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Traveling Music: The Soundtrack to My Life and Times
The music of Frank Sinatra, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, and many other artists provides the score to the reflections of a musician on the road in this memoir of Neil Peart's travels from Los Angeles to Big Bend National Park. The emotional associations and
440 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2004
103 people are currently reading
1251 people want to read
About the author
Neil Peart
92 books513 followersNeil 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
August 18, 2016
I enjoyed this book. The writing was good and the read was easy.
Neil, as you probably know is the drummer for the band Rush. He has always had difficulty with intrusive fans and I understand why. Please indulge me as I relate some personal experiences to help explain why.
I was at a John Denver concert and couldn't wait to intermission to pee, so I went to the men's room to relieve myself and seconds after I entered, in came Charlie Pride who bellied up to a urinal a couple of slots to my left. I guess he couldn't wait either. He said to me: "Great show isn't it?" I said, "Yeah, I love John's music." Then in came another dude who recognized the country singer and ask for his autograph. There is Charlie Pride, facing the wall with his dick in his hand and this asshole asks him for an autograph. Another time I was in the waiting room at a hospital when Johnny Cash came in to use the pay phone. I knew who he was but I didn't say a word. I gave him his personal space. Another time, I was in a pizza place in a small town in Tennessee waiting for my "to go" order when in walked Conway Twitty. As he passed me, I just said, "Hello Mr. Jenkins." Conway's real name was Harold Jenkins. He looked at me with a bit of surprise and said "Hi." We were the only customers, and nothing else was said. It is my belief that when a star is not performing, they are just another person and should be left in peace.
Neil felt that way too. He did not intend to be rude, he just wanted to be "a guy" not a star when he wasn't working. His traveling, usually on a BMW motorcycle, was a way to escape the press of fame and just be a guy. Cool. Another little bit of personal info.....my two eldest sons and I are going to see Rush this May. I already have the tickets. For whatever reason, I didn't get into Rush until I was aged 62 years. You may wonder how old I am now......62.
It's a good book.......Michael
Neil, as you probably know is the drummer for the band Rush. He has always had difficulty with intrusive fans and I understand why. Please indulge me as I relate some personal experiences to help explain why.
I was at a John Denver concert and couldn't wait to intermission to pee, so I went to the men's room to relieve myself and seconds after I entered, in came Charlie Pride who bellied up to a urinal a couple of slots to my left. I guess he couldn't wait either. He said to me: "Great show isn't it?" I said, "Yeah, I love John's music." Then in came another dude who recognized the country singer and ask for his autograph. There is Charlie Pride, facing the wall with his dick in his hand and this asshole asks him for an autograph. Another time I was in the waiting room at a hospital when Johnny Cash came in to use the pay phone. I knew who he was but I didn't say a word. I gave him his personal space. Another time, I was in a pizza place in a small town in Tennessee waiting for my "to go" order when in walked Conway Twitty. As he passed me, I just said, "Hello Mr. Jenkins." Conway's real name was Harold Jenkins. He looked at me with a bit of surprise and said "Hi." We were the only customers, and nothing else was said. It is my belief that when a star is not performing, they are just another person and should be left in peace.
Neil felt that way too. He did not intend to be rude, he just wanted to be "a guy" not a star when he wasn't working. His traveling, usually on a BMW motorcycle, was a way to escape the press of fame and just be a guy. Cool. Another little bit of personal info.....my two eldest sons and I are going to see Rush this May. I already have the tickets. For whatever reason, I didn't get into Rush until I was aged 62 years. You may wonder how old I am now......62.
It's a good book.......Michael
February 23, 2020
What's better than music, books, nature, and travel?
Listening to Neil Peart talk adoringly about music, books, nature, and travel.
He is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Wish I could have shaken his hand and told him so.
Listening to Neil Peart talk adoringly about music, books, nature, and travel.
He is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Wish I could have shaken his hand and told him so.
September 15, 2020
This was an enjoyable crazy quilt of a memoir. Three and a half stars. I said it before and I’ll say it again, Neil Peart could write.
This book covers Peart’s life in non-chronological order while baking in his thoughts about the music of his life using the framing device of a road trip through the American Southwest.
He jumped around so much that I almost got lost at times. “Wait! Is he back cycling in Africa?”
This is not a perfect memoir, but it covers things in a pretty entertaining manner. I don’t agree with him about everything, but Neil Peart was a very thoughtful, literate, and interesting guy. I wish he were still with us.
I’ve never really been a Rush fan. I imagine it would mean a lot more if I were.
Definitely worth my time.
This book covers Peart’s life in non-chronological order while baking in his thoughts about the music of his life using the framing device of a road trip through the American Southwest.
He jumped around so much that I almost got lost at times. “Wait! Is he back cycling in Africa?”
This is not a perfect memoir, but it covers things in a pretty entertaining manner. I don’t agree with him about everything, but Neil Peart was a very thoughtful, literate, and interesting guy. I wish he were still with us.
