I remember a very long time ago as a 14 year old, my very conservative music teacher explaining to us kids how classical music was so superior to rock music because of the intricacies of intonation and and variation involved and rock being so repetitive and boring. I brought my A Farewell to Kings album to school the next week and asked her to play Xanadu. Needless to say, we ended up listening to the whole album in the class and my music teacher became a Rush fan.
The truly mind blowing thing about the official video is that it’s not the studio version. It’s a live recording on a soundstage, and most people don’t even notice. They’re just that good!
RUSH were the best band EVER! I think since you wife missed Xanadu you can check out La Villa Strangiato next time when she is with you. Believe it or not it might be even more impressive. 😉
Yeah Alex is so on his game in the context of Rush greatness we may forget how special he is individually. Which is kind of what explains the whole band. They were all way too good, so I'm balance they don't stand out they make one sound.
I agree but you gotta love, "That Little Ole Band From Texas" too. After many amazing Rush shows, I saw ZZ Top once. "Recycler". Best show of my life so far..
@@RayPhay .....and Triumph had 2 better singers then Geddy Lee and they played Melodic Rock. Music you could tap your foot to and dance to. Unlike Rush. No apologies. I like Rush but have to be in the mood for their drum -filled stop beat music. Triumph hands down the contest winner of the 3 piece band!
After 40 years I still get goose bumps seeing this. During a Rolling Stone interview Eddie Van Halen was asked what it was like to be the worlds greatest guitarist. His response..."I don't know, go ask Alex Lifeson"
That's a meme that has been running around for sometime. Clapton says "I don't know, go ask Prince". Lifeson says "Gilmour"... It's all just the "telephone game". Regardless, most of these guitarists have great respect for each other. So long as they're not in the same band, it isn't a competition.
Alex is obscenely underrated - alas he somehow has become a victim of playing with 2 other geniuses. For those who missed the memo, he also happens to be one. Kia kaha
Go spin up Power Windows or Hold Your Fire and you'll hear his true genius at work. People like to accuse those albums of hiding his guitar playing, but nothing could be farther from the truth! Every single chord precisely fit the song he played and his soling was was beyond insane!
Their writing style says it all. Geddy and Neil wrote the song for vocals, bass and percussion, like a comic book's first draft in black and white. Then the Alex steps in and adds the colour which can make or break a song. Like the inkers of your favourite comics, Alex has gone unnoticed because of the level of artistry he's displaying is subtle in a band like Rush whereas that same level of artistry is front and foremost in bands like Pink Floyd and Queen. I'd put Hemispheres up against any album for guitar work alone in the progressive rock sphere. Alex inventing a chording during that phase of Rush's development should secure his place as Progressive Rock's elite. As Van Gogh became the paint, Alex became the sound and that's the hallmark of progressive rock. It lifts us into the sky or drags us deep into roots of life like all great art while still managing to hang onto being rock.
Just shows you how tight the band was - with only three members they can't afford to even have one error. And the songs sound exactly the same, over and over again. Perfectionists.
@@ourladyofguadalupebotanica6732 Also, despite there only being 3 of them, Alex would play a double neck, an acoustic on a stand and Taurus Pedals, Neil played every drum that had ever been made along with synth pads, tubular bells and at least one of every percussion instrument - xylophone glockenspiel bell trees etc etc. And Geddy played bass with a 6-string as a double neck synths and keys plus he also had taurus pedals. I saw them in '79 on the UK leg of the Hemispheres tour. In songs like Xanadu, By-tor, Cygnus X1 it sounded like they played them all together!
That's what Geddy once called them. The world's only 3man orchestra.. sounds like bragging, but as Rush Limbaugh used to say ." It ain't bragging if you can do it."
@SwindellMack, My first live Rush show was A Farewell to Kings at Cobo Hall in 1977, the year I graduated High School. Saw 7 more shows over the years. Absolutely my favorite band of all time.
@@johnblair4346 That's just cool. You never forget RUSH concerts. My first one was the Signals Tour (82-83). Then got to go to three more shows since, the last two being Time Machine and Clock Work Angel's. We were fortunate to be born in a time of , (in my opinion) the greatest era of music ever and of course, to be a part of several RUSH concerts.☝️
I believe that when historians finally write honestly about 'rock' music (like this) from the 1960s and 1970s they will equate it to the level of genius and creativity it demonstrated. It is directly on par with Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Handel, etc. Maybe that sounds grandiose and far-fetched, but I still hold to the idea.
I agree Ted. That era from the late 60s to late 70s will never be duplicated with the muscianship, originality and overall abundance of quality kickass bands. Was glad to grow up in that era as a young kid and teenager.
It never ceases to amaze me, how Geddy and Alex can stand there on that stage with all that complex music coming out of them and have a conversation with each other and never miss a lick .
One thing I admire is that these aren't looped tracks and pre recorded pieces tied together in digital synthesis, this is three musicians who have mastered their craft recreating for a live audience what they wrote, perfected in practice and recorded for their album. Amazing. I've been a fan of theirs for over 30 years. I'm so grateful to have had their music in my life.
@@BrantleyAllen it's a different version from the album I knew growing up. Maybe it's from an anniversary release that has other nights recorded from the same tour
Alex Lifeson isn't a little underrated, he's a LOT underrated! Great reaction man! I would highly suggest Rush performing "Working Man" live in Cleveland 2011.
As a guitarist, their performance of Working Man live in Cleveland (Time Machine Tour) will blow you away. During the jam section Alex does something I've never seen another guitarist do. I watched that about 12 times in a row the first time I saw it. In this song it blows me away watching him seamlessly switch to the other neck AND YOU DON'T HEAR A DISCONTINUITY. Boggle! When Ged starts singing, he's playing bass /and/ the Taurus pedals. Amazing.
@@bobespirit2112 I listen to Rush because Alex is a genius on guitar with the way he pulls sounds out of virtually nowhere and fits them perfectly like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle all 3 of them make - their debut album is more like a Fisher Price, toddler puzzle matching animal shapes. And then there's Neil, responsible for some of the most genius lyrics and best percussion plying in the business, lowering himself to playing a stupid song about getting drunk after work, in a common time signature. If I just wanted generic mindless Hard Rock, I'd listen to AC/DC or VanHelen.
Time machine version is the only one I can listen to after being 20 rows back from the stage in Cleveland. Plus the beginning is different, it's not the same stale song I have literally heard every day for my whole life. The one DJ at WNCX gets so sad when you call in and request it because all the old heads call and whine that it isn't "real Rush"
I’ve purchased hundreds of albums in my lifetime, there are only two that I played from start to finish when I first got them - Dark Side of the Moon and A Farewell to Kings. They remain my two favourite albums to this day.
