Remembering Neil Peart: Performing Live With Rush In 1981

Neil Peart died on this date one year ago at age 67. The legendary drummer was one third of the “Holy Triumverate” that was Rush along with bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson. Peart is widely considered one of the best rock drummers of all time and also penned the bulk of the group’s lyrics.

Both Peart’s percussive and poetic powers are on full display in Rush’s famed concert film, Exit…Stage Left. The footage for the film comes from Rush’s March 27, 1981 show at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec in the band’s native Canada.

The concert came during the band’s tour around their landmark album Moving Pictures released in early 1981. Rush would perform tracks from that album, which include some of their most well-known songs like “Limelight,” “Tom Sawyer” and “YYZ.” The film also features performances of earlier material including “Freewill” form 1980’s Permanent Waves, “The Trees” from 1978’s Hemispheres, “Xanadu” from 1977’s A Farewell To Kings, and the “Grand Finale” form 1976’s 2112 to close out the film.

To remember Neil Peart, watch the acclaimed drummer perform with Rush in 1981 for the concert film Exit…Stage Left below via the JamBase Live Video Archive:

Setlist

Set: Limelight, Tom Sawyer, The Trees, Xanadu, Freewill, Closer to the Heart, YYZ, By-Tor And The Snow Dog, In The End, In The Mood, 2112: Grand Finale