When people talk about the greatest drummers in music history, Neil Peart of Rush is always near the top of the list. Known for his technical skill, thoughtful songwriting, and powerful performances, Peart changed how rock drumming was seen. So when someone like him calls another drummer the greatest of all time, it means something special.
That drummer was Buddy Rich.
Neil Peart didn’t just admire Buddy Rich casually. He studied him deeply, researched his life, and even performed in tribute shows honoring Rich’s music. In 2017, just a few years before his death, Peart openly stated that Buddy Rich was the greatest drummer who ever lived.
More Than Just “The Drummer”
One of the reasons Peart’s opinion matters so much is because he wasn’t only a drummer — he was also a songwriter and thinker. In Rush, Peart wrote lyrics that shaped entire songs, and he composed drum parts that stood out instead of staying quietly in the background.
Because of this, Peart understood drumming as a complete art form. He knew what it meant to serve the song while still pushing the instrument forward. That gave him a rare perspective when judging other drummers.
And from that perspective, Buddy Rich stood above everyone else.
Who Was Buddy Rich?
Buddy Rich was born in 1917 in New York City and grew up in a family of entertainers. His parents were part of a vaudeville act, and by the age of two, Rich was already performing on stage. Drumming wasn’t something he picked up later in life — it was part of who he was from the very beginning.
As he grew older, Rich became a child star. He sang, danced, and played drums, developing an early understanding of rhythm, timing, and performance. By his teenage years, it was clear that the drums were his true calling.
When Rich entered the jazz world, he quickly became known for his speed, power, and precision. He played with some of the biggest bands of the swing era and later led his own big band. What made him special wasn’t just how fast he played — it was how musical his drumming was.
Why Neil Peart Admired Him
Neil Peart believed Buddy Rich was the complete package. Rich had natural talent, but he also worked constantly to improve. Peart often said that Rich’s hands were unlike anyone else’s — every stroke had purpose, control, and emotion.