Alex has stacks of amps behind him on his side of the stage. Geddy began pluggin in directly to the board, so his side of the stage looked empty. So to balance the stage behind Geddy they just put anything up there. One tour it was stacks of washers and dryers, another tour it was rotisseries, another tour it was vending machines. That was just part of their humor. They were a fun bunch of just ordinary guys.
When it was dryers they had t-shirts in them and guys looking like them (hair, clothes similar, guitars) would come out during the concert and pull the shirts out of the dryer and throw to the crowd.
Great reaction. Anyone that understands music appreciates rush and Alex is very underrated. And the items on stage are an offset. Geddy runs through the mixer now and Alex still uses an amp and stack. They didn't like the imbalance.
RUSH ARMY HERE! For a different, poetic human experience of a Rush song may I humbly suggest that you react to THE TREES. Having the lyrics are crucial. I am loving your reactions.
Church Boy. Thnx for the shout out and great reaction. If you listen to the studio version of the song, the lyrics are clear and quite profound. It's about the integrity of the music industry and the joy of music.
Neil is wearing a Kufi which is often worn by Muslims (Neil wasn't at all religious). He started wearing them after a month-long bicycle tour he took through Cameroon in 1988. (He wrote a book about his travels titled The Masked Rider - excellent read). While in Cameroon, he learned African beats from some of the local legends - wearing the hat may be a tribute to the friends he made (and/or to cover his thinning hair). The song: Alex beginning riff gives the feeling of tunes going into your car antenna. Reggae and other changes give the experience of changing radio stations. Metal songs are often in E because it allows the open E string to be rung out at the lowest note regularly. The low E acts as a pedal tone in many rock and metal compositions. As a trio, it allows RUSH to create a thicker sound.
What some call the "Devil Horns" hand symbol has been a way for rockers to show their appreciation or enjoyment of a performance for a while now. It was popularized by the singer Ronnie James Dio when he joined Black Sabbath in the early 1980s, as he had often seen his grandmother use it. It is actually called the "maloik," and has Italian roots. It was used as a way to give someone the "evil eye," or conversely as protection from it, which is how Dio intended his use - protection from evil. Dio used this throughout his career, and it was picked up by many hard rock fans as a way to show their enthusiasm for an act. I would highly recommend anything that Dio is connected with (he sang for Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and his namesake band Dio), and suggest Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell" as a great place to start. After you finish your Rush journey, that is. 🤘 FYI, the brief instrumental intro here is from the Rolling Stones "Paint it Black."
They were opening for The Rolling stones and AC DC in this concert. This was a benefit concert put on by the Stones to help people in Toronto after the Sars epidemic . I believe there was close to a half million people there. I've heard higher numbers but I don't know for certain. They had a wicked sense of humour. The tee-shirts will be thrown to the audience later. They put out a new video for this song in memory of Neil Peart who passed in 2020.
I was there! Amazing concert. AC-DC, Stones, Rush, Justin Timberlake, Tea Garden, Burton Cummings, and more! About 400K people at an old airport. CRAZY!
Notice many Rush fans are telling you to react to live renditions, because they sound so nice live. True, agreed, they do sound great live, but for your very first listen and introduction to a song, personally think it should be the studio version. Studio versions help you get a better understanding of how they intended for the music to sound in a controlled environment with the mixing precisely they way they wanted for the song. You can aways react to the live versions at a later date. Plus, in many of these live versions, Geddy is older and his voice is no longer in prime condition. Just my two cents. Thanks, love your reactions.
