Roadshow: Landscape With Drums: A Concert Tour by Motorcycle

by Neil Peart

An account of the band Rush's celebratory thirtieth anniversary world tour, told from the perspective of its drummer and lyricist, traces their journey through nine countries, during which the band performed fifty-seven shows to more than half a million fans, and the author traveled by motorcycle on highways throughout North America and Europe.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Travel, Memoir, Biography, Audiobook, Canada

399 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Neil Peart (pronounced /ˈpɪərt/) OC, (born Neil Ellwood Peart) was a Canadian musician and author. He is best-known as the drummer and lyricist for the rock band Rush.

Peart grew up in Port Dalhousie, Ontario, Canada (now part of St. Catharines) working the occasional odd job. However, his true ambition was to become a professional musician. During adolescence, he floated from regional band to regional band and dropped out of high school to pursue a career as a full-time drummer. After a discouraging stint in England to concentrate on his music, Peart returned home, where he joined local Toronto band Rush in the summer of 1974.

Early in his career, Peart's performance style was deeply rooted in hard rock. He drew most of his inspiration from drummers such as Keith Moon and John Bonham, players who were at the forefront of the British hard rock scene. As time progressed, however, he began to emulate the jazz and big band musicians Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. Peart is also a pupil of jazz instructor Freddie Gruber. Peart has received many awards for his musical performances and is known for his technical proficiency and stamina.

In addition to being a musician, Peart was also a prolific writer, having published several memoirs about his travels. Peart was also Rush's primary lyricist. In writing lyrics for Rush, Peart addressed universal themes and diverse subject matter including science fiction, fantasy, and philosophy, as well as secular, humanitarian and libertarian themes. In contrast, his books have been focused on his personal experiences.

Reviews

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I was in the middle of this book, news broke of the death of it's author. As someone who has been playing drums for over 25 years, I was devastated (as one can be for a celebrity they've never met) at the passing of one of my inspirations (he wouldn't want me to call him an idol or hero).

The other book by Mr. Peart I've read was Ghost Rider. I enjoyed this one much more. Ghost Rider seemed to be monotonous and dragged on. This one had different stories and tales around every corner. I was more interested in the inner workings of a major rock tour, but I enjoy traveling as well so this book had everything for me. I'm not a motorcyclist, though. It is a bit discouraging to read how Peart really disliked touring, but at the same time it's how he funds his travels and can stay in luxurious European hotels and afford repairs on his expensive motorcycles. Would he rather be back in St. Catherines selling tractor parts? I already knew how he disliked close interactions with fans, but he still shows his appreciation for them.

I recommend this book to any fan of the band Rush, or anyone interested in travelogues, motorcycle rider in particular.

[Derrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cool book written by the best drummer in the history of music! This book is very interesting especially if you're interested in cross-country motorcycle riding or drumming and the band Rush. (I'm more interested in the latter.) Neil Peart is truly a very gifted writer and it's obvious why he writes the lyrics for the band. The book is well organized and I don't think I spotted a single typo which unfortunately is extremely rare! I enjoyed his dry sense of humor and his dedication to perfection. I wasn't bothered at all by his reluctance to sign autographs, do meet and greets, ect. If I was in his shoes, I'd want to be left alone too! As he states in the book, the only thing he owes the public is a good performance.
I know he's written some other books and maybe I'll read those in the future. 🤘

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my 4th book by Rush's drummer. It is my favorite. In this one he takes us more intimately on the road to rock and roll to Rush's sound, look, and message. Geddy and Alex fly in a private jet. Neil rides a BMW motorcycle or a bicycle to the next show. He observes and takes notes in his journal to enable him to share his adventures with us. His resources have enabled him to have experiences I can only dream about, so reading is the next best thing. Thanks Neil.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded Peart’s books upon his death after Audible made them available for free. The impact of his life and death to others was apparent and I felt that Neil Peart was someone I should’ve known about. I knew about Rush only as a popular, long-standing cult band, a little too heavy for me and had likely changed stations midway through their songs for favorite genres. My headbanger husband, however, was all over it when I shared about this reading choice. After a flash of stunned astonishment, the man of few words pulled up his playlist and immediately played various samples, then entirety of their most popular songs, and talked a bit about Peart and the band. He knew all their songs. I recognized “Tom Sawyer”.

All said, the series is turning out to be an unexpected treasure. As an unenlightened, reading out of sequence worked best bc now more curious about the beginnings. I’m fascinated about how Peart lived, bike rides, his “job”, the band mates, & his personal life. “Roadshow” left a profound appreciation and understanding for Peart’s intelligence, talent, humanity, and devotion to his craft. Oh yeah, the lyrics. Great writer. Up next: Ghost Rider.

