Rush drummer Neil Peart has died after a battle with brain cancer. He was 67 years old.
The legendary musician, who was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, passed away Tuesday in Santa Monica, spokesman Elliot Mintz revealed on Friday. Also revealing the tragic news Friday, Peart's former bandmates, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, said in a joint statement, "It is with broken hearts and the deepest sadness that we must share the terrible news that on Tuesday our friend, soul brother and band mate of over 45 years, Neil, has lost his incredibly brave three-and-half-year battle with brain cancer. Rest in peace, brother."
Peart joined Rush in 1974 as the Canadian trio's drummer and lyricist, helping to propel the group to super-stardom. Widely praised for his unique playing style -- which combined rock and jazz -- Peart was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1983. Thirty years later, he and his bandmates were inducted into the Rock and Hall of Fame. Peart announced his retirement in 2015.