If you want to see a crowd that LOVES Rush, check out YYZ Live in Rio...be sure to look for the remastered version in 1080. And..."manipulating his instrument" sounds kinky...LOL...I am sure Alex himself would appreciate that, and agree. 😂
This was Sarstock Toronto and there were a number of bands playing to 500,000 people. The Rolling Stones put on the event and to honour them Rush played paint it black at the beginning before they went into Spirit of Radio. The washers,dryers ,vending machines etc were to to balance out the stage after Geddy started plugging into the house sound system and Alex still had his stack of amps. These guys have a great sense of humour. The hat Neil wears is something he adopted after his bicycle trip through west Africa. There is a story he tells about him being in an African village where a drummer was trying to teach a young missionary how to drum and the poor fellow was at a loss. Neil was watching and then asked to join in. Neil sat in and in no time was picking up the beat and the women started dancing. The missionary was amazed and all Neil said was I'm in the business. To see their comradery and their goofiness please react to Dinner with Rush. Cheers
You can also find video of Neil meeting Charlie Watts just minutes before going on stage. He says in his book he gets into his own world just before going on, and someone (Geddy, or Geddys brother) got Neil's attention that Charlie was there to say hi, (one of Neil's idols) you see them shake hands and I think Charlie said 'I'm going g to be watching you' Neil Commented in his book that he didn't even recognize him, thought he was just a random elderly guy 😂😂. Was a good story
If you feel like checking some of their newer songs I strongly suggest these ones, Time stand still, Manhattan Project, Nobody's hero. These are just a few of so many.
The chickens and laundry are because Geddy stopped using on stage amps, and uses house amps. He uses the props to fill the stage where his amps would be.
I really suggest you react to the studio version first, so you can appreciate the live versions. I am a lifetime musician in Wisconsin. I have a home studio and play all guitars, bass, and vocals. I program my drum tracks. These Rush songs are the only songs where I can’t deviate from the studio versions when recording. This is my favorite band of all time. I’m 56, seen them live. Love every album they have released. There is no other band in the world like Rush 🙌🏻 Welcome to my lifetime of memories with Rush🤩
Neil Peart’s hat is a Nigerian Kufi Cap. It’s kind of a ceremonial or traditional hat worn by people all over the world but mostly in African countries
First off..love your reactions to all Rush so far, but doing the studio version of any song I think is important when starting the Rush journey...love all their live versions, but this song should be a studio reaction when hearing first time. This performance may be my least fave of all the versions out there for Spirit...keep the Rush(studio) reactions coming🤘
In the early 2000s Geddy stopped using on stage amps opting for amp and cabinet simulators. Since he wasn’t standing in front of big speaker cabinets the stage visual was out of balance so as a giggle Geddy got some laundromat dryers to fill out the visual space on his side of the stage to balance the overall stage image. That evolved into a refrigerator and the dryers to the rotisserie chicken cooker then a giant steampunk sausage maker. On their final tour, the R40 tour the stage presentation was their history in reverse order starting with the sausage maker then moving through all previous stage images while they worked backwards through their catalog eventually finishing in a high school gym complete with basketball hoops and a disco ball with tiny amps being supported on chairs. Brilliant! Alex had amps below the stage for their second to last tour so he had props to start with then fake amps and speakers as stage props. Their Moving Pictures album has moving men depicted on the cover so the road crew dressed as those moving men while they changed out stage props over the course of the R40 show. All of their tours since 2000 have accompanying DVD/BluRay packages available.
This song is inspired by Neil's memory of listening to CFNY in Toronto, whose tag line was "The Spirit of Radio." What's fascinating is the main guitar riff is Alex's interpretation of what it sounded like when scrolling through a radio dial on an old-school analog radio. As with every Rush song, it is worth your time to check out the lyrics.
rush have many great songs, and they also have many great and important songs. the following songs appear in the latter list: 'Entre Nous', 'Territories', 'Closer to the Heart', 'Nobody's Hero', 'Manhattan Project', 'The Trees', 'Witch Hunt', 'Subdivisions', 'Something For Nothing', 'The Garden'.
Church Boy a suggestion of next Rush song is Malignant Narcissism live version from Snakes & Arrows tour as you will get to see Neil Peart drum solo. God Bless.
Great reaction!! This was Sarstock in Toronto, there were many bands featured! There were over 500,000 people there I believe! The finger sign 🤘🏼is and old symbol in many cultures used to ward off evil!! In Rock and Roll speak… it means ROCK ON!! LOL! I think you should do “ Where’s my Thing, Here it Is! (Live on the Tome Machine Tour) and you get a premium drum solo for free!! Be well and God bless.. from Texas!! Link Below: ruclips.net/video/AKIc20Liw3c/видео.html 0:03
Neil's hat is called a Kufi hat - wirn by Africans. When he was younger, he bicycled through parts of Africa and picked up African percussion rhythms. His kufi hats are specially built as they have removeable foam inside to absorb the sweat from his head. Between sets, the foam was removed and replaced.
