Never liked the AAX stage hats. Had two pairs and ended up getting rid of both. Though the second pair went into a trade for my Vistalites. I love my New Beats, my 60's A's, and my Zildjian Impulse hats.

And the thing with Neil is that he did have to learn a lot of parts in the studio. And even his solo was a more a song than a solo. He always improved on it, worked on it, added, subtracted. And man I must say, to be able to play it exactly the same night after night for thousands of shows. That's impressive,more so than what he actually plays.

Not a Rush fan, but I do like a few of their tunes.

Peart is without doubt one of the classic drummers who in a small way have influenced my way of playing.

I wish well for the future. He's one of only a tiny club of people to have achieved what he has not only as a rock Star, but as a Drummer.

Not a Rush fan by far, but... All of the biggest respect to Neil Peart!

But..... I wish he could read the following...

In the interview he kind of compares himself to an athlete. I think his approach of drumming is so extremely bound to the physical aspects of it that it is kind of limiting in a way. Why does it have to be like that?

Why not compare yourself to a slow, and a bit lazy, masonier, or plumber, or .... etc.

Wouldn't there be a way to change the approach to drumming and still drum and have living fun doing so?

Thinking about people like Steve Jordan doing their thing. For a marathon runner that would be just a stroll around the block. Strolls around the block have their own quality, I'd say.

He's an overrated player and his over-sized drum set is a gimmick! There! I said it! Cool Dude

That, quite simply, it because you have no idea what you're talking about! There I said it!

I'm sorry, but to call Neil Peart overrated points to your lack of knowledge about him and his overall musicianship! Not to mention the hardships he endured, and overcame roughly 14 years ago!

Imagine....loosing your daughter in a car accident, then your wife to an illness later that same year! Then, after much soul searching, finding it within yourself to come back, learn with a renewed passion, the drums all over again!

RUSH has been a very successful band for 40 years! Look on the back of those albums(O.K., showing my age) and you'll find Neil wrote or co-wrote many of those songs! Sure, the drum solo's are a pinnacle of the concerts, some 6 that I can recall attending, but the accuracy to which they play in concert compared to the recording is uncanny! Anyone who has toured and has roadies, loves a bigger drum set. Why? Because you're not the one moving it and setting it up/tearing it down night after night. He actually has several kits within his "stage" of drums, and he knows what he's doing back there!

You can actually go back to the first album, listen to songs going through up to the most recent, and hear a progressive improvement in his playing. Can you say that about any touring drummers that have toured nearly 40 years! Yes, he can play jazz, big band and swing too!

I suggest you get "Anatomy of a Drum Solo".

You just might change your mind!

I'll step off the podium now....Soap Box

Well....Agree to disagree. :)

Anyone who after being one of the best feels the need for lessons to improve is not over rated. Anyone who admits that certain parts of newer songs they struggled to nail is not over rated. Is he spoken of more so than others who deserve as much credit, yes. But saying Neil is over rated is saying Ludwig drums are over rated. Just has had more recognition. Not everyone's taste, that's fine. But far from over rated.

It's funny how the most famous drummers of all time are not famous for being great drummers! Lars Ulrich, Dave Grohl, Keith Moon, Ringo Starr, John Bonham, Mick Fleetwood,

Neil Peart etc. If you ever watch a Game Show and a "drummers" category comes up you'll see these guys mentioned.

That's hitting the nail on the head. Granted there are many of us who appreciate many of these players for the way they played. But sadly most people know of the names based on the fame of the band - or infamy depending on the band. As opposed to knowing a player for their talent.

Now the only one drummer I can say is over rated, and don't get me wrong. he is one of the main reasons I became a drummer. Peter Criss. I was fortunate enough to see KISS with the four original members and saw his drum solo.....Yea. Not to mention so many of the drum parts from Destroyer until Eric Carr joined were session guys. So he is known for things that aren't even his!

Oh my god,...is he gonna start collecting,....let`s get him..........