Neil Peart: The Evolving Mind

Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart remains one of rock’s most fascinating thinkers. From discovering Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead as a young musician in London, to weaving Objectivist themes into Fly by Night and 2112, Peart explored big ideas through rhythm and words. But as his career evolved, so did his philosophy — moving from Rand’s stark individualism to what he later called “bleeding heart libertarianism.” This documentary dives deep into Peart’s relationship with Rand and Objectivism, the controversy around Rush’s 2112 and the infamous 1978 Barry Miles NME article, and how politicians like Rand Paul misused Rush’s lyrics for their own agendas. Link to read the full articles quoted in the video:
https://www.naturl.io/FOnSTDr
The idea for this video was initially inspired by the book Rush at 50 by Daniel Bukszpan. Thanks to Steve Roth for sending it to me. Link to buy. (I make nothing from this link.)
https://naturl.to/c52j3Uk
Disclaimer This video is a fan-made tribute, created simply because I’ve loved Rush for over 40 years and wanted to celebrate the music that’s meant so much to me. I don’t own the rights to any of this material, and I absolutely respect the work that Anthem Entertainment does to protect the band’s legacy. If, for any reason, this video needs to come down, please just drop me a note at thetapesarchive@gmail.com and I’ll make sure it’s handled right away. My only goal here is to honor the band, never to step on anyone’s rights. -Alan
00:00 – Neil Peart’s Early Life & Drumming Influences
00:56 – How Did Neil Peart Discover Ayn Rand?
01:20 – Who Was Ayn Rand? Objectivism Explained
02:31 – Rush’s Fly by Night & “Anthem”
03:00 – 2112: Rand’s Influence & Rush’s Breakthrough
04:00 – The Infamous 1978 Barry Miles Interview
07:36 – Neil Peart Responds to Misrepresentation
08:52 – Geddy Lee’s Perspective on the New Musical Express Article
10:10 – Rand Paul, Rush & Political Misuse
11:44 – Neil Peart Dismisses Political Interpretations
12:43 – Libertarian Irony: Rand Paul vs. Property Rights
14:10 – Neil Peart: More Than Rand
15:27 – Breaking Away from Objectivism
17:23 – Hemispheres & The Balance of Mind and Heart
17:53 – Neil Peart’s Evolving Mind
18:47 – Legacy of Neil Peart’s Lyrics Corrections: Gerry from the Rush podcast Something for Nothing kicks it off with:
Corrections: Gerry from the Rush podcast Something for Nothing kicks it off with:
Peart, in 1997, corrected the lore of him finding a copy of The Fountainhead. He actually purchased it at a newsstand by the London Tube
He also thought that "Anthem" borrowed its title from Rand's novella of the same name, but the song is more about Objectivism broadly, not just the novella.
I say "Hemisphere" instead of Hemispheres"



Peart has another nickname of "Pratt"
The Evolving Mind of Neil Peart | Ayn Rand, Misinterpretations, and What a Politician Got Wrong