Mike Portnoy - Neil Peart Tribute - Modern Drummer Festival - Sept 2020

Taken from Modern Drummers (Virtual) Festival - Sept 2020
The first part of the video is me talking a bit about my history with the Modern Drummer Festival and the 2nd half (starting around 2:50) is a tribute to Neil soloing in HIS style and playing some of my favorite moments of his. Enjoy and Happy Birthday to the Professor! 🥁🎂

[@bernarddowd6446]

I'm a truck driver from Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada, and as such had made many deliveries and pick ups at Sabian in Meductic New Brunswick< Canada. One one occasion. while being unloaded I had asked for a tour of the factory. I got to meet with some of the artisans who made Neil's cymbals by hand. They had said that he was the most pleasant drummer to work with when he had visited the factory, getting his cymbals designed. I have a few pictures of what they call the vault, and some of other drummers in their museum who endorse Sabian products. It really was a great experience to see the factory.

[@alexposilkin9683]

Great story. Very cool of them to do that for you!

[@IarwainBen-adar]

Not surprised to hear what a good man Neil was but always bring me to tears. Gone too soon ❤

[@squamishfish]

Awesome , when in the Canadian with two other people from the navy band my only trip to the Sabian factory the great drummer teacher Dom Famularo was there , Such an easy guy to talk to

[@henryashley9945]

Cool story. ✌️😁👍 rock on

[@klaatuklaatu1]

Mike is the only guy that could step in for a 50th anniversery tour

[@bradlloyd6261]

Disagree

[@jdavishornet]

Probably a lot of people could. But mike would be great choice.

[@drummerdan95]

No disrespect to Mike but Alex and Geddy shouldn't and probably won't ever tour as Rush again. The odd appearance to jam a couple songs is cool but Rush already ended on the perfect note, time to let it rest. ...but, hypothetically, if they did, Gavin Harrison would be the pick.

[@DiamondTheifGaming]

Indeed. Wouldn't THAT be something?? Wow!

[@drevdh7645]

Fully agree! Mike Mangini is the only one indeed.

[@thebob01]

Thank you Mike for this tribute to one of, if not the best rock drummers of all time.There will never be another Neil Peart. Rest in peace Professor. Cheers from Toronto Canada.

[@jdsmith-bl2yl]

Thanks for posting Mike! still hard to imagine that Neil's not here anymore!

[@DizzyDez613]

A legend paying tribute to a legend

[@VincePalamaraJFK]

Mike Portnoy is my favorite drummer! A wonderful tribute to Neil Peart.

[@timothyweiss619]

Awesome Mike, keeping the love for Neil in our ears and hearts. Mike if Alex & Geddy ever go out and tour as Rash, I sure hope you're behind the drum kit for it. Rock On !!

[@johnellwoodtaylor4769]

Sitting here sipping a single malt Scotch and enjoying this tribute on September 12, 2023.

[@northeastadventuremotorcycleri]

An awesome way to honor him on his birthday!

[@hf8913]

Impressed. And I'm even more impressed that I knew exactly which songs he was playing. I sure miss these guys.

[@user-ov6zy2dh4d]

Thank you, Mike Portnoy... you are the main man in mind as one of my favorite musicians; if I could make a supergroup, you'd be in it. Thank you, a living legend

[@_Moya_Ten_]

Thanks Mike Portnoy. I'm always glad to see you, but especially to hear, your work is magnificent. I heard you for the first time somewhere in 2007, then you recorded video drum lessons and met dream theater, it’s a pity that you left the group, but I still love you, I’m from Israel, we listen to you here all the time. Thank you!!!

[@amaurypetrucci6258]

Perfect 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 One of the best in the world without a doubt. I'm a big fan

[@kevinkilduff2064]

A great drummer in his right, Mike's tribute about Neil shows the respect and love the best musicians have for the one and only "Professor." That cowbell section is no easy copy, even for a musician as proficient as Mike.

