Ask any drummer who they think is the best rock drummer of all time, 9 times out of 10 the answer will be Rush's Neil Peart. Modern Drummer magazine (probably the most respected drumming publication out there) agrees. On their top 5 drummers of all time list, he was the only rock drummer who made the top 5. Not Keith Moon. Not John Bonham. Just Neil Peart.

I'm not a drummer, so what the hell do I know? I don't even like drum solos. Usually the drum solo is the part of the concert where I go to the bathroom or grab a beer. The drummer usually attempts to demonstrate how fast he can beat the drums, or how well he can twirl the sticks in his fingers. I don't want to see that crap.

Neil Peart's drum solos are an exception. He really plays the drums like they're an instrument, not just a time-keeping device. I've been lucky enough to see his solos first hand several times. They usually last around ten minutes and are a wonder to experience. Last night's show at the Gund was no exception.

He is to the drums what Jimi Hendrix was to guitar. Vinnie Paul, Pantera's drummer, was interviewed for VH1's top 100 hard rock bands special. When asked about Neil Peart all he said was God on drums. That pretty much sums it up.

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