He is the most humble and personable guy to be a rock star! Not arrogant at all. I had the privilege to meet him in 2004 when his yacht came in to dock at a restaurant where I was having lunch in Naples Fl. When I saw it was him I hurried outside down to the yacht. He then invited me aboard helping me step down and introduced me to his wife and little grandchild. Chatted for a few minutes with sincere interest that I was a fan. Thanked me for my support as he had been unfairly treated by Naples police at a New Year’s Eve event at Ritz Carlton Naples. Such a gracious and amazing human being!
Geddy is the same way. I heard him in an interview say that soon after the band started to make money, they decided to split everything evenly, publishing rights, writing credits, and money.
I have no doubt that this is completely true. If you search here you will find a video of Alex in a guitar store in Tokyo and his discussion with the proprietor just chatting about guitars. Such a humble and generous man without any affectation whatsoever. I don't imagine that Geddy would be any different . . . although I decided not to bother him when I saw him in a restaurant once.
If there's three nicer guys than. Alex,Geddy,andNeil I would like to meet them!! The fact of the matter is there is no one like these 3 friends who grew up with a real passion for each other and the music they created. Every now and then the planets line up just right. And that's when miracles happen.. and bless people like ourselves who are simply Rush fans are blessed to have such outstanding music in our lives to help us cope with sometimes the daily struggles of life itself. And yes I'm one of the many people who heard 2112 for the first time and it literally changed my life. I went and bought a guitar and not knowing how to read music or tabs at that time learn how to play the 2112 album front to back.
Back in the day, I clearly remember seeing "2112" in the record stands in our local Woolworth's, and I was intrigued. But I was a loner in school and had no clue what was cool or what anyone else was listening to, so I didn't buy it. My first Rush album I ever bought was "A Farewell To Kings," probably because I finally heard Rush on the radio with "Closer To The Heart." But to my amazement, by the time I was done listening to that album for the first time, "Closer To The Heart" was barely registering on my interest meter. I was more infatuated with the rest of the album instead. And so I worked backward to the older albums from there, and have thus been a fan ever since "A Farewell To Kings." I wish I had discovered them much earlier, but it really doesn't matter when a fan gets on board. Rush fans tend to be fans for life.
10,000% agreed. I'm pushing 63, and have seen them live in concert 5 times since the early1980's - incredible memories! I may be getting to be an old man, but I got to see all the cool bands. lol😂
Three brilliantly talented musicians who fully expressed themselves in the exact same band for their entire careers, sharing credit equally. That's rare and beautiful.
Yeah it's awesome eh :) I haven't even listened to any Rush in a long time, unfortunately personal crap has been messing with me a long time. But Rush are VERY good musicians indeed, a lot of people think they're the best rock musicians in the entire world. Regardless of what music you like or what you think sounds good to you, there's no denying that Rush are excellent at what they do. They can play their asses off, they are experts!
Years ago a friend scored us some 4th row seats, I guess it was Presto tour. We were on Alex's side of the stage, and on our row a few seats down was a woman who clearly wasn't very happy to be there, and was standing (everybody was standing, of course) with her arms crossed and her head tilted to one side- that stance all us married dudes know. At one point Alex looked at her, crossed his arms, and cocked his head to the left. He's a funny dude, for sure. He also forever changed the way I approach playing guitar.
Alex Lifeson is cool eh, he comes across as having a positive attitude and he's really made something of himself in his life, he's very successful. He's also an airplane pilot! He has flown airplanes for many years, he got his pilot's license a long time ago and has flown a lot. He's wealthy and has owned his own aircraft and flies them himself. Alex Lifeson kicks ass :)
He's underrated because he's understated. So laid back such a regular guy. Just another reason we love Rush so much they were all like that. Rock Gods that didn't act like Rock Gods.......long live Rush. : )
My friends and I waited out by the RUSH limo behind the Amphitheater, in Chicago, back at the Farewell To Kings tour. About two hours after the show ended, Rush emerged from the building and were walking toward their limo, where we were. They ignored us and climbed in the back of the limo. We thought, WTF? Then, after about a minute, the window goes down, and Alex asked us if it was just us 7 out there. We said yes. With that, the door opens, Geddy and Alex get out and sit on the limo hood. They talked to us for about 10 minutes about all kinds of stuff. They signed autographs, too. They told us that Neil wasn't feeling well, that's why he stayed in the limo. Super cool guys, taking time with their fans. I'll never forget it.
@@janicefrantz1831 "Wasn't feeling well" likely meant "is not interested in shooting the breeze with strangers," given his general feelings on the matter.
I’ve met Alex a few times because he lives not far from me. He’s a class act all the way. If he has time he’ll chat with you. He’s even come and sat at my table at a bar and had a beer with us. Really great guy and super funny…Canadian all the way!
I’ve met Alex a few times because he lives not far from me. He’s a class act all the way. If he has time he’ll chat with you. He’s even come and sat at my table at a bar and had a beer with us. Really great guy and super funny…Canadian all the way!
Yeah Alex Lifeson is considered a world-class musician, I'm 48 and people have been Rush fans for longer than I've been alive. He's also a pilot and has owned and flown his own aircraft!
My first Rush tour as well. I just Missed out on Moving Pictures and they skipped my region for Signals (no open venues). Only missed Snakes and Arrows after that...
Wow...exactly what I'd say...became a fan in 1983 then saw them in ATL on their GUP 1984 tour...blown away and in absolute awe and astonishment! Super fan to this day at 54 yrs old.
@@michaelvandiver2475 Me too, pretty much...became a fan shortly after the MP tour ended, wasn't really going to concerts yet in the Signals portion, and P/G was the first. They sold out two nights at the venue and added a third, saw two of those, mind blowing musicianship, still remember those shows!
First RUSH concert was the Grace Under Pressure tour.Was a fan before and always will be.Thank you 3 wonderfully gifted musicians for all the music you've shared with your fans throughout the years.
I never really liked rush through all the years. Then I saw their documentary and fell in love with them. I love how they have the same manager from when they were playing churches. I’d love how Getty and Alex are still BFFs after four decades of mayhem I love how, they worked with Neal and never questioned what he wanted to do when he had the most difficult decisions in the world. I love how they just took him back when he was ready and never questions a thing they moved on without missing a beat. And their songs are beyond difficult to play And sing. And when they play live in concert, it’s beyond the albums, which I think technically is impossible. I love that he’s here today talking to you so honestly smiling happy. My favorite part when you asked him which was the most difficult song, and his answer was everyone we played. That is so funny. Thank you so much for this.
My Rush journey sounds like yours. I'm 72 and never paid any attention to them until last year I started watching their interviews, dinners, RNRHOF speeches, and documentaries. Their personalities drew me in and now, I'm beginning to listen to the music. Impossible to play live is true, but somehow, they do it. YYZ and Villa Strangiato are my current favorites.
He is not joking about Natural Science. Of all the Rush catalog, that is one of the hardest to get under your fingers. Alex is one of my heroes on the instrument and he's the one I copies my collection from. I have his Epi signature and it's my number one. They sold out immediately so I had to pay three weeks salary to get one, but I don't care. It's now mine and my go to for any genre, especially Rush songs. And my fave of all time is Limelight. It is the first song I learned, including the solo (my version of it) and I play it over a backing track on open mic night at my local club. It's always a crowd favorite, even though the crowd was 11 people last time. You gotta start somewhere!
I’ve personally never found Natural Science to be all that hard, tbh. The hardest part is that second guitar solo, but the rest of it is pretty standard stuff, imo. I find songs like La Villa Strangiato or YYZ to be much more demanding as far as guitar goes. I was honestly surprised to hear Alex say Natural Science there. I know in the past he has talked about how difficult it was to record the Hemispheres album (my personal favorite Rush album) and that they eventually had to resort to recording their parts separately for some thing like La Villa. But yeah, Natural Science feels pretty standard to me 🤷🏻♂️
@@STSGuitar16 I would agree with that. When Natural Science really get's groovin' and he launches that second solo, it makes it tough to keep it right. I find myself cheating and skipping notes. Just not good enough yet!