I was at this event! Can't believe it's been 20+? Years Flaming lips, Rush, the guess who, the isley brothers, AC/DC, the stones... Amazing memory 🤘 Universal symbol for metal
I always dig your insightfulness for music! Thank you ! And your newfound love for RUSH !! How can you not love RUSH ??? I agree totally with the Alex Lifeson mastery of the guitar. They are all so talented, everyone knows Geddie Lee's bass work and of course Neil Peart. But I honestly think Alex is the best, most technically skilled of the three ! I always have, his tone and ability to change tempo and sounds effortlessly, is second to none. MY three fave giutarist. David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler, and Alex Lifeson. Keep digging, we dig u. Peace
Geddy once said his bass tone is clean and dry. Since he does not use a wall of cabinets he used the dryers for a while to fill in the stage. He uses a small amp/speaker cabinet behind the dryers that go in the main console. Check out Geddy Signature Fender bass guitar.
500 000 people as it was a concert in Toronto for Sars with Rolling Stones a d AC DC.They used to have alot of Marshall amps but downsized and used dryers to fill in space.They filled in space with the rotisserie to also fill in space and feed the crew after each show.Luv your reaction. Enjoy the Rush ride. God Bless. It's about the spirit of the radio about how they pushed back against the record labels and radio stations to play the music that they wanted to produce and play.
7:40 - That's the Metal (and to a little lesser extent) Rock sign. Rush isn't a Metal band, but it's thrown up for Rock, too. They don't move their fingers, though. You should check out "Red Barchetta", too. I think you'd really like it. The song that they started with, as an introduction to "Freewill" is "Paint It Black", by The Rolling Stones.
Alex is a master of hitting harmonics and overtones in his riffs. The more you listen to him, the more you realize how genius his playing is. More than just his solo playing, but if you dig deep, you realize how much complex chords he involves into his playing. Like his chord that he “invented”… the F#maj with added 4th and flat 7… he plays on Hemispheres… But he is the most underrated of the three guys for sure… but still a maestro!
2:23 if you dont recognize the opening, that is Paint it Black by Rolling Stones. The song is talking about The Spirit of Radio, so that is a shout out of respect. Love that you catch the timing changes. Perhaps key of e due to Geddy's soprano singing voice. (I am a not a musician so please firgive me if I've stated this wrong.)
Love watching a competent musician get to experience and analyze AND FEEL what they're laying down. Music helps people connect. It's so awesome to hear something vicariously thru fresh ears. Thanks man
think you might be ready for the song that was there FU to the record company in 2112 said twenty-one twelve. if you want to learn about them watch the docmentary about the Beyond the Lighted Stage
Neil wears that to keep the sweat out of his eyes, 😅..who we kidding. I've seen him dozens of times and I don't think I've seen him barely break a sweat by the end of a 3hr show. I had Front row once, Blew my mind! So happy your enjoying and appreciating them.
RUSH sheet music scores are on the internet and Geddy has a book “The Big Beautiful Book of Bass”. His musical talent is undeniable and Geddy was the one involved with all the concert stage design and production for their tours too!
Every show I had the blessing to see, started with this song. "One likes to believe in the freedom of music but glittering prizes and endless compromises, shatter the illusion of integrity." Is my favorite verse. 2112 was their make or break middle finger to the music industry at the time. It worked for them. After that, full steam ahead!
Alex Lifeson, gets overlooked too often, so I'm glad you pointed him out. This version is actually a little stripped down. it's without the keyboard parts, and there were a lot of muffled notes - maybe because of the wind. Thanks, for another excellent reaction.
