Bradley Birzer’s recently revised book, “Neil Peart: Cultural Repercussions,” pulls Neil Peart, renowned drummer of the legendary ’70s band Rush, back into the limelight.
“While many would agree that Peart is one of the greatest drummers of all time, he might also justly be considered one of the best living essayists in the English language,” said Birzer.
Birzer published the expanded version of his book June 13. It offers insight into the mind of one of the most insightful lyricists, according to Birzer.
Professor of history and the Russell Amos Kirk Chair in American Studies at Hillsdale College, Birzer said the book has elements of scholastic work intertwined with his personal interpretations.“Neil Peart: Cultural Repercussions” is an act of reminiscence on how Peart’s work formed him as a person.
While working as the Visiting Conservative Scholar at the University of Colorado Boulder, Birzer said he reached out to science fiction writer Kevin J. Anderson to speak for his program.
Anderson was a close friend of Peart’s and had co-authored three books with him.
“We became pretty good friends,” Birzer said. “We were talking at an Indian restaurant in Boulder one night, and I mentioned to him that I’d love to do a biography of Neil Peart.”
Anderson gave the go-ahead, offering services from his own publishing firm, WordFire Press. In addition to his own research, Birzer used Power Windows, a Rush tribute website, containing transcriptions of every Rush interview and concert review.
“Peart cherished the word, in whatever form,” Birzer said. “This proves equally true in his book and essay writing, his lyrics, and even his interviews. He cherished the opportunity to make those words incarnate, to give them tangible and physical form.”
Peart was direct in his approach to the audience, submitting his ideas in a Socratic style, according to Birzer.
“Every thought that he presented, he did so as a question, an invitation to enter into a long-term conversation,” Birzer said.
Birzer said Peart kept a degree of distance between himself and individual audience members.
“He was not, as some have claimed, anti-social,” Birzer said. “Rather, it was skepticism towards those who admired him solely as a projection of their own grand delusions.”
Rush’s 1975 sophomore album, “Caress of Steel,” houses the track “The Fountain of Lamneth,” which Birzer says was their best song at that point in their discography.
Birzer offered three reasons for its greatness: Peart’s golden age of lyricism, synchronicity with Lamneth’s journey, and Geddy Lee’s vocals.
“Peart loved the story of journies,” Birzer said. “In this, Peart followed the western tradition of Homer, Virgil, Dante, and Tolkien. The music fit the story at every level and helped to tell it, augmenting the words with the time signature changes and chord progressions. His [Geddy Lee’s] voice, while perhaps not beautiful, is uniquely full of purpose and truth”
Birzer reflected on the impact that his favorite rush album “Grace Under Pressure,” had on his 16-year-old self.
“‘Grace Under Pressure’ taught me that once I knew myself, I had the high duty to go into the world and fight for what’s good and right, no matter the cost,” Birzer said. “I was ready to follow Peart into Hell and back for the right cause.”