@@valuedhumanoid6574 for me, that second solo is the only truly difficult part about the song. I’ve never truly sat down and actually learned the fast parts of that solo note for note, though. What makes that answer more interesting is the fact that Alex improvised all of his solos for their albums, including that second solo in NS. Obviously it is much easier to just improvise those really fast, shreddy parts vs writing them before and having to learn them note for note (Alex always kinda improvised/changed up the fast parts of that solo when they played it live, too, and sometimes they actually just skip that solo entirely), so I wonder what it was that tripped Alex up during that recording process. As far as I know, those really fast parts are more or less just “gibberish” and don’t necessarily follow one scale or key, so when it gets to that part, you (and Alex) kinda just have to let ‘er rip lol. I wouldn’t even bother attempting to learn the fast parts note for note; Alex really didn’t go back and repeat it the same way every time either. Just find two or three separate shreddy hand positions that kinda make sense, turn on the jets, try to keep your alternate picking as clean as you can, and then you can kinda bs your way through that section lol. I really don’t think it’s cheating considering that was basically the same approach Alex took to playing that solo live as well lol. Most Alex solo sections are best played note for note, but there are several songs that feature that really fast shredding style that aren’t as important to play exactly the same. Alex was/is just a master.
As much as I loved his tone on farewell to kings, I much preferred hemispheres. Think the chorus effect had a lot to do with it. For me, the goldilocks zone between straight guitar & amp and over processed was hemispheres, permanent waves, and moving pictures.
@@DuaneElliott-j6oI think I could have explained my meaning better, what I meant was the entire Hemispheres album not just the title track, lol I didn't mean to be misleading!
King Lerxst ! The greatest lead Guitarist ever, a polished , talented performer and entertainer who had a compelling yet unassuming stage presence. Best of all, along with his iconic Band mates Prat and Dirk the World of Music, composition, lyrics arrangements, melodies and rhythms were enriched beyond all that preceded and followed them. I ADORE Rush, always have and always will. RIP the Drum Messiah Neil Peart…..
they seem to over look this - im not a fan post hemispheres (although permanent waves has its moments - natural science, jacobs ladder) - Im not keen on moving pictures or "Rush" 1st LP - yet MP is always raved about - any different strokes ...
Caress of Steel was my introduction to RUSH and will forever be that special album for that pot smoking aspiring guitar player kid waaaaaay back in the mid 70's
I don't know that he loves the album per se I know he complained in the past about having to make too many compromises during the making of it and didn't like some of the lyrics specifically Stick it Out. Neil wasn't particularly happy with it, apparently he intensely disliked his drumming on Cut To The Chase and Geddy and Alex had some big arguments during the recording of it. It was a transitional record to get back to a heavier sound after multiple albums of light poppy thin sounding music
No Rush without Peart? that's what they say now, I guarantee you Rush will reform with another drummer, Who I don't know but I do know there are many many drummers who could replicate that style, the world is full of amazing musicians and nothing stays the same forever.
@@kirkhunter146 There's no Rush unless it's all three of them. If Alex and Geddy were going to bring back a band formerly known as Rush, they'd have done it by now. Their appearances at South Park's 25th Anniversary concert plus the two Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts is likely all you're going to get. As regards your comments on Neil Peart being replaceable, I'd suggest the efforts of Grohl, Carey, Smith and Hakim would suggest otherwise. I'm sure they all tried their best, particularly Grohl, but they all sounded so much less than the original.
I'm 64 yo...I cut some of my rock n roll teeth on Rush way back in the day...when I first heard their very first album, I was instantly a fan and haven't looked back since...AL is probably one of my all-time favorite guitar players...I would love nothing more than to have just half of his guitar skills for just one day...he's simply amazing with his technical skills but mostly his creativity and energy...I admire him immensely...as a Rush fan, I would still love for him and Geddy to get up and put something out together...it's MHO that the fans aren't expecting a RUSH II-type era...we'd just love to hear them jam just the way they are...and please, I'm not minimizing the contributions of Neil...we just love them all...please, please, please come together and do something...the fans are realistic in their expectations.
Alex Lifeson was always one of my favorite guitar players. The first Rush Album for me was Permanent Waves. It opened the world of Rush to me. Miss that band.
@@drooskeedoo3388 It's interesting that artists that have long careers, have "key" albums that help you to understand all their other albums past and future. For example for me it was King Crimson's song Fracture (loved the earlier stuff and 80's, 90's and 00's afterwards) and for Captain Beefheart it was album Trout Mask Replica (all their albums became palatable afterwards, even the "hated" ones). For Rush it was brilliance from first to counterparts, should focus on 90's, 00's and 10's next.
I love this interviewer, he's so personable and asks each question w emotion, inflection and not like he's a bored manager conducting his 90th interview of the day. Sarcasm.
Back In the early to mid 70’s I was playing in a band. We played all kinds of stuff from Yes to Allman bros. During a break, some girl walked up to me and told me how much she liked us. I said thanks. She asked if we do any Rush? I said who? Never heard of them. Next day I did some digging around and found an album at the record store. I was hooked!! The next week they came to town on the 2112 tour. Blew my mind…….
Alex and his two best friends made this world a better place to live in. Providing some of the most brilliant masterpieces ever to be written and played by humans. These timeless Musical Picassos will be enjoyed for a very long time.
Very underrated guitarist he has amazing body of work. He’s laid down some incredible riffs, but if you really want to appreciate his work, just listen to his stuff on power Windows, even though it’s a driven album, the textures and the phrase he created are amazing.
@@westoftherockies Love the guitar work on Signals and Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures. Alex is my favourite guitarist, so I tend to like the vast majority of his work, though I have certain preferences.
I don't need Alex and Geddy to be playing together again.. great that they're doing different things, fans will get twice the amount of output from these two very exceptional people. I just want them to stay happy doing what they like, they earned it 😊
Alex Lifeson is the best guitarist on the planet. He is an everyman anyone could relate to with unworldly abilities and the man can nail any guitar sound better than anyone. Huge respect
What a great guy... So down to earth. Great player that never got the recognition he deserved. Making some of the greatest music of all time. Bless you Alex!
Very true but man they sound so good with Danny Carey. It's like Danny inherited Neal's soul. He's the one guy I'd love to see them do a reunion tour with
@@Psychodermia I think JP would have reformed the band with a new drummer years ago if RP had gone along with it. But...RP probably can't sing the parts any longer.
@@Newworldman66 I don't know. What makes Rush great-much like the Police-is how integral all three were to the overall sound. That's the beauty of the power trio. All three musicians have to not only be technically great, but be distinctive as well. You can't hide in a trio.
Alex's sense of humor is incredible. I love his line during the closing credits of the "Beyond the Lighted Stage" video. He and Geddy get asked why they still tour after 40 years. Alex's answer: "Chicks" . LMAO. Great stuff. I count myself lucky as I've gotten to see them live. Rush rules.
That was a GREAT interview! Actually like no other I've ever heard with Alex. Really laid back and candid. Anyone notice the guitars behind him, the '59 reissue Tele, the black PRS, his old 335. Up in the corner, was that the red Strat in the Distant Early Warning video? And, I thought he got rid of his original 355. Must be one of those copies, and of course all those Axcesses. It's kinda funny how Geddy blames Alex's health for not being able to work on new material, and Alex says Geddy is too busy. I don't think it's ever gonna happen, but I'm thankful for what they gave us!
One of my all-time favorite musicians; Alex is creative and intelligent in his compositions, and yet still manages to convey a sense of fun in his playing. Great interview!