PostScript: I took this ride w/Peart when I was supposed to be reading bookclub pick “Becoming” by Michelle Obama. A great book, phenomenal person. But sometimes one simply needs music and to feel the wind in their face.

[Richard]

The motorcycle parts are great reading especially for fellow BMW riders....but Neil continues to come off as a rather cranky and obsessive guy. Honestly, he's a brilliant drummer, but it's hard to like him that much even after reading this. He does capture details well and has a sense of humor (sometimes...) but generally I'd suggest buying a copy of Moving Pictures instead. This makes me sad, too as I wanted to like this.

[Jim Razinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I suppose I eventually had to be done savoring this one. Neil Peart died on January 7th and I still had this unread on my shelf. There are three more travelogue/memoirs that I must find but for now, I say goodbye with this one. With the backdrops of Rush's R30 tour and the countrysides he rode through on his motorcycle, Peart's prosaic skill rolls smoothly, if punctuated with stops of interests. I have thought that Peart saw a lot - he rode more than 200,000 miles on his motorcycle as of that writing - but he seemed to only observe the things that mattered to him. I can appreciate that. I've found myself doing much the same in the past 20 or so years. And as with his previous books he recounts some of those observations here. I flagged several dozen lines and passages, and as is usual, I'll have to sift for what I share here ... his chapters are long! ... but I'll start with the first few paragraphs of his epilogue "on with the story":

On a tour of fifty-seven shows, in nine countries, I played in front of 544,525 people, and went through 257 pairs of drumsticks, one 20-inch cymbal, three 18-inch cymbals, six 16-inch cymbals, two China cymbals, fifteen drumheads, 21,000 motorcycle miles, nineteen countries, twelve oil changes, five sets of tires, one lost luggage case (including Patek Philippe watch and Cartier engagement ring - as Michael suspected, my fickle Good Samaritan must have found them and changed his mind; he never did call back), thirty-four bottles of The Macallan (my riding partners helped), four cartons of Red Apples (ditto), 18,617 words of journal notes, an immeasurable outpouring of physical and mental energy, and an undetermined amount of hearing loss.
I celebrated my fifty-second birthday, almost forty years of drumming, thirty years of making music with Rush, twenty years of bicycling, ten years and almost 200,000 miles of motorcycling, and four years of marriage.
I laughed, I cried, I ached, I sweated, I despaired, I was joyful, I was miserable, I hated it, I loved it, I made friends, I made enemies, I made music, I made gas money, I made time to live and love.
[...]

Still confounds me that a man who thinks the way he does, reads what he does, appreciates the finer things of life - The Macallan! - can smoke "Red Apples", but it was his life and not mine.

Peart talks of the preparations for the performances (Geddy said he was the only person who rehearsed to rehearse!) and his travels, the routines he'd adopted to ensure he could maintain his privacy, perform as well as he could, see as much as he could. Glimpses into a touring life, a touch of candid here and there, church signs noted from the roads, fan interactions, correspondence. He talks of taking a couple of Bufferins for the pain - as someone with arthritis and chronic pain, I have no idea how that could do anything more than a small dent, but I guess his physiology is different. Books he'd read - several making their way onto my List, music he liked and disliked, a smattering of television and movies. Tribulations of motorcycle and (band) technology breakdowns. Memories of loss - daughter, wife/partner, long time crew, friends. Memories of past tours. He collects fridge magnets, and yet...watches Family Guy?? These stories are the best, and now only, way for someone outside his tight circle to get to know him just a little. And I appreciate that.

Now, a sampling of things that caught my brain, or that I just noted for some reason...

Admiration for his bandmates, and some of the problems of being so multi-talented: "...Geddy, who found himself shouldering a heavy double-neck guitar while he played keyboards with his hands, pedals with his right foot - leaving all his weight on his left - while singing the lead vocals. It was an ergonomic nightmare, a mental tapdance, and it didn't leave him much room for jumping around and having fun." Or how Geddy always had a baseball game on, and played fantasy baseball. "Before a tour, Geddy would work for months with the film companies on developing animation and mood-pieces for the big screen behind our stage, to complement a number of songs in the show. The previous year, Alex had spent weeks of long days in a Toronto recording studio with engineer Jimbo, working on the audio mixes for our Rush in Rio DVD." or "In one part of the long instrumental “La Villa Strangiato,” Geddy and I played a quiet jazz riff while Alex stepped to the microphone and told a little story. As on the previous tour, his monologues would be different every night, springing from the endlessly inventive and spontaneous brain of our 'musical scientist.'" And concern..."I was fairly well protected behind a barricade of drums and cymbals, but I always worried about Alex and Geddy—they were so vulnerable out there."

