We’ll just have to disagree, then. To call Bonham and Jones “standard thudders,” simply astounds me. I think Moon is an over-rated rock drummer, obviously you think the reverse. What can I say? Moon has never played a beat that impressed me. Bonham has. We evidently respond to different things in the music.
In high school, one of our teachers was from Canada. A friend of mine (also a fan of Rush) approached him one day - I don’t remember why - and said, “You’re from Canada, so you like Rush, right?” He was fairly terse in replying “I hate Rush.” That was pretty much the end of the discussion.
Actually, thinking back, for a Canadian, he was kind of a dick.
Comparing bonham and Moon is perhaps a valid comparison. They both had strengths and weaknesses and both were incredible…and somewhat similar in a way.
Comparing Peart to Moon and Bonham is silly. They almost play a differant instrument. It’s like trying to compare a rock vocalist to an opera singer, or a jazz guitarist to a blues guitarist. They are speaking a realated, but differant language.
as for lyrics:
I get chills every time I hear this song.
From the pass:
Can you really say Moon never played a beat that impressed you? How about those triplets on Can’t Explain? Absolutely brilliant and unexpected! And this at the age of 18!
And what about his performance on I Can See For Miles? Here we have the virtuoso at work. Moon isn’t doing any more than fucking around and he turns it into his own song. How about Won‘t Get Fooled Again? Bonham never did that with any Zeppelin tune.
Moon took over the songs; Bonham merely amended them with superior, technical excellence.
As I’ve already said, Zeppelin played together, and The Who played against each other. The Who were that great. Zeppelin never could pull that off, and didn’t try to. But they probably got laid a lot more.
The Who just ripped the crap out of every song they ever played, originals and covers. I still can’t watch their Isle of Wight performance (1970) all the way through without a break. They were that intense. And that was between 2 and 4 in the morning.
On the other hand, I can watch many hours of Zeppelin and eventually fall asleep. Zeppelin tunes inevitably ended in orgasm; Who tunes never stopped.
We can agree to disagree, and undoubtedly shall, but don’t give me any more shit about who had the better drummer. Moon played his instrument like Hendrix played his: this is the show, baby, and there’s noooooo getting around it.
Sorry, doesn’t grab me like Bonham. But you can continue this in the other thread in CS I started about rock drummers. Moon overplays for my tastes, but you’ll see I have him ranked at #6 on my rock drummer list. Moon had all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. But he played with a manic energy that I appreciate.
I can deal.
The local classic rock station routinely plays 3 Zep songs in a row at this hour, and I have to admit, that Bonham is amazing on “Nobody’s Fault.”
But you rank Moon at #6? Who are the other 4 besides Bonham, obviously.
I think one of Bonham’s most amazing beats is the simple drum beat behind “Kashmir.” Few drummers can make a simple beat like that work that much power. Can you air drum to it? Sure. Can you make it swing? I doubt it. But let’s continue the discussion in the other thread.
Yes, please. Let’s continue in this thread on the unwarranted criticism of the quality of Rush’s lyrics. 
Was his name Scott? Scott’s a dick.
Actually Jeff is a dick too.
See, my husband is probably the only person around who actually picks up on my two jokes above.
“Ten bucks is ten bucks, eh” is Geddy Lee from the Bob and Doug Mackenzie song “Take Off (to the Great White North)” and “Scott’s a dick” is from the South Park episode where the boys go to Canada.
So, did everyone catch Neil Peart teaching Rick Mercer how to drum a couple weeks back on The Mercer Report? Also taught him how to drive a motorcycle, eh. Although Rick had to drive a 50cc Honda cuz he doesn’t have a license.
I caught the “Ten bucks is Ten bucks, eh” ref. Bob and Doug MacKenzie were my introduction to Canadian culture. I taped the album from my friends LP onto my Dad’s 4track reel to reel in the early 80s. Later the Movie ‘Strange Brew’ came out, and nailed shut the coffin on Max Von Sydow’s career. 
Thanks. Phase42. I miss CBC.
Mostly relevant aside - this is my husband, just being himself at home. (Yes, that is a Moosehead beer he’s drinking there.)
That stilted post brought to you by the toddler to my left holding my attention.
Dang it, I came in here for a reason - I posted a poll in IMHO regarding a possible gender preference for Rush.
Well the question isn’t exceptionally stupid, but your observations regarding Rush are exceptionally stupid.