In case anyone doesn't know or didn't notice... Lifeson is playing the taurus pedals during the verses. That's why his guitar part is so simple during that part of this song. This guitar solo is amazing!
Taurus pedals interfaced to an Oberheim OB-Xa! Lee also had both of his sets interfaced to his on OB-Xa onstage. Tony Geranios description of them trying to wire everything together sounds like a nightmare, but it was a key point in their career as far as sound reproduction.
Yep, a sort of attempt at MIDI, before there was MIDI. I am surprised to see Alex playing that Gibson hollow body on this one -- this always sounded like a fender strat song to me, as did most of the songs from Signals.
That was one of the hallmarks of this period. That and playing all songs at least as fast as on record, some faster. Age takes it toll eventually -- I can speak from experience on that now!
There are 4 unbelievable guitar solos on the signals album I bought this album in 82 as a 16 year old for a synthasizer influenced album Lifeson produced collectively his best guitar solos, dreamline, between the wheels, emotion detector Grand Designs and Limelight I would also class as masterfull guitar work, Rush Keyboard era of 80s + = Alex Lifeson at his best, no question about it, when I bought Signals I played no other album for 12 months
I remember seeing this tour in Chicago at what was then named the Rosemont Horizon. The sound of the Oberheim and the Taurus pedals were incredible. What a great show it was!
Thanks for posting a live clip of one of my favorite Rush songs, that I've never witnessed in a live show (5 and counting)! The whole Signals recording is so strong. "Electricity, Biology, Seems to me it's Chemistry!" Nobody could touch these guys then, and nobody can now.
Always loved signals, especially GEddy's sick bass and ineraction with Neil... Alex playes some heavenly solo's on the album. This is one great example. I really find it unbelievable they keep on playing subdivisions every tour, while this album is full with gems.
Thanks for sharing! I know it must've been very hard to take a video cam in there. I know cuz I've done it myself many times b4 they got me and stole my damn tapes and films those sorry buzzards. But this was an awesome concert. and I love this song and the whole album. I wished they had stayed with terry brown as their producer. Anyway I just realized that Alex is playing the synth with his foot! wow I had forgotten about that :o
I saw them on this tour and quite honestly it bored me to tears. But in the intervening years my attachment to this album has grown deep. And BTW, of all the shows I saw in that "hair metal" period, Neil Peart's drum solo was the ONLY one that grabbed me...the rest of the rock acts' drum solos were self-indulgent bombastic shit!
I like the over charged synth of Chemistry. I think it goes well with Lifeson's gitar rather than demeans it. some say "Chemistry is "oversynthed" I say it's just right synthed.
I wanted so badly to see this tour, but living in a state where decent concerts rarely, if ever, came to anywhere close to our area I missed it. This album was one of a few that got me through that lonely place in a lonely time of my life & despite having so many ppl around in a large family,I still felt isolated. Signals, Hemispheres, Exit....Stage Left, AFWT Kings, & P.Waves were a mainstay during that excruciatingly painful period of my life,in which very little "Chemistry" was ever found...
That is so true comment. I wish guitarists would learn from this fellow, he plays SO musically. Uses sort of chords alot and not just always the all too common 1-5-octave chords. Sorry for bad description, i play keyboards hehe.
I couldn't agree with you more. Many folks rate Neil or Geddy in the top 1 or 2 all time great...but forget about Alex. Alex is one of the greatest of ALL TIME. Signals was and is a very underrated album, I believe it's because this was the start of "less" guitar...more keyboards. This album was genius. Alfter "grace under pressure" it seemed that the guitar just disappeared...I didnt like it at all. Now it seems with S&A that the guitar has returned to the front where it belonged.
And BTW regarding pointless debates about who is the greatest or better rock guitar player, there is such a multiplicity of styles and spins on this particular art, with some better at some things than others... If you ask who I thought was the "best" or the "greatest," you might as well ask me what was my favorite orgasm (because the worst I ever had was wonderful)!
