The Passing Of Another One Of My Rock Heroes.

I often talk about my mental jukebox.  It's a phrase often used in the book Ghost Rider by Canadian Rock musician Neil Peart who passed away this week.  Neil's mental jukebox are all those songs that play in our heads, riding a motorbike or anything else.

It's a motorbike travelogue memoir of his travels after the loss of his daughter and then wife.   He writes about the records or tracks that come into your head when your riding your motorbike or even digging over your veg plot or playing the drums.  I got in the bit about digging your veg plot!

He rides his motorcycle  through North America,  Canada, Mexico and Belize.  He writes letters to his friend and some of these are very funny and also very moving. If you ever been through grief it's well worth a read.  I have read his book and like most books or  favourite blogs you feel like you know the author.  It's a great read and I must read it again.

I am lucky enough to have seen Rush twice.  Once at Birmingham NEC and at Sheffield Arena.  He must be the most talented drummer I have seen live and listened to on record.  I have seen some great drummers like Carl Palmer and Brian Downey live.

I put Mr Peart at the top of the list. He even could play drums like the great Jazz drummer Buddy Rich.  Check out Neil's videos on YouTube to see him playing the Buddy Rich way.

There must be some fantastic music being played in Heaven, Neil.  God bless and I am privileged to have seen you play live, read your book and play your records.

Here's  one of my favourite Rush songs and written by Mr Peart.