BREAKING: Neil Peart – Dead at 67 [audio]

One of the greatest drummers of all time, Neil Peart, has passed away. It has been reported that the brilliantly talented drummer and lyricist of the legendary Canadian rock group Rush, died on Tuesday, January 7th in Santa Monica, CA at the age of 67.

According to Rolling Stone, Elliot Mintz, a spokesperson for the family, confirmed that the cause was brain cancer, which he had been quietly battling for three years.

Peart joined Rush in 1974 alongside frontman and bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson. The band played their farewell tour in 2015 culminating in a final show at the Forum in Los Angeles. The world will miss Peart’s impressive drum kits, with more than 40 different drums at a time, as well as his precise style that paid homage to his hero, The Who’s Keith Moon, while going well beyond that example.

Rush’s album sales statistics put them third behind The Beatles and The Rolling Stones for the most consecutive gold or platinum albums by a rock band. Rush also ranks 79th in U.S. album sales with 25 million units. Worldwide, the band has moved over 40 million units, as reported by the RIAA.

Peart is survived by his wife, Carrie Nuttal, and daughter Olivia.

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