Like Paul said neil could that that half awake. In addition to that there is a huge difference in playing freestyle with no other instruments involved and playing while following the song, or in the lead of the song as neil often was and being able to do things within the song never missing a beat.
The guy was a phenomenon that gave inspiration to millions of others.
Another top drummer but with a completely different style I admire is carter beauford from DMB. Peart was technical, carter is too but more wide open. He's one of those guys that makes things look easy when its not.
The beatles are / were definitely overrated. Anyone in the age range when they came around is going to disagree but c'mon, yellow submarine, lol. That wouldnt even get airplay on todays radio, along with almost any other of their songs. They hit things at the right time is all.
