Neil Ellwood Peart ( PEERT; September 12, 1952 – January 7, 2020) was a Canadian musician and author, who was the drummer, percussionist, and primary lyricist of the rock band Rush. He was nicknamed "the Professor", after the Gilligan's Island character of the same name. His drumming was renowned for its technical proficiency and his live performances for their exacting nature and stamina.