[@scottywatson5405]

I was so fortunate as to have been able to take Neal Peart out on a horse ride up at diamond lake Oregon, where I’m from he came in riding a all-terrain BMW motorcycle. It was his last solo trip before his passing. It was such an honor I always wanted to meet him RIP, Neil Peart

[@superchiller123chill]

The cowbell part brings back memories of Neil RIP. Portnoy is a friggin genius for playing it so clean

[@harvestblades]

Watching one of the greatest living drummers geek out & fan boy over one of the greatest ever is so damn cool. What a tribute to Neil.

[@felixramirez6898]

Probably One of the greatest tribute`s too anyone or anything I`ve heard or seen lately . Thank`s Mike for still doing what all the Greats do ... Inspire .

[@SgtPUSMC]

This brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. Thank you!

[@PedroHNuness]

This is absolutely amazing. My two heroes NP and MP!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@btairborne71]

Thanks for keeping the "Professor" alive Mike!! 7Jan 2020 was a very sad day for the drum world and the world as a whole, Neil Peart was a true inspiration to many of us drummers, if you can nail a song on the kit like Neil played it, it was definitely an accomplishment. One of the first Rush songs back in my earlier days that really inspired me to "try" and play like Neil that I still play today is "Subdivisions", this is a Rush classic in my opinion and just a great song to try and play the Neil Peart way. Great Tribute Mike!!

[@FrankPCarpi]

Thank you Mike, that was a real treat brother. I miss the Professor.

[@Brodel7]

Incredible. So much preparation and attention to detail on many of his iconic parts. What a tribute.

[@analogkidabc]

Saw rush 10 times here in uk and 90% of the gigs was watching the professor. I'll never forget him.

[@evmariowenceslau4098]

Bora pra o Show 🇧🇷❤️

[@steveweilhart2359]

Sweet what a cool tribute to the man who brought prog drumming to the masses -

[@alecj3454]

One long smile. Thanks Mike!

[@ProgSnob14]

Finally! This was one of the best moments of that broadcast and I've been hoping to see it again ever since!

[@torybrown7730]

Mike Portnoy definitely is comparable to Neil Peart. He's amazing. I saw Rush live 21 times before we lost Neil. It was a sad day in rock when he left us. God knows he's looking down on us. We love you Neil. RIP!!

[@rocker4life989]

I smell a rush comeback in the making. Neil would most definitely approve and see the boys keeping rush alive. This would be incredible if it happened. Pantera did it so why not these guys. 🤞

[@Elric70]

Thank you Mike, I love hearing some of those familiar rhythms.

[@justincase8533]

Excellent tribute! Beautiful kit! I miss him! Thank you Mike!

[@RuthlessBiscuit3]

Excellent! Thank you Mike 🤘🤘

[@yourdrummer2034]

This was great Mike! You inspire me just as much as Neil! God Bless Neil Peart and God bless you, Max and the whole family! Much love, Brother! 🤘🤘

[@KBH27]

Got Signals when it came out and could not stop playing it. My first Rush LP & first one heard all the way. Love all you do MP!

[@darrylwoodbury]

Watching Mike drum is like watching a master at work. He's incredible and one of my favorite drummers ever.

[@drunken-skunk]

Love you iron Mike P.!! Your the ultimate drummer! "Just saw dream theater recently "..there not the same anymore more..you brought sooo much fun amazing energy to that band!

[@hayno7066]

I've not been interested in DT since he left.

[@JayMil365]

TY Mike and Neil!

[@oalexsousa1990]

Mike Portnoy meu Batera de Rock Predileto ❤ The Best🔥

[@Roland2307]

An absolute shoe in for any Rush tribute tour. I closed my eyes and thought the Professor was playing.