On composition of his solos

I also spent a lot of time working after hours to put my drum solo together. I always preferred to arrange my drum solo, to compose a structure that would be consistent for each night's performance, but still allow room for improvisation and inspiration. Often I would listen to the previous tour's solo and think, "I'm not really finished with that structure - I could keep working on that." But as a matter of principle, I forced my self to change it all around, or at least put the parts I liked in a different order.
[...and later, when on tour...from his journal]
The show last night so nearly perfect, already felt that autopilot mentality, the pleasant flow of things coming out of me without having to ... be provoked.
Especially the drum solo, finally got everything I wanted in there, in terms of elements and transitions, each of them very spirited, and free-spirited - truly improvised. What I've been trying to get into the waltz section, of interposing the odd times over it, I managed to get a really nice pattern of seven going over the three, and now it's time for five. And the four over three too - got it perfectly together.

He talks of the good - the magic - nights, and the less than good as well.

Church signs, bumper stickers and things he'd read...

...and once I passed a truck with a big sticker on the back showing a waving U.S. flag with a golden Christian cross superimposed over it. In big letters, the caption read, "WE WANT IT BACK." A little shocked at this blatant mixture of symbols - American equals Christian - I made a wry face and shook my helmet sadly, "You already have it."

[At the Grand Canyon] Transfixed by the sweeping majesty of the setting, we stood before a deep, striated gash cut into the earth, a spectacular creation of erosion and geological upheaval. Multicolored layers of rock were shaped into dendritic canyons, battlements, and deep gorges, all of it on a scale that staggered the sense. I thought of that Tennessee professor teaching that it had been made in three weeks - because "scripture trumps interpretations of physical data." Not my scripture.
Or the church sign, "FAITH IS A HIGHER FACULTY THAN REASON." Not my reason.

Not my reason either.

On driving

In my experience, Florida was the worst state in the Union in which to drive a car, ride a motorcycle, or ride a bicycle. Turn signals seemed to be a deleted option on all vehicles; on multi-lane highways there was no such thing as a passing lane, and the general mood on Florida roads ranged from oblivious to discourteous to downright hostile. Those attitudes often prevailed elsewhere in North America, of course, from coast to coast, but nowhere near as universally as in Florida.

Hear! Hear! (Virginia is a close second in my book.)

And speaking of Florida, he nails it:

Somehow Florida was not generally thought of as a "Southern" state, in the ways that Mississippi and Alabama were, but certain regions of central Florida I had passed through, away from the beaches and Disneyfied resorts, were the most abject manifestations of Deep South you could find anywhere. Well away from the Mickey Mouse ears, the Art Deco theme park of South Beach, and the vulgar showplaces of the rich and tasteless, the locals could seem as inbred and xenophobic as those characters in Deliverance. The Confederate flag and gun racks decorated as many pickups and mobile homes as you might expect to see in Alabama or Mississippi, and place names like Yeehaw Junction, Dixie Ranch Acres, and even Suwanee River are all found in Florida.

Sad, but true.

On writing and publishing:
When copies of his The Masked Rider finally caught up on the eighth show of the tour, it was missing all of the photographs and maps, a section title had been changed from "White Man, Where You Going?" (a quote from an African in the story) to "White Man, Where Are You Going?" He says, "I was terrified to read further and see what other solecisms the book contained, but this was enough." (They were able to force the publisher to recall all 5000 copies from the first printing.)

And advice from his editor on his early travel journals: "One good example was Mark's forbidding me to use words like 'beautiful' and 'interesting,' explaining that those words were meaningless to a reader who wouldn't know what I might consider beautiful or interesting." And staying away from the trap of Hemingway ("No sentences like 'It was a good road.'")

And lyrics: He talked about Coleridge, his original intent for Xanadu being inspired by Citizen Kane but after reading Coleridge's "Kubla Khan", he said

...I was so powerfully impressed by it that the poem took over the song. In the end, there was entirely too much "honey dew" in it - too much Coleridge, that is to say - and though musically the song was one of our earliest big "epics," I never cared much for the lyrics.

Now, being a travelogue, there is a lot of description of the places he saw and you'll have to discover that yourself... about the "constellation of greater Los Angeles", or the national parks he was obsessed with hitting on this tour, or the Alps: "To my eyes, and to my soul, the most beautiful part of the world was the Alps, not just in Switzerland, but where they spilled into Germany's Bavaria, Austria, France, and Italy."

If you are a fan, highly recommended. If not... why are we still talking?

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read Neil Peart’s fourth book, Roadshow: Landscape with Drums: A Concert Tour by Motorcycle. It’s an incredible memoir that recounts Neil’s motorcycle journey from concert to concert during Rush’s R30 tour in 2004. The book is meticulously written chronologically, following their tour schedule throughout North America and Europe. Neil always had a riding partner and friend who also worked in his security detail.