Awesome interview. Alex Lifeson is a huge influence.. He is super unique and I love his playing. I've always felt he has been underrated.. his talent is beyond measure and he always gets massive tone from his guitar and amp setup... thanks for this video of him! 🎸☕
Yeah... Limelight do have an ass kicking solo... I like his guitar work on the "A Farewell to Kings" album a lot... 2112... everything really... he has always been on the cutting edge IMO...@@thomasmorris2245
Thank you Alex! For sharing your talent with us through your albums and live performances. And putting up with those robotic questions. And allowing an interview on a channel with only 21k subs. What a down to earth human!
One thing I've appreciated about Alex over the years is how all of his solos are different. Each one a has a theme and structure all its own, so it could be named. I'm blown away by the fact that he didn't sit down and compose each one, but just winged them in 3 or 4 takes. I think that shows his artistry. If he and Geddy want to make music, I'll be listening with open ears. Not expecting Rush, but hoping to hear them moving forward.
In another interview Alex said that he would do 3 or 4 solos - I couldn't tell if he meant different variations or completely different solos. Then Geddy and the producer would take those and take the best parts and mash them together, often in different order. "Wasn't that hard to play what they came up with?" "We'll yeah - but I had played the notes before, just not in that order - but I told myself I had played them before!" He also said how early on he would work with them and change things - but after awhile he came to realize they knew what worked best and just trusted them with whatever they came up with. Pretty amazing to have three great musicians with very little ego to get in the way of each other.
I am 70. When I was 19, I went to the Arby’s across the street from my apartment in Atlanta. I walk in and there was all 3 guys. They were the warm up band at the time for someone I don’t remember. ELP maybe. I asked them if they were Rush. They invited me to join them and I did. All of these guys were so nice. Alex was quiet but a great guy. We talked and laughed about Canadian and southern accents. Who knew what they would become.
Alex is such a good guy, and so underrated as a musician. Im glad that Rush was around for over 40 years and gave us so much music to continue to listen to. Theres nothing more that can be said about the greatness of Neil that hasnt already been said. RIP Professor. We miss you
Im glad Alex mentioned COUNTERPARTS album. One of my top RUSH albums. It made me re-discover RUSH , after the keyboard, synth 80's albums. More heavy and guitar dominated.
Huge thanks goes to Kevin “Caveman” Shirley who convinced Alex to go back to Marshall Stacks; which mercifully terminated the solid state G-K tinny thin tone era
Such a great guy. And probably the most under-rated guitar player ever. I really hope he and Geddy continue to work together. Rush is why I started playing bass.
Great Interview. Alex is a AWESOME songwriter and musician. And a AWESOME guitar player. Envy Of None is an amazing record. Hope Envy of None make more music. He is a plethora of knowledge And a joy to listen to him talk about it. CHEERS! 🤘🤘🤘👍
Totally agree. Lifeson is a highly underrated guitarist. Saw Rush on the Permanent Waves & Moving Pictures tour in London. Awesome band. Highly creative. Played the whole of 2112 & the classic track La Villa Strangiato & the highly intricate Limelight & Tom Sawyer, Red Barchetta from MP. Best rock drummer Neil Peart in history. Superlative
They all were. Quite the antithesis to the "rock star" stereotype. After their concerts they used to go back to their hotel and play cards. Probably left the rooms in better shape than when they checked in.
Rush may be over, as Alex said. But their music will live on, and continue to inspire, new, and old musicians. I saw them 3 times, Hemispheres being the first. I tell people they wrote the soundtrack of my youth, Lol. Thank you Rush, for all the music!
Alex is undoubtedly among the greatest. As a master musician, he effortlessly showcases an incredible range of styles during live performances, not just in an album. Rush wouldn’t be Rush without Alex, just as it wouldn’t be the same without Neil and Geddy. They are an extraordinary band that enriched our lives with their artistry, music and lyrics. I will be forever grateful to them.
As someone who knows Natural Science, albeit on bass and not regular guitar, I can confirm it's one of the hardest Rush songs. It's more the endurance that makes it hard. It starts with 90 punishing seconds of 8th notes, then you think you're cut a break with the anthemic section in the middle, then it slaps you in the face for the last 45 seconds with this barrage of fast triplets. You really have to play it a lot to build the endurance of getting through it without either of your hands cramping.
As a long-time Rush fan, I am completely OK with the end of Rush given the circumstances from a musical standpoint. However, I wouldn't care if it were Alex and Ged touring the zoo, the two of them interacting is gold. Them just being themselves is so wholesome, inspirational, and hilarious....and it never gets old with me. I can certainly understand how it can't be Rush, and I actually appreciate not attempting it. But I would love to see them do something. I wouldn't even care if I was into it. But I want to see them do it for THEIR sake, because of the musical bond that they have as well.
i agree to that it wouldn't be rush without Neil but if they did do something to honor their brand of music there are a multitude of us fans who never had the honor to see them live have a slight chance of what it felt like hear those those songs live.
I think the most exciting thing in this video is that Envy Of None is working on a new album. I love me some rush, but if I’d be more excited to get Envy of None to put out a new album and do some shows. With 2 records, they could definitely do a 90 minute to 2 hour show. Probably won’t happen, bc Alex seems against touring again (with Envy or Geddy), but one can dream.
I think Alex just doesn't feel like he can do it due to his arthritis - but he said this before the last tour with Rush, then stated that he eased into it and felt like he could play 100 more shows.. which unfortunately we never got, RIP Neil. I think Alex would do a few shows, he and Geddy live for it and you could definitely tell during the LA Forum taylor Hawkins show
As im watching this, 2112 started running through my head. I can play that entire song in my head! My Dad introduced me to Rush as a kid 40 years ago. Thanks Dad!
Great to see Alex again! ❤ Thanks for posting... I wished Alex and Geddy would work with the great Terry Brown once again. ( I know it'll never be the same without Neil 😢) but I've been a Rush fan since 79 so I think I have the right to complain as to why Rush never invited Terry to come back?! I can write pages as to why, but I think I've already written too much. It's very nice n amazing to know that I share the same taste ( in music/songs) with Alex 👍😊 I also love the solo in la Villa Strangiato (spl)?❤
I have admired this band my whole life. I would love to hang with Alex and Geddy over some beers and just talk similar topics. Absolute legends and icons of rock.
Alex seems so humble yet approachable and very sincere, what you see is what you get. RIP Mr. Peart, thanks to all 3 of you for the wonderful memories from an aspiring Bass player of near 62 year old.
Man you bring back amazing memories and will be forever grateful to you guys for a ahsome 80s experience during my highschool years. Thank you so much!!!
I first saw them in 1979 they were always my favorite band and have seen them about 19 times! They ruled rock in my humble opinion from the 70's till about 2000!
Everyone always states that ''Moving Pictures'' was Rush's Mega Album, but for me ''Permanent Waves'' marked their Rennaisance and really is as you say a masterpiece.
@@joedecker3900 i am corrected. Totally agree. Permanent Waves was the second record I bought with my own money. The first was Rory Gallagher's Calling Card.
You betcha! That's the best version of By-Tor and the Snow Dog. It's got the best power chord in the history of rock music. I'm sure you know the one I'm talking about.
Rush was my first concert, Farewell to kings tour 1978 at the International Amphitheater in Chicago, been hooked ever since. I'm grateful for all the music these three masters of their craft have given us and the memories that go with them. RIP Professor
He did. He used several versions of the Axe FX. I think you can even get some of his patches that he made for Rush (I don't own one myself but the guitarist in my Rush band uses one)
What a joy it was to see Alex and Ged back on stage together in recent past. It need not be RUSH to still be amazing to hear future work between the two best friends 🙏🏼
Alex is MY favorite guitarist. He speaks to me. He plays for the song, whether it’s wailing or intricate playing, he is an AWESOME player. He is the ultimate virtuoso. I don’t care if he didn’t “Fret Board Tap”. He didn’t need to!!! 😎👍
This is the first time I’ve seen Alex in an extended interview. I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that this is a legendary guitarist that I’ve admired all my life. His kind and unflashy demeanor more resembles a neighbor that would come over to help you move a couch.