[@Steven-xd5kn]

Had that very same Neil Peart banner back in the '80s. Unfortunately lost track of it over the decades. Beautiful kit man... 🤘🏻

[@jeffhurley756]

Your respect for Neil in the way speak of him and precision in the way you play his part makes me hope that if Rush goes out on tour again, you will be sitting on the throne that was once occupied by the king. You and Neil have always been two of my favorite drummers. I got to see you with DT and I was always blown away. Hope to see you on tour with Rush. Hey Geddy and Alex, we need to see more of you and Mike is the guy for the job.

[@tassiotrevizor5556]

never, ever!

[@ThePoorBoy]

@@tassiotrevizor5556 Why? The Who continued on with Simon Phillips and Zak Starkey; Zep continued on with Jason; Toto with Simon.

[@matthewpaluch777]

😎👍💗🇺🇸 🥁🔥🎼 💣🔊VIC ROCKS!!! I was in the front row watching Mike break in this kit @the drum pad's 20th Anniversary gig!

[@magick1969]

Mike is fantastic as he should be with his discography of work. Yet, he would no doubt say he's not at the Professor's level and you can see it throughout. No one is as consistent in pressure/applied force on the kit from end to end as Neil. His efficiency of energy with each strike, to his harmonies always transitioning seamlessly from end to end, without any one piece overpowering/volume drowning out other elements is readily apparent. Watching Neil perform this set with his original kit he makes every bit seem like an extension of himself. Nothing misses their part in time and tempo.

[@LBMOSSO]

4:28 By-Tor and the Snow Dog 5:02 Cygnus X-1 5:19 The Necromancer 5:24 The Body Electric 5:31 Lakeside Park 6:23 YYZ 6:27 A Passage to Bangkok 6:31 The Trees I recognized those, gorgeous tribute!

[@DB-kl9bp]

Nice work. The only one I wasnt getting was The Body Electric. There's one last one at 6:38 ‐ the last beats of YYZ.

[@LBMOSSO]

@@DB-kl9bp it sure sounds like it but he plays it differently perhaps that's why I missed it. Anyway, there you have one more to the list, Rush On!

[@craigmoggy3461]

All you're missing is the live reverb and the crowd cheering you on!! Well done, I believe the Professor would have been humble yet proud of your recreation.

[@RandyHanley]

Mike, you're a genius across so many different areas. Bands, Drums, Movie, Audio Engineering...etc. Great Video!

[@commonman317]

The Signals tour was my first ever concert, and I was only 15 years old. I was mesmerized seeing Neil's red drum set up close. They were so beautiful. I'm a life-long amateur drummer, while Mike Portnoy is an iconic professional. Yet, we both share a genuine love and a deep appreciation for Neil and his playing.

[@markb7067]

Wonderful. Nice singles! And great memories of the G.O.A.T. of what he did.

[@TheDarkEternalKnight07]

Great to see an upload from you, Mike!

[@lucho.magia.chaman]

GRACIAS ,🤘🇦🇷

[@dano1962]

Thanks for sharing. Such memorable drum moments from those iconic songs. All embedded in my head forever...

[@monktimusprime]

What an amazing drummer! @mikeportnoy. Favorite drummer! I appreciate your knowledge passed down

[@vanchuvega3696]

Grande MIKE!!! Saludos desde Argentina!

[@leroygodzicki2266]

nice to hear Lakeside Park fill. The song mentions May 24th which is my birthday. Made me feel special as a little kid.

[@darryl1319]

Who else has a Neil Peart replica kit in their own studio? Nice work Mike

[@paulluongo2756]

Neil Peart and Mike Portnoy... My two favorite drummers... I love it..... Very cool.......

[@dudamack]

Wow, thats f. great, Mike! Neil would be proud of it.

[@leddygee1896]

Now that was a percussion medley!

[@soppanaamas]

it's so bizarre reading the comments. i swear the hater(s) is just one person with a bunch of throwaway accounts just to shit on you. brainless one-note criticism of your excellent playing. love what you do mike. keep on rocking man!