I’ve never really been a Rush fan. I imagine it would mean a lot more if I were.
Definitely worth my time.
February 9, 2020
A good read and an interesting book.
It's hard to imagine reading this book without already being familiar with the author from his work in Rush. I've been a Rush fan since my early teenage years, and I will not deny that Peart's untimely recent passing was part of what prompted me to read this now.
Anyhow, prior to this, I had only read Peart's "Ghost Rider" book (a moving book about loss), but this one was always vaguely in my mind's "To Read" list. Sadly, it took Peart's passing to actually make that happen.
I've always had a curiosity as to what the musicians that I like to listen to, in turn listen to themselves as they go about their lives. Not necessarily who they themselves admire and respect as musicians, but specifically what albums do they listen to when they choose to listen to music as they go about their days. Sure, you can hunt down and often find "so-and-so's list of top 10 favorite albums," etc., perhaps even with brief paragraphs explaining as to why (making it more than "just a list.") but that's not enough of what I was looking for. With this book, Peart gave me what I was seeking.
And what did Neil Peart listen to? I won't give away all the surprises, but I can't help but to share some of them. Frank Sinatra, which is not so surprising, but Madonna?! The "boy band" 98 Degrees?! I don't think that I ever would have picked those two as artists that Peart would have listened to by choice, let alone seen in concert, but he certainly did! And he also explains why, and why he liked them.
I must say that I was a little surprised that Peart never became an intensely great fan of jazz itself. Sure, he loves Buddy Rich (and Gene Krupa and other jazz drummers) as musicians, but he admits to never being a very serious fan of jazz or classical music. That kind of surprised me as Rush were certainly one of my true "gateway" bands, and in that way, Rush lead me to some even more indulgent (and obscure) progressive rock and eventually jazz -- two genres of which I am a big fan.
Peart also elaborates on a great artistic lesson that he has expressed in Rush lyrics and, by example, in himself: art of quality is borne out of sincere intention ("Closer To the Heart") more than anything else. I have to agree and I think that this was one of the great lessons that I took from Rush, especially as a formative teenager..... and I am very glad that I did. I shudder to think what directions my life may have taken had I strayed from that integrity. I truly feel blessed to have -- for the most part -- been able to pursue my passions (in terms of work and hobbies) with integrity. Rush certainly played a role in teaching me how to do that.
But I am digressing from my review of this good book. In it, Peart gets autobiographical and we learn about some of his childhood (working at Lakeside Park, for example) and his years spent living in England. The fact that he moved to London for a few years (where he first discovered Ayn Rand's writing) is legendary, and I was fascinated to learn more about how that came about and more details of his time spent there.
But Peart's look into his past and the travelogue aspect of this book are all reason for him to talk about music, and what he has enjoyed listening to, both in the past and at the time of writing. At one point, the book itself digresses into details of one of his bicycle trips in Africa. That's fine, and certainly interesting reading, but it felt a bit out of place as it does not cover his musical listening as much as I would have expected, given the rest of the book. In fact, though I have not (yet) read it, I thought his earlier "Masked Rider" book was all about bicycle touring in Africa -- why then interject that again here, especially when music, though touched on a little in that section of this book, is so conspicuously absent?
Peart clearly had some challenges editing this book, and he discusses a bit how it all came together with his editor at the very end. I did find it a bit choppy, almost like it was put together somewhat randomly, though of course I know it was not.
Overall though, I did like this book and I look forward to reading another one of his books in the future. As I type this, it is available in print as a physical book, an eBook, and as an audiobook on Audible.
It's hard to imagine reading this book without already being familiar with the author from his work in Rush. I've been a Rush fan since my early teenage years, and I will not deny that Peart's untimely recent passing was part of what prompted me to read this now.
Anyhow, prior to this, I had only read Peart's "Ghost Rider" book (a moving book about loss), but this one was always vaguely in my mind's "To Read" list. Sadly, it took Peart's passing to actually make that happen.
I've always had a curiosity as to what the musicians that I like to listen to, in turn listen to themselves as they go about their lives. Not necessarily who they themselves admire and respect as musicians, but specifically what albums do they listen to when they choose to listen to music as they go about their days. Sure, you can hunt down and often find "so-and-so's list of top 10 favorite albums," etc., perhaps even with brief paragraphs explaining as to why (making it more than "just a list.") but that's not enough of what I was looking for. With this book, Peart gave me what I was seeking.
And what did Neil Peart listen to? I won't give away all the surprises, but I can't help but to share some of them. Frank Sinatra, which is not so surprising, but Madonna?! The "boy band" 98 Degrees?! I don't think that I ever would have picked those two as artists that Peart would have listened to by choice, let alone seen in concert, but he certainly did! And he also explains why, and why he liked them.
I must say that I was a little surprised that Peart never became an intensely great fan of jazz itself. Sure, he loves Buddy Rich (and Gene Krupa and other jazz drummers) as musicians, but he admits to never being a very serious fan of jazz or classical music. That kind of surprised me as Rush were certainly one of my true "gateway" bands, and in that way, Rush lead me to some even more indulgent (and obscure) progressive rock and eventually jazz -- two genres of which I am a big fan.
