Neil Peart, adolescent Ayn Rand diversions of the past aside, is probably one of the most un-decadent rock musiscians ever. He's the opposite, he's utterly no frills. Rides his motorbike from gig to gig, just like that Greek finance minister of yore. Travels countries on bicycle.
Yes, his drum set is a Fortress of Solitude, but he uses it all (generally within one song too!
), it's his tool shed, he just has a very large one. And his drum solo is a blinder, a sonic and visual event, amazing technique, yet all with self-deprecating humor and a wry smile.
Be proud of your countryman for once, Jake. Even though I understand that growing up in Canada as a musician possibly overdoses you on Rush.
But OTOH, they are something very special, consistent success, yet untrendy at any given time, consistent line-up, yet their share of personal tragedies, and an amazing longevity: When 2112 was unceremoniously slammed by the NME in the mid-seventies, no one would have believed that Rush and their often angular music would still be able to fill large halls world-wide four decades later without a hit-song in sight.
I'm no Rush-ite, but I like them as a band possibly more than their music.