I've debated about the albums one can listen to, in their entirety, without skipping a song. My first three are 2112, Moving Pictures (B>A) and DSOTM. They say yes. I then tell them my no. 4 (Robin Trower Bridge of Sighs) and they usually say 'oh yeah'.
A Farewell to Kings is so beautifully produced and masterfully arranged It's hard to come down and reenter the mundane world after sitting alone and putting the headphones on.
Well Dream Theater are the epitome of Rush rip artists. Not so much now with Mangini now as they found their way a bit, but early years they all emulated Rush to the tee!
Must listen first to the studio version for the production values and then check out the live SARS benefit concert video version - kind of appropriate given what we're dealing with now. The Rolling Stones headlined this charity festival in Toronto (2003 I think) and the crowd is HUGE, no like MONSTER MEGA - AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE - HUGE, like all of Toronto (or maybe all of Canada) was there at the show and they launch Spirit of Radio with the intro to the 'Stones' " Paint It Black" - a very nice tip of the hat to the headliners of the show.
Not just a little underrated... ALEX IS A LOT UNDERRATED !!! Alex is gifted with emotion, technical expertise, vocal harmony, and knowing when to hold back and when to let it rip. Just think about it this way... without any one of the three, this particular band just would not work. RUSH-4-Life (and beyond) R*I*P* Neil
Wayyy underrated. Hard to think of any of his contemporaries pulling this song off. Eddie could. I’m sure a couple others could. But most could never do this.
I remember that rag of pretentious wankers knows as Rolling Stone gave “A Show of Hands” 1 1/2 stars, in part because “it sounded too good to be a live album.” As I said, what a bunch of pretentious wankers.
They prided themselves in playing complicated music in the studio that they could pretty much reproduce note perfect live as well, hence why so many musicians hold them in such awe and esteem
@@OutLoudStudios In an interview Geddy Lee says that in the early years they half jokingly half seriously said to each other that their goal was to become the world's smallest orchestra.
A friend of mine was huge Rush fan, got to go back stage after a gig; he had a Rush collage he wanted to present to the band. Geddy spoke with him more than Alex or Neal, but he said both were polite snd gracious. Geddy told him “I did a collage too, of my favorite band once years ago”. My friend asked who the band was. “It was Yes”, Geddy said. Not entirely surprised...
Me too! If I truly believed that their Farewell Tour was to be their last, I would have went. But I got suckered in by the likes of all the artists who have a farewell Tour every couple of years. I'm sorry I doubted Rush.
I saw them zero times. had multiple chances. never took them. nothing but regret, there. don't assume your favorite bands will always be there for you. I guess that goes for everything in life.
I agree that Alex is severely underrated as a guitarist and certainly doesn't get the recognition he deserves from the general population. I know his bandmates adore(d) him.
To a genius, all three of them are geniuses. To answer your question, Lifeson is a great guitarist. He turns in a masterful performance in song after song, carrying by himself what many bands need two or three to do, injecting fire and soul in his solos. Rush gave more than forty years of excellence, and I'm endlessly grateful for their work. You can do studies of their entire catalogue as a musical education.
What boggles my mind is that your parents are RUSH fans and you'd never heard this before. One of my absolute favorite RUSH songs. Your reaction was priceless. And,yes, I am among those that STILL get goosebumps when I hear this song, and I'm 56....
55.5 years old and yes... I still get goosebumps during this song! So glad I got to see them 6 times. Depression had me sort of checked out and I missed R40. Best live shows ever!!!
The degree to which Alex Lifeson is underrated can only be called “criminal.” He’s just as integral to Rush as either of the others who are considered downright masters.
Not only is Geddy multitasking on the keyboards and pedals, but Alex (in addition to be CRIMINALLY underrated on the guitar) is playing bass pedals a LOT in this song. You can watch his movement at about the 13:17 mark while listening to the bass line for a good example.
With all due respect to the guitar greats that everyone recognizes - Hendrix, Clapton, SRV, etc., Lifeson is just on another level! His ability to change things up with different rhythms, time signatures, intonations, strumming patterns, and even his amazing solo creations and fills put him on another level!!
He’s so original. And restrained. He can play anything, but he plays what’s best for the song. And the result is when he goes overboard, you feel the power of that in your soul.
And this was the original 1984-5 live version from the Exit Stage Left tour. Then right after that they did theMoving Pictures tour which included some of these live sets , which I saw live in concert back then.!!
The reason Alex is underrated is that he's in a band with a bass player and drummer who are both reckoned to be the best in the world by many people whereas Alex is "only" one of the best guitarists in the world.
That's the truth of it. The only reason that Lifeson is viewed as the "lesser" member is the fact that Lee and Peart represent two of the greatest musical talents of our time. Beyond the context of Rush, and in comparison to the greater musical community...he's in the top tier.
Rush are the type of band that need a miniature Stonehenge on the stage. Rush are like a Jet Plane that keeps taxi- ing around the tarmac without ever taking off. I don't like anything about this boring band, Rush are the reason that Punk n New Wave is so thrilling and exciting. OMG!!!!
That is it. All three of them are incredible individually, and yet the whole is so much greater than the sum of its parts...That’s the mind blowing thing about it. About them.
Alex is my major influence. They never give him credit for his innovation of the uses of code and not over using the term bar. In all his writings he uses English and latino classical compositions. He's one of the most underrated guitarists alive. When he had his band VICTOR . He used no RUSH styles. Time machine was a great example of Alex's innovation and theory. When he helped Gibson design the axes he put his style of classical and hard playing in the making of it. Piezoelectric pick ups in the bridge and Humbucker pickups pairing the 2 together with acoustic amps and HUGHES AND KETTNER pushing the power and clarity which was the ultimate sound. RIP NEIL, long live RUSH
Welcome to the Mystery of Rush. "How do they do this, and do it LIVE" 2112 La Villa Strangiato Cygnus X-1 Book1 and Book 2 Oh Hell just do the Entire Hemispheres Album you will NOT regret it. Natural Science Driven Test for Echo Headlong Flights and about 200 more
I don't know if you realize it, when Getty starts singing, he is playing the keyboards with his feet, playing the bass and singing at the same time. MAN, only someone can be born with that kind of talent. And Alex, AGREE, he was a bit underrated. We knew he was GREAT. GOAT. He was in the midst of a HUGE number of Great Guitar players. THEY ALL WERE GREAT IN THEIR OWN WAY. We did not compare back then. WE JUST LOVED IT. ALL OF IT.
One thing I love as a guitarist, is the way Alex Lifeson synchronises his solos with the drums. He does that in this solo, other guitarists would just twiddle through.
He plays for the song, and he listens to what his bandmates are doing before he reacts. One could learn a lot from his approach. He's a guitarist's guitarist.
You are not alone. Every musician who watches and follows Rush knows they will never reach the same level of master class as this trio of greats. But that's okay. They are rock gods and we are all mere mortals.