Peart also elaborates on a great artistic lesson that he has expressed in Rush lyrics and, by example, in himself: art of quality is borne out of sincere intention ("Closer To the Heart") more than anything else. I have to agree and I think that this was one of the great lessons that I took from Rush, especially as a formative teenager..... and I am very glad that I did. I shudder to think what directions my life may have taken had I strayed from that integrity. I truly feel blessed to have -- for the most part -- been able to pursue my passions (in terms of work and hobbies) with integrity. Rush certainly played a role in teaching me how to do that.
But I am digressing from my review of this good book. In it, Peart gets autobiographical and we learn about some of his childhood (working at Lakeside Park, for example) and his years spent living in England. The fact that he moved to London for a few years (where he first discovered Ayn Rand's writing) is legendary, and I was fascinated to learn more about how that came about and more details of his time spent there.
But Peart's look into his past and the travelogue aspect of this book are all reason for him to talk about music, and what he has enjoyed listening to, both in the past and at the time of writing. At one point, the book itself digresses into details of one of his bicycle trips in Africa. That's fine, and certainly interesting reading, but it felt a bit out of place as it does not cover his musical listening as much as I would have expected, given the rest of the book. In fact, though I have not (yet) read it, I thought his earlier "Masked Rider" book was all about bicycle touring in Africa -- why then interject that again here, especially when music, though touched on a little in that section of this book, is so conspicuously absent?
Peart clearly had some challenges editing this book, and he discusses a bit how it all came together with his editor at the very end. I did find it a bit choppy, almost like it was put together somewhat randomly, though of course I know it was not.
Overall though, I did like this book and I look forward to reading another one of his books in the future. As I type this, it is available in print as a physical book, an eBook, and as an audiobook on Audible.
February 19, 2020
Great book. Listen to the music as it is mentioned. Very interesting that way.
September 1, 2021
Tim's opinion™: if you're tempted to read Neil Peart's books, Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road and this book are the ones to go with. They're really the best of the lot.
This book is actually quite interesting to me. Neil's original idea was to go on a road trip with the music that was the soundtrack of his life along for the ride. There's a lot of interesting commentary on a lot of music here. Everything from Frank Sinatra to Linkin Park, from Dusty Springfield to 98°, from Buddy Rich to the Yardbirds, and from the Beatles to the Who. I confess to not understanding his love for Madonna, 98°, and Linkin Park. I don't understand his disdain for the Beatles. But I've got some things to listen to as a result of his insights.
He also reflects, in a very positive way, on his life and all the things he's done and seen. The only part that was slightly repetitive was one long section that closely parallels The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa. It's not at all bad...just a bit repetitive.
Anyway, I enjoyed this, and found some things in it that were well worth my time.
This book is actually quite interesting to me. Neil's original idea was to go on a road trip with the music that was the soundtrack of his life along for the ride. There's a lot of interesting commentary on a lot of music here. Everything from Frank Sinatra to Linkin Park, from Dusty Springfield to 98°, from Buddy Rich to the Yardbirds, and from the Beatles to the Who. I confess to not understanding his love for Madonna, 98°, and Linkin Park. I don't understand his disdain for the Beatles. But I've got some things to listen to as a result of his insights.
He also reflects, in a very positive way, on his life and all the things he's done and seen. The only part that was slightly repetitive was one long section that closely parallels The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa. It's not at all bad...just a bit repetitive.
Anyway, I enjoyed this, and found some things in it that were well worth my time.
September 2, 2021
I've spent the last 12 days with Neil, reading through his memoir of travels and the music that accompanied him. Typically, this isn't the type of memoir I go for (I usually like the streamlined from birth to stardom type memoir/autobiography that you get with rock stars), but considering who wrote it, I was interested in the contents by default!
I really enjoyed it! His narrative connection between the music he listened to as he traveled and various points throughout his life gave insight to who he was (wrote 'is', then got sad when I had to delete and replace it with the past tense). A lot of the narrative points revolved around driving, but the way he combined nature writing, autobiographical elements, quotes and experiences of others (like Frank Sinatra, for example) kept it interesting. I also really appreciated his humorous quips that were dotted throughout. I could imagine Neil just grinning to himself as he wrote those particular lines!
For any Rush fan it's obviously a 'must read', and an enjoyable one at that!
I really enjoyed it! His narrative connection between the music he listened to as he traveled and various points throughout his life gave insight to who he was (wrote 'is', then got sad when I had to delete and replace it with the past tense). A lot of the narrative points revolved around driving, but the way he combined nature writing, autobiographical elements, quotes and experiences of others (like Frank Sinatra, for example) kept it interesting. I also really appreciated his humorous quips that were dotted throughout. I could imagine Neil just grinning to himself as he wrote those particular lines!
For any Rush fan it's obviously a 'must read', and an enjoyable one at that!
