UPDATE - 9/14@9:51AM: Donna Halper sent out birthday greetings to Neil in a blog post yesterday, and also spoke a bit about Neil's decision to retire from drumming:

...[Neil] wasn't unhappy playing drums for a living (in fact he was devoted to it); his skills were not diminishing (although he was increasingly in pain each time he played); and he probably could have continued on for a while longer, if that's what he wanted to do. But he knew it was time, and he wanted to leave on his own terms. And so he did. I would be lying if I said I've talked with him recently, but I do know several friends of his, and I am told he is very happy with his decision. He and Alex and Geddy still keep in touch, but by all accounts, he has no regrets about being a "retired drummer." Fans desperately want him to return to drumming (and return to Rush) but that is not what he wants, nor what's best for his health. It's a wise person who understands when it's time for a change. And whether the change is voluntary or not, it's a wise person who embraces whatever the next phase in their life happens to be.

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On this day back in 1952, our favorite drummer - Neil Ellwood Peart - was born in Hamilton, Ontario. Neil is the old man of Rush and turns 65 today; Geddy and Alex both recently turned 64. This past Saturday, September 9th was also Neil and his wife Carrie Nuttall's 17th wedding anniversary. They were married back in 2000. Happy birthday Pratt, and happy anniversary Neil and Carrie!