Neil Peart on introverts, learning to improvise, and why people should be nicer to one another

Macleans Magazine ^ | 8-13-2012 | Mike Doherty

[My Favorite Headache]

I love Rush and always will but Neil is a walking contradiction over his entire life and what he has written and has said influenced him to his core. Then again he said a few years back that one of his dream dinners would be to have dinner with Barack Obama. But that was a few years ago...since then I have noticed Neil's more Libertarian side starting to come back and his hard left turn he took back in 2002 through 2008 has kinda waned. Still....I bet Abe Lincoln would take issue with his Republican/Jesus remarks.

Side note...the new Rush album is their best in over 20 years...easily.

[ConservativeStatement]

Hey Neil, Show Don’t Tell.

[the invisib1e hand]

I recently discovered this "Rush" and was quite impressed by their energy and cohesion at their advanced age.

As always I tried to track down what makes them tick and all I can say is that, during the one interview I watched, Neil seemed like he was off his meds.

Now then, I have also recently RE-discovered Brain Salad Surgery, and it's clear what Mr. Peart was listening to as a boy.

I recently rediscovered that Carl Palmer was far and away the most impressive drummer of the century and probably beyond.

[Uri’el-2012]

Because I know at the end of it, if I’m going to meet Jesus or Allah or Buddha, I’m going to be all right.

This twit is on the wide road to destruction.

shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach

[762X51]

Hey Neil, it’s gonna be a long, hot, eternity.

[FlingWingFlyer]

So for the last 40 years this guy has been beating on some drums? I guess that explains why he’s one of those idiots who thinks Jesus was a registered DemocRAT.

[Wiser now]

Just which teachings is he refering to?
My guess is the man has never looked at a Bible and has no idea what it says. What he ‘knows’ is what liberals have told him it says. Liberals always get it wrong.
For example, the reason he never sees people helping others is because Jesus told us to do our giving in secret. We aren’t supposed to be showing off, and, what we do in secret God alone can judge! God has not appointed liberals to be his deputies in punishing the successful. He has reserved that right for Himself, because only His judgement will be accurate.

[servo1969]

Just play the drums, Neil.

[The Antiyuppie]

Nonetheless, he IS one of R&R’s greatest drummers, certainly one of the very best living.

[wastedyears]

I don’t agree with his politics either, but despite what you guys say, he’s easily one of the best drummers in the world.

[the invisib1e hand]

anyway, that said, I have to admit that I am quick to point out to people that I'm "conservative", not necessarily "Republican," and vote that way only because a republicans tend to be more conservative than democrats. And it's easy to see how Mr. Peart would be able to make such a remark if he never really investigated conservatism, but only listened to what people said about republicans and, sadly, what a lot of republicans themselves say.

Good article. Thx.

[oldernittany]

“it is impossible to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and be a Republican”

I am sure JC would love the Democratic platform of
Abortion, gay marriage and government mandated free contraception for everyone. Also, as a Rabbi, I am sure old JC would be right on board with Obama’s anti-israel stance and the “tolerance” of the peace loving Islamists who believe in honor killings and stoning rape victims. Neil Peart this is you:

http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1228&bih=889&tbm=isch&tbnid=4wFSOUSfWHCs1M:&imgrefurl=http://makeprojects.com/Project/Meat-Head/294/1&docid=-L1jYWGJ1wwsWM&imgurl=http://guide-images.makeprojects.org/igi/nSIUZD1JZPokf22r.medium&w=592&h=444&ei=G5kpUIWzGaqZ0QGXuoHwDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=495&vpy=196&dur=6351&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=103&ty=210&sig=112217760968054521064&page=1&tbnh=155&tbnw=206&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:134

[andyk]

Oh, Neil. You just totally ruined Red Barchetta.

[My Favorite Headache]

I do not identify with the 2012 definition of Republican. I am a Conservative Libertarian for sure. Neil’s old writings back from 75-81 used to be too and then the Greenpeace movement started brainwashing him.

[wastedyears]

Rush has been around since the mid 70s and you’re just now coming across them?

[bubbacluck]

I just rediscovered “Tarkus” and “Trilogy”. These were talented musicians.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

What can you say. He’s a drummer.

Q: What do you call a drummer whose girlfriend just broke up with him?

A: Homeless.

[Bigun]

Rush's Neil Peart: "It is impossible to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and be a Republican"

Exactly backwards if you ask me!

I don't know how anyone who calls themselves a Christian can be anything other than a conservative republican.

[BuddaBudd]

Shut up and play !