April 13, 2021
This is the first book I’ve read by Neil Peart. What an amazing and thoughtful memoir. There is so much more to the man than the legendary drum prowess. Well read, has many interests, and humble to boot. Truly refreshing to read a rock related book that isn’t a tawdry tell all. I look forward to reading more of his works. 5/5
January 18, 2023
This is my first Peart book, and now I'm looking forward to his others! The book jumps back and forth through time, but I didn't mind that, as he was connecting some dots between his present life and his past. I enjoyed detouring away from the book when he would mention specific songs or albums, listening to them to try and hear what he heard.
August 8, 2020
Really enjoyed this one. Interesting mix of autobiography and music critique. (I'll even forgive him for being a 98 Degrees fan.)
December 13, 2022
Another great Neil Peart book.
June 19, 2022
This is another one along the lines of Ghost Rider. Peart writes about traveling on his bike, both motorcycle and bicycle, in his BMW and tour bus. As he reflects on the music he listens to doing all of the above, he also reflects back to when he first heard his favorites, what they meant to him and tells the story of his life through them. In this way the book is a memoir, but so much more.
As with a more traditional autobiography, we get the family history and early childhood as well as the places he lived in his early years. As he decides to become a professional musician, we get his years in Britain and Europe before settling into his life with Rush. The cool thing is that it is very flow of consciousness type writing. The biographical sketches are told as flashbacks as he takes us adventuring between tour dates and recording sessions with Rush. This is a very engaging style that draws the reader in as though we were riding along side or a passenger in his car as he free associates and spins stories.
I've now read 4 of his books and have several more ready to go. I have always been a Rush fan, but as he says in the book of the Rolling Stones, I never needed to own everything because so much of it is on the radio I listen to. Of course, I am missing out. I think Hemispheres was the last full album I purchased, sat and listened to. I will be fixing this situation. Through his writing I feel like I've made a friend and want to dive deeper into his art. He is truly amazing!
As with a more traditional autobiography, we get the family history and early childhood as well as the places he lived in his early years. As he decides to become a professional musician, we get his years in Britain and Europe before settling into his life with Rush. The cool thing is that it is very flow of consciousness type writing. The biographical sketches are told as flashbacks as he takes us adventuring between tour dates and recording sessions with Rush. This is a very engaging style that draws the reader in as though we were riding along side or a passenger in his car as he free associates and spins stories.
I've now read 4 of his books and have several more ready to go. I have always been a Rush fan, but as he says in the book of the Rolling Stones, I never needed to own everything because so much of it is on the radio I listen to. Of course, I am missing out. I think Hemispheres was the last full album I purchased, sat and listened to. I will be fixing this situation. Through his writing I feel like I've made a friend and want to dive deeper into his art. He is truly amazing!
May 23, 2010
Peart uses a automobile roadtrip as his usual mobile setting to unload his thoughts on just about everything....but mainly music. As always, Peart's writing is great to read.
Of all Peart's literary works, this one is the least structured, which is OK.
Peart gives his opinions many topics - and readers may not agree with everything he has to say.
I took issue with his diatribes against Elvis and the Beatles. In several chapters, Peart asserts that the Beach Boys were greater than the Beatles. And at one point, he claims that Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is a ripoff of the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds." At, that I had to respond, "take a step back, Neil."
Still, I enjoyed reading this book so much that I forgave some of his questionable opinions. Early chapters which cover his days as a young drummer trying to make it in the British rock scene provide details of his life that many Rush fans weren't privy to before this book's release.
November 11, 2012
As a drummer myself, and occasional lyricist/writer, Neil Peart is certainly a major hero and I enjoyed a lot of the writing in this book. I was surprised and happy to find he digs Limp Bizkit but mortified by his broad swipe at The Beatles, the greatest band of all time for me and so many others. You have to accept these differences of opinion, just like talking about sports teams, religion or politics - it makes Neil real and I'm sure he'd be happy to know that it took the shine off his hero status for me. Still a great, great drummer, close to the best in rock history, and a good and dedicated writer too. I can't get away from the fact that, as a fan, I want to read just about anything he writes regardless.
December 17, 2009
What’s life without road trips? What is a road trip without the right music? Neil Peart, the drummer for the rock band Rush, takes us on a trip from Los Angeles, California to Big Bend National Park in Texas and back. What does a famous musician and lyricist listen to on a road trip? It made me stop and think why I choose the music that I do and what it means to me. Traveling Music takes Neil, and the reader, back to the past, through the present and on to the future all along the long road to Texas.
Teton County Library Call No: 786.9166092 PEART
Written by: Mark Abetz
Teton County Library Call No: 786.9166092 PEART
Written by: Mark Abetz
January 24, 2010
There aren't too many good books about music. This is one of them. Of course, I am completely biased as a Rush nut.