Neil’s writing is exquisite, and his tales are both entertaining and captivating. He paints vivid descriptions of the landscapes and locations he visited, making me wish I was there with him. I particularly enjoyed reminiscing about places I’ve been, such as the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff, Key West, and Stuttgart, Germany. It was a surprise to learn that he was in a small town called Rushville, Ohio, just outside of my childhood hometown. I smiled when he mentioned visiting Lexington, Kentucky, as it made his list of places he’d like to live. The book also inspired me to dream of many other places I’d love to visit. He also mentions some of which I think I’ll even avoid in the future.

Neil’s honesty shines through in his candid writing about the people and places he encountered, both positive and negative. He shares his opinions about the performance trends of drivers in various states and doesn’t hold back his feelings about those who don’t use turn signals. While traveling through the United States, it’s common to see church signs, and throughout the book, Neil shares some of the most memorable and entertaining ones he found.

Unfortunately, being a celebrity brings out the most obnoxious people. Neil writes about some frustrating experiences of being followed by entitled fans demanding autographs. On the bright side, he also got to meet some pretty cool celebrities. One that stood out to me was Jack Black. They talked about the part in the movie “School of Rock” where Jack Black’s character assigns a student to listen to Rush’s album and notes that Neil Peart is one of the greatest drummers of all time. I’ve included a video clip below for your entertainment. (please see my blog linked below for the video)

Neil’s heart ached as he revisited places that evoked memories of time spent with Jackie and Selena. It must have been an emotionally taxing journey to grieve for his family while building a relationship with his new wife, Carrie. I can only imagine the challenges of being separated from Carrie during this tour. It was heartwarming to see them spend quality time together at various venues. Neil’s stories of wanting to impress Carrie during concerts were endearing.

As an avid reader, Neil frequently references books he’s read and enjoyed during his tours. One book that particularly caught my attention was Barbara Kingsolver’s Prodigal Summer. Although I haven’t read any of her books yet, her work keeps appearing in my book feed, and I’m eager to read it someday, especially if Neil recommends it!

After reading four of Neil’s books, I continue to appreciate his approach to touring as a job. It’s something he didn’t necessarily enjoy, so he made the experience meaningful for himself by traveling by bicycle or motorcycle. It’s challenging when something you love becomes a job, as it can diminish the joy and passion associated with the initial activity.

I’m concluding my review of Roadshow with an interview Neil gave on the topic of motorcycles and writing. Enjoy! (please see my blog linked below for the video)

I purchased the audiobook of Roadshow using my Audible membership. I’m thrilled that Brian Sutherland has narrated all of Neil’s books so far. His narration is simply incredible!

I have photos, videos, and additional information that I'm unable to include here. It can all be found on my blog, in the link below.
A Book And A Dog

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I came across the Neil Peart travel books I was sceptical. I imagined a cossetted rockstar riding a Harley through the States with a full entourage in tow. I couldn't have been more wrong. The late Neil Peart was the real deal. Adventurous, thoughtful, and resourceful, Peart takes his BMW all over America and Europe and has the writing chops to take the reader with him. Respect!

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly about being on the road, not alot about the band. Enjoyed Geddy Lee's "My Effin' Life" for descriptions of the group and that journey. Neil's book is more about his journeys between shows which is a whole different perspective.

[Rebecca Moesta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bittersweet visit with an old friend

[Jim Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was aware of the band called Rush, but didn't care for the little bit of their music I had heard in the past.

I had never heard the name 'Neil Peart' until a month ago when I listened to 'Ghost Rider'. I wouldn't call Ghost Rider an enjoyable book due to its central tragedy, but it was certainly well written and compelling.

I used my next credit for 'Roadshow'. This is a much more enjoyable book. It was interesting to learn how a big traveling music show operates.

I do have a little bit in common with Mr. Peart, we were both born in 1952 and we both like touring motorcycles. I've always been a shy person around strangers, but I can see I'm Mr Outgoing compared to this author.

Mr Peart's relationship with his fans is interesting. He appreciates them, but he's also very frightened by them. So frightened that immediately after a show ends he usually runs to his bus and 'gets of dodge' as quickly as he can.

The 'my fans scare me' theme runs throughout this book. Another theme is the authors love/hate relationship with the United States. I think love is winning out.

And of course, as a long distance rider I found the motorcycle stuff fascinating, and there is a lot of motorcycle in this book. It certainly would be nice to not worry about the cost of frequent visits to BMW dealers to fix all the little problems that come with a shiny red GS.