HeAlex is besides a guitarist, an excellent composer. He's very spontaneous and very creative. He does not feel the need to print excerpts of music to demonstrate his skills, he prefers to express himself more by the composition of the music itself than to use it as a showcase. This puts him on a higher level than other guitarists in my opinion.
These two comments lead to my personal belief that Alex is really the compositional force in Rush. Victor is very diverse where My Favorite Headache is kind of mundane. (Credit where it's due: I don't think MFH sounds a lot like Rush but I'm probably the only one).
Hehe..'the crowd's going nuts is that where the album version starts?' ... Nope, they just know whats coming! Best thing about Rush was they played live. Privileged to have seen and met them all, R.I.P. Neil.
I was there in '81, Veteran's Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix. My very first concert experience ever! Won tickets from 98KUPD, With Backstage passes. Rush is, and always will be, my all-time favorite band. I saw them five more times( Hold Your Fire, Presto, Roll The Bones, Counterparts, Test For Echo). They've had one hell of a great run of over 40 years proving they are the greatest three man band ever. Neil may be gone(R.I.P), and they're not touring anymore, but we have their music to keep their legacy alive for generations to come. Rock on friends!
Those rare times when the live version beats the original album version and becomes the definitive version. This era was their absolute pinnacle..no-one could match them.
At this point in their career, one of them stated that they wanted to be the first three person orchestra ... I think they succeeded. I honestly feel that Alex Lifeson is the most underrated musician of all time. There is so much talent within Rush. Neil stands out (your favorite drummer's favorite drummer), Geddy stands out (that voice and can play everything), but Alex, every bit as talented, creative, and precise as the other two is a diamond on a floor covered with broken glass. When you find him, you've got yourself a real treasure.
What blows my mind most about everything Rush ever played is just how completely effortless they make it look. Not a single one of them looks like they are having to work hard at this.
Seen Rush live in concert multiple times. The sound live is incredible especially coming from 3 guys who are master musicians. That era in the 70s was amazing with 2 Canadian bands with 3 musicians each putting on great concerts was incredible. Triumph being the other band. Both a couple of my all time favs with but opting for Rush because of their humility,longevity,song catalog and their pure musicianship. Well done boyz. Rip Neil Peart
A fan for over 40 years and even after all this time I'm still blown away by how good a band they were. Three musicians who were just utterly locked in together . Man, I miss them.
Alex underrated... Yeah, you could say that. He is far and away my favorite guitarist and it's not even close. He just happens to be overshadowed by one of the greatest (if not the Greatest) rhythm sections in the history of rock. His playing is so emotive, and his compositions are so varied and unique. He can really do it all, including shredding with the best of them. (Oh, and let's not forget 12 string and Mandola) I am still holding out hope that he will publish an all acoustic album of material in the coming years! Cheers. If you are looking for a performance similar in quality and dynamism to this, it has to be La Villa Stringiato from Exit Stage Left. Probably my favorite guitar solo of all time.
If my father listened to this, I'd have been blown away. Willie Nelson was his music, my mother was Elton John and Meatloaf. My brother got me into Rush. My thanks to him forever.
Do you know why Alex lifeson said what he said.it was because harry bellefonte used the rock and roll hall of fame to preach racist rants read between the lines.
@@sabrinacudney3697 huh? where did you hear that? Please. Alex is not a politically active. I think it's because of the 3 guys he is the emotional one. He would have probably lost it during the speech. So he masked it with humor.
Sabrina Cudney I humbly suggest that just about *everything* Alex does in public is pretty lighthearted. In this case it’s partially b/c he forgot his own written speech: www.blabbermouth.net/news/rushs-alex-lifeson-on-his-blah-blah-blah-rock-hall-speech-it-seemed-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time/
Every time I see a Xanadu reaction, I watch it. This is one of the best live performances of all time, in my opinion. Rush is amazing and I'm glad that people are finally discovering them. They were so ahead of their time.
Alex is usually a very, very restrained lead guitarist, but there's times where he really lets loose and says, "oh, yeah, by the way, I can shred like a badass too!". Check out The Analog Kid, Free Will, or The Spirit of Radio. Alex absolutely shreds on those, but they're still tasteful and tuneful solos, it isn't speed for the sake of speed.
I was watching another channel, "Lost in Vegas". One of the guys said, "It sounds like they have a sweatshop full of people below the stage playing." It's very true. What is amazing about Rush is that their music is really complex. When you hear them live at their show, it's perfect. The level of musicianship that these three had together is a beautiful and rare thing. Glad you're diving deep into the RUSH rabbit hole. You should hug your Dad and thank him for showing you some great music at an early age.
Hey man if you're into prog rock, there is one legendary band every drummer and guitarist needs to explore, in depth, and that is King Crimson. Highly recommend you react to King Crimson - FracKtured (live), and watch in amazement as Robert Fripp plays a guitar piece few can even cover half decently... For the drummer version of that, listen to Indiscipline, live in Mexico City.
This is one of the greatest live performances in rock music history. I started to listen to music differently after discovering Rush. When I first heard Exit Stage Left, it was on a friends recommendation. I didn't know much about Rush, except that they were much lighter than most of the stuff I was listening to at the time. He leant me the album, and with low expectations, I put the headphones on and listened. By the end of the second track I knew I was already a fan. I hadn't heard rock music being played like that before. To be frank I didn't rock musicians COULD play like that. The whole package was perfect. It had all the chops and technicality, but it had such depth, such warmth, and such sheer class. That resonated with me as a 15 year old in 1984, and I've loved them ever since.
By The way: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan were written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, although the latter was never finished. As I know it Coleridge was on opium when beginning to write Kubla Khan, but when he came to his senses he was unable to finish it :)
Mr Sifter “the person from Porlock” is how Coleridge describes the visitor who disturbed him as he tried to write down the dream from which he had just woken.
I love to see the face of people when they suddenly get Rush. Now he's going to be locked in his room, headphones on, with the old Rush albums playing, reading the lyrics on the sleeves.
Sublime sophistication, tight, crisp, clean and they’re supreme masters of their individual instruments. Collectively they are one. They need not have to say anything because they can read each other’s facial expressions and body language.
July 28th 1980, Moving Pictures Tour. Front row seats, I was 14. My best friends older sister, who was a personal friend of the band brought us there. Never looked back, Rush fan for life. Never missed a concert since. I felt a shadow cross my heart Jan 7, 2020.
You need to listen to the studio version... Better yet, you need to listen to the whole "Farewell to King's" album. Next to Pink Floyd "Animals" it's one of the best releases of 1977...
absolutely stunning observation for a young musician to make. In my mind. Alex Lifeson has always been the most underrated guitarist in the history of rock and roll. When I first heard side one of the 2112 album, his guitar riffs were the the meat and substance of 2112 an was the only thing I focused on. Oh yea, check out side one of 2112 and you'll never be quite the same. To say it's life changing is an understatement.
