Bass Drum Head Artwork

< Neil Peart drum kit history / Chromey restoration page

By Michael D.F. Lowe of NeilPeartDrumsticks.com.

The artwork on the bass heads from Fall 1974 to Fall 1975 was on 22" Evans Rock Chrome heads with the first album RUSH logo in black.

In Fall 1975, with the start of the Caress Of Steel Tour, the kit can be seen with clear 22" Evans Rock Blue resonant heads with the Caress Of Steel RUSH logo lettered in chrome mylar along with black lettered names on chrome rectangles, "neil" on the stage right bass and "peart" on the stage left bass.

In June 1976 during the 2112 Tour, the bass heads were removed for recording a series of live shows at Massey Hall in Toronto, Canada.

These recordings were later released on the album, All The World's A Stage. Before the heads were reinstalled, the interior of each head was spray painted blue, as seen here today.

You may have also seen recent photos, or the wall display, of the stage right bass head and its tragic demise.

This was caused by a small nick of the razor when cutting microphone holes in the heads.

It was reinforced with duct tape in an effort to prevent its spread across the surface. As you can see it didn't last long but did manage to hold up for about 9-10 months until February - March 1977 as witnessed in dated photos where further duct taping has been applied to the tear. We removed the heads to preserve them from any further damage.

 < Neil Peart drum kit history / Chromey restoration page