I have a Yamaha FJR sport touring bike, similar to the author's BMW, except faster. My Yamaha never breaks down, so I don't have to opportunity to become best friends with Yamaha dealers all over the country. ;)

I wish Mr Peart was not so quick to bash people based on their outward appearance, accents, or religious beliefs. His elitist attitude can be bit off putting at times. Still, keep in mind that the author really bares his soul in his books, showing the bad alongside the good.

We can appreciate his frankness in sharing some less than perfect sides of his personality.
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.

The narration and production values of this audiobook are excellent. Brian Sutherland voice seems perfect for the job. I've watched some interviews with Mr Peart, and noticed that Mr Sutherland's voice is almost indistinguishable from that of Mr Peart.

Since reading these two books I've tried to listen to some Rush music. It's just not for me, with the exception of Mr Peart's drum solos. I don't know if he's the best drummer in history, but he's certainly the best drummer I ever saw!

[Chris Ingalls · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three-and-a-half stars, if that were an option.

As someone who's been a Rush fan for more than 30 years and a drummer for even longer, any book written by Neil Peart should be on my to-read list. Neil has been Rush's drummer and lyricist since 1974, when he replaced original drummer John Rutsey after their first album.

Neil's written at least three other non-fiction books, covering subjects he knows well: motorcycles, music, life on the road. "Roadshow" chronicles the band's 2004 tour, and he writes a lot about motorcycling around the US and Europe during this time, in addition to the day-to-day life of a touring band, some of the band's backstory - including reflections on Neil's horrifying family tragedies in the late 90's: his 19-year-old daughter was killed in a car crash in 1997 and his wife died of cancer the following year.

Unlike a lot of rock star stories, this one doesn't contain tales of sex, drugs and rock and roll - Neil's a well-read, intelligent family man (he remarried in 2000). He enjoys the occasional cigarette and scotch (a touring ritual), but that's about it. Readers looking for groupie tales should look for other books about other bands.

Neil's a bright, self-deprecating guy, and it's fun to read about his day-to-day touring rituals, in addition to his love of motorcycling around the world. I could have lived with the book being a bit shorter. It tends to get a bit redundant after a while.

Also - while Neil has a deep appreciation for his fan base, he is a very private person and shies away from press and "meet-and-greets." There are more than a few tales of rabid fans getting "too close" and Neil's aversion to crazed autograph seekers. I see his point, but after a while it comes off as the whining and complaining of a millionaire who has it all. Again, I have a hard time arguing his point, but it gets a little stale after a while.

Overall, a good read for drummers and Rush fans. But I'd like to read some more of his books in the hopes that they might be a little more satisfying.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 Stars -- Peart's most recent book is also his best and most accessible, as he chronicles his travels during Rush's 30th anniversary tour. The material about the band is enjoyable, but like his other memoirs, the book is still mostly about traveling -- this time by motorcycle around North America and Europe. (Peart makes a point of traveling separately from the band, to maintain privacy and anonymity.)

Like his other writings demonstrate, Peart is an engaging and intelligent writer -- with a knack for vivid environmental description and interesting perspectives. This time around though, he writes with more focus -- avoiding some of the enjoyable but tangential stories and sections that are present in Traveling Music and Ghost Rider. If you are a fan of Neil Peart or like travelogues, I highly recommend all three books. Ghost Rider is probably the best place to start if you want Neil's whole story. But if you want to cut to the chase and read about his most recent adventures and Rush on tour, Roadshow is for you.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neil Peart rides again, this time during the Rush 30th Anniversary World Tour across parts of North America and Europe.

This memoir is part travel book and partly a meditation on what it means to be famous and in demand by thousands of fans while, at the same time, being a creative, literate introvert who just what’s to be free to see the world in peace. We get a look at what it’s like to be a member of a rock band on a world tour without the sex and drugs, just the rock and roll. If I were going to be a rock star, that’s the kind I would like to be.

A fun trip down highways and byways as Neil take another BMW motorcycle for a spin.

[Dave Van Haaren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Huge fan but not an exciting read.

[Andrew Wodzianski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wrote a remembrance of Neil Peart on a social media site. It's pasted below. Beneath it, I wrote a succinct review of the actual book!