Best rock band ever! And I can say I not only walked the earth when they did, I walked upon the same soil, and was privileged to see them perform live many times. What an immense they have given the world! 🇨🇦
Us fans of Rush know for long time how this group is amazing. They are real artists with no compromise on their search of perfection. Completely dedicated to their arts. Thanks Rush for being Rush. 🤘
That whole album is mind blowing. I've been listening to is since the early 80s and I have never gotten tired of it and it still blows me away on so many levels. It's why Rush is one of my all time top bands of my life!
I remember a very long time ago as a 14 year old, my very conservative music teacher explaining to us kids how classical music was so superior to rock music because of the intricacies of intonation and and variation involved and rock being so repetitive and boring. I brought my A Farewell to Kings album to school the next week and asked her to play Xanadu. Needless to say, we ended up listening to the whole album in the class and my music teacher became a Rush fan.
Hey!!!! Teacher. I know one band that is NOT boring. Lol
Very cool 😎
Fuck yeah!!! Great story and memory!! 🙏🏻🥁
Even teachers can have their minds blown. Great job!! I wonder what the teacher thought of this classic live rendition. Amazing, almost otherworldly.
You will never be too old to learn.
There will never be another band like Rush, and we are so much poorer for the loss of Neil Peart.
We lost a spiritual friend.
Amen to that. The Professor will be sorely missed.
hey charles.he used to drive math teacher nuts drumming on his desk with pencils.
You ain't jus' whistlin' Dixie, kid . . .
3 pieces that fit perfectly.
Lifeson......just a little underrated. Lol. Try La Villa Strangiato(official video). You won’t be disappointed.
The truly mind blowing thing about the official video is that it’s not the studio version. It’s a live recording on a soundstage, and most people don’t even notice. They’re just that good!
I second that!
RUSH were the best band EVER! I think since you wife missed Xanadu you can check out La Villa Strangiato next time when she is with you. Believe it or not it might be even more impressive. 😉
La Villa in Cleveland.
What's really crazy is he plays that whole thing with a crushed finger tip.
Eddie Van Halen was asked "what's it like to be the best guitarist in the world?" His response - "I don't know, go ask Alex Lifeson."
Yeah Alex is so on his game in the context of Rush greatness we may forget how special he is individually.
Which is kind of what explains the whole band. They were all way too good, so I'm balance they don't stand out they make one sound.
He has *so much fun*, it’s impossible not to enjoy watching or listening to him. To be that good and not have an inflated ego, just phenomenal.
@@gpage66 I mean it helps that he partakes heavily. And is a natural goof-ball of a human being.
@@mycroft16
Yeah, I watched the RRHOF show when they were inducted...and Alex was definitely the dead-pan comedian of the band!
kdm71291
Blah blah, blah blah blah. Blah blah....
The truth is:
These 3 guys were years ahead of all of us.
And today:
They still are.
Well said my friend.
You pulled that thought directly out of my brain!
100% agreed. No doubt.
With no media at all
The best 3 piece rock band ever, no contest, over.
I agree but you gotta love, "That Little Ole Band From Texas" too. After many amazing Rush shows, I saw ZZ Top once. "Recycler". Best show of my life so far..
I have to agree but Triumph is a really good power trio as well.
3 member, but with Geddy and Neil, they were like a 45 piece band
So much of why I like a band is how much collective TALENT they have. Any shock Queen/Rush/Zeppelin are my top 3?
@@RayPhay .....and Triumph had 2 better singers then Geddy Lee and they played Melodic Rock. Music you could tap your foot to and dance to. Unlike Rush.
No apologies. I like Rush but have to be in the mood for their drum -filled stop beat music.
Triumph hands down the contest winner of the 3 piece band!
After 40 years I still get goose bumps seeing this. During a Rolling Stone interview Eddie Van Halen was asked what it was like to be the worlds greatest guitarist. His response..."I don't know, go ask Alex Lifeson"
Very cool
That's very high praise.
They asked Alex the same question and his reply was "I don't know....Ask David Gilmour"
Alex is my favourite of all time but Eddie never made that quote.
That's a meme that has been running around for sometime. Clapton says "I don't know, go ask Prince". Lifeson says "Gilmour"... It's all just the "telephone game". Regardless, most of these guitarists have great respect for each other. So long as they're not in the same band, it isn't a competition.
All that live, one take. That's what separates the musicians from the entertainers.
Ikr I was like wtf 😬
That's what separates the musicians, entertainers, and those that can do both.
That's so true.
The Earth has been around for 4 billion years. I'm lucky enough to have been around to see them live!
Agree totally.
because scientists said its 4 billion yrs old 🤔
Amen Gail
In my case twice :)
Twice for me.
This version of this song is peak Rush, it just has everything: story, atmosphere, groove, dynamics, melody, chops, just everything.
Alex is obscenely underrated - alas he somehow has become a victim of playing with 2 other geniuses. For those who missed the memo, he also happens to be one. Kia kaha
I think it's because he was a chameleon. He always played for the song... always.
Go spin up Power Windows or Hold Your Fire and you'll hear his true genius at work. People like to accuse those albums of hiding his guitar playing, but nothing could be farther from the truth! Every single chord precisely fit the song he played and his soling was was beyond insane!
When asked by a Reporter of "how does it feel to
be the greatest guitar player ever?" Eddie Van Halen stated "I don't know, ask Alex Lifeson."
@@surfeit5910 The solo on Emotion Detector is one of the all-time greats
Their writing style says it all. Geddy and Neil wrote the song for vocals, bass and percussion, like a comic book's first draft in black and white. Then the Alex steps in and adds the colour which can make or break a song. Like the inkers of your favourite comics, Alex has gone unnoticed because of the level of artistry he's displaying is subtle in a band like Rush whereas that same level of artistry is front and foremost in bands like Pink Floyd and Queen. I'd put Hemispheres up against any album for guitar work alone in the progressive rock sphere. Alex inventing a chording during that phase of Rush's development should secure his place as Progressive Rock's elite. As Van Gogh became the paint, Alex became the sound and that's the hallmark of progressive rock. It lifts us into the sky or drags us deep into roots of life like all great art while still managing to hang onto being rock.
"Where are they hiding the other five guys?" Yup. Welcome to Rush live - even better than Rush recorded. Always.
Absolutely right. You would never believe it was just the three of them!! Their sound was just SO BIG!
You mean Rush Live is not recorded? Are they actually live every time I play disc?
@@j_freed Yes, they usually set up behind the sofa!! (They're only little you know...small enough to fit on my phone's screen!!lol!!)