Been playing 30 years in bands. I can tell you this much, Lifeson is SO underrated, it sucks. Not flashy, but deadpanned. Not following, but pushing the flow. Not cocky, but hitting stars. He is as good or better as the "other two" stars and only his guitar style would have helped form Rush. I think the best THREE musicians in the world are in one band, bar none.
@fucheduck Fuck yeah dude. I love the analog synthesizer Rush sound from Grace Under Pressure back. Its hte digital synths that sound so dated. Id like to see a produced make Geddy break out the old Oberheim OB-Xa.
I think he never got the credit he'd be due to. He's really good, and uses alot of things you don't find even today's music. Petrucci sure has listened a lot of Lifeson's style =) Love rush.
Not to slight anyone at all, but the bass on this is pretty awesome I must say. They come so close to the original recording. The Signals original recording brings back many good memories...
Being that this was the only song that they all wrote the lyrics for, I wonder how the writing process went, with Neil being serious while alex would continualy goof around. I like the lyric H2O no flow without the other, I wonder who thought up that
What makes Alex Lifeson different than most overrated guitarists is he makes complexed pieces of work look a lot easier than they really are."La villa strangiato" is a perfect example.
@siitrom Well, as they say...less is more. And Signals is proof of that. I mean, if you listen to Chemistry and Digital Man's opening riffs, you can tell they have so much intensity and intricacy, even though apparently (on the surface) there isn't as much as some of Rush's other albums.
@Delgift That's a possibility. I know Nick (Clockwork Angels producer) is a huge fan and he used to sing Chemistry in the studio while they were recording S&A. Maybe the seed was planted!
@theyself Of course he's better. By 2010 he's been playing live almost every year since 1972. Can EVH or JP say that? No. They had years of lying around their house with their families trying to live off past successes while Alex keeps playing and keeps getting better year after year after year.
Wow he said that? I didn't think he knew anything about actually playing the guitar. The time when I have to actually put up instead of shutting up, and listen to all the damn Van Halen albums is approaching.
Sorry i said it wrong, i didn't mean that, i just meant the normal chord that has root 5th and octave in it making one chord, that guitarists uses so often ( power chord!! ) =P
@buminbeer2 At least in the way three musicians work together. As time moves on the "Chemistry" of this band becomes undeniable. It's more about the song and the sum of the individual parts. Equal to the acknowledged greats in my opinion.
@buminbeer2 BE FOR REAL, WHEN THERE HAVE BEEN GUITARISTS LIKE HENDRIX, VAN HALEN, AND PAGE IN THE WORLD, ALEX IS NOT EVEN IN THE SAME LEAGUE AS THOSE GUYS.
I compleatly agree that Lifeson is bad ass but would never say anyone is better than Neil or even close with out him Rush would be nowhere IMO Getty and Alex are the bomb though dont get me wrong.
@SciMasterGeneral Hendrix was a genius, there's no disputing that point. But Page is a horribly sloppy player even though he is quite creative, and Van Halen can't even compare to the compositional and chordal structure and complexity of Alex. Alex is easily at least as good as either of them and quite probably much better.
@theyself You obviously know nothing about playing guitar. Unless youv'e spent years playing, you wouldn't understand. I love Alex, but he is an amateur compared to Eddie or Jimmy. There is nothing complex about Alex's playing, thoughtful and quite often good, but not difficult. Christ, I can't even comprehend some of the shit VH does. And Page wrote the greatest music of all time.
![[HD] Greatest Hollywood Car Chase of All Time - Bullitt (1968)](/img/1.gif)
In case anyone doesn't know or didn't notice... Lifeson is playing the taurus pedals during the verses. That's why his guitar part is so simple during that part of this song. This guitar solo is amazing!
Taurus pedals interfaced to an Oberheim OB-Xa! Lee also had both of his sets interfaced to his on OB-Xa onstage. Tony Geranios description of them trying to wire everything together sounds like a nightmare, but it was a key point in their career as far as sound reproduction.
Dude you look like Lurch! 👍
Yep, a sort of attempt at MIDI, before there was MIDI. I am surprised to see Alex playing that Gibson hollow body on this one -- this always sounded like a fender strat song to me, as did most of the songs from Signals.