Neil Peart passed away on January 7. His talents reached far and wide, influencing millions. I am but one. My brother Mike Wodzianski introduced me to Rush with Moving Pictures in '81, but I wasn't mature enough to appreciate it until he dragged me to Starlake Amphitheater for the '92 Roll the Bones tour. I never looked back. I saw Neil kick the kicks for every tour thereafter. And then some. Favorite memories include:
1) Seeing Rush at Red Rocks with my brother.
2) Seeing Rush with my wife at MSG.
3) Winning a Rush in Rio DVD at some ridiculous concert screening in NOVA.
4) Running red lights in Bradford PA while memorizing the lyrics to 'Neurotica.'
5) Learning that pot was a common denominator among Grateful Dead and Rush fans.
6) Cringing during my reading of Kevin Anderson's 'Clockwork Angels,' but then really digging the lyrics Neil wrote for the album.
7) Losing my shit when Rush played 2112 in its entirety during their Test for Echo tour
-and-
Playing the entire 2112 masterpiece with my wife via Guitar Hero.
8) Healing blisters from drumline with the mantra, "Neil would be proud."
9) Having my introduction to Ayn Rand be gently ushered in by Neil's lyrical adaptations.
10) Air drumming to Neil. Anytime. Anywhere.
11) Getting goosebumps every time I listen to Spirit of the Radio. EVERY TIME.
Addendum: I also get goosebumps every time I hear 2112's second movement.
I love Neil Peart. Now and forever*.

* I fully acknowledge that Neil would never accept my adoration. He thought that kind of sentiment from a stranger was just silly. He was fine with admiration and respect.
But I can’t help myself. I love Neil Peart.

'Roadshow?' Mmmm... If you are a fan of Rush, you'll enjoy the memoir. I saw a show from the tour in focus (of course I did), and it was great to learn the inside dynamics of a professional touring outfit. If you are not a fan of Rush, your mileage may vary. Neil is very verbose, very much in need of an editor, and very... cranky. A lingering issue I had were Neil's constant allusions to the tragedies of his late wife and daughter. He never specifies what happened, until the end of the book. At which point, he describes his wife's passing in three short sentences. Not a word about his daughter. I know what happened, because I've previously read about it. But if a reader is coming into this book cold? They'll have no clue. That decision to discuss/not discuss is just oddly half hearted. Three stars for me as an uber fan. Two stars if you're not.

[Jorge Avila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love Neil Peart’s drumming and all the music he made with Alex and Geddy. As an enthusiastic reader since a friend of mine gave me a copy of his first book “Masked Rider,” I am always looking for stories of Neil Peart on the road, which can give me a deeper understanding of his approach to music, the way Rush created its music, and what a day in the life of my all-time drum hero was like. That said, this book has all that and even more because Neil gave us the chance to somehow get to know how he approached life, with all the difficult moments he had to face and his unique personality. Some aspects we can hear in songs like “Limelight,” where he had no remorse in letting us know that his time and life were only shared through his music and his writing, and no trespassers were allowed.

There’s a well-known adage, “you better not know your heroes,” but it’s hard to believe that someone who made such complex and wonderful music could be an ordinary person—no chance. These people are always somehow difficult, to say the least. Although I found what I was looking for, the book became hard and heavy reading once you have passed half of it. Neil ended up repeating the landscapes, the roads, and the weather over and over again. I have no doubt it was amazing to see, but he missed the mark in keeping my attention. While I laughed at the messages from local churches and imagined the wonderful view of mirrored lakes, snow-capped mountains, and flat roads, reading paragraph after paragraph about the landscape beat down my reading pace from high to low. Especially towards the end of the North America tour, but once they were in Europe, things return to where they belong. Maybe the appearance of Brutus was what his stories needed, and the book closes as well as it started.

I rated it with 3 stars because this is not his first book, nor even the first I have read, so some pages could be cut, or some stories could be better than descriptions of national parks. But don’t misjudge me, if you are a fan of Rush's music, Neil’s drumming, biking, or traveling, you have to give this book a chance. Not sure if you will like it or not, but certainly, you have to roll the bones...

[Mark Gowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roadshow is one of Peart's better books because it is a seamless blend of both of his lives: drummer extraordinaire and motorcycle adventurist. Several other of Peart's books have been stitched together from journals and notes, and this one may have been the same. If so, the editing here creates a cohesive story of touring with Rush as Neil Peart did: by motorcycle.

Rush and his role in it seem like a side-note; it is work while the motorcycling takes center stage. However, insights into the tour are peppered throughout the book and for those looking for a feel of how it is to tour with a famous band this book gives you a bit, although a teaspoon at a time.

Peart's relationship with Rush and his fans, or his limited indulgence with them (?), at first seems off-putting but in order to get the full effect of the book it is necessary for the reader to have a bit of empathy for someone in Peart's shoes. He is a legendary rock drummer with a legendary band. Some less than proud moments of over zealous fans are shared by Peart which gives some validity to what was his attitude towards fame.

Peart was a bit aloof in life, towards his fans; he was as he continually stated shy and uncomfortable. With this in mind the book's rough spots can be smoothed over a bit. Putting your vanity and ego aside helps in understanding his point of view in the book.

