Drum Teacher Reaction: NEIL PEART (R.I.P.) & The Buddy Rich Big Band: Drum Solo - Cotton Tail - 1994

The lead sax player's reaction when Neil started on the cowbells!

Neil wrote about this experience in one of his books. He mentioned how nervous he was and intimidated he felt playing this type of music in this environment. He also wrote that they didn't practice that much and the way the stage was set up he had a hard time hearing the band. You can see there were a few times that he would turn his head to try to catch the band. What impresses me most about Neil is that he always considered himself a student of the drums and was always humble enough to continue learning and growing. Perfecting his craft.

11:25 The look on Neil's face before he absolutely kills it. You can tell he's having the time of his life up there, playing in memory of his drumming idol

He was very humble, but he always wanted to learn more. Yeah, not a jazz drummer, but an amazing drummer, his versatility puts him on top in the rock world, my opinion.

Buddy said he's the best drummer he's ever seen.. What an honor to have his band ask Neil to play with them...

I saw Buddy in his later years I was a piano mover. I got free tickets to see Buddy live . He was amazing. I talked to him. He loved Neil. He said that Neil had the facility to be one of the greatest and he was righy

Neil's best EVER! WOW! My respect has gone through the roof! You KNOW Buddy would think that was perfect.

Buddy Rich was his idol and I’m sure this was a treat and delight for him to play.

Magnificent and impeccable drum solo, another day in the life of the Professor ☝🏻👌🏻

Neil put out an album called burning for Buddy, he was a huge influence on Neil.

My God Neil was amazing .. no matter how many times I watch and listen to his solo's, I am in total awe and amazement just how incredibly good he was. RIP Neil, we miss you!

You probably don't know this not being a Rush fan from the start but.... The crowd recognizes the "Cowbell' part from what he always did during his Solos in the 1970s in Rush, it was one of many signature percussive things Neal did !!

This concert was the catalyst for Neil’s study with Freddie Gruber. Steve Smith of Journey fame also played some tunes at this tribute and Neil noticed the improvement in his playing. When he asked Smith what his secret was, he got a one word reply: “Freddy”. Freddy and Neil spent most of their time together dancing and talking about motion, action and reaction and Neil changed his technique to incorporate these ideas. Brilliant reaction! Thanks for taking the time to explore more of Neil’s work. He was truly special.

Massive Buddy Rich influence. You said something about the concentration face, but I have to say, I've seen Rush perform over 12 times and he actually looks so happy in this video. It's a beautiful thing to see him concentracted, yes, but also happy and enjoying himself.

So much of this video puts a smile on my face. He was such a humble, monster musician and lyricist. He’s missed dearly and everyone should seek out his music and just marvel at his skill.

The crowd popped for certain parts of Neil's drum solo because they are famous elements of the solos he'd been doing for the last 10 years. And it works both ways -- when Rush went back on the road after this, Neil took many of the bits he did in this very recording and brought it to his drum solos. And then the live audiences popped big time for the jazz bits. :)

Neil liked this song so much he incorporated it into his drum solos. The final solo that everybody always reacts to ends with him playing along to Cotton Tail. You know, with how many drummer reactions you've done now, it really surprises me you haven't watched anything by Vadrum yet. He is a beast, one of the OG YT drummers, and his recording quality is always top shelf. Literally any of his covers of video games or old songs are amazing.

At that time Neil Peart had joined Ludwig drums in 1987 having left TAMA in 1986 after the “Power Windows Tour” - the kit his playing here is a 90’s Ludwig Super Classic with purple finish with 20x14 bass drum, 12x8 rack and 16x16 floor tom with his snare thar he called his “Old Faithful” a 14x5.5 Slingerland Artist Model Snare drum. Also from the cowbell section of his solo - this is typically what Neil would do in Rush shows.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the Professor on the drum kit"

This is such a beautifully constructed solo and such a perfect tribute to Buddy. You can see the respect in the other players’ reactions.