Neil Peart -- The Latest News

Neil has posted a new update to his website. You can read it here:

Independence Day - July 2008

In this update, among other topics, Neil writes about how much he enjoys the crowds at Rush concerts and the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle.

Labels: neilpeart.net, NEP motorcycling, News updates, Rush SnakesArrows, web article, written by NEP

Labels: colbert performance, Rock Band

Update: This kit was sold 8/9/08.

For all you collectors out there who didn't pick up a DW Neil Peart 30th Anniversary Commemorative kit before they sold out, here's your chance. One owner is selling his kit--and even throwing in a few other goodies. You can look at the details and contact information at this link:

30th Anniversary Neil Peart Drums FOR SALE-negotiable

Labels: cymbals, Drum Workshop, drums

The official announcement of Neil Peart winning "Drummie of the Year" for a second time is now online. You can read it here:

Neil Peart's Progressive Percussion Proves Itself Again; Nominated "Drummer Of The Year" For A Second Time In 'Drummies 2008'

Excerpt:

San Jose, Calif - He's done it again: Neil Peart has been selected "Drummer Of The Year" in DRUM! Magazine's Drummies 2008, a prestigious reader survey contest comprised of 42 categories, conducted by Enter Music Publishing, publishers of hip/drum percussion magazines worldwide. More than 5000 drummers nominated Peart; the runners-up were Stanton Moore, Mike Portnoy and Jimmy Sullivan.

Congrats, Neil!

Labels: awards

Update -- 7/17/08

You can now watch the entire show on the Comedy Central website.

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According to the article:

The Canadian band Rush, which hasn't performed on U.S. television in more than three decades, will play their classic "Tom Sawyer" on the Comedy Central show Wednesday (11:30 p.m. EST). The Geddy Lee-led trio, which is currently on tour, hasn't played on U.S. television since 1975.

Rush is only the latest act to perform on "The Report," which has steadily edged closer to "Ed Sullivan Show" territory. With increasingly frequent musical performances, "The Report" has grown a variety-show impulse, evident in other upcoming bookings.

Rush to make rare TV performance on `Colbert' - Yahoo! News

Labels: colbert performance

As of this writing, Rush is currently on the final leg of their 2008 Snakes & Arrows tour. From what I've gathered, the tour has been successful, even though ticket sales are down.

On the Snakes & Arrows page, I've added a few links:

• Photo Gallery 2008 - Containing some great photo sets of The Gorge and Clark County, by Michael Thompson and Monica Z.
• A link to Snakes & Arrows photos from Rush.com.
• Photos added to the Latest Drum Setup page, including a photo of Neil's current warm-up kit and pictures of Neil's stage kit being set up.
• An archive of reviews, opinions, articles, and opinions on the Snakes Feeds page.
• A link to NeilPeartDrumsticks.com's Fans who received NEP drumsticks during the Snakes & Arrows tour

In my personal blog, I've added reviews of all the shows I attended:

1. Rush at Clark County Amphitheater - 6/1/08
2. Rush at the Gorge - 5/31/08
3. Rush at GM Place - Vancouver, B.C. - 5/29/08
4. Phoenix - Day 2 - Rush at Cricket (5/1/08)

Some of the more interesting stuff I'm come across in the news department:

Neil Peart has won DRUM! magazine's Drummer of the Year award for the second year in a row. The results are on newsstands in the August 2008 issue. To read last year's article, go to the digital version of DRUM! November 2007. Also, check out the article in the same issue entitled Neil Peart and Gary McCracken: A Two Prog Approach about the making of Battlescar. You can also read the article on Gary McCracken's site

Rush Never Sleeps: Rolling Stone -- If you haven't read this yet, check out the surprisingly positive article on Rush in Rolling Stone. For most Rush fans, this article appearing in RS is not unlike the fall of the Berlin Wall. However, this is not the first article that has appeared in Rolling Stone about Rush. An article about Rush by David Fricke, a longtime RS reporter, appeared in the May 28, 1981 issue: Rush: Power From the People. Like the current article, this one tries to decipher the Rush riddle that has eluded the popular media and rock critics.

Neil Peart's favorite cookie is the Pepperidge Farms' Nantucket (regular, not double chocolate). Neil's tour bus driver, Dave, recently posted a blog entry on his MySpace page about the elusive cookie -- and how they sometimes catch fire.

Finally, my friend's Rush Auctions are back. This week, you can get some great Neil Peart posters.

Labels: awards, drum sticks, drums, pictures, Site updates

Update 7/10/08 -- Rushisaband.com has posted more pictures from the exhibit.

Update: 7/7/08 -- Power Windows has published a few photos of the exhibit from Larry Barnes II.

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A new exhibit called MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles opened on June 28, 2008, at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Columbus, Ohio. Featured in the exhibit is Neil Peart's 1994 BMW R1100GS motorcycle and his R30 drum kit (also known as "S.S. Professor").

A gala VIP event was held on June 27. Information and directions for the museum are available here.

Labels: NEP motorcycling