Finally, of all the books that I have read of Peart's, I would claim Roadshow as being the most fulfilling of books for fans of Rush and of Peart as a drummer. There is ample stories of motorcycling, but the tour-life is well represented here. Comfortably written and easy to read. Pick it up for a bit of insight into how a band, comfortable with itself, tours and makes great music while having a little fun when possible.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neil Peart was the famous drummer and lyricist for the rock band Rush. The band was a three member group of Canadians, Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee & Peart. This core group came together in 1974 and while not all were original members of the band, they would be the enduring members and friends for over 40 years. Peart died in January of 2020 and his passing inspired an array of public acknowledgements of his life and musical gifts from small town radio hosts to the New York Times. Peart dropped out of high school to pursue a career in drums. He achieved world renown. In his book “Roadshow: Landscape with Drums, A Concert Tour by Motorcycle” Peart also talked about another youthful love of his which was reading. He described it this way, “Devouring everything from the great novels to overviews of history and philosophy, I read in a fever of distraction and the drive of a high school dropout’s pride--to make up for lost time and learn something, preferably everything.” He was a curious and dedicated, but self-taught man. He achieved world renown in the musical world not only through talent, but based on the number of tours he played in with Rush, he also achieved it through an immense amount of hard work. Interestingly, he took lessons or “studied” with drum teachers for many years during his professional career.

I thought it was cool to learn from the many tributes written about Peart and Rush, that their music was considered “rock for nerds” because the lyrics were about something. Peart’s lyrics were shaped by what he read.

I’m not a Rush fan, it isn’t my music, but I’ll never know what it is like to tour and perform with a rock band and this is the perspective from which I think I would want to read about it.

[V Massaglia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As many people know, I'm a huge Rush fan; I've followed them for years and love their lyrics and music. I especially like their work ethic, integrity, and desire to get better and better at their craft. I was so fortunate to have seen this band from Toronto perform four times throughout their 41-year career.

I bought this book at YYZ, the Toronto Pearson International Airport in 2008 while attending a National Association for Law Placement (NALP) conference. Although only there a week, I discovered Toronto is one of my favorite places in the world. I can't wait to go back.

I enjoyed reading this tour/travel book. Mr. Peart, as he has in his other travelogues describes his adventures in vivid detail. As in his other works, especially as in "Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road", I learned a lot about the author/drummer who is very private and a self-proclaimed introvert. He shares his victories, failures, disappointments, mistakes, celebrations in authentic prose. Super serious Rush fans (fanatics) will again get an inside view of one of 'our' heroes and see a human being behind this awesome rockstar.

Here is a really good preview of the book: http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/p... (check out the Epilogue: On With The Story towards the bottom of the post. Published in 2006, Peart reflects on his travels and question whether he and his band will tour again. "Well, Mr. Peart, thanks so much more music and more tours." I wish you, your family, and friends the best!"

I recommend this book.

V

[Quangcaophoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trong bối cảnh thị trường bão hòa và sự chú ý của khách hàng ngày càng phân tán, Roadshow trở thành giải pháp marketing nổi bật với nhiều ưu thế. Hình ảnh đoàn xe thiết kế ấn tượng, mang màu sắc và logo thương hiệu di chuyển qua phố đông tạo hiệu ứng thị giác mạnh, giúp tăng nhận diện thương hiệu và ghi dấu trong tâm trí hàng ngàn người. Với tính di động cao, Roadshow dễ dàng “phủ sóng” từ trung tâm thành phố đến khu dân cư, thậm chí vùng ngoại ô, tiếp cận đa dạng khách hàng.
Hoạt động này còn khuyến khích truyền miệng khi người xem chụp ảnh, quay video và chia sẻ lên mạng xã hội, tạo hiệu ứng lan truyền mạnh mẽ. Doanh nghiệp cũng có thể lựa chọn tuyến đường phù hợp với từng nhóm khách hàng mục tiêu, tối ưu khả năng tiếp cận. Nhờ vậy, Roadshow không chỉ mang lại hiệu quả truyền thông lớn mà còn tạo hình ảnh thương hiệu năng động, sáng tạo và gần gũi. Tìm hiểu thêm tại đây: https://quangcaophoenix.com/nhung-loi-ich-cua-roadshow-quang-cao-mang-lai-cho-doanh-nghiep/
Hãy liên hệ Phoenix Media Group qua hotline 0356229511 để được tư vấn và nhận báo giá các loại hình Roadshow chi tiết nhé!
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[Beatrice Hogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to reread this book after eleven years, as a way to honor what would have been Peart's 68th birthday on September 12. I found that I enjoyed the book even more during this second reading. Now, I am more a Peart fan than I was when I read this book, as it was the first one of his seven books that I read. This time, I had maps and guides that helped me to imagine some of the tour routes covered by Neil and his traveling companions. Also, I had the honor to have seen the band live and have viewed some of their shows on DVD. As I contemplate writing my own travel memoir, Peart's prose and his attention to detail gave me a standard to aspire to. Part of me wonders if he chronicled his final journey and if so, would it be made public. On the first day of the pandemic lockdown, I started a journal, as I find writing a way to make sense of the chaos. I'm glad that I discovered this book over a decade ago and read the other books. Like his music, his books will always be available for us to enjoy and gather inspiration from for many years to come.