January 21, 2025
Continuing my literary journey of Neil Peart’s writing with his third book, Traveling Music: The Soundtrack to My Life and Times. The book picks up right where he left off in Ghost Rider. Now married to his second wife, Carrie, Neil drives to Big Bend National Park while she is on a week-long getaway with friends. He carefully selects a variety of music CDs to accompany him on this journey, which also triggers a flood of memories. In Traveling Music, Neil shares his experiences driving to Big Bend, talks about the music he was listening to, and opens up about the stories that came to mind during his trip.
Neil crafted a captivating memoir of his life, weaving together his journey from Ontario to London, where he honed his craft and sought out bands to collaborate with. He then returned to Canada, where he met his first wife, Jackie, and embarked on an audition for Rush. Through his eloquent storytelling, Neil invites readers into his world, sharing his experiences of touring with Rush and his incredible adventure of bicycling around the globe.
Neil is a master storyteller! His stories seem to jump around in different times and places, but only Neil Peart can make them so coherent and easy to follow. I’m so lucky to get a glimpse into his life through his music. Music was the heart and soul of his stories. Neil listened to a wide range of artists on his trip, from Frank Sinatra to Linkin Park, Madonna, and Vertical Horizon. I love how he became friends with Matt Scanell, the lead singer of Vertical Horizon.
I absolutely adore how Neil ends his book. He’s gearing up for Rush’s 30-year anniversary tour and brainstorming ideas for his next book. I’ll definitely be reading it soon! I purchased Traveling Music through my Audible subscription. The narration by Brian Sutherland is excellent!
For your listening and viewing pleasure, I am closing out my review with a video of Neil’s drum solo during that 30th anniversary tour. Enjoy! (This is available on my blog, linked below.)
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
Neil crafted a captivating memoir of his life, weaving together his journey from Ontario to London, where he honed his craft and sought out bands to collaborate with. He then returned to Canada, where he met his first wife, Jackie, and embarked on an audition for Rush. Through his eloquent storytelling, Neil invites readers into his world, sharing his experiences of touring with Rush and his incredible adventure of bicycling around the globe.
Neil is a master storyteller! His stories seem to jump around in different times and places, but only Neil Peart can make them so coherent and easy to follow. I’m so lucky to get a glimpse into his life through his music. Music was the heart and soul of his stories. Neil listened to a wide range of artists on his trip, from Frank Sinatra to Linkin Park, Madonna, and Vertical Horizon. I love how he became friends with Matt Scanell, the lead singer of Vertical Horizon.
I absolutely adore how Neil ends his book. He’s gearing up for Rush’s 30-year anniversary tour and brainstorming ideas for his next book. I’ll definitely be reading it soon! I purchased Traveling Music through my Audible subscription. The narration by Brian Sutherland is excellent!
For your listening and viewing pleasure, I am closing out my review with a video of Neil’s drum solo during that 30th anniversary tour. Enjoy! (This is available on my blog, linked below.)
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
July 13, 2025
Save for the recent publication of Silver Surfers, which appears to be more of a book of photographs on classic cars with some usual Neil commentary, this was the last full length non-fiction book by Neil Peart that I chose to read.
Neil's writings have come to mean a lot to me over the years. Starting with Ghost Rider in February 2020, when the world's headlines were full of seemingly apocalyptic COVID-19 scenes from China and Milan, the timing of that work seemed strangely apropos. Neil had sadly just passed away from glioblastoma, a truly awful disease, and with the world slowly but surely tipping upside down his sense of loss and devastation felt raw within the pages of that book seemed strangely comforting..? Neil was so eloquent, so thoughtful with his approach, he was able to communicate what I was feeling, the sheer hopelessness of the situation, better than I ever could.
Two years later, Traveling Music..., his next published work takes on a more hopeful approach to life, but still just as reflective. It was good hearing Neil talk in his own words about his childhood, growing up in St Catherines, Ontario and his life pre-Rush in England on Carnaby Street, selling tourist tat, never losing focus on his true calling. The way that Neil writes is instantly recognizable, as he traverses California and Big Bend National Park you really do notice how he picks up on the little things, a true observer of life and all the characters within in.
Because this is written true to Neil's style, some of his observations can come across a little heavy handed (it is clear that to Neil, there was only one way to do things) and this book would definitely have benefitted from a slightly more focused editor, especially towards the end. In sections, I completely forgot he was actually driving and listening to the soundtrack of his life as he wheeled away on an extended tangent about his bicycle trips in Africa, already covered in The Masked Rider. It also turns out he is a big fan of Madonna's Ray of Light album. Well I never...
Still a good, worthwhile read. I found I got a little something out of all of Neil's works, and this holds true for this book too. An enjoyable 7.5/10, rounded up.
Neil's writings have come to mean a lot to me over the years. Starting with Ghost Rider in February 2020, when the world's headlines were full of seemingly apocalyptic COVID-19 scenes from China and Milan, the timing of that work seemed strangely apropos. Neil had sadly just passed away from glioblastoma, a truly awful disease, and with the world slowly but surely tipping upside down his sense of loss and devastation felt raw within the pages of that book seemed strangely comforting..? Neil was so eloquent, so thoughtful with his approach, he was able to communicate what I was feeling, the sheer hopelessness of the situation, better than I ever could.
