Neil Peart is often remembered as one of the greatest drummers in rock history. His work with Rush set a new standard for technical skill, power, and musical storytelling. But what made Peart truly special wasn’t just how fast he could play or how complex his parts were — it was the feeling he brought to every beat. Even drummers who spent decades trying to copy him often said the same thing: Peart had something you can’t teach.
But Peart didn’t start out great. Like every musician, he had heroes he looked up to, and there were even drummers he felt were far above him. What makes his story inspiring is how he learned from those legends without ever treating music as a competition.
A Drummer Who Loved Learning
Peart admired many players, but he never believed music was about being “better” than someone else. Instead, he tried to honor the drummers he loved by studying their styles and bringing parts of their sound into his own playing.
For example, he often talked about trying to play Keith Moon’s wild drum fills or match the raw power of John Bonham. These weren’t easy tasks — Moon was unpredictable, and Bonham was basically a thunderstorm behind the kit. But learning from them pushed Peart to develop his own voice.
Rock Drumming Didn’t Start Simple
Many people think early rock drummers were basic and quiet. But even before rock got heavy, players like Ringo Starr and Charlie Watts were pushing boundaries.
Ringo’s crashing cymbals on “Helter Skelter” showed that rock drumming could be aggressive. Charlie Watts, though known for being simple, had a deep background in jazz that made his grooves feel smooth and confident.
From there, drummers like Ginger Baker and Mitch Mitchell took things even further. Their playing introduced jazz-like swings, long drum solos, and fast, adventurous rhythms. Rock music was starting to change — and Peart was paying attention.
The Biggest Influence: Jazz
All of Peart’s favorite drummers had one thing in common: jazz roots.
Jazz drumming wasn’t just about keeping the beat. It was about expression, creativity, and sometimes even showing off a little. Gene Krupa brought style and flair to the drums, making them a lead instrument. Buddy Rich took that same energy and turned it into something explosive, fast, and sometimes almost unbelievable.
Peart admired both drummers, but Buddy Rich in particular left him speechless. When Peart was young, he would see Rich play on TV and feel like he was watching something unreachable. Years later, Peart finally understood the depth of Rich’s skill — and even performed in tribute concerts honoring him.
Learning From the Masters
Listening to songs like “La Villa Strangiato,” it’s easy to hear how Peart blended jazz swing with rock intensity. He didn’t just hit hard — he played with feel. Even his most difficult parts had groove and movement, something he learned from hours of listening to jazz greats.