If drummers are 'anti-solo,' that's up to them. They're musicians, and they can play whatever they want. But my inspirations early on were people like Buddy Rich, seeing him on 'The Tonight Show', or Gene Krupa.

People don't know this, but early in your career, you don't just glide on to The Tonight Show.

My first appearance as a guest on The Tonight Show was in '81.

I did the 'Tonight Show' once, and I choked up. I get intimidated.

In 2007, I studied with Peter Erskine because I was doing a Buddy Rich tribute concert, and I wanted to take my big-band drumming up a level. I went over to Peter's house with my sticks, feeling like a 13-year-old again.

Playing a three-hour Rush show is like running a marathon while solving equations.