Born in Hamilton and raised in St. Catharines, Neal Peart began playing with Canadian rock band Rush in 1974.  His equipment and techniques evolved into a signature sound that graced a string of Rush albums that turned the band into international rock stars, touring the world concert stages for decades.  A published (and best-selling) author, he also functioned as the band's principal lyricist.  An Officer of the Order of Canada (1996), Peart was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.