Eric Singer presented a detailed tribute to Rush drummer Neil Peart during Kiss’ New Year’s Eve show.
Fans who were watching the pay-per-view event may have discerned a notable sticker on the Kiss drummer’s kit. A closer look showed it was Rush’s legendary Starman logo, a symbol that instantly became synonymous with Rush after including it on the 1976 album 2112.
Lorne Wheaton, who worked as Peart’s drum tech and is currently serving Kiss, tweeted a photo of Singer’s kit with additional features.
“This was all Eric’s idea,” Wheaton explained of the sticker. “I was still grieving with the loss of my friend and boss Bubba [Peart’s nickname]. [Eric Singer] was a big fan of NP, and since I’m his tech, it’s a tribute to me.”
For the folks commenting on our friend “Starman” being on our bass drum reso heads, this was all Eric’s idea. I was still grieving with the loss of my friend and boss Bubba. ES was a big fan of NP, and since I’m his tech, it’s a tribute to me. The other sticker is a Kobe nod. pic.twitter.com/o9865nIAfN
— Lorne”Gump”Wheaton (@Lornewheaton) January 3, 2021
Peart passed away in January 2020 after a battle with brain cancer. Like other musicians, Singer was a huge follower of the Rush drummer.
In an interview with Goldmine, the Kiss drummer pondered on Peart’s death as a “sad and huge loss for the drum and music community.” “I remember the bombastic machine-gun drum fills all over ‘Fly by Night’ and remember seeing them open for Kiss at the Akron Civic Theatre in 1975 and in 1977 at the Cleveland Public Hall on their All the World’s a Stage tour,” Singer recalled. “I was in the front row for both shows and have incredible memories of this incredible drummer.”
Aired live from Dubai, Kiss’ ‘Kiss 2020 Goodbye’ performance established world records as one of the most-watched – and most explosive – shows in history. The 22-song set highlighted many of the group’s most classic hits, including “Detroit Rock City,” “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” and “Rock and Roll All Nite.”