I think that this was my 1st RUSH exposure in my life, 1980, I was 12 and in 7th grade, from then on I've loved a certain time frame of RUSH ALBUMS, from the 1st album to Signals, in 1982. After that my interest fell off or they moved on to new songs that i didnt bother to learn or listen to. Also they weren't really played on the air locally, atbleast not down here in South Florida. Have you done the 2112 album or specifically side 2. Side 1 is a short space/roch opera about a future in which humans live under an oppressive ruling structure that encourages conformity and obedience, but has no music or musical instruments. Then one day a man finds a guiter and learns to play it and the consequences of his actions. Just a masterpiece of classic rock. 1976
this concert was to show the world that toronto was safe and open again after the sars outbreak in 2003. there were several acts, including Justin Timberlake, The Guess Who, Rush, AC/DC, and the Rolling Stones, who closed the show.
The washers/ rotisserie machines are used to balance out the stage. Alex liked using his stack of amps, whilst Geddy would have his basses and keyboards connected directly to the house amp systems. Otherwise the stage would look weird with the empty space behind him.
Geddy would always tease Alex about all his Marshall stacks so he would have everything from dryers to rotisserie chicken machines on his side of the stage Their love for one another shines through in their shows Alex loves to experiment with what kinds of sounds he can pull out of his guitar an he never overreaches, he is always so freakin melodic An the grooves that Geddy an Neil pull off are insane I think it’s time for you to do 2112 a 23 min rock opera that defined exactly who Rush wanted to be, it was their big F U to the record label who wanted them to do 4 min radio friendly songs Do the studio (comic book) version, it will help you with the whole journey the song takes you on
Since you love Rush especially Gettys bass lines. Highly highly highly recommend Roundabout by Yes. Listen to the remastered album version for the best listen
That track is also worth a lyrics dive. Peart wrote all their lyrics and he was great. The devil horns are a rock thing... invented by Ronnie James Dio ...he sang lead for Black Sabbath, Rainbow and later his own band DIO... it just means 'Lets Rock'
Love your Rush reactions! It looks like others have answered your questions. Watch the live version of Marathon from the Time Machine tour (fire bass line!).
I mean.....I've been a fan since 83 or so.....and obviously I know their greatness...but it's so hard to wrap your brain around how just these 3 guys could come up with all this music...and sound....and 5 different parts in their songs and mix it all in, and do this for 40 years!! People can say there are "better" bands out there, but they truly don't understand this band or really know them well enough. Or they're just being spiteful and ignorant
Church Boy I'm so glad you did the Live version The Spirit of Radio in Toronto. So cool Rush played Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones before the song dropped. Please react to Subdivisions Live. Amazing lyrics. Geddy switches back and forth from playing a Synthesizer to a bass all while singing. If you really want to see a young Rush Anthem live 1975. A real banger for sure. Enjoying your Rush journey. 🤘🔥
Listening to Rush for the amazing musicality… and then eventually understanding that the lyrics might eclipse the music. I love Yes.. but Jon Anderson doesn’t even understand his own lyrics. I love Genesis, some of the lyrics are great.. but some of them might have taken inspiration from Jon Anderson. Rush, and Neil’s lyrics, are next level.😊
I love this line in this song- "One likes to believe in the freedom of music But glittering prizes and endless compromises Shatter the illusion of integrity" Very true. The Spirit of Radio (and money in music) is inherently corruptive, unfortunately. Even the existence of professional touring creates a lot of ethical problems with no clear solutions. PS- Laundry on stage is just for fun, I think cause Geddy Lee no longer needed amps on stage
Geddy Sings in the key of E. That's why they stay there. Laundry is a tour theme prop.This is one for the studio version. The music video is pretty cool!!
Molson Canadian Rocks Toronto festival to mark the end of the SARS epidemic. 480,000 tickets issued plus an estimated 15,000 service and set up people. This was the afternoon show and they were the highlight of it, according to my co-workers who went. The evening show was topped by The Rolling Stones and AC/DC. The Stones management company helped the city organize the whole thing which was held at the old Downsview Airport. Charlie Watts made a special point of introducing himself to Neil Peart just before he went on. The Stones' connection was why they inserted the Paint It Black intro.
