Yeah, the last five years has been rough on music lovers of the 70's thru 80's stuff. Prince, Glen Frey, Tom Petty and several others. Just in the last 18 months with Ric Ocasek, Eddie Money, Marie Fredricksson (Roxette), a very under appreciated Peter Tork (I know not the 70's but still that's half of the Monkees gone now), and now Neal Peart. Just think of the jam session going on in the afterlife now.
As far as drummers, he was definitely on the short list for the top. A 5 piece kit is about standard. He played a 100+ piece kit.