When I watch Alec live he’s so good and he’s having a great time w the concert but he is a master player at the same time
Yikes! I never noticed that before. Amazing!
I wish they'd play this live again. One of my favorite songs
One day perhaps, but not likely. And I think that SUCKS!!!!!!!
Yah, it's one of their best songs IMO. I love the whole early to mid-80's Rush era.
how this was not a staple in the setlist is odd
Sadly, never again
Neil is hitting hard as hell!!
He's on fire this entire show!
pounding the fuck out of them more like
That was one of the hallmarks of this period. That and playing all songs at least as fast as on record, some faster. Age takes it toll eventually -- I can speak from experience on that now!
Those who do not know, or cannot appreciate RUSH are missing out.
oh god... this concert is amazing.
Alex.... what can i say! That is a hidden gem of a guitar solo!!
The younger crowd say under 25 need to listen to this stuff. New music sucks.
I'm 13 and my brother's 9. We argue over who's the bigger Rush fan.
New music today still sucks.
Rest In Peace, my idol !
Awesome - and great sound quality! Love finding stuff like this on RUclips!
There are 4 unbelievable guitar solos on the signals album I bought this album in 82 as a 16 year old for a synthasizer influenced album Lifeson produced collectively his best guitar solos, dreamline, between the wheels, emotion detector Grand Designs and Limelight I would also class as masterfull guitar work, Rush Keyboard era of 80s + = Alex Lifeson at his best, no question about it, when I bought Signals I played no other album for 12 months
One of a kind song.
My favorite of the "Signals" album.
That Solo! Geeez Alex just nailed it and then some.
I remember seeing this tour in Chicago at what was then named the Rosemont Horizon. The sound of the Oberheim and the Taurus pedals were incredible. What a great show it was!
thank you for sharing this gem.
Godlike!! RIP NP 2020.
I loved this tour, and watching all this videos make me feel when I was in highschool, thanks for posting them, great quality and sound.
love this song.
They still make me swoon!
Thanks for posting a live clip of one of my favorite Rush songs, that I've never witnessed in a live show (5 and counting)! The whole Signals recording is so strong. "Electricity, Biology, Seems to me it's Chemistry!" Nobody could touch these guys then, and nobody can now.
Hard to believe this was 38 years gone by. There will never be another Rush. Absolutely brilliant musicians, performers and lyricist in Neil Peart.
Unbelievable song that sounds even better live than the studio version. Another hidden gem in the giant Rush vault.
Always loved signals, especially GEddy's sick bass and ineraction with Neil... Alex playes some heavenly solo's on the album. This is one great example. I really find it unbelievable they keep on playing subdivisions every tour, while this album is full with gems.
I remember this tour, they did the show and the album hit the shelves the very next day. My first Rush concert.
Rock in peace Neil Peart. You're forever loved.
That's some home video for 1983! Impressive quality. Fitting for what's being recorded.
yea and middle parts, 1:42 Alex is playing the key part with his feet..
RUSH
@buminbeer2 All of Lifeson's playing is original as hell and epic. Challenging as hell to play too.
PERFECTION! Pure and simple!
Perhaps Rush's most underrated song, albeit in sharp competition with the other songs on Signals.
I saw this show (my first) back in 1982, December I think, at Nassau Colosseum, NY.
INSANE.......
Thanks for sharing! I know it must've been very hard to take a video cam in there. I know cuz I've done it myself many times b4 they got me and stole my damn tapes and films those sorry buzzards.
But this was an awesome concert. and I love this song and the whole album. I wished they had stayed with terry brown as their producer. Anyway I just realized that Alex is playing the synth with his foot! wow I had forgotten about that :o
Alex playing the taurus pedal during the verse is so perfect!!! And geddy playing the taurus on the keyboards part, absolutely amazing
I miss these guys so much. Thank goodness I saw them many times when I had the chance. You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.
Wow thanx for the live "forgotten" songs of the Roly Trinity!
Finding their live stuff is a Mission!
