Neil Peart book: Ghost Rider

[RichK]

I just picked up an EXCELLENT book by Rush drummer Neil Peart, it is about dealing with both his daughter and wife passing away within a year's time.

The book chronicles a 50,000 mile motorcycle ride he begins from home, travels to the Arctic Circle, the USA, and I believe into Mexico, while trying to find a reason to live and begin a new life without his family.

I've only read about a quarter of the book, but it is so good I thought I'd post this now! It's very well written (like his lyrics), and moving.

I was a huge Rush fan for a long time, but floated away after Grace Under Pressure. That's about the same time I stopped playing drums in various bands. I remember writing a letter to Neil about drumming and some other subjects, and he was nice enough to send back a postcard, answering each of my questions. The postcard photo was of him playing his full set on a small raft on the lake where his house sits. Very cool photo. Anyway, he seemed like a thoughtful & real person, and this book confirms it.

It's a sort of travelogue/healing/motorcycle book! It's interspersed with past Rush lyrics that are very apt to his current situation.

I'm glad I have a plane flight this afternoon, I get to do some more reading!

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1550225480.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Steve99]

Thanks for info. Let us know how the rest of the book is.

What should we make the due date be for your book report? :)

[JohnHKart]

What a cool pic on the cover!

John

[Joe in LA]

Peart did an interview/ride with one of the Cycle World guys about 6 months ago. It was a very nice article and gave a nice perspective on him.

[Twisty Bits]

Dude was pretty rough for a while, he'd ride his cycle instead of going on the tour bus while on tour. Sux

[KaBoom21]

Dude was pretty rough for a while, he'd ride his cycle instead of going on the tour bus while on tour. Sux

He still has the BMW cycles on the back of a bus for this tour. While Geddy and Alex may fly from hub city to hub city, I'm pretty sure Neil rides the cycle as much as possible.

His new toy is the Z8.

[RichK]

From what I understand, he was going on rides in between shows before his family tragedies occurred. He was also doing long bicycle rides as well as motorcycle rides.

I'm about halfway through the book now, it's still great!

Z8, huh? Nice! Off Topic: I recall a long BMW forum thread about Dinan and Z8s. I think Dinan modifed the frame of some Z8s to fit his new exhaust (instead of the other way around), and BMW wouldn't warranty the cars after the frames were modified. The Z8 owners whose cars were modified revolted, and Dinan had to order new chassis' as replacements for everyone. Ouch!

[RusH]

Good to hear a positive story on "the professor". There are so many fans telling stories on his hatred of the limelight. Which may be true, but I was impressed that he responded in your case.

[Chaos]

Peart is the best technical drummer i've ever heard.

I never heard about him losing his wife and daughter. Does anyone know what happened?

[tllips]

Peart is the best technical drummer i've ever heard.

I never heard about him losing his wife and daughter. Does anyone know what happened?

I don't remember which came first, but he lost his daughter in a car accident and then, within one year, he lost his wife to cancer. Major bummer! :(

[indyfan31]

For all you Peart fans with some disposable income burning a hole in your pockets.

For Sale (http://www.guitarcenter.com/peart/) :eek:

[RichK]

For all you Peart fans with some disposable income burning a hole in your pockets.

For Sale (http://www.guitarcenter.com/peart/) :eek:

It ain't the real thing unless it's a Tama kit! :D

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/9/96/250px-Neil_Peart_Moving_Pictures.jpg

[indyfan31]

The "parts list" shows 3 snares, but I only see two in the picture. :confused: