my father loved rush, but i could never stand them. we used to argue about this, actually.
neil peart was known as the drummer for rush, and i would argue he was overrated as a drummer, but he was also the band's lyricist and thematic director, and i would argue he was even more overrated in that category. i also believe that his lyrics had a profoundly backwards influence on my father's broader outlook on life. they really corrupted his critical thinking abilities in a dramatic way.
and, so the question i would ask neil's memory in his passing due to a brain cancer that nobody survives, in fact the same cancer that got my dad, is - where's your free will now? huh?
does he not realize that by not making a choice to avoid all causes of brain tumours, he's still made a choice to die of cancer, and it's consequently his own stupid fault?
there are some bands that are overrated, and it ultimately doesn't matter. nobody cares what gord downey thought, in the end - his views were harmless enough. but, rush were worse than overrated, they were dangerous because they were ignorant, and yet seen as enlightened by a fanbase that bought into the pretension.
and, on some level, i would actually state "good riddance".