Neil Peart Inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame

Neil Peart Inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame

The Percussive Arts Society (PAS) has just announced the induction of Neil Peart into their Hall of Fame. The annoucement from the PAS website includes a seven-minute video as well as a moving tribute to Neil written by David Stanoch, a versatile drumset artist and educator of over thirty years. An excerpt from his tribute is below:

Everyone knows 2020 is going down in history as the single most challenging year humankind as faced in modern history. Between the ravages of a worldwide pandemic threatening our families and livelihoods and the hopeful signs of long-needed change rising from another needless social tragedy, after too many years of looking the other way, our world is aligning to a reckoning of what truly matters—to our families and our shared community—with a new sense of urgency. Leadership and forward thinking are in much needed demand.

In our corner of the world, as percussionists who strive to make a difference in expression through the musical arts, our year began with the toll of a bell that sent shock waves around the entire world with the passing of Neil Peart, on January 7, in Santa Monica, California, at age 67.

We lost a gentle giant of a soul who wielded mightily from behind his massive drum set with the command and authority of a true Rock God, adored by his ardent fans across the globe, but also blessed with the pragmatic sensibility to scoff at such an analogy of himself because he took his work so seriously and was truly humbled by the majesty of his instrument and its history. His loss seems now foreshadowing of dark times to come. His insight and humor are sorely missed at a time when they are needed the most. It is no surprise that the outpouring of grief and love from all corners of the world for this drummer, songwriter, author, and avid motorcyclist, has swelled into his immediate induction in the PAS Hall of Fame, in the very year of his passing.
The Percussive Arts Society is the world's largest percussion organization and is considered the central source for information and networking for percussionists and drummers of all ages. Established in 1961 as a non-profit, music service organization, their mission is to inspire, educate, and support percussionists and drummers throughout the world.

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