Alex was and is my number one influence with a few others of different genre of music that made me want to play guitar. I am by no means pro level but I've had opportunities to play a few gigs and have fun over the years and I thank him and Rush for inspiring a thirteen yr old kid to pick up an instrument and learn to play it! I'm fifty seven now and I still play and still find the music inspiring.
Hoping Alex reads these comments. I was a kid in the 70’s-80’s and grew up playing RUSH songs, along with Genesis, Zeppelin, James Brown, Dio, the Eagles and just about any record I could get my hands on. Blondie was my mom’s best friend when they grew up. One winter, when I was only 9, she stopped by to say hi, it was when Heart of Glass was at the top of the charts and she asked me what I wanted to do when I grow up. I replied “I’m going to be a professional drummer”, which is exactly what I did for 32+ years! I say all of this because as a RUSH fan, who wouldn’t want to see them again, but as a musician, as much as this sucks to say, it would never be the same, even though there’s a dozen big name guys who could cover the gig. What if Alex and Geddy found a no name drummer and wrote similar genre, but not tried to make them RUSH songs? Even more than that, give a no name drummer a shot at being a someone. It might be awesome since a big name drummer would bring certain expectations, but a nobody, especially a guy who doesn’t want to be Neil, might turn out to be something awesome. There’s 1000 guys who would jump at the chance, and though all I play now are church gigs, I’d even consider it!! Whatever you choose to do, I pray it’s fresh and exciting. Thanks for writing music that inspired me to be a musician Alex, and though I didn’t want to be Neil, I wanted to play to the music you guys wrote and in turn spent hundreds of hours playing to your guitar parts. You unknowingly helped to mold me into a solid enough player that, praise God, allowed me to make a living playing drums and percussion for over three decades! Sincerely, Chad Brienza
My favorite line of the interview... "There is no Rush without Neil". Geddy said something similar before they did their last tour, something like "without the three of us being on board, we don't do a thing. The band is the three of us, period". So good to see them be true to their words. There is no Rush without the three of them, and it really is over for that chapter. So thankful I was a part of it. I still have the 5 songs I recorded with my iPhone from my last Rush concert ever on 6/27/2015 in Newark, NJ. I'll forever cherish that concert and the ones before. The best part, is that every concert I saw since 2007, was accompanied by my father, who is one of the best people I know/will ever know.
Saw Rush at the Ottawa Bluesfest. I decided to learn a few rush songs before the show and this made the show even better. Sprit of the Radio is still my favourite to play.
He is the most humble and personable guy to be a rock star! Not arrogant at all. I had the privilege to meet him in 2004 when his yacht came in to dock at a restaurant where I was having lunch in Naples Fl. When I saw it was him I hurried outside down to the yacht. He then invited me aboard helping me step down and introduced me to his wife and little grandchild. Chatted for a few minutes with sincere interest that I was a fan. Thanked me for my support as he had been unfairly treated by Naples police at a New Year’s Eve event at Ritz Carlton Naples. Such a gracious and amazing human being!
Geddy is the same way. I heard him in an interview say that soon after the band started to make money, they decided to split everything evenly, publishing rights, writing credits, and money.
@@albundy6008I like Geddy's show on Paramount+. Geddy Lee: Are Bass Player's Human Too.
....and an excellent guitarist too! 😊
I have no doubt that this is completely true. If you search here you will find a video of Alex in a guitar store in Tokyo and his discussion with the proprietor just chatting about guitars. Such a humble and generous man without any affectation whatsoever. I don't imagine that Geddy would be any different . . . although I decided not to bother him when I saw him in a restaurant once.
@@albundy6008 nobody slacking in that trio
I’m hitting 90 this week and I saw them back in the day with my grandson, never looked back!
Good for you!!
Happy birthday and rock on!
Wow! That’s awesome
Happy B-day! 3 months late. Cheers!
Hahahah 😂you ain't "90" 😂 90 year olds can't even figure out how to turn on a computer 🖥️💻
If there's three nicer guys than. Alex,Geddy,andNeil I would like to meet them!! The fact of the matter is there is no one like these 3 friends who grew up with a real passion for each other and the music they created. Every now and then the planets line up just right. And that's when miracles happen.. and bless people like ourselves who are simply Rush fans are blessed to have such outstanding music in our lives to help us cope with sometimes the daily struggles of life itself. And yes I'm one of the many people who heard 2112 for the first time and it literally changed my life. I went and bought a guitar and not knowing how to read music or tabs at that time learn how to play the 2112 album front to back.
Back in the day, I clearly remember seeing "2112" in the record stands in our local Woolworth's, and I was intrigued. But I was a loner in school and had no clue what was cool or what anyone else was listening to, so I didn't buy it. My first Rush album I ever bought was "A Farewell To Kings," probably because I finally heard Rush on the radio with "Closer To The Heart." But to my amazement, by the time I was done listening to that album for the first time, "Closer To The Heart" was barely registering on my interest meter. I was more infatuated with the rest of the album instead. And so I worked backward to the older albums from there, and have thus been a fan ever since "A Farewell To Kings." I wish I had discovered them much earlier, but it really doesn't matter when a fan gets on board. Rush fans tend to be fans for life.
one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time
No question!
Of that there is no doubt. But is he
top 10
top 5
top 3
or higher?
@@rogerc23top 50 unfortunately
How are you ranking them? @@mikemccarthy6939
@@mikemccarthy6939unfortunately? Even if top 50 that’s an amazing accomplishment. To me he’s top 10 but he’s my #1
Been a fan since I was a child. I’m 53 now and this guy has always been a class act. Love them all. R.I.P. Professor.
Could've been written by me.
Or me
52 here. Rush is the Soundtrack to my life.
10,000% agreed.
I'm pushing 63, and have seen them live in concert 5 times since the early1980's - incredible memories!
I may be getting to be an old man, but I got to see all the cool bands.
lol😂
Three brilliantly talented musicians who fully expressed themselves in the exact same band for their entire careers, sharing credit equally. That's rare and beautiful.
Yeah it's awesome eh :) I haven't even listened to any Rush in a long time, unfortunately personal crap has been messing with me a long time. But Rush are VERY good musicians indeed, a lot of people think they're the best rock musicians in the entire world. Regardless of what music you like or what you think sounds good to you, there's no denying that Rush are excellent at what they do. They can play their asses off, they are experts!
Years ago a friend scored us some 4th row seats, I guess it was Presto tour. We were on Alex's side of the stage, and on our row a few seats down was a woman who clearly wasn't very happy to be there, and was standing (everybody was standing, of course) with her arms crossed and her head tilted to one side- that stance all us married dudes know. At one point Alex looked at her, crossed his arms, and cocked his head to the left. He's a funny dude, for sure. He also forever changed the way I approach playing guitar.
I wish nothing but happiness for this wonderful man.
Alex Lifeson is cool eh, he comes across as having a positive attitude and he's really made something of himself in his life, he's very successful. He's also an airplane pilot! He has flown airplanes for many years, he got his pilot's license a long time ago and has flown a lot. He's wealthy and has owned his own aircraft and flies them himself. Alex Lifeson kicks ass :)
Guy's freaking cool! 🤣
How can you not like him?
Thanks for a lifetime of amazing music, Alex! 🤘
He's underrated because he's understated. So laid back such a regular guy. Just another reason we love Rush so much they were all like that. Rock Gods that didn't act like Rock Gods.......long live Rush. : )
Coolest guitar player ever!