I saw them on this tour and quite honestly it bored me to tears. But in the intervening years my attachment to this album has grown deep. And BTW, of all the shows I saw in that "hair metal" period, Neil Peart's drum solo was the ONLY one that grabbed me...the rest of the rock acts' drum solos were self-indulgent bombastic shit!
What a great band and what a great song. It is also my favorite Rush song. The lyrics are so perfect, just like chemistry.
Wow, Alex playing keyboards part with his foot! Amazing!!!
I like the over charged synth of Chemistry. I think it goes well with Lifeson's gitar rather than demeans it. some say "Chemistry is "oversynthed" I say it's just right synthed.
*RUSH* made ladies by the ton scream with this song. Great tour!!!!
I wanted so badly to see this tour, but living in a state where decent concerts rarely, if ever, came to anywhere close to our area I missed it. This album was one of a few that got me through that lonely place in a lonely time of my life & despite having so many ppl around in a large family,I still felt isolated. Signals, Hemispheres, Exit....Stage Left, AFWT Kings, & P.Waves were a mainstay during that excruciatingly painful period of my life,in which very little "Chemistry" was ever found...
SIGNAL Transmitted , MESSAGE Received . .. West Germany 1983 , I was There .
Luv that tour
I love watching alex and geddy use their feet!!!!!!!!!
Brilliant, thanks very much
That is so true comment. I wish guitarists would learn from this fellow, he plays SO musically. Uses sort of chords alot and not just always the all too common 1-5-octave chords. Sorry for bad description, i play keyboards hehe.
thanks for posting this...
Beautiful solo ! Lifeson is an absolute master at his craft.
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks - super rare!
I couldn't agree with you more. Many folks rate Neil or Geddy in the top 1 or 2 all time great...but forget about Alex. Alex is one of the greatest of ALL TIME. Signals was and is a very underrated album, I believe it's because this was the start of "less" guitar...more keyboards. This album was genius. Alfter "grace under pressure" it seemed that the guitar just disappeared...I didnt like it at all. Now it seems with S&A that the guitar has returned to the front where it belonged.
Great sound, especially drums. Kudos go to the best road crew in the world.
It's unreal how good they sound live
Been to way too many of their concerts never seen this live - not sure why they stayed away from this 😶
And BTW regarding pointless debates about who is the greatest or better rock guitar player, there is such a multiplicity of styles and spins on this particular art, with some better at some things than others... If you ask who I thought was the "best" or the "greatest," you might as well ask me what was my favorite orgasm (because the worst I ever had was wonderful)!
LOL. Dude,that's THE BEST WAY I EVER heard it explained^^^ BRILLIANT!!! ;)
Been playing 30 years in bands. I can tell you this much, Lifeson is SO underrated, it sucks. Not flashy, but deadpanned. Not following, but pushing the flow. Not cocky, but hitting stars. He is as good or better as the "other two" stars and only his guitar style would have helped form Rush. I think the best THREE musicians in the world are in one band, bar none.
don't fret, he's only underrated by idiots. fuck em.
This is the song that should be brought back for the next tour.
wow..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for upload this!
so rare! kool
its time to pull this one out again
Wow they're exactly the opposite here from the S&A tour- TOO FAST!
Awesome song!
what a great performance. In 1983 video cameras weren't that easy to get in. Alex's playing on this one is even greater than usual.
@fucheduck
Fuck yeah dude. I love the analog synthesizer Rush sound from Grace Under Pressure back. Its hte digital synths that sound so dated. Id like to see a produced make Geddy break out the old Oberheim OB-Xa.
This would be awesome for the next tour.
For an album that was considered to have "less" guitar.........
Lifeson is FUCKING AMAZING
123 we have a connection !!! come on it's RUSH ......
why do I have creepy rob lowe on my arm curtains
I think he never got the credit he'd be due to. He's really good, and uses alot of things you don't find even today's music. Petrucci sure has listened a lot of Lifeson's style =)
Love rush.
Not to slight anyone at all, but the bass on this is pretty awesome I must say. They come so close to the original recording. The Signals original recording brings back many good memories...