Two years later, Traveling Music..., his next published work takes on a more hopeful approach to life, but still just as reflective. It was good hearing Neil talk in his own words about his childhood, growing up in St Catherines, Ontario and his life pre-Rush in England on Carnaby Street, selling tourist tat, never losing focus on his true calling. The way that Neil writes is instantly recognizable, as he traverses California and Big Bend National Park you really do notice how he picks up on the little things, a true observer of life and all the characters within in.
Because this is written true to Neil's style, some of his observations can come across a little heavy handed (it is clear that to Neil, there was only one way to do things) and this book would definitely have benefitted from a slightly more focused editor, especially towards the end. In sections, I completely forgot he was actually driving and listening to the soundtrack of his life as he wheeled away on an extended tangent about his bicycle trips in Africa, already covered in The Masked Rider. It also turns out he is a big fan of Madonna's Ray of Light album. Well I never...
Still a good, worthwhile read. I found I got a little something out of all of Neil's works, and this holds true for this book too. An enjoyable 7.5/10, rounded up.
March 17, 2024
Having finished Geddy Lee’s autobiography, I thought I’d keep the “Rush member memoir” theme going, and opened up Traveling Music.
It’s a decidedly breezier read than Geddy’s My Effin Life, focusing more on the parallel themes of Peart’s travels (particularly his road trip to Big Bend National Park after the Vapor Trails tour wrapped) and the music that has inspired and influenced him over the years. I suspect the lighter tone is also, in part, rooted in a desire to explore more comfortable territory than Peart’s previous memoir, Ghost Rider, which deals with the tragic passing of his daughter Selena and his first wife Jackie. Even still, you can tell Peart is every bit as passionate about the written word as he is about music and exploring the world - references and quotes from writers ranging from Ralph Ellison to Nietzsche abound.
And yet, despite being written by the hyper-literate lyricist for a high-concept ‘70s prog rock band, the book never feels pretentious. Peart pointedly tries to remain genuinely humble (he was famously embarrassed by the simple fact that he was famous), and the joy he derives from driving his BMW Z-8 across the American southwest and listening to artists ranging from Sinatra to Linkin Park permeates every page.
With that said, the book never really feels essential, either. It is, when it comes right down to it, 380 pages of a middle-aged rock star talking about music he likes and cool places his been. Traveling Music is easy to recommend to die-hard Rush fans; but to everyone else, it is, at best, a pleasant but inessential read.
It’s a decidedly breezier read than Geddy’s My Effin Life, focusing more on the parallel themes of Peart’s travels (particularly his road trip to Big Bend National Park after the Vapor Trails tour wrapped) and the music that has inspired and influenced him over the years. I suspect the lighter tone is also, in part, rooted in a desire to explore more comfortable territory than Peart’s previous memoir, Ghost Rider, which deals with the tragic passing of his daughter Selena and his first wife Jackie. Even still, you can tell Peart is every bit as passionate about the written word as he is about music and exploring the world - references and quotes from writers ranging from Ralph Ellison to Nietzsche abound.
And yet, despite being written by the hyper-literate lyricist for a high-concept ‘70s prog rock band, the book never feels pretentious. Peart pointedly tries to remain genuinely humble (he was famously embarrassed by the simple fact that he was famous), and the joy he derives from driving his BMW Z-8 across the American southwest and listening to artists ranging from Sinatra to Linkin Park permeates every page.
With that said, the book never really feels essential, either. It is, when it comes right down to it, 380 pages of a middle-aged rock star talking about music he likes and cool places his been. Traveling Music is easy to recommend to die-hard Rush fans; but to everyone else, it is, at best, a pleasant but inessential read.
March 28, 2020
In 2003, celebrated Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart took a week-long road trip from his house in Santa Monica to Big Bend National Park in Texas. He loaded a stack of CDs (remember those?) into the trunk of his BMW, and his accompanying soundtrack and the road trip become the spine of a travelogue, in history of the American Southwest, and of Neil's musical formation.
A musical omnivore, his album listing varies from Frank Sinatra to Linkin Park, Patsy Cline to The Tragically Hip, Madonna to Mariachi Cobre to The Beach Boys. He takes something musically from each of them, if even just an appreciation of their artistry. Interestingly, his tastes don't seem to extend to other musicians of the progressive genre. There are namechecks of Yes and Genesis, and some kind words about Porcupine Tree, but no mention of bands like Dream Theater or Spock's Beard.
There are autobiographical stories of Neil's musical education growing up in St. Catherine's, Ontario, playing in hometown bands, and leaving for London to try to "make it big." He leaves most of his Rush stories presumably for his next book, Roadshow: Landscape With Drums.
With Neil's passing earlier this year, this helped me understand more about this cerebral, intense, and private person, and one of my personal heroes.