Yup. Humble as F'k. Just like the other two. It's really hard not to be able to appreciate these guys. Both in the beginning into today.
A pure gentleman, a musical genuis at that.
Alex seems so down to earth, the kinda guy that would stop and talk to a fan.
My friends and I waited out by the RUSH limo behind the Amphitheater, in Chicago, back at the Farewell To Kings tour. About two hours after the show ended, Rush emerged from the building and were walking toward their limo, where we were. They ignored us and climbed in the back of the limo. We thought, WTF? Then, after about a minute, the window goes down, and Alex asked us if it was just us 7 out there. We said yes. With that, the door opens, Geddy and Alex get out and sit on the limo hood. They talked to us for about 10 minutes about all kinds of stuff. They signed autographs, too. They told us that Neil wasn't feeling well, that's why he stayed in the limo. Super cool guys, taking time with their fans. I'll never forget it.
@@janicefrantz1831 "Wasn't feeling well" likely meant "is not interested in shooting the breeze with strangers," given his general feelings on the matter.
I’ve met Alex a few times because he lives not far from me. He’s a class act all the way. If he has time he’ll chat with you. He’s even come and sat at my table at a bar and had a beer with us. Really great guy and super funny…Canadian all the way!
I’ve met Alex a few times because he lives not far from me. He’s a class act all the way. If he has time he’ll chat with you. He’s even come and sat at my table at a bar and had a beer with us. Really great guy and super funny…Canadian all the way!
@@michaelconvery8871 that’s Awesome, I’ve seen rush 5 times twice in the front row. Signals and Grace under pressure.
This man is a living legend 🙌
Yeah Alex Lifeson is considered a world-class musician, I'm 48 and people have been Rush fans for longer than I've been alive. He's also a pilot and has owned and flown his own aircraft!
Real. Honest. Humble. All three of these guys were total class acts their entire careers. There will never be another Rush.
Tragically criminally underrated guitarist just look at the guitar parts this man has created over the years unbelieveable
Alex has never been underrated.
under rated by who?
@trjb1767 well by the main stream media at least they never give him credit
Are you having a laugh? All Rush fans know that his guitar abilities have always been appreciated.
You can’t really say underrated when you sell so many records?
I was lucky enough to meet Alex and Geddy in Italy last fall. We were all on our way back to Canada at the airport in Venice. Big thrill for me.
I just want to give Alex a freaking hug. I’ve been in absolute awe of RUSH since I stood in front of them in 1984 on their Grace Under Pressure tour.
My first Rush tour as well. I just Missed out on Moving Pictures and they skipped my region for Signals (no open venues). Only missed Snakes and Arrows after that...
Wow...exactly what I'd say...became a fan in 1983 then saw them in ATL on their GUP 1984 tour...blown away and in absolute awe and astonishment! Super fan to this day at 54 yrs old.
@@michaelvandiver2475 Me too, pretty much...became a fan shortly after the MP tour ended, wasn't really going to concerts yet in the Signals portion, and P/G was the first. They sold out two nights at the venue and added a third, saw two of those, mind blowing musicianship, still remember those shows!
First RUSH concert was the Grace Under Pressure tour.Was a fan before and always will be.Thank you 3 wonderfully gifted musicians for all the music you've shared with your fans throughout the years.
My first was Permanent Waves, 1980 Southampton Gaumont, UK. The last was Clockwork Angels in Birmingham , UK 2013. Such an amazing band.
I never really liked rush through all the years. Then I saw their documentary and fell in love with them. I love how they have the same manager from when they were playing churches. I’d love how Getty and Alex are still BFFs after four decades of mayhem I love how, they worked with Neal and never questioned what he wanted to do when he had the most difficult decisions in the world. I love how they just took him back when he was ready and never questions a thing they moved on without missing a beat.
And their songs are beyond difficult to play And sing. And when they play live in concert, it’s beyond the albums, which I think technically is impossible.
I love that he’s here today talking to you so honestly smiling happy. My favorite part when you asked him which was the most difficult song, and his answer was everyone we played. That is so funny.
Thank you so much for this.
My Rush journey sounds like yours. I'm 72 and never paid any attention to them until last year I started watching their interviews, dinners, RNRHOF speeches, and documentaries. Their personalities drew me in and now, I'm beginning to listen to the music. Impossible to play live is true, but somehow, they do it. YYZ and Villa Strangiato are my current favorites.
It’s kinda ironic Rush became as popular as ever during the internet era which allowed everyone to see them for who they are.
*Geddy
Welcome to the fold.
@@michaelturner6030 the only band for whom history and the internet continue to uncancel as the stories pile up.
He is not joking about Natural Science. Of all the Rush catalog, that is one of the hardest to get under your fingers. Alex is one of my heroes on the instrument and he's the one I copies my collection from. I have his Epi signature and it's my number one. They sold out immediately so I had to pay three weeks salary to get one, but I don't care. It's now mine and my go to for any genre, especially Rush songs. And my fave of all time is Limelight. It is the first song I learned, including the solo (my version of it) and I play it over a backing track on open mic night at my local club. It's always a crowd favorite, even though the crowd was 11 people last time. You gotta start somewhere!
I’ve personally never found Natural Science to be all that hard, tbh. The hardest part is that second guitar solo, but the rest of it is pretty standard stuff, imo. I find songs like La Villa Strangiato or YYZ to be much more demanding as far as guitar goes. I was honestly surprised to hear Alex say Natural Science there. I know in the past he has talked about how difficult it was to record the Hemispheres album (my personal favorite Rush album) and that they eventually had to resort to recording their parts separately for some thing like La Villa. But yeah, Natural Science feels pretty standard to me 🤷🏻♂️
@@STSGuitar16 I would agree with that. When Natural Science really get's groovin' and he launches that second solo, it makes it tough to keep it right. I find myself cheating and skipping notes. Just not good enough yet!
@@valuedhumanoid6574 for me, that second solo is the only truly difficult part about the song. I’ve never truly sat down and actually learned the fast parts of that solo note for note, though. What makes that answer more interesting is the fact that Alex improvised all of his solos for their albums, including that second solo in NS. Obviously it is much easier to just improvise those really fast, shreddy parts vs writing them before and having to learn them note for note (Alex always kinda improvised/changed up the fast parts of that solo when they played it live, too, and sometimes they actually just skip that solo entirely), so I wonder what it was that tripped Alex up during that recording process.
As far as I know, those really fast parts are more or less just “gibberish” and don’t necessarily follow one scale or key, so when it gets to that part, you (and Alex) kinda just have to let ‘er rip lol. I wouldn’t even bother attempting to learn the fast parts note for note; Alex really didn’t go back and repeat it the same way every time either. Just find two or three separate shreddy hand positions that kinda make sense, turn on the jets, try to keep your alternate picking as clean as you can, and then you can kinda bs your way through that section lol. I really don’t think it’s cheating considering that was basically the same approach Alex took to playing that solo live as well lol. Most Alex solo sections are best played note for note, but there are several songs that feature that really fast shredding style that aren’t as important to play exactly the same. Alex was/is just a master.
Funny thing is i find that one easy. The Spirit of Radio is the most difficult for me. Weird!
@@Libertarianist2112that song is killer to me
Surprisingly "Hemispheres" never gets mentioned. I of course love everything Rush has done but Hemispheres has always been my personal favorite!
Hemispheres... this is the way.
As much as I loved his tone on farewell to kings, I much preferred hemispheres. Think the chorus effect had a lot to do with it. For me, the goldilocks zone between straight guitar & amp and over processed was hemispheres, permanent waves, and moving pictures.
same
Hemispheres is their best song period. I love Xandu , A Farewell To kings and 2112 are great but I am a Hemispheres person.
@@DuaneElliott-j6oI think I could have explained my meaning better, what I meant was the entire Hemispheres album not just the title track, lol I didn't mean to be misleading!
