I had spindly little ankles, and growing up in Canada, I couldn't skate. I was no good at any sports so was very much a pariah through those adolescent years.

After a discouraging stint in England to concentrate on his music Peart returned home where he joined a local Toronto band Rush in the summer of 1974. At this show he performed his first solo.

Gruber was also responsible for introducing him to the products of Drum Workshop the company whose products Peart currently endorses. After a discouraging stint in England to concentrate on his music Peart returned home where he joined a local Toronto band Rush in the summer of 1974. In 1994 Peart became a friend and pupil of jazz instructor Freddie Gruber.