[@alexsartandmusic]

Of course! It's always dumb455es who just try to jab at Mike because he's "not Todd Sucherman or Greg Bissonette or etc.", it's always the same losers that just compare apples with oranges and end up looking like even bigger losers. Mike is Mike. Mike is that one young prog drummer from the late 80s and early 90s, in the band that kept the genre alive when grunge ruled the waves. Mike is, even if they don't like him, an influence for a lot of people. Mike's artistry and talent is evident in all the Dream Theater records. He's got ALLLL the marks of what made other drummers like Neil Peart great. I would consider Mike's work with DT to be an ACHIEVEMENT for this side of the drumming spectrum. He's a big deal for a reason! They don't like him because they don't like him, is what I'm trying to say.

[@MooseheadStudios]

love and respect

[@davidj.conrad6701]

I would love to see you take that kit on the road with Alex & Geddy!

[@BennetWilson]

They would never do it. Geddy and Alex would never play without Neil. I don’t care how much of a rush fan or how much like Neil Portnoy can play. No. And I live Mike.

[@FrankPCarpi]

You aren't alone.

[@drummerdan95]

​@@BennetWilsonthey did play at both Taylor Hawkins tribute shows. I was at LA. 2112 Overture with Dave Grohl, Working Man with Chad Smith, and YYZ with Danny Carey.

[@Lance37a]

​@@drummerdan95and Omar Hakim in London.

[@michaell.445]

They wouldn't be playing any Rush material.... They're done with it. They'd do only what they're currently working on.

[@Robbo1966]

Brilliant one of the best drummers around

[@richardbrandelik7325]

Amazing... I both really like Portnoy's work and I really like Neil Peart's work (may he rest in peace)! It's very gratifying to see one of my idols paying homage to another of my idols! Fantastic! Incredible! It made my day much happier!

[@thegougeman]

Always love it when Mike does Neil & Rush tributes. He is the only one out there that really nails the feel as close as possible while also putting his slightly heavier tasteful twist on it. Perfecto Mike! Cheers!

[@nicolasrodrigues7391]

🇧🇷

[@carlos2175]

Mike, thanks a lot for keeping the legend alive!

[@jaym4697]

Mike your feel behind the kit is so incredible you really are something to behold.

[@MrDslfast22]

WHOA! I'm absolutely dumbfounded. Neal played that exact solo at Irvine Meadows during the Grace Under Pressue tour! I can't believe I'm hearingit again for the first time in 38 years!! Thanks, Mike!

[@cesar_bocardi]

Neil and Mike, 2 monsters of drums!

[@drumit4youdrumit4you96]

From the cowbells to the toms, Neil would be proud 🥁🤘

[@jconsi]

That was killer. A flawless composition of all those Peart-isms! Beautiful Mike Portnoy!

[@michaelcarra4080]

So happy you’re back in DT! Can’t believe I’ll be able to see this line up again! Started thinking it would never happen! 😭 awesome video tho!

[@O_Towne_Bear]

Love the playing and a wonderful tribute to The Professor. ALSO: "Cygnus and The Sea Monsters" Love it - hints at my fave Rush album and one of my fave tv shows (when I was a kid).

[@razvanlupu7507]

You actually make music even by yourself,after all these years,when all has been said and played,today,when everything is just about technique...you re still inspiring and wonderfull to listen to.Thank you.

[@scottstevens2752]

Mikes charisma is only equal to his fablous drumming skills! What an amazing human being this man is!

[@jlcougilljr]

thanks for the tribute Mike! it's been tough for me loosing Neil, Ronnie Dio, Gary Moore and Greg Allman over the last several years, it's really sad that we're at that point where we're loosing so many of our childhood hero's... but the great music and legacies will live on! thanks brother, Jerry

[@caseysniper308]

thanks for having the balls to do this , neil is the best ever and you nailed it. best show of respect i've seen.