King Lerxst ! The greatest lead Guitarist ever, a polished , talented performer and entertainer who had a compelling yet unassuming stage presence. Best of all, along with his iconic Band mates Prat and Dirk the World of Music, composition, lyrics arrangements, melodies and rhythms were enriched beyond all that preceded and followed them. I ADORE Rush, always have and always will. RIP the Drum Messiah Neil Peart…..
Greg Koch
I also love his tone in the 70s. His tone on Caress of Steel is among my favorite tones of all time.
they seem to over look this - im not a fan post hemispheres (although permanent waves has its moments - natural science, jacobs ladder) - Im not keen on moving pictures or "Rush" 1st LP - yet MP is always raved about - any different strokes ...
Caress of Steel was my introduction to RUSH and will forever be that special album for that pot smoking aspiring guitar player kid waaaaaay back in the mid 70's
To his point about Counterparts.. Ive long believed that is one of their most underrated albums. Cool to hear he loves that album.
I don't know that he loves the album per se I know he complained in the past about having to make too many compromises during the making of it and didn't like some of the lyrics specifically Stick it Out. Neil wasn't particularly happy with it, apparently he intensely disliked his drumming on Cut To The Chase and Geddy and Alex had some big arguments during the recording of it. It was a transitional record to get back to a heavier sound after multiple albums of light poppy thin sounding music
I think Cut to the Chase is his best guitar solo of any song on any album after Signals.
@@jamesnoble3502
Dude,’light poppy thin sounding music’ seriously?! It was by far their Halcyon period!!
@@WonkyHalo the Rupert Hine albums?
Thank you, Alex, for stating the fact that without Neil, there is no Rush. I thoroughly enjoyed this interview. Thank you for your time.
No Rush without Peart? that's what they say now, I guarantee you Rush will reform with another drummer, Who I don't know but I do know there are many many drummers who could replicate that style, the world is full of amazing musicians and nothing stays the same forever.
@@kirkhunter146 There's no Rush unless it's all three of them. If Alex and Geddy were going to bring back a band formerly known as Rush, they'd have done it by now. Their appearances at South Park's 25th Anniversary concert plus the two Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts is likely all you're going to get. As regards your comments on Neil Peart being replaceable, I'd suggest the efforts of Grohl, Carey, Smith and Hakim would suggest otherwise. I'm sure they all tried their best, particularly Grohl, but they all sounded so much less than the original.
I'm 64 yo...I cut some of my rock n roll teeth on Rush way back in the day...when I first heard their very first album, I was instantly a fan and haven't looked back since...AL is probably one of my all-time favorite guitar players...I would love nothing more than to have just half of his guitar skills for just one day...he's simply amazing with his technical skills but mostly his creativity and energy...I admire him immensely...as a Rush fan, I would still love for him and Geddy to get up and put something out together...it's MHO that the fans aren't expecting a RUSH II-type era...we'd just love to hear them jam just the way they are...and please, I'm not minimizing the contributions of Neil...we just love them all...please, please, please come together and do something...the fans are realistic in their expectations.
Alex Lifeson was always one of my favorite guitar players. The first Rush Album for me was Permanent Waves. It opened the world of Rush to me. Miss that band.
That's the album where I "got it". Before that I didn't understand the appeal.
@@drooskeedoo3388 It's interesting that artists that have long careers, have "key" albums that help you to understand all their other albums past and future. For example for me it was King Crimson's song Fracture (loved the earlier stuff and 80's, 90's and 00's afterwards) and for Captain Beefheart it was album Trout Mask Replica (all their albums became palatable afterwards, even the "hated" ones). For Rush it was brilliance from first to counterparts, should focus on 90's, 00's and 10's next.
Permanent Waves was my intro to Rush as well. Hearing Spirit of the Radio, I HAD to buy that album. Oh what a journey that would take since then.
I love this interviewer, he's so personable and asks each question w emotion, inflection and not like he's a bored manager conducting his 90th interview of the day. Sarcasm.
Back In the early to mid 70’s I was playing in a band. We played all kinds of stuff from Yes to Allman bros.
During a break, some girl walked up to me and told me how much she liked us. I said thanks.
She asked if we do any Rush? I said who? Never heard of them. Next day I did some digging around and found an album at the record store. I was hooked!!
The next week they came to town on the 2112 tour. Blew my mind…….
Alex is so bad ass,no matter what he plays through,it sounds perfect. His tone is in his hands.
Alex and his two best friends made this world a better place to live in. Providing some of the most brilliant masterpieces ever to be written and played by humans. These timeless Musical Picassos will be enjoyed for a very long time.
Very underrated guitarist he has amazing body of work. He’s laid down some incredible riffs, but if you really want to appreciate his work, just listen to his stuff on power Windows, even though it’s a driven album, the textures and the phrase he created are amazing.
Power Windows and Grace Under Pressure are my two favourite Rush albums for guitar and not just for Rush, my favourite guitar records period.
@@zendisciple3737 listen to the guitar work in signals,its not loud but its in the background kinda, signals is one of my favorite albums.
Underrated?? I remember him beating RR on guitar player magazine...
Alex is not underrated!
@@westoftherockies Love the guitar work on Signals and Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures. Alex is my favourite guitarist, so I tend to like the vast majority of his work, though I have certain preferences.
The Limelight solo is forever stuck in my top 3 of all time.
I don't need Alex and Geddy to be playing together again.. great that they're doing different things, fans will get twice the amount of output from these two very exceptional people. I just want them to stay happy doing what they like, they earned it 😊
Alex Lifeson is the best guitarist on the planet. He is an everyman anyone could relate to with unworldly abilities and the man can nail any guitar sound better than anyone. Huge respect
What a great guy... So down to earth. Great player that never got the recognition he deserved. Making some of the greatest music of all time. Bless you Alex!
“Without Neil it can never be Rush. That’s it. It’s over.”
💯% Agree!
Very true but man they sound so good with Danny Carey. It's like Danny inherited Neal's soul. He's the one guy I'd love to see them do a reunion tour with
mike port it would work .
Same way RP feels about LZ without JB.
@@TG-vg3qe
Does JP agree with RP, that with jb, it's close, but he's not JB, so it's just not LZ? 👽✌️
@@Psychodermia I think JP would have reformed the band with a new drummer years ago if RP had gone along with it. But...RP probably can't sing the parts any longer.
I’ve never been a big Rush fan, but I’ve always loved his playing, he never got enough credit for their sound
Indeed, the Rush sound, I would suggest, is mostly down to Alex.
@@Newworldman66 I don't know. What makes Rush great-much like the Police-is how integral all three were to the overall sound. That's the beauty of the power trio. All three musicians have to not only be technically great, but be distinctive as well. You can't hide in a trio.
RUSH was "my modern day Mozart". Man, it's been 50 years, hard to believe. Love you, Lerxsty Lerxst! Your fangirl from the start, Alice.
Alex's sense of humor is incredible. I love his line during the closing credits of the "Beyond the Lighted Stage" video. He and Geddy get asked why they still tour after 40 years. Alex's answer: "Chicks" . LMAO. Great stuff. I count myself lucky as I've gotten to see them live. Rush rules.
That was a GREAT interview! Actually like no other I've ever heard with Alex. Really laid back and candid. Anyone notice the guitars behind him, the '59 reissue Tele, the black PRS, his old 335. Up in the corner, was that the red Strat in the Distant Early Warning video? And, I thought he got rid of his original 355. Must be one of those copies, and of course all those Axcesses. It's kinda funny how Geddy blames Alex's health for not being able to work on new material, and Alex says Geddy is too busy. I don't think it's ever gonna happen, but I'm thankful for what they gave us!
I noticed the white 355 too and thought it was auctioned off. Unless he had a couple of them or got the original back.