Just shows you how tight the band was - with only three members they can't afford to even have one error. And the songs sound exactly the same, over and over again. Perfectionists.
@@ourladyofguadalupebotanica6732 Also, despite there only being 3 of them, Alex would play a double neck, an acoustic on a stand and Taurus Pedals, Neil played every drum that had ever been made along with synth pads, tubular bells and at least one of every percussion instrument - xylophone glockenspiel bell trees etc etc. And Geddy played bass with a 6-string as a double neck synths and keys plus he also had taurus pedals. I saw them in '79 on the UK leg of the Hemispheres tour. In songs like Xanadu, By-tor, Cygnus X1 it sounded like they played them all together!
This is some of the best musicianship ever.
ZZTop sounds like a 3 man band .... Rush, with 3 men, sounded like an orchestra
ZZ Top sounds like Billy Gibbons, plus two guys who know how to hang on to the gravy train for 40 years.
@@dc2694 lol well put my man , well put
That's what Geddy once called them. The world's only 3man orchestra.. sounds like bragging, but as Rush Limbaugh used to say ." It ain't bragging if you can do it."
By far, the most underrated guitarist ever and my personal favorite.
Same, criminally underated...
Absolutely
Been a RUSH fan since 74 and trust me...I, like all RUSH fans, "Still Make That Face"!!!😂😂😂
'Nobody Plays Like RUSH'... NOBODY...
Period!!
@SwindellMack, My first live Rush show was A Farewell to Kings at Cobo Hall in 1977, the year I graduated High School. Saw 7 more shows over the years. Absolutely my favorite band of all time.
@@johnblair4346 That's just cool. You never forget RUSH concerts.
My first one was the Signals Tour (82-83). Then got to go to three more shows since, the last two being Time Machine and Clock Work Angel's.
We were fortunate to be born in a time of , (in my opinion) the greatest era of music ever and of course, to be a part of several RUSH concerts.☝️
Amen, brother!
What he said!!
I believe that when historians finally write honestly about 'rock' music (like this) from the 1960s and 1970s they will equate it to the level of genius and creativity it demonstrated. It is directly on par with Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Handel, etc. Maybe that sounds grandiose and far-fetched, but I still hold to the idea.
I agree!
I agree Ted. That era from the late 60s to late 70s will never be duplicated with the muscianship, originality and overall abundance of quality kickass bands. Was glad to grow up in that era as a young kid and teenager.
Spot on ted and you know damn well if Bach Beethoven Mozart and Handel were around to partake of it they would have all had backstage passes.
Been saying this since 69.
Love your brother Tim's coffee.
They will have to recover the guitar first.
Rush “La Villa Strangiato”!! And “2112”!! Must see and hear!!
La Villa Strangiato from this album. Exit stage left is flawless.
It never ceases to amaze me, how Geddy and Alex can stand there on that stage with all that complex music coming out of them and have a conversation with each other and never miss a lick .
"I put gum on Neil's chair!"
"You rascal!"
Practice practice practice
One thing I admire is that these aren't looped tracks and pre recorded pieces tied together in digital synthesis, this is three musicians who have mastered their craft recreating for a live audience what they wrote, perfected in practice and recorded for their album. Amazing. I've been a fan of theirs for over 30 years. I'm so grateful to have had their music in my life.
This Exit Stage Left version of Xanadu never gets old. Not even after 40 years or so.
It's not the same one though I'm sure of it
@@davehooper6481 Huh? What's not the same one?
This isn't the Exit Stage Left version. This was taken from a later tour, maybe Moving Pictures or later.
@@BrantleyAllen it's a different version from the album I knew growing up. Maybe it's from an anniversary release that has other nights recorded from the same tour
@@robertshroder2672 Exit Stage Left is the Moving Pictures tour.
Alex Lifeson isn't a little underrated, he's a LOT underrated! Great reaction man! I would highly suggest Rush performing "Working Man" live in Cleveland 2011.
Ian Van Norden , I like this one.
ruclips.net/video/ndjCXG_c9kk/видео.html
I agree and the jam at the end fucking amazing
As a guitarist, their performance of Working Man live in Cleveland (Time Machine Tour) will blow you away. During the jam section Alex does something I've never seen another guitarist do. I watched that about 12 times in a row the first time I saw it.
In this song it blows me away watching him seamlessly switch to the other neck AND YOU DON'T HEAR A DISCONTINUITY. Boggle! When Ged starts singing, he's playing bass /and/ the Taurus pedals. Amazing.
Meh.. it's painful to hear Neil confined to the limits of Rutsey's writing.
Surfeit dude, give it a rest. He tears it up.
@@bobespirit2112 I listen to Rush because Alex is a genius on guitar with the way he pulls sounds out of virtually nowhere and fits them perfectly like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle all 3 of them make - their debut album is more like a Fisher Price, toddler puzzle matching animal shapes. And then there's Neil, responsible for some of the most genius lyrics and best percussion plying in the business, lowering himself to playing a stupid song about getting drunk after work, in a common time signature. If I just wanted generic mindless Hard Rock, I'd listen to AC/DC or VanHelen.
Time machine version is the only one I can listen to after being 20 rows back from the stage in Cleveland. Plus the beginning is different, it's not the same stale song I have literally heard every day for my whole life. The one DJ at WNCX gets so sad when you call in and request it because all the old heads call and whine that it isn't "real Rush"
Seeing them in person do that!!! Is even better. Too bad it's over right!?!
No backing tracks. No secret musicians. Three masters of their craft. Gifted, blessed, remarkble!
I’ve purchased hundreds of albums in my lifetime, there are only two that I played from start to finish when I first got them - Dark Side of the Moon and A Farewell to Kings. They remain my two favourite albums to this day.
I've debated about the albums one can listen to, in their entirety, without skipping a song. My first three are 2112, Moving Pictures (B>A) and DSOTM. They say yes. I then tell them my no. 4 (Robin Trower Bridge of Sighs) and they usually say 'oh yeah'.
A Farewell to Kings is so beautifully produced and masterfully arranged
It's hard to come down and reenter the mundane world after sitting alone and putting the headphones on.
Oh, btw, when Geddy first starts singing, he's playing bass, keyboard with his feet and singing all at the same time
yep, 5 instruments (including his voice) in one song
MUSICALPRODIGY
Alex Lifeson is John Petrucci’s favorite guitarist. That’s all you need to know!
Well Dream Theater are the epitome of Rush rip artists. Not so much now with Mangini now as they found their way a bit, but early years they all emulated Rush to the tee!
THE SPIRIT OF RADIO... Rush goes nuts with the riff, transitions, time changes and the lyrics!
And don't forget the reggae vibing that catches everyone off guard! Thank you, The Police!