[@BaconIsNotBiceps]

SO damn inspiring. I haven't played drums in about 30-years but miss the hell out of it. My last kit was a 9-piece Tama Rockstar with 4 mounted, two floor, double bass, snare and all Zildjian cymbals. I miss that kit a lot. Bought it off a guy at work because it was reminiscent of my idol, Neil Peart. I very much remember that solo and those songs. Spot on, brother. Thank you so much.

[@richardadler2406]

atta boy Mike. glad to see you. this brought smiles to my face.

[@Voynich1865]

Holy moly Absolutely Amazing drums Neil peart would be impressed !

[@joaopaulofroes3916]

We love you Mike!

[@isaacleedrums]

That was epic!!! I didn’t see this until now. Thanks! Amazing replica kit!!!!

[@alexispe2006]

Thanks Mike!!! 👍

[@IarwainBen-adar]

Love hearing your own solo mixed in with Neil’s drumming. Phenomenal as always and it is players like yourself, Danny Carey and others who will continue to produce great music and honouring those who came before ♥️

[@gregdes1385]

I still have the Drum Sticks you gave me back in 1995. Almost 30 years now

[@downtown4028]

Mike Portnoy.... that was the most amazing powerful rendition of Neil Peart's drummin style I have witnessed on video. Neil was and is such a beautiful soul.... I cry almost every time I think of him. Bravo Mike.... thanks so much.

[@marceloteixeira07]

Beautiful tribute! 👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏

[@johnmiller4553]

R.I.P. NEIL PEART 😇 R.I.P. RUSH 😇😇😇 🤘🤘🤘

[@CattleRustlerOCN]

Those pieces mike played from YYZ live Exit Stage Left were fantastic. Not only the playing but the kit tonal qualities are exact. 👍💯

[@stevedriscoll2539]

Mike, that was really excellent. This is what I heard....the signals solo ..then the amazing stuff from By Tor and the snow dog...lakeside park...later, I also recognized parts of the solo from the Power Windows Tour ...thanks so much!

[@flavy1000]

I love that kit..and that sound! Much better that the latter drums he had., perhaps , due to the simplicity of not to much embellishments... And, though Neil himself always tells out that on that period he didn't like the way he was drumming, because, it was "too tough" or something, I love it, much more than the way he played afterwards ( which I obviously love too!!), when he undoubtedly grabbed the jazz grip and so on, from the training he did about ,changing his hitting style... Thanks Mike, that's a Gem!♥

[@flavy1000]

Enjoying your drumming, while "playing " to guess those drumlines...they are unique !

[@CanadianMetalHead73]

Neil would be proud! RIP to the professor!

[@majesticbison_]

Welcome back to DT buddy. I MISSED YOU!!!

[@dibber43]

Thanks so much for all you do, Mike!😎👍 And this tribute to Neil is magnificent...Thank You, sir!!!😁🤘

[@rodwhitfield3029]

So distinctive were Neil's parts, you know them from the first note played, even when someone else is playing them. And Mike NAILS them here....

[@jdmafparts5585]

A tribute from one of my favorite drummers, to my favorite drummer/lyricist/author/theologian. An absolutely AMAZING piece Mike, you managed to pick out so many very distinct parts that are so clearly Neil. Particularly the intro to Digital Man made my hair stand up! Thanks for sharing this to your channel for us all to see!

[@gio_1001]

BY TOR THE SNOW DOG! AND INTO CYGNUS! I LOVED THAT AAARRGH

[@GravelordWrust]

Yeah, man. That got me good.

[@djbaz9850]

The bit when his does cow bell part sends chills down my spine such awesome drummer .rip pert 🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@redgarsato6127]

Perfect, Congratulations, Master, Best in the World, Beautiful Tribute to Mr Peart 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@user-hd6sl2ic3q]

Thanks to Mike Mangini. 13 years of smart work with Dream Theater. Welcome Mike Portnoy back to the Dream Theater home. working back 40 years. I welcome Dream Theater's latest masterpiece