Last weekend marked the three-year anniversary of iconic Rush Neil Peart , and a tribute featuring various artists was held for the musician at the Bubba Bash benefit concert.
On Saturday night, July 7th, Mike Portnoy, Frank Bello, Jason Buttner, Seven Antonopoulos, Joe Bergamini, Jon Dinklage, and John Wesley gathered in Glenside, Pennsylvania, to perform with a Rush tribute band called YYNOT . Together, they celebrated Peart's legacy.
YYNOT opened the night with some Rush classics like “The Spirit of Radio” and “YYZ” before the event turned into a grand tribute to Peart. Frank Bello and John Wesley of Porcupine Tree took to the stage to play “Tom Sawyer” and “Limelight” – watch videos of the moment at the end of this article.
Bergamini joined the group for “Vital Signs” before Seven Antonopoulos, drummer for Opiate for the Masses, joined them for “Freewill” and “Closer to the Heart.” Bittner then took the stage to play “Natural Science” and “Red Barchetta,” and then gave way to Dinklage to play “Losing It.” Portnoy took the stage for “2112 Part 1: Overture,” “2112 Part 2: The Temples of Syrinx,” and “La Villa Strangiato,” and YYNOT closed with “By-Tor & The Snow Dog / In the Mood / 2112 Part VII: Grand Finale.”
Portnoy also posted a tribute to Neil Peart on his social media with photos and the following caption: “After Rush retired, Neil and I always kept in touch and I received the best emails from him… always meticulously written (like his books and lyrics) and often including recent photos of him and his daughter Olivia. His death leaves a huge void for all of us fans around the world who loved and admired him. He was one of my greatest inspirations as a drummer and his passion, dedication and grace will always continue to inspire me every day. We miss you Bubba.”
Mike Portnoy and YYNOT in “2112 Overture/Temples & La Villa Strangiato”
Frank Bello, John Wesley and YYNOT in “Tom Sawyer” and “Limelight”
Seven Antonopoulos and YYNOT on “Freewill” and “Closer to the Heart”
2023 Bubba Bash Setlist
“The Spirit of Radio”
“The Body Electric”
“Weight of the World”
“YYZ”
“The Trees”
“Bully”
“Bastille Day”
“What You're Doing”
“Chemical Burn”
“Tom Sawyer” (with Frank Bello and John Wesley)
“Limelight” (with Frank Bello and John Wesley)
“Vital Signs” (with Joe Bergamini)
“Freewill” (with Seven Antonopoulos)
“Closer to the Heart” (with Seven Antonopoulos)
“Natural Science” (with Jason Bittner)
“Red Barchetta” (with Jason Bittner)
“Losing It” (with Jonathan Dinklage)
“2112 Part I: Overture” (with Mike Portnoy)
“2112 Part II: The Temples of Syrinx” (with Mike Portnoy)
“La Villa Strangiato” (with Mike Portnoy)
“By-Tor & The Snow Dog / In the Mood / 2112 Part VII: Grand "Finale"
