical Sound of Rush

Peart’s imagination was shaped by fantasy, mythology, science fiction, comedy and classical music — influences that found their way into Rush’s songs and lyrics. His love of J.R.R. Tolkien influenced songs such as The Necromancer and Rivendell. Peart played a major role in shaping Rush’s intricate arrangements and dramatic instrumental passages, which became central to the band’s sound. His influence is especially evident in 2112, the 20-minute title suite from the band’s 1976 album.

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It was Neil’s idea to do an overture, says Lifeson, to take all these pieces and put them together in one really cool opening. The movement weaves together themes that return throughout the piece, reflecting Peart’s operatic and orchestral approach to percussion.

Peart studied, practised and took lessons throughout his career, always approaching the drums as a student. He would rehearse for at least an hour by himself before rehearsing with the rest of the band. As the filmmakers put it, he was continuously trying to get better — even after becoming one of the best in the world.

“I think it matters for me to play better all the time,” he says in archival footage, “to play my best all the time, to keep it fresh and changing. It’s kind of my responsibility.”

Neil Peart

The Air Drummer’s Ultimate Inspiration

Copeland notes Peart’s solos were so intricate, physical and theatrical that audiences didn’t just watch — they played along in the air. I asked him one time, how do you get the air drummers? I want that, Copeland said. It's amazing at a Rush show to see them.

The middle part of Tom Sawyer is every air drummer’s fantasy section, adds Smith. If you hear Tom Sawyer, they’re all air drumming.

Away from the kit, Peart was intensely private, uncomfortable with fame and fiercely protective of his personal life. If I go off to do my job, I’m a professional, he says in an archival interview. If I’m not doing my job, then I’m a person, so don’t get that mixed up.

That fierce privacy and resilience were tested following profound personal losses. After the deaths of his 19-year-old daughter, in a car accident in August 1997, and his wife, from cancer 10 months later, Peart took a five-year hiatus. He returned to make the album Vapor Trails in 2002 and tour. Following that, Peart took part in the albums and tours for 2004’s Feedback, 2007’s Snakes & Arrows and 2012’s Clockwork Angels. Although he considered retirement in 2015, he agreed to return for one final tour.