Neil Peart opted to fight Glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, privately. His choice in doing so led to incredible shock across the music world when it was announced in January 2020 that the beloved Rush drummer died at age 67.
Peart’s sister, Nancy Peart Burkholder, opened up for the first time about her brother’s death on Etcetera with Kelly Barrett. Nancy said the family knew of Neil’s illness for about three and a half years before his untimely passing. However, she detailed that there was a whole “very surreal” week between Neil’s death and the announcement of his death. During that time, Neil’s inner circle had to keep silent.
“I think we had 10 minutes notice before it was going live to the world,” Nancy recalled about the public statement issued confirming Neil’s death. “So we had 10 minutes to tell everyone that we hadn’t told in three and a half years that, ‘Sorry, we lied. Everything’s not okay.’”
Nancy said she essentially sent out a group text notifying certain people of the news before it went public. She referred to the moment as “a shock that went around the world.”
The ability of Neil’s inner circle being able to keep his illness a secret for over three years is truly a testament of their love for him. Rush bandmates Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson recalled in a January 2021 interview with Rolling Stone receiving an email from Neil where he revealed his diagnosis.
“He basically blurted it out. ‘I have a brain tumor. I’m not joking,’” said Lee. Lifeson received the email while at a golf course and said, “I think I started crying right there.” Both Lee and Lifeson said having to keep silent about everything for over three years was very difficult. Lifeson noted he wanted to be in control of his public narrative and didn’t want any attention at all. Lee also said Neil “accepted his fate, certainly more gracefully than I would.”