There were three prototypes made when Gibson was designing the copy of the original (which was sold at auction) - Alex has one of those prototypes
One of my all-time favorite musicians; Alex is creative and intelligent in his compositions, and yet still manages to convey a sense of fun in his playing. Great interview!
He seems like such a gentle humble soul. He's a great man. One of the great of modern music.
He's a sweetheart, by people that meet him.
Awesome interview. Alex Lifeson is a huge influence.. He is super unique and I love his playing. I've always felt he has been underrated.. his talent is beyond measure and he always gets massive tone from his guitar and amp setup... thanks for this video of him! 🎸☕
Limelight is one of the Best Rock songs- Plus many more
Yeah... Limelight do have an ass kicking solo... I like his guitar work on the "A Farewell to Kings" album a lot... 2112... everything really... he has always been on the cutting edge IMO...@@thomasmorris2245
Thank you Alex! For sharing your talent with us through your albums and live performances. And putting up with those robotic questions. And allowing an interview on a channel with only 21k subs. What a down to earth human!
One thing I've appreciated about Alex over the years is how all of his solos are different. Each one a has a theme and structure all its own, so it could be named. I'm blown away by the fact that he didn't sit down and compose each one, but just winged them in 3 or 4 takes. I think that shows his artistry.
If he and Geddy want to make music, I'll be listening with open ears. Not expecting Rush, but hoping to hear them moving forward.
In another interview Alex said that he would do 3 or 4 solos - I couldn't tell if he meant different variations or completely different solos. Then Geddy and the producer would take those and take the best parts and mash them together, often in different order. "Wasn't that hard to play what they came up with?" "We'll yeah - but I had played the notes before, just not in that order - but I told myself I had played them before!" He also said how early on he would work with them and change things - but after awhile he came to realize they knew what worked best and just trusted them with whatever they came up with. Pretty amazing to have three great musicians with very little ego to get in the way of each other.
I am 70. When I was 19, I went to the Arby’s across the street from my apartment in Atlanta. I walk in and there was all 3 guys. They were the warm up band at the time for someone I don’t remember. ELP maybe. I asked them if they were Rush. They invited me to join them and I did. All of these guys were so nice. Alex was quiet but a great guy. We talked and laughed about Canadian and southern accents. Who knew what they would become.
Alex is such a good guy, and so underrated as a musician. Im glad that Rush was around for over 40 years and gave us so much music to continue to listen to. Theres nothing more that can be said about the greatness of Neil that hasnt already been said. RIP Professor. We miss you
Im glad Alex mentioned COUNTERPARTS album. One of my top RUSH albums. It made me re-discover RUSH , after the keyboard, synth 80's albums. More heavy and guitar dominated.
That album had great mixing, especially compared to Presto and RTB. That was just a great rock album, not just a Rush one.
Great album and one of my very favorite. So grateful to have seen them on that tour also!
Huge thanks goes to Kevin “Caveman” Shirley who convinced Alex to go back to Marshall Stacks; which mercifully terminated the solid state G-K tinny thin tone era
Such a great guy. And probably the most under-rated guitar player ever. I really hope he and Geddy continue to work together. Rush is why I started playing bass.
Great Interview. Alex is a AWESOME songwriter and musician. And a AWESOME guitar player. Envy Of None is an amazing record. Hope Envy of None make more music. He is a plethora of knowledge And a joy to listen to him talk about it. CHEERS! 🤘🤘🤘👍
Totally agree. Lifeson is a highly underrated guitarist. Saw Rush on the Permanent Waves & Moving Pictures tour in London. Awesome band. Highly creative. Played the whole of 2112 & the classic track La Villa Strangiato & the highly intricate Limelight & Tom Sawyer, Red Barchetta from MP. Best rock drummer Neil Peart in history. Superlative
Awful. Zero interaction. Interviewer was extremely wooden. Questions were fine, and Alex opened up nicely, though.
Best of friends and no ego, that's what kept them together. I've seen them 15 times. Would love for more!
I saw them eight times. Should have been more like 15. Once for each album from FTK onwards.
I love all their stuff.
Limelight is absolutely my fav. That’d be the one Rush jam I’d pick if I could only have one forever.
A criminally underrated genius and one of my absolute favorite guitarists over the years. And he has always seemed like a great, down to earth, guy.
Criminally underrated by who exactly?
They all were. Quite the antithesis to the "rock star" stereotype.
After their concerts they used to go back to their hotel and play cards.
Probably left the rooms in better shape than when they checked in.
@@ThePaulv12 By those that underate him. 👍
The kind of guy you would want to hang with even if he wasn't a super talented musician. Amazing gentleman
Thank you for all the music Alex
Alex has such a unique and awesome style. From his ever changing, always amazing tones, to his great and interesting chord choices and solos
Rush may be over, as Alex said. But their music will live on, and continue to inspire, new, and old musicians.
I saw them 3 times, Hemispheres being the first.
I tell people they wrote the soundtrack of my youth, Lol.
Thank you Rush, for all the music!
As a drummer (and Rush fan since 1981), I was so damn surprised Omar Hakim was playing with Getty & Alex. Omar with them would be so incredible!
Thank you Alex for the amazing music. Your hard work and influence has raised the bar of excellence. The world is better because of it.
SO underrated!! I’m 63, was turned onto Rush at 14, they’ve been my favorite band ever since!!! RIP Professor Peart!!!
Me too 63 and 14 when I became a huge fan
Such an all-around good guy. Really impresses me how good of a guitarist he is, all those solos just improvised. Truly amazing!
Alex is undoubtedly among the greatest. As a master musician, he effortlessly showcases an incredible range of styles during live performances, not just in an album. Rush wouldn’t be Rush without Alex, just as it wouldn’t be the same without Neil and Geddy. They are an extraordinary band that enriched our lives with their artistry, music and lyrics. I will be forever grateful to them.
One of my favourite guitarists ever. Love ya, Alex!
Alex Lifeson is just an amazing guy. Human and musician. No matter what him and Geddy decides in the future. They have my entire love and support.
As someone who knows Natural Science, albeit on bass and not regular guitar, I can confirm it's one of the hardest Rush songs. It's more the endurance that makes it hard. It starts with 90 punishing seconds of 8th notes, then you think you're cut a break with the anthemic section in the middle, then it slaps you in the face for the last 45 seconds with this barrage of fast triplets. You really have to play it a lot to build the endurance of getting through it without either of your hands cramping.
The spark of youth is still visible in Alex… I hope he finds that creative outlet
As a long-time Rush fan, I am completely OK with the end of Rush given the circumstances from a musical standpoint. However, I wouldn't care if it were Alex and Ged touring the zoo, the two of them interacting is gold. Them just being themselves is so wholesome, inspirational, and hilarious....and it never gets old with me. I can certainly understand how it can't be Rush, and I actually appreciate not attempting it. But I would love to see them do something. I wouldn't even care if I was into it. But I want to see them do it for THEIR sake, because of the musical bond that they have as well.
i agree to that it wouldn't be rush without Neil but if they did do something to honor their brand of music there are a multitude of us fans who never had the honor to see them live have a slight chance of what it felt like hear those those songs live.
I'd be thrilled to see them do a tour where they simply sat on high chairs and talked about their lives. They are so grounded and hilarious.
I’m not a musician but I love music. I just love watching an Eric or Geddy interview. Such fine gentlemen. RIP Professor.
I think the most exciting thing in this video is that Envy Of None is working on a new album. I love me some rush, but if I’d be more excited to get Envy of None to put out a new album and do some shows. With 2 records, they could definitely do a 90 minute to 2 hour show. Probably won’t happen, bc Alex seems against touring again (with Envy or Geddy), but one can dream.