Must listen first to the studio version for the production values and then check out the live SARS benefit concert video version - kind of appropriate given what we're dealing with now. The Rolling Stones headlined this charity festival in Toronto (2003 I think) and the crowd is HUGE, no like MONSTER MEGA - AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE - HUGE, like all of Toronto (or maybe all of Canada) was there at the show and they launch Spirit of Radio with the intro to the 'Stones' " Paint It Black" - a very nice tip of the hat to the headliners of the show.
There's a live version of Spirit of Radio where Alex's solo is SO strong Geddy looks over in amazement.
Not just a little underrated... ALEX IS A LOT UNDERRATED !!! Alex is gifted with emotion, technical expertise, vocal harmony, and knowing when to hold back and when to let it rip. Just think about it this way... without any one of the three, this particular band just would not work. RUSH-4-Life (and beyond) R*I*P* Neil
You are right... True Rush fans know better !!
Wayyy underrated. Hard to think of any of his contemporaries pulling this song off. Eddie could. I’m sure a couple others could. But most could never do this.
Rush is one of the few bands that when you see them in concert every song sounds exactly like the album. 😊
Or better even !
I remember that rag of pretentious wankers knows as Rolling Stone gave “A Show of Hands” 1 1/2 stars, in part because “it sounded too good to be a live album.”
As I said, what a bunch of pretentious wankers.
They prided themselves in playing complicated music in the studio that they could pretty much reproduce note perfect live as well, hence why so many musicians hold them in such awe and esteem
Serious talent. No errors, just beautiful music
@@OutLoudStudios In an interview Geddy Lee says that in the early years they half jokingly half seriously said to each other that their goal was to become the world's smallest orchestra.
A friend of mine was huge Rush fan, got to go back stage after a gig; he had a Rush collage he wanted to present to the band.
Geddy spoke with him more than Alex or Neal, but he said both were polite snd gracious.
Geddy told him “I did a collage too, of my favorite band once years ago”.
My friend asked who the band was.
“It was Yes”, Geddy said.
Not entirely surprised...
I got to see Rush 11 times, my only regret is it wasn't 12.
Joe, I wonder if back in the day there was anyone who saw them for the 12th time when they were 21.
@andrew Herriges I was just stating a fact, I saw them 11 times, They came to the Detroit area all the time back in the day.
Me too! If I truly believed that their Farewell Tour was to be their last, I would have went. But I got suckered in by the likes of all the artists who have a farewell Tour every couple of years. I'm sorry I doubted Rush.
I've seen them 7 times my regreat was not seeing the 8,9,10 times love them .RIP N.P.
I saw them zero times. had multiple chances. never took them. nothing but regret, there. don't assume your favorite bands will always be there for you. I guess that goes for everything in life.
I agree that Alex is severely underrated as a guitarist and certainly doesn't get the recognition he deserves from the general population. I know his bandmates adore(d) him.
His band mates and also anyone worth their salt in the guitar world knows he is truly one of the greats
Alex sure as hell is recognized in Canada, Europe and South America. Not so much in the U.S.
It was a complete travesty that it took so long for Rush to get into the Rock Hall of Fame.
When you consider that Madonna was there before them.
Only proved that the “hall of fame” has no credibility, and is meaningless.
Well, at least it's not called the, "Rock and Roll Hall of the Best," or that would be a real travesty.
John Berger Yeah yeah. blah blah blah
ruclips.net/video/ZwLeLzDHfIU/видео.html
What it truly tragic is no other generations will ever again have the opportunity to experience a Rush concert.
I agree with that about seeing them in concert, my last was Clockwork Angels..!
There is only one Alex Lifeson. The universe cannot handle two.
To a genius, all three of them are geniuses.
To answer your question, Lifeson is a great guitarist. He turns in a masterful performance in song after song, carrying by himself what many bands need two or three to do, injecting fire and soul in his solos.
Rush gave more than forty years of excellence, and I'm endlessly grateful for their work. You can do studies of their entire catalogue as a musical education.
What boggles my mind is that your parents are RUSH fans and you'd never heard this before. One of my absolute favorite RUSH songs. Your reaction was priceless. And,yes, I am among those that STILL get goosebumps when I hear this song, and I'm 56....
55.5 years old and yes... I still get goosebumps during this song! So glad I got to see them 6 times. Depression had me sort of checked out and I missed R40. Best live shows ever!!!
They were keeping secrets from you!!
Me too at 65! Fortunate. Blessed (corny) Lucky to have RUSH in my lifetime.
The degree to which Alex Lifeson is underrated can only be called “criminal.”
He’s just as integral to Rush as either of the others who are considered downright masters.
RUSH will never get old.
RUSH is RUSH.
The best of the best.
RIP Neil, you will be forever missed.
Not only is Geddy multitasking on the keyboards and pedals, but Alex (in addition to be CRIMINALLY underrated on the guitar) is playing bass pedals a LOT in this song. You can watch his movement at about the 13:17 mark while listening to the bass line for a good example.
That's nothing! To quote Alex, "Blah blah blah blah....blah blah?!...blah blah!!!
Geddy plays the bass pedals while singing and playing the keyboards, as well as rhythm guitar at the end of this song on his bass’ lower neck
Well said. Thumbs up.
With all due respect to the guitar greats that everyone recognizes - Hendrix, Clapton, SRV, etc., Lifeson is just on another level! His ability to change things up with different rhythms, time signatures, intonations, strumming patterns, and even his amazing solo creations and fills put him on another level!!
He’s so original. And restrained. He can play anything, but he plays what’s best for the song. And the result is when he goes overboard, you feel the power of that in your soul.
Alex is in a league all his own. He’s my favorite guitarist with my favorite band Rush.
2112, the comic book version. Gives you a peek into the brain of Neil... such a talented lyricist. The fastest 20 minutes of your life.
The lyric videos that are done like graphic novels really help you understand the epic songs.
I agree. My favorite Rush album and my intro to Rush back in 1976 and yes, the illustrated version is great.
"This song got tons of requests so it must be pretty good."
"I'm almost speechless"
Welcome to RUSH!
And this was the original 1984-5 live version from the Exit Stage Left tour. Then right after that they did theMoving Pictures tour which included some of these live sets , which I saw live in concert back then.!!
Amazing performance and amazing masterpiece from the summer of my years!
In the seventies the extra musicians would hide in Neil's moustache.
The reason Alex is underrated is that he's in a band with a bass player and drummer who are both reckoned to be the best in the world by many people whereas Alex is "only" one of the best guitarists in the world.
Totally agree! Surrounded by excellence. The ELP of Canada
That's the truth of it. The only reason that Lifeson is viewed as the "lesser" member is the fact that Lee and Peart represent two of the greatest musical talents of our time.
Beyond the context of Rush, and in comparison to the greater musical community...he's in the top tier.
Rush are the type of band that need a miniature Stonehenge on the stage.
