With 2021 finally dawned upon us, it brings a new beginning to what was for sure one of the most tumultuous years in anyone’s recent memory in the year 2020, with a plethora of events that occurred (and many still recurring) that need no repeating. We all know of what went down and what’s going on, things which have spilled over and are still extreme challenges in this new year. In short, 2020 was a year most of, if not all, of us would soon rather forget.

However, what shouldn’t be forgotten are the names of the many luminaries in entertainment that we lost last year, also a stunning amount of creatives and well-knowns of seemingly every type and stripe. While in a lot of ways an “in memoriam” list seems rather arbitrary and irrelevant considering the hundreds of thousands of lives lost in the United States alone last year during the pandemic and of people who became global martyrs by way of insurrectional behaviors by authoritative figures all across America, a list like this becomes in a way necessary, as it’s important to give the proper respect and final send off to some of the individuals who touched our lives in so many ways, especially during last year, when all forms of entertainment became not only entrenched in its typical “escapism,” but also became a healing balm in a sense, something that helped people push through during the darkest times of necessary state and governmental-enforced bondage on us all. And it is for that reason, that we present some of our heroes, guiding lights, inspirations, and illuminations who left us in 2020.

Neil Peart, the legendary drummer and brilliant lyricist of Canadian rock trio Rush, died in Santa Monica, California on January 7, 2020 of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was 67. After going strong for over 40 years and releasing 19 studio albums, Rush retired at the end 2015. Peart, meanwhile, reportedly had been quietly battling his illness over the last three and a half years.

Here’s the official statement, which was posted to Rush’s official social media accounts, from bandmates Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson.

Rush – Time Stand Still
Blu-ray | DVD
Director by Dale Heslip
Narration by Paul Rudd
Rounder | 97 minutes
Release Date: November 18, 2016

Apparently, I’ve been in denial for the past year about Rush‘s retirement, because I watched the band’s new documentary, Time Stand Still, which focuses on their 2015 final major tour, and now I’m crying.

In this feature-length documentary, the Canadian trio opens up about saying good-bye to the band as they know it after 40 years of life on the road, most of which was to sell-out crowds around the world. While guitarist Alex Lifeson feels like it never seems like right time to end things, and drummer Neil Peart wants to quit while they’re ahead (and before his ability to perform is diminished), it’s clear that singer/bassist Geddy Lee was not ready to go.

In conjunction with Rush celebrating their 40th anniversary with a tour this year, a limited edition hologram vinyl of the album 2112 will be released on March 17, 2015, and is available for pre-order right now. (Purchase of the vinyl comes with a FREE MP3 version of this album.)

Check out the sneak peek video of the vinyl in action here below.

Canadian rock titans RUSH have announced a 34-date North American tour trek to commemorate their 40th anniversary. According to the band’s website, this may be their last major tour.

Continue reading for more info and the full listing tour dates and locations.