I think Alex just doesn't feel like he can do it due to his arthritis - but he said this before the last tour with Rush, then stated that he eased into it and felt like he could play 100 more shows.. which unfortunately we never got, RIP Neil. I think Alex would do a few shows, he and Geddy live for it and you could definitely tell during the LA Forum taylor Hawkins show
As im watching this, 2112 started running through my head. I can play that entire song in my head! My Dad introduced me to Rush as a kid 40 years ago. Thanks Dad!
Great to see Alex again! ❤
Thanks for posting...
I wished Alex and Geddy would work with the great Terry Brown once again. ( I know it'll never be the same without Neil 😢) but
I've been a Rush fan since 79 so I think I have the right to complain as to why Rush never invited Terry to come back?!
I can write pages as to why, but I think I've already written too much.
It's very nice n amazing to know that I share the same taste ( in music/songs) with Alex 👍😊
I also love the solo in la Villa Strangiato (spl)?❤
Yes it would be good if they could get back together one last time.
I wanted Rush to do another album with Terry Brown after they released Clockwork Angels. It sounded like they were migrating back that way.
I have admired this band my whole life. I would love to hang with Alex and Geddy over some beers and just talk similar topics. Absolute legends and icons of rock.
Alex is the coolest rock star ever. Ged is truly a musical genius. And I miss Neil more and more every day.
Alex seems so humble yet approachable and very sincere, what you see is what you get. RIP Mr. Peart, thanks to all 3 of you for the wonderful memories from an aspiring Bass player of near 62 year old.
That apartment is one serious man cave Alex…you should maybe hire me to look after it and keep those guitars ‘safe…’ 🤟🏻👌🏻
Man you bring back amazing memories and will be forever grateful to you guys for a ahsome 80s experience during my highschool years. Thank you so much!!!
Met Alex on two occasions, the guy is just a beautiful spirit and very approachable. I hope Geddy and Alex end up doing something together.
I first saw them in 1979 they were always my favorite band and have seen them about 19 times! They ruled rock in my humble opinion from the 70's till about 2000!
Alex's guitar work is the foundation of my guitar playing from listening so intently growing up.
How can I just so seriously love someone I don't know, never met, will never meet?! Alex and Geddy and Neil.... Thank you guys
Greatest band ever
Another great interview with my guitar Hero, I have been a fan since 1976, I have doubles of all their albums,..
Alex is the Real Deal, Genuine.
You realize, no matter what happens (or doesn't) we're always with you, Alex. We love you. Your art will be listened to for ages.
Natural Science is a damn masterpiece; one of my absolute favorite RUSH tunes!
The whole record was awesome.
But yeah, natural science was epic
Everyone always states that ''Moving Pictures'' was Rush's Mega Album, but for me ''Permanent Waves'' marked their Rennaisance and really is as you say a masterpiece.
@@Book-bz8nsWas? Still is..
@@joedecker3900 i am corrected. Totally agree.
Permanent Waves was the second record I bought with my own money. The first was Rory Gallagher's Calling Card.
You can say that same statement for many of Rush’s songs.
I just love everything about Alex. His life work will always be influential in many generations. His character is exemplary. We love you, Al!
I still love that live version of "By-Tor" from "All The Worlds A Stage" album. Alex really let loose on that song with some great sounds.
Totally agree !
You betcha! That's the best version of By-Tor and the Snow Dog. It's got the best power chord in the history of rock music. I'm sure you know the one I'm talking about.
Rush was my first concert, Farewell to kings tour 1978 at the International Amphitheater in Chicago, been hooked ever since.
I'm grateful for all the music these three masters of their craft have given us and the memories that go with them. RIP Professor
Alex is such a legend. I wonder if he has experimented with Fractal AXE Effects or Kemper amp modeling and things of that nature.
He did. He used several versions of the Axe FX. I think you can even get some of his patches that he made for Rush (I don't own one myself but the guitarist in my Rush band uses one)
Hey Keith. Yeah, I’ve been a happy Fractal user for over 15 years. Great gear.
Yes He Has!Take care!Das Awesome!That's what he Thought about that Product!Jcsx
IIRC, Alex said the Axe was backup until the last tour when it became the main effects.
What a joy it was to see Alex and Ged back on stage together in recent past. It need not be RUSH to still be amazing to hear future work between the two best friends 🙏🏼
I want to hear Alex play that banjo he has hanging in the back left.
Nobody wants to hear a banjo...ever
@@joeq.public281Steve Martin does
Alex is MY favorite guitarist. He speaks to me. He plays for the song, whether it’s wailing or intricate playing, he is an AWESOME player. He is the ultimate virtuoso. I don’t care if he didn’t “Fret Board Tap”. He didn’t need to!!! 😎👍
Thank you
You’re welcome!
This is the first time I’ve seen Alex in an extended interview. I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that this is a legendary guitarist that I’ve admired all my life. His kind and unflashy demeanor more resembles a neighbor that would come over to help you move a couch.
I sense Alex is a bit tired of the question about whether he and Geddy will record together again. I know I am.
I'm kinda new to Rush. Didn't start listening to them until the mid/late 70's. It always fun to hear them chat, thank you for doing the interview.
Tour already!,! Life’s short
Alex was and is my number one influence with a few others of different genre of music that made me want to play guitar. I am by no means pro level but I've had opportunities to play a few gigs and have fun over the years and I thank him and Rush for inspiring a thirteen yr old kid to pick up an instrument and learn to play it! I'm fifty seven now and I still play and still find the music inspiring.
The POV of the interviewer is disturbing.
Yes! Get a higher camera angle. The low angle makes him look like a movie villain!
Looking down on Alex smh
Yes..very nasal..lol
Exactly, don’t wanna see his boogers
I see a bat in the cave
Hoping Alex reads these comments.
I was a kid in the 70’s-80’s and grew up playing RUSH songs, along with Genesis, Zeppelin, James Brown, Dio, the Eagles and just about any record I could get my hands on. Blondie was my mom’s best friend when they grew up. One winter, when I was only 9, she stopped by to say hi, it was when Heart of Glass was at the top of the charts and she asked me what I wanted to do when I grow up. I replied “I’m going to be a professional drummer”, which is exactly what I did for 32+ years!
I say all of this because as a RUSH fan, who wouldn’t want to see them again, but as a musician, as much as this sucks to say, it would never be the same, even though there’s a dozen big name guys who could cover the gig. What if Alex and Geddy found a no name drummer and wrote similar genre, but not tried to make them RUSH songs? Even more than that, give a no name drummer a shot at being a someone. It might be awesome since a big name drummer would bring certain expectations, but a nobody, especially a guy who doesn’t want to be Neil, might turn out to be something awesome. There’s 1000 guys who would jump at the chance, and though all I play now are church gigs, I’d even consider it!! Whatever you choose to do, I pray it’s fresh and exciting. Thanks for writing music that inspired me to be a musician Alex, and though I didn’t want to be Neil, I wanted to play to the music you guys wrote and in turn spent hundreds of hours playing to your guitar parts. You unknowingly helped to mold me into a solid enough player that, praise God, allowed me to make a living playing drums and percussion for over three decades! Sincerely,
Chad Brienza
Note to interviewer: Stop being a robot.
Agreed... The interviewer is an ultimate bore.
My favorite line of the interview... "There is no Rush without Neil". Geddy said something similar before they did their last tour, something like "without the three of us being on board, we don't do a thing. The band is the three of us, period". So good to see them be true to their words. There is no Rush without the three of them, and it really is over for that chapter. So thankful I was a part of it. I still have the 5 songs I recorded with my iPhone from my last Rush concert ever on 6/27/2015 in Newark, NJ. I'll forever cherish that concert and the ones before. The best part, is that every concert I saw since 2007, was accompanied by my father, who is one of the best people I know/will ever know.
Saw Rush at the Ottawa Bluesfest. I decided to learn a few rush songs before the show and this made the show even better. Sprit of the Radio is still my favourite to play.
Spirit of the Radio is both timeless and nostalgia, simultaneously.