Rush are like a Jet Plane that keeps taxi- ing around the tarmac without ever taking off.
I don't like anything about this boring band,
Rush are the reason that Punk n New Wave is so thrilling and exciting. OMG!!!!
That is it. All three of them are incredible individually, and yet the whole is so much greater than the sum of its parts...That’s the mind blowing thing about it. About them.
Alex is my major influence. They never give him credit for his innovation of the uses of code and not over using the term bar. In all his writings he uses English and latino classical compositions. He's one of the most underrated guitarists alive. When he had his band VICTOR . He used no RUSH styles. Time machine was a great example of Alex's innovation and theory. When he helped Gibson design the axes he put his style of classical and hard playing in the making of it. Piezoelectric pick ups in the bridge and Humbucker pickups pairing the 2 together with acoustic amps and HUGHES AND KETTNER pushing the power and clarity which was the ultimate sound. RIP NEIL, long live RUSH
Welcome to the Mystery of Rush. "How do they do this, and do it LIVE"
2112
La Villa Strangiato
Cygnus X-1 Book1 and Book 2
Oh Hell just do the Entire Hemispheres Album you will NOT regret it.
Natural Science
Driven
Test for Echo
Headlong Flights
and about 200 more
I always love when folks are caught off guard by Rush. Fan since 74. Saw this live. My jaw still drops
I don't know if you realize it, when Getty starts singing, he is playing the keyboards with his feet, playing the bass and singing at the same time. MAN, only someone can be born with that kind of talent. And Alex, AGREE, he was a bit underrated. We knew he was GREAT. GOAT. He was in the midst of a HUGE number of Great Guitar players. THEY ALL WERE GREAT IN THEIR OWN WAY. We did not compare back then. WE JUST LOVED IT. ALL OF IT.
La Villa Strangiato. Do that one. One of the best guitar solos EVER!!
One thing I love as a guitarist, is the way Alex Lifeson synchronises his solos with the drums. He does that in this solo, other guitarists would just twiddle through.
He plays for the song, and he listens to what his bandmates are doing before he reacts. One could learn a lot from his approach. He's a guitarist's guitarist.
He also synched with Geddy in Tom Sawyer
This song features 3 musicians playing 879 instruments.
You are not alone. Every musician who watches and follows Rush knows they will never reach the same level of master class as this trio of greats. But that's okay. They are rock gods and we are all mere mortals.
I loved "I wonder if this is when the ""album version" starts." Brother, that IS how the album version starts - the WHOLE thing. What a great song!
HeAlex is besides a guitarist, an excellent composer. He's very spontaneous and very creative. He does not feel the need to print excerpts of music to demonstrate his skills, he prefers to express himself more by the composition of the music itself than to use it as a showcase. This puts him on a higher level than other guitarists in my opinion.
Yes if you aren't afraid to get a tad unconventional...try his solo project Victor! Although Geddy's sounds like it could be another Rush album
These two comments lead to my personal belief that Alex is really the compositional force in Rush. Victor is very diverse where My Favorite Headache is kind of mundane. (Credit where it's due: I don't think MFH sounds a lot like Rush but I'm probably the only one).
How have you never heard this song? Absolute classic RUSH
Hehe..'the crowd's going nuts is that where the album version starts?' ... Nope, they just know whats coming! Best thing about Rush was they played live. Privileged to have seen and met them all, R.I.P. Neil.
Best Rock Band EVER... You think this sounds good, imagine being there...
I was. From ‘76 onwards. Every Scottish tour. Amazing. Never see their likes again...
Same here 81, and 83
saw them twice in the 80's, twice in the 90's and then their last tour a few years ago.
EVERY SHOW WAS GREAT.
I was there in '81, Veteran's Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix. My very first concert experience ever! Won tickets from 98KUPD, With Backstage passes. Rush is, and always will be, my all-time favorite band. I saw them five more times( Hold Your Fire, Presto, Roll The Bones, Counterparts, Test For Echo). They've had one hell of a great run of over 40 years proving they are the greatest three man band ever. Neil may be gone(R.I.P), and they're not touring anymore, but we have their music to keep their legacy alive for generations to come. Rock on friends!
yes!!! 23 times since 1990 for me.
Those are the 3 most talented musicians ever that have gotten together.
We will never see another drummer like Neil Peart.
Those rare times when the live version beats the original album version and becomes the definitive version. This era was their absolute pinnacle..no-one could match them.
At this point in their career, one of them stated that they wanted to be the first three person orchestra ... I think they succeeded.
I honestly feel that Alex Lifeson is the most underrated musician of all time. There is so much talent within Rush. Neil stands out (your favorite drummer's favorite drummer), Geddy stands out (that voice and can play everything), but Alex, every bit as talented, creative, and precise as the other two is a diamond on a floor covered with broken glass. When you find him, you've got yourself a real treasure.
How perfectly put!! Rush has always been the sum of it's parts - each one as integral to the sound as the other two! Fantastic dynamic.
You call yourself a musician until you watch Rush. 😂😷😉 Then you take your guitar back to the music store and trade it in for a broom.
Better yet head to the hardware store, buy a shovel and beg a dear friend to bury the ax in a place never to be found. Cheers, mate!
How the fuck do they do all that??
Classic!
Geddy Lee is why I have a bass guitar. After I learned a bit, Geddy Lee is why it hasnt left its case in forever.
@Frankincensed🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👏👏✌️
What blows my mind most about everything Rush ever played is just how completely effortless they make it look. Not a single one of them looks like they are having to work hard at this.
I noticed the exact same thing.
Truly amazing musicians.
Seen Rush live in concert multiple times. The sound live is incredible especially coming from 3 guys who are master musicians. That era in the 70s was amazing with 2 Canadian bands with 3 musicians each putting on great concerts was incredible. Triumph being the other band. Both a couple of my all time favs with but opting for Rush because of their humility,longevity,song catalog and their pure musicianship. Well done boyz. Rip Neil Peart
I was 13 when this album came out, I have been a Rush fan ever since
Alex has been my favorite for nearly ~40 years now. "A little bit underrated" is just the tip of the iceberg! Cheers.
Mine too! He’s amazing.
A fan for over 40 years and even after all this time I'm still blown away by how good a band they were. Three musicians who were just utterly locked in together . Man, I miss them.
My favorite era of RUSH! I never grow tired of this song. Sounds great each and every time I hear it.
My favorite Rush song.
Alex underrated... Yeah, you could say that. He is far and away my favorite guitarist and it's not even close. He just happens to be overshadowed by one of the greatest (if not the Greatest) rhythm sections in the history of rock. His playing is so emotive, and his compositions are so varied and unique. He can really do it all, including shredding with the best of them. (Oh, and let's not forget 12 string and Mandola) I am still holding out hope that he will publish an all acoustic album of material in the coming years! Cheers. If you are looking for a performance similar in quality and dynamism to this, it has to be La Villa Stringiato from Exit Stage Left. Probably my favorite guitar solo of all time.
