Very sad news. I just had a friend send me a message about this terrible news. I had just been listening to Fly by Night,2112 and Hemispheres over the past week. Neil as the drummer sure took them to another level with being one behind the lyrics of the band as well such an amazing drummer.
I guess glad he got to retire from Rush and spend some time with his family in what turned out to be his last years, but this is surprising and terrible news.
Not a Rush fan, but saw them live and acknowledge, Neil Peart was a hell of a drummer. One of the best not just in Prog Rock either. One of the Best........ Brain cancer is difficult to defeat, sympathy and condolences to his family.