A musical omnivore, his album listing varies from Frank Sinatra to Linkin Park, Patsy Cline to The Tragically Hip, Madonna to Mariachi Cobre to The Beach Boys. He takes something musically from each of them, if even just an appreciation of their artistry. Interestingly, his tastes don't seem to extend to other musicians of the progressive genre. There are namechecks of Yes and Genesis, and some kind words about Porcupine Tree, but no mention of bands like Dream Theater or Spock's Beard.
There are autobiographical stories of Neil's musical education growing up in St. Catherine's, Ontario, playing in hometown bands, and leaving for London to try to "make it big." He leaves most of his Rush stories presumably for his next book, Roadshow: Landscape With Drums.
With Neil's passing earlier this year, this helped me understand more about this cerebral, intense, and private person, and one of my personal heroes.
July 25, 2020
This is the third book I've read by Neil Peart, the drummer of my favorite band, who sadly passed away this past January. While all of his books are autobiographical non-fiction works, the previous two that I read, Masked Rider and Ghost Rider, deal with one very specific time in Peart's life. By contrast, this book mostly toggles back and forth between a recent (at the time of the writing) road trip and the story of his life from birth until the time he joined Rush, with some later episodes touched upon, as well. In that sense, it is the book of his that reads most like an autobiography and that was what I enjoyed most about it. Peart was a very private man in his public face, yet in his books-- especially this one-- he is willing to reveal many details of his life. But this is no pure autobiography; rather he uses the telling of his history as a backdrop to discuss how his taste in music has grown and evolved. This makes for a rather fascinating read about a musician who I have always greatly admired. While I don't agree with all of his musical opinions (he was way too dismissive of The Beatles for me) I certainly appreciate the passion with which he writes about music and the informed place that he is coming from. While I think this book would most resonate with his fans, really any music lover would find things of interest within these pages.
March 2, 2020
Part autobiography , part travelogue, part discussion of music in his life. The strands are woven together into a masterpiece.
I came to this book late, sadly to late, prompted by the authors death earlier this year. Yet this is timeless, and is suitable to be picked up at any time.
He brings his love of travelling by motor bike ( and in some cases by car or cycle) into a description of the miles - good and bad - travelled, mainly around the south western USA, but also on punishing cycle tours in Africa.
Musically, his tastes cover from Sinatra to Linkin Park, and everything in between. In particular, discussion and praise or otherwise about the drummers technique, and what he learned from it.
Finally, Neil traces his story back to childhood, through learning to play, and moving to London where he struggles for some time to find employment as a drummer, before giving up and returning to Canada, and as luck would have it, be approached by the other members of Rush.
All in all a wonderful read.
I came to this book late, sadly to late, prompted by the authors death earlier this year. Yet this is timeless, and is suitable to be picked up at any time.
He brings his love of travelling by motor bike ( and in some cases by car or cycle) into a description of the miles - good and bad - travelled, mainly around the south western USA, but also on punishing cycle tours in Africa.
Musically, his tastes cover from Sinatra to Linkin Park, and everything in between. In particular, discussion and praise or otherwise about the drummers technique, and what he learned from it.
Finally, Neil traces his story back to childhood, through learning to play, and moving to London where he struggles for some time to find employment as a drummer, before giving up and returning to Canada, and as luck would have it, be approached by the other members of Rush.
All in all a wonderful read.
July 30, 2024
From Day One:
A book that has paid real dividends, introducing me to music I did not know, and inspiring me to plan (and, tentatively, to begin) short, in-state "driving tours." I began Traveling Music during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, when Zulema had come to live with me full-time. What a strange time it was! (Looking back, it seems to me also a more focused, more enjoyable time, and perhaps even stranger, as a result.) Traveling Music was the fourth Neil Peart book I had read in less than two months. In many ways, it was my favorite. The narrative spans a shorter period than the narratives of The Masked Rider, Ghost Rider, and Roadshow, and the author's focus is tighter. On a drive from Los Angeles to Big Bend National Park, Peart listened to and explored the significance of a number of albums. There was a considerable range, both in the types of music Peart chose and in the ways in which he thought about the selections. Wonderfully enjoyable throughout, and the source of two new musical loves: Frank Sinatra's Watertown and The Tragically Hip's Phantom Power.
A book that has paid real dividends, introducing me to music I did not know, and inspiring me to plan (and, tentatively, to begin) short, in-state "driving tours." I began Traveling Music during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, when Zulema had come to live with me full-time. What a strange time it was! (Looking back, it seems to me also a more focused, more enjoyable time, and perhaps even stranger, as a result.) Traveling Music was the fourth Neil Peart book I had read in less than two months. In many ways, it was my favorite. The narrative spans a shorter period than the narratives of The Masked Rider, Ghost Rider, and Roadshow, and the author's focus is tighter. On a drive from Los Angeles to Big Bend National Park, Peart listened to and explored the significance of a number of albums. There was a considerable range, both in the types of music Peart chose and in the ways in which he thought about the selections. Wonderfully enjoyable throughout, and the source of two new musical loves: Frank Sinatra's Watertown and The Tragically Hip's Phantom Power.