If my father listened to this, I'd have been blown away. Willie Nelson was his music, my mother was Elton John and Meatloaf. My brother got me into Rush. My thanks to him forever.
"Bla bla bla, bla bla bla..."
Alex Lifeson
Do you know why Alex lifeson said what he said.it was because harry bellefonte used the rock and roll hall of fame to preach racist rants read between the lines.
@@sabrinacudney3697 huh? where did you hear that? Please. Alex is not a politically active.
I think it's because of the 3 guys he is the emotional one. He would have probably lost it during the speech. So he masked it with humor.
Best acceptance speech ever!!!
Blah blah!
Blah blah blah?
Sabrina Cudney I humbly suggest that just about *everything* Alex does in public is pretty lighthearted. In this case it’s partially b/c he forgot his own written speech: www.blabbermouth.net/news/rushs-alex-lifeson-on-his-blah-blah-blah-rock-hall-speech-it-seemed-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time/
You could watch this Rush Xanadu video a hundred times and it will still be mind blowing every time.
Every time I see a Xanadu reaction, I watch it. This is one of the best live performances of all time, in my opinion. Rush is amazing and I'm glad that people are finally discovering them. They were so ahead of their time.
Alex is usually a very, very restrained lead guitarist, but there's times where he really lets loose and says, "oh, yeah, by the way, I can shred like a badass too!". Check out The Analog Kid, Free Will, or The Spirit of Radio. Alex absolutely shreds on those, but they're still tasteful and tuneful solos, it isn't speed for the sake of speed.
I was watching another channel, "Lost in Vegas". One of the guys said, "It sounds like they have a sweatshop full of people below the stage playing." It's very true. What is amazing about Rush is that their music is really complex. When you hear them live at their show, it's perfect. The level of musicianship that these three had together is a beautiful and rare thing. Glad you're diving deep into the RUSH rabbit hole. You should hug your Dad and thank him for showing you some great music at an early age.
Mind BLOWN! Thanks for all the suggestions!
patreon.com/OutLoudStudios
their 20 minute 2112 is a masterpiece of music and storytelling together ruclips.net/video/w5jwxrTqoEA/видео.html
La Villa Srangiato is pretty amazing early Rush as well as 2112.. Hemispheres is often underrated as well.
Everyone keeps saying it. Check out the live version of la villa strangiato (from exit stage left)
When a reporter asked Eddie Van Halen what it was like to be the greatest guitar player he said "I don't know, ask Alex Lifeson".
Hey man if you're into prog rock, there is one legendary band every drummer and guitarist needs to explore, in depth, and that is King Crimson. Highly recommend you react to King Crimson - FracKtured (live), and watch in amazement as Robert Fripp plays a guitar piece few can even cover half decently... For the drummer version of that, listen to Indiscipline, live in Mexico City.
Best reaction I ever saw to this the guy said, "So we have a double guitar, a double bass, and 15 drum kits?!"
Hell yes he's underrated...he's one of the most influential and purest guitarist ever ..but he's show shrouded out by pure shredders
La Villa Strangiatto (1981 live), Working Man Live in Cleveland, YYZ live in Rio ...all mind blowing live performances
I'm not surprised that first reaction have such an appreciation for RUSH. It was Canada's best export :-)
This is one of the greatest live performances in rock music history. I started to listen to music differently after discovering Rush. When I first heard Exit Stage Left, it was on a friends recommendation. I didn't know much about Rush, except that they were much lighter than most of the stuff I was listening to at the time. He leant me the album, and with low expectations, I put the headphones on and listened. By the end of the second track I knew I was already a fan. I hadn't heard rock music being played like that before. To be frank I didn't rock musicians COULD play like that. The whole package was perfect. It had all the chops and technicality, but it had such depth, such warmth, and such sheer class. That resonated with me as a 15 year old in 1984, and I've loved them ever since.
I’ve been listening to “Xanadu” off Exit…Stage Left since I was 13 in 1983, and to this day I think it’s a timeless work of art!!!!!!!!!!
One of the best live performances in the history of live performances. Utter greatness. And they make it look like it's not a big deal.
Canadian Rock, in general, is always hugely underrated.
Justin Bieber?
Are you counting Nickelback?
Neil Young is underated ?
Sass Jordan!!!
By The way: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan were written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, although the latter was never finished. As I know it Coleridge was on opium when beginning to write Kubla Khan, but when he came to his senses he was unable to finish it :)
He was actually interrupted by a cisitor persistently knocking on his door. He could not recapture the thread after his unwelcome visitor left.
Mr Sifter “the person from Porlock” is how Coleridge describes the visitor who disturbed him as he tried to write down the dream from which he had just woken.
TRUE.
I love to see the face of people when they suddenly get Rush. Now he's going to be locked in his room, headphones on, with the old Rush albums playing, reading the lyrics on the sleeves.
Sublime sophistication, tight, crisp, clean and they’re supreme masters of their individual instruments. Collectively they are one. They need not have to say anything because they can read each other’s facial expressions and body language.
July 28th 1980, Moving Pictures Tour. Front row seats, I was 14. My best friends older sister, who was a personal friend of the band brought us there. Never looked back, Rush fan for life. Never missed a concert since. I felt a shadow cross my heart Jan 7, 2020.
Over time, people have been so instantly boggled by Peart and Lee that Lifeson doesn't get enough credit.
You need to listen to the studio version... Better yet, you need to listen to the whole "Farewell to King's" album. Next to Pink Floyd "Animals" it's one of the best releases of 1977...
AGREED!
absolutely stunning observation for a young musician to make. In my mind. Alex Lifeson has always been the most underrated guitarist in the history of rock and roll. When I first heard side one of the 2112 album, his guitar riffs were the the meat and substance of 2112 an was the only thing I focused on. Oh yea, check out side one of 2112 and you'll never be quite the same. To say it's life changing is an understatement.
“Between 1976 and 1981 Rush were so on top of their talents in concert. I was always totally blown away when I saw them live.”
Best rock band ever! And I can say I not only walked the earth when they did, I walked upon the same soil, and was privileged to see them perform live many times. What an immense they have given the world! 🇨🇦
Geddy is a machine. I think he could do everything
The 3 are not human, they are fucking amazeing .
Us fans of Rush know for long time how this group is amazing. They are real artists with no compromise on their search of perfection. Completely dedicated to their arts. Thanks Rush for being Rush. 🤘
great review dude there is a WORLD of Rush to explore
2112 . JUST DO IT
That whole album is mind blowing. I've been listening to is since the early 80s and I have never gotten tired of it and it still blows me away on so many levels. It's why Rush is one of my all time top bands of my life!