A favourite of drum nerds everywhere and the backbone of legendary Canadian prog-rock act Rush, drummer Neil Peart says he's finally retired from the music industry.
In a new interview with Drumhead Magazine [via Consequence of Sound], Peart openly explained that he's a retired drummer:
Lately Olivia has been introducing me to new friends at school as 'My dad – He's a retired drummer.' True to say – funny to hear. And it does not pain me to realize that, like all athletes, there comes a time to… take yourself out of the game. I would rather set it aside then face the predicament described in our song 'Losing It' ('Sadder still to watch it die, than never to have known it').
Peart's long suggested that his retirement was imminent. The drummer has struggled with chronic tendonitis, and also regularly told media he hopes to spend more time with his family.
Earlier this year, Rush embarked on their R40 tour. Guitarist Alex Lifeson told Classic Rock magazine it would likely be their last full-blown tour.
Here's hoping Neil Peart enjoys his retirement, though we have a feeling this won't be the last we hear from him.
UPDATE (12/8, 12 p.m.): In a new interview with Prog [via Blabbermouth], Geddy Lee disputed the claims that Peart was retired from music entirely. "We'll get together eventually and chat about things," he said. "But in my view, there is certainly nothing surprising in what he said. Neil just feels that he has to explain with all the thousands of people asking, 'Why no more tours?' He needs to explain his side of it."
In a new interview with Drumhead Magazine [via Consequence of Sound], Peart openly explained that he's a retired drummer:
Lately Olivia has been introducing me to new friends at school as 'My dad – He's a retired drummer.' True to say – funny to hear. And it does not pain me to realize that, like all athletes, there comes a time to… take yourself out of the game. I would rather set it aside then face the predicament described in our song 'Losing It' ('Sadder still to watch it die, than never to have known it').
Peart's long suggested that his retirement was imminent. The drummer has struggled with chronic tendonitis, and also regularly told media he hopes to spend more time with his family.
Earlier this year, Rush embarked on their R40 tour. Guitarist Alex Lifeson told Classic Rock magazine it would likely be their last full-blown tour.
Here's hoping Neil Peart enjoys his retirement, though we have a feeling this won't be the last we hear from him.
UPDATE (12/8, 12 p.m.): In a new interview with Prog [via Blabbermouth], Geddy Lee disputed the claims that Peart was retired from music entirely. "We'll get together eventually and chat about things," he said. "But in my view, there is certainly nothing surprising in what he said. Neil just feels that he has to explain with all the thousands of people asking, 'Why no more tours?' He needs to explain his side of it."