November 11, 2018
Let's talk about the fact that Neil Peart is as excellent a writer as he is a drummer. As he discusses the music that shaped his life, a topic which, when handled incorrectly can be extremely mundane, he pulls the reader into his mind extremely well. The novel, like his previous, pulls back the curtain on his exterior as a wonderful musician and drummer, only to reveal:
That he's one of the best, most accomplished people on the planet in almost every way possible. (He doesn't have any science advancements behind his belt, and that's about it) He's a wonderful person, the book is wonderful, his childhood feels familiar to many, and it will introduce you to the fact that you can do anything with your life. He's only where he is because he practiced the drums a lot. You can be there too.
That he's one of the best, most accomplished people on the planet in almost every way possible. (He doesn't have any science advancements behind his belt, and that's about it) He's a wonderful person, the book is wonderful, his childhood feels familiar to many, and it will introduce you to the fact that you can do anything with your life. He's only where he is because he practiced the drums a lot. You can be there too.
April 3, 2020
You can tell Neil is a very well read man and of course, as a good writer, he keeps diaries of his travels where he must have described the landscapes and places he visited while traveling on his motorcycle or car.
He also has a vast collection of musical imagery and shows us a more human side, when he says that he likes bands like 98 degrees, or even Madonna. Because great musicians recognise quality no matter where, or if it is done by someone "categorised" completely different to thm.
I enjoyed this book, it was a light easy ride. I decided to read it when Neil died and reading it, was like hearing his voice and getting to know him a bit better. Rush has been a favourite band of mine for a very long time, and will continue to be in my music collection.
He also has a vast collection of musical imagery and shows us a more human side, when he says that he likes bands like 98 degrees, or even Madonna. Because great musicians recognise quality no matter where, or if it is done by someone "categorised" completely different to thm.
I enjoyed this book, it was a light easy ride. I decided to read it when Neil died and reading it, was like hearing his voice and getting to know him a bit better. Rush has been a favourite band of mine for a very long time, and will continue to be in my music collection.
October 9, 2021
This book is descriptive and nostalgic as Peart tends to be, insightful but nowhere near that of his lyrics or of Masked Rider or Ghost Rider.
Im a huge fan of all things Neil Peart but I could take or leave this one. I found it to start off well and build to to something much more anticlimactic than I had anticipated. Long breaks from the topic he introduced to give back story ad nauseum, nearing the end of the book one of these long breaks felt so out of place, almost as if it were cast away scraps from the editing process if Masked Rider.
If you only read one Niel Peart book, I recommend Ghost Rider.
Im a huge fan of all things Neil Peart but I could take or leave this one. I found it to start off well and build to to something much more anticlimactic than I had anticipated. Long breaks from the topic he introduced to give back story ad nauseum, nearing the end of the book one of these long breaks felt so out of place, almost as if it were cast away scraps from the editing process if Masked Rider.
If you only read one Niel Peart book, I recommend Ghost Rider.
June 16, 2020
A great book...read back about 10 years ago and then just listened on Audible. Love it. A biography, but accented with his traveling music and stories about his life and times as related to the music on a road trip to Great Bend National Park. Also brought in some anecdotal prose about a bike trip in Africa in the early 90’s (not from Masked Rider). He used his chapters like a musical score. A symphony of words that not only entertains the reader, but educates them as well about NEP’s 51 years of life. A prefect compliment to any library who is a RUSH fan.
December 11, 2021
Traveling Music: The Soundtrack to My Life and Times was a great read by Neil Peart. Neil Peart is driving his BMW Z-8 automobile from L.A. to Big Bend National Park in Southwest Texas. During his drive, he acted as his own DJ. He lined up the CDs chronologically and according to his moods. The music on the CDs brought back memories and going through his whole life. As someone who was always looking forward in his life, he never took the time to look back. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.
December 19, 2024
I’ve now read all of Neil’s books with the exception of Roadshow, which I intend to read soon. This has become my new favorite (previously it had been Far and Near). Neil was an incredibly private person, and this may have been the most informative look into his life before Rush. It also gave the reader a nice window into the sort of music he liked, how it inspired him, and how it reflected his personality. Aside from this, Neil gives some thought provoking ideas on life in general and gives some good advice. Excellent book.
May 30, 2018
I'm not a big Rush fan, but I'm a big fan of Neal's books. This is the 3rd one I have read and enjoyed all of them. Neal is an excellent writer and makes you think, comes across as a very decent person.
Plus with this one, I took his music recommendations and bought some new music. Mel Torme and Buddy Rich - Together Again for the First Time (Excellent), Mickey Hart - Mystery Box (Very Good), Mariachi Cobre (Very Good) and a few more on the way.
Plus with this one, I took his music recommendations and bought some new music. Mel Torme and Buddy Rich - Together Again for the First Time (Excellent), Mickey Hart - Mystery Box (Very Good), Mariachi Cobre (Very Good) and a few more on the way.
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