25 Great Moments in Rock Drumming: Neil Peart, “Working Man” live
25 Great Moments in Rock Drumming – Day 14: Neil Peart, “Working Man,” from All The World’s A Stage by Rush
When Neil Peart joined Rush, they were a meat-and-potatoes rock and roll trio. Peart soon took over almost all lyric writing duties and pushed the band into new territory. His high points could fill a book, but I’ll defer to his first recorded drum solo during “Working Man” from All The World’s A Stage. When he flies down the toms and Geddy Lee announces, “Ladies and gentlemen, the professor on the drum kit,” it’s the beginning of a new era in rock drumming.
I guess if we’re talking “moments” I would could agree … but to cite Neil Peart in this list and use “Live Working Man” I believe leaves countless better choices of his work … non-drummers can mouth the drum parts to “Fly by Night, The Temples of Syrinx, Closer to the Heart, The Trees, Spirit of the Radio, Free Will, Tom Sawyer, Red Barchetta, YYZ, Limelight,Vital Signs, Subdivisions, New World Man and Distant Early Warning … when people who don’t play are mouthing humming) your drum parts ala “In the Air Tonight” – you’ve moved them. I don’t think too many are humming Live Working Man. A great drummer moves people, not just drummers.