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.
Before Rush played "Tom Sawyer" on the Colbert Report, they accepted a challenge to play the same song on Rock Band. Let's just say the results are surprising. Thanks to Colbert Nation for posting and Rushisaband.com for the head's up!
30th Anniversary Neil Peart Drums FOR SALE-negotiable
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Neil Peart cycle and drum kit featured in MotoStars exhibit
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.