Dig that groovy beat!
Something about Geddy's licks are just so bone warmingly familiar and pleasing.
Agreed!
Geddy sounds just like the album
Being that this was the only song that they all wrote the lyrics for, I wonder how the writing process went, with Neil being serious while alex would continualy goof around. I like the lyric H2O no flow without the other, I wonder who thought up that
What makes Alex Lifeson different than most overrated guitarists is he makes complexed pieces of work look a lot easier than they really are."La villa strangiato" is a perfect example.
La Villa looks easy? Hmmmm. I don't think so.
All things considered....the sound is pretty damn good.
@siitrom Well, as they say...less is more. And Signals is proof of that. I mean, if you listen to Chemistry and Digital Man's opening riffs, you can tell they have so much intensity and intricacy, even though apparently (on the surface) there isn't as much as some of Rush's other albums.
@Delgift That's a possibility. I know Nick (Clockwork Angels producer) is a huge fan and he used to sing Chemistry in the studio while they were recording S&A. Maybe the seed was planted!
@theyself Of course he's better. By 2010 he's been playing live almost every year since 1972. Can EVH or JP say that? No. They had years of lying around their house with their families trying to live off past successes while Alex keeps playing and keeps getting better year after year after year.
me to
Wow he said that? I didn't think he knew anything about actually playing the guitar. The time when I have to actually put up instead of shutting up, and listen to all the damn Van Halen albums is approaching.
Sorry i said it wrong, i didn't mean that, i just meant the normal chord that has root 5th and octave in it making one chord, that guitarists uses so often ( power chord!! ) =P
@RallyCat909 the "muscle car" of keyboards, though I do not understand the analogue/digital principle hard work engineered the first ones.
@buminbeer2 At least in the way three musicians work together. As time moves on the "Chemistry" of this band becomes undeniable. It's more about the song and the sum of the individual parts. Equal to the acknowledged greats in my opinion.
@kalungarocker just to let u know he does that in most of the songs
@kennyplay Yeah man Alex loves his pedals. But later albums like Vapor Trails showed his roots, and just rocked the fuck out with less synths . RUSH!!
@jazzfunk1992 Oh, yes, I see what you mean, now.
I think maybe you mean the 1-4-5 chords that are so common in rock music. Of course the sixth is also popular.
alex playing guitar and bass pedals with his left foot at the same time ,how hard is that? live
Did they not believe it lights? Still a killer tune!
While he is remarkable be sure to check out Shawn Lane, Allan Holdsworth, Jason Becker etc. Best wishes!
@buminbeer2 BE FOR REAL, WHEN THERE HAVE BEEN GUITARISTS LIKE HENDRIX, VAN HALEN, AND PAGE IN THE WORLD, ALEX IS NOT EVEN IN THE SAME LEAGUE AS THOSE GUYS.
Looks like Riki Rachman voted.
I compleatly agree that Lifeson is bad ass but would never say anyone is better than Neil or even close with out him Rush would be nowhere IMO Getty and Alex are the bomb though dont get me wrong.
Is the speed on this video correct? Man these guys are playing fast. Usually they play a tad slower live.
Not back in the 80s they didn't. Songs were at least album speed, sometimes a bit faster.
@SciMasterGeneral Hendrix was a genius, there's no disputing that point. But Page is a horribly sloppy player even though he is quite creative, and Van Halen can't even compare to the compositional and chordal structure and complexity of Alex. Alex is easily at least as good as either of them and quite probably much better.
The CSIS has been notified of this bootleg and have been dispatched. They also know you were smoking marijuana when this was filmed.
@theyself You obviously know nothing about playing guitar. Unless youv'e spent years playing, you wouldn't understand. I love Alex, but he is an amateur compared to Eddie or Jimmy. There is nothing complex about Alex's playing, thoughtful and quite often good, but not difficult. Christ, I can't even comprehend some of the shit VH does. And Page wrote the greatest music of all time.
I'll put Alex up against page any day of the week. Now Edward van halen is the best . No argument there