[Debbie Darnell-kielman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I’ve read by well-respected drummer Neil Peart for the band Rush. I’ve come to the conclusion that while humble, he’s very elitist when he comes to himself. He wants the best and why not he could afford it but at the same time he alienated himself from his band mates. Ok Neil you don’t like touring; I get it. These travelogues written for other travelers are detailed accounts of his motorcycle road trips getting from one concert location to the next. I’m talking road conditions, weather, and the number of oil changes and sets of new tires needed on the bikes. No insights about the band here. It’s Neil, all the time, and his nit-picking everything! It had me skipping over pages in search of a true story. You won’t find it in this one folks. For example, he decided he needed to get a stamp proving he was at national parks. Not that he toured the park—that he went to the visitors center and got the stamp. Big deal.

[Tim Healy · Rating 4 out of 5]

And so, my trip through Neil Peart's books concludes. My opinion of the man has changed as I've read his thoughts on, well, just about everything he saw. I'm OK with where we ended up, thought.

This is a road trip journal of the R30 tours in North America and Europe. The boys in the band surely played a lot of shows. While they did, Neil and Michael saw a lot of the US, in particular, and Neil and Brutus saw a lot of Europe. It's an interesting travelogue, and everything wasn't always peachy. However, Neil was pretty focused and didn't dwell (much) on the more negative aspects of his travel. It may have had a lot to do with his new, at the time, marriage, but he seemed to have been in a pretty positive time of life and a good frame of mind.

Anyway, I'm glad that I read these and I've come to a bit of a peaceful place with his attitudes and the things we clearly didn't agree on. I don't think I'll feel the need to read many of these again, but this one was fine.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roadshow: Landscape With Drums: A Concert Tour by Motorcycle was a great read by Neil Peart. Drummer, author, and songwriter Neil Peart has wanted to write a book about "the biggest journey of all in my restless existence: the life of a touring musician." Finally, the right tour, R30. They traveled to nine countries and preformed 57 shows. Peart traveled between shows on his motorcycle. He rode 21,000 miles on back roads and highways in North America and Europe. This great book travels through 19 countries on both sides of the Atlantic. Peart is in search of the perfect show, perfect meal, perfect road and the ultimate destination. I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read more by the author.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've read The Professor before and miss him as I do, you'll enjoy this book. His experiential riding and narrations are good stuff. I don't agree with him on everything and that's just as well, a mutual admiration society is a boring do. His humanity, his ego, his love for life and the ride, his humility as a drummer and his deep affection for his bandmates, his love for his family and his grief for his truly horrific sorrows are all on display here. He's quite the writer, he was quite the man and as I stated, he's missed.

[Scott DuJardin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now read three Neil Peart travelogue / memoirs. I liked 'Ghost Rider' for its huge emotional impact (writing about his motorcycle riding while dealing with his grief following the deaths of his daughter and wife). I found 'Traveling Music' boring. 'Roadshow' may be my favorite of the three - writing about his travels between shows during the Rush 30 year celebration tour. His same descriptive writing of the places, people and escapades while he rides his motorcycle between venues, but this one also provides some insight into the band and the life of a touring artist as well.

[Mike Augustine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d have to assume most any Rush fan would find a good percentage of this book to be of interest. The reader gains a sense of the magnitude of the band’s R30 (30th anniversary tour) from Pratt’s unique perspective. Even though the author acknowledges the real challenge of capturing the experience to his own satisfaction, the results are enlightening and interesting (at least for a fan, like me). Thanks Neil!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge Rush fan, I always enjoy reading Neil's view of his world that he lived in. A rock god he was, but not in the normal rock star sense. Private, well read, adventurous and fearless. This book focuses on his time on the R30 Rush tour and his travels between shows on his beloved BMW motorcycle. The road less traveled and typically the road with the most rain! Great read for any rock fan.

[Lee Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Peart book. A very smart and interesting person that was also a pretty good drummer.

I once heard someone say that Rush is the only band that has lyrics in complete sentences. Reading his prose (as opposed to his lyrics) further illuminates his thought process. As a musician, I realize that having a wide range of interests can inform art, but art still stands alone with sometimes no one to explain it lest they read prose about the art.