From: dianetti@acsu.buffalo.edu (Donald J. Dianetti)
Newsgroups: alt.music.rush
Subject: Re: Rush Mortality?
Date: 15 Oct 92 15:44:14 GMT
Organization: UB

In article <BvvM4K.Cvw@acsu.buffalo.edu> v114r6tl@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Thomas P McBride) writes:
>
>To all Rush lovin dudes-
>	Has anyone heard the same or similar rumors that I have?
>I've heard that Peart has a fatal disease.  The only backing material 
>that I was given by the teller of this tall tale was the fact that
>Roll the Bones' main concept was to live for the now, screw religion,
>go out and take chances while you still can.
>	I would love to tell myself that this is all false, but ever 
>since having such amazing seats at the Hamilton show and seeing Neil
>so up-close (he looked like he had an aging spurt of about 10 years
>in the last 2.  He was also wearing a bandana (covering hair loss/
>possible chemotherapy of some sort?) at this and most all the other shows
>of the tour.
>	Perhaps Neil is cured of some disease?  I hope somebody
>has heard this stupid rumor, and (I hope it's not true.)
>				Curious as hell,
>				Tom

Let's examine this rumor.  Your conclusion "Neil has a fatal disease"
is based on the following premises:
1) your friend told you
2) Roll the Bones' main concept
3) upon seeing Neil up-close for the first time, you perceive that he 
   "looked like he had an aging spurt of about 10 years in the last 2"
4) Neil wears a bandana

Let's take them one at a time:

1) [your friend told you]
   - as a reliable source for the information "Neil has a fatal disease"
     I would accept any of the following:

     i) Neil Peart
    ii) Neil Peart's doctor
   iii) Neil Peart's immediate family
    iv) Neil Peart's close friends

     your friend is not on this list 

2) Roll the Bones' main concept
   - the main concept of the album is a subjective topic and 
     thus invalid as the basis for any logical conclusion 

3) upon seeing Neil up-close for the first time, you perceive that he
   "looked like he had an aging spurt of about 10 years in the last 2"
   - I submit that, since this was the first time you had seen Neil 
     up-close, you have no basis for comparison of how he looked 2
     years ago.  
     Professionally taken photographs on album sleeves or tourbooks
     or professionally shot video do not necessarily reflect a person's
     "true" appearance - I think people would agree that this is 
     generally true.
     
     This is my weakest argument of the four, I think, but I'll stand by it. 

4) Neil wears a bandana
   - there are many reasons why Neil could be wearing a bandana.
     Hiding chemotherapy hair loss is one of them.
     So is: he likes the way they look
            they are comfortable
            they keep the sweat out of his eyes in concert
            he's losing his hair naturally and wants to hide it
            he wants to wear one           

So, the net result of all this must be:

  There is no logical connection whatsoever between your 4 premises
  and the conclusion "Neil has a fatal disease"

  Short version:   **it's a stupid rumor; ignore it.**

:-) :-) :-) :-) for those who need it
   
 
-- 
Don Dianetti  --  SUNY at Buffalo  --  dianetti@acsu.buffalo.edu
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