Neil Peart was born September 12, 1952 in Hamilton, Ontario. He joined Rush in July of 1974 just days before the trio's first U.S. tour. The band formed in Toronto in 1968 and has sold some 25 million albums in the U.S. In addition to be an acclaimed rock drummer, Peart serves as lyricist for Rush. In a rather dubios honor, Blender magazine has selected Peart #2 on it's list of the "40 Worst Lyricists In Rock". Peart is the author of five non-fiction books.