Neil Peart Documentary ‘No One’s Disciple’ Set for CBC Premiere With All-Star Drum Tribute

A new documentary titled “Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple” will premiere on Canada’s CBC network on September 23, 2026. The film chronicles the life of the late Rush drummer and features surviving band members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson performing Rush classics alongside three guest drummers who fill Peart’s seat behind the kit.

• “Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple” airs on CBC on September 23, 2026.
• Guest drummers Stewart Copeland (The Police), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Danny Carey (Tool) perform Rush songs with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson.
• Neil Peart died on January 7, 2020, in Santa Monica, California, at age 67 after a three-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
• The documentary is directed by Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn and produced by Banger Films and Elevation Pictures, with Republic Pictures distributing outside Canada.
• Stewart Copeland had never performed with Lee and Lifeson before filming the documentary, despite being a longtime friend of Peart’s.

What Is ‘Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple’ About?

The documentary traces Neil Peart’s path from a difficult early career gigging in Canada and London to becoming one of the most celebrated rock drummers in history. CBC has described the film as covering Peart’s “tough start as a young artist, followed by his meteoric rise,” and says it offers “intimate heart-to-hearts” between Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson alongside reflections from other acclaimed drummers on his legacy.

The broadcaster called summing up Peart “a daunting task,” noting he was “famous for blurring the lines between progressive rock, jazz, pop and heavy metal” and served as “the ultimate live performer who crafted electric lyrics for the Canadian band’s huge hits.” For fellow drummers, CBC said, Peart was “an icon, role model and mentor.”

An archival interview featured in the film captures Peart reflecting on his own creative discipline. “I think it matters for me to play better all the time, and to play my best all the time, to keep it fresh and changing,” Peart says. “It’s kind of my responsibility, I see it, as a drummer.”

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson Reunite With Guest Drummers

For the documentary, Lee and Lifeson filmed rehearsal hall performances of classic Rush songs with three high-profile guest drummers stepping into Peart’s role. Chad Smith and Danny Carey previously shared a stage with Lee and Lifeson at the second Taylor Hawkins memorial concert in September 2022, giving the trio prior chemistry heading into the shoot.

Stewart Copeland’s involvement marks new territory: despite being a longtime friend of Peart’s, he had never performed with Lee and Lifeson before the documentary’s filming. Smith also has a personal connection to Peart’s memory beyond the new film. In September 2020, Smith and the late Taylor Hawkins took part in a Neil Peart tribute whose proceeds benefited brain tumor research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Stewart Copeland captured the paradox of Peart’s reputation in a 2020 interview, saying Peart “never rated himself as highly as everyone else did” but “did very much feel the responsibility that he carried to be the God of drums. Kind of a burden, actually.”

Neil Peart’s Cancer Battle and Private Diagnosis

Peart died on January 7, 2020, in Santa Monica, California, following a three-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Rush announced his passing three days later, prompting an outpouring of grief from fans and musicians around the world. He was 67 years old.

In 2022, Geddy Lee revealed on the Canadian talk show “House Of Strombo” that Peart wanted his diagnosis kept private. Lee said Peart was initially given 18 months to live but survived three and a half years, and that he and Lifeson had to be “dishonest” with fans in order to protect their bandmate’s privacy during that period. Lee described those years as “the most difficult time” for him and Lifeson, calling it a period of walking “towards an inevitable and terrible conclusion.”

Who Directed the Neil Peart Documentary?

“Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple” is directed by Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn. The film is produced by Banger Films and Elevation Pictures, with Republic Pictures handling distribution outside of Canada.

FAQ

When does the Neil Peart documentary premiere?

“Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple” premieres on Canada’s CBC network on September 23, 2026.

Who plays drums in the Neil Peart documentary?

Stewart Copeland of The Police, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Danny Carey of Tool each perform Rush songs with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, filling Neil Peart’s spot behind the kit.

How did Neil Peart die?

Neil Peart died on January 7, 2020, in Santa Monica, California, at age 67 after a three-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

More Info

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2. Rolling Stone
3. Ultimate Classic Rock
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6. Far Out Magazine
7. SPIN
8. MusicRadar