Church Boy! 👋 I also greatly enjoy Rush’s live performances, and I realize that you prefer live music in general. However, imho, I believe that for first-time listens, Rush’s studio versions are a must. This is because it gives you the opportunity to hear the definitive version, crafted just the way the band intended it to sound like. It also gives you the ability to follow along with the lyrics, if they’re displayed on screen. Once you’ve heard (or reacted to) the studio version of a song, then reacting to a live version is a great way to appreciate their live performances without sacrificing or missing any of the less obvious nuances or tasty details otherwise heard clearly in the studio versions. Not sure how others feel about this, but it’s how I’ve always felt, not only about Rush, but all bands.
I have seen Rush every tour since the Grace Under Pressure tour. When I see videos of them playing live i get sad knowing I will not see them live again. But at the same time they ended on a musical high note. Not a band of "once was" like some out there now.
I was at this concert, brings back memories. The hand gesture you are inquiring about has a huge history and reference in pretty much all cultures on the planet. From a rock n roll/metal perspective it's referred to as the devil's horns. Nothing evil about it, people usually do the gesture, when the music gets them excited/amp'd up.
This means 🤘 Long live rock and roll 🤘 It's creation is mostly credited to singer/ song writer, Ronnie James Dio (DEE- oh), who is a legend in heavy metal. Consistently named best metal singer of all time. status! Massive career and then taken too soon by cancer - same with our brother Neil. And speaking of our brother Neil - I think we're getting close to giving him the flowers he deserves and playing his solo in Frankfurt. You said you love jazz. Oh please buckle up bc it's gonna get fabulous. He was obviously a student of jazz, (as were most rock drummers from the 60s and 70s) - it's the music they grew up on. His solo includes some great jazz and the entire performance will leave you in awe. Have a blessed week, my brother in Christ! ✝
The lyrics are definitely worth looking into- it was kind of an indictment of the state of the music industry, and an embrace of newer technologies and types of music as well
You want to hear Geddy's bass work in all its glory? You will appreciate the bass riffs on "Digital Man" by Rush (listen to the studio version to hear it clearly).
definitely check out the lyrics - it's about the commercialization of the radio / music industry.... and yes, that was reggae, it's more pronounced in the studio version too... a couple easter eggs in the song...
There's another 3 piece band from Canada 🇨🇦 I think you would really enjoy called Triumph - their music is always positive and uplifting & are definitely worth a look
This was the song that started at all for me with my obsession with rush. It was released as a single in late 1979 when I was 12 years old and I immediately loved it. Permanent waves came out in January 1980 and I bought it the day it came out and I have been obsessed ever since.
This intro is a STONES cover. They once did a tour of nothing but covers! I couldn’t believe it! I thought it was a joke when my friend told me about it because he saw the tour before I did. And I’ll be damned if that entire show wasn’t covers! I think it was the 30th anniversary tour so they played the bands that influenced them.
A few more possible reasons for the dryers on stage: they were responding to a music critic who had commented that seeing one of their concerts was about as boring as doing his laundry; Geddy wanted to prove to his wife that he could multitask by singing, playing bass, playing keyboards, and doing his laundry at the same time; he wanted his voice to have that fresh, clean sound. If you want to see another perfect example of mutitasking, be sure to see Xanadu from Exit Stage Left, where Geddy is singing and playing a double-neck bass while he plays keyboards with his feet, Alex is playing a double-neck guitar, and Neil is basically playing anything you can hit with a stick. Cheers from Toronto! 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐
If you look closely you'll find the dryers are mic'ed up as well. Geddy no longer needed his gear throughout the show, tied directly into stage stacks - but didn't want the stage to feel off center, so decided to put dryers (vending machines, time machines, rotisserie chicken - fed to stage crew after concert, etc) with t-shirts they gave out at the end usually. But basically Geddy just wanted something on his side too. lol
Great reaction Church Boy! Almost a shame you started with this version...it's good, but as far as Rush live goes, it's not the best (that goes to the video called 'Best Intro Ever' - which features an overture called R30 that features a medley of their 70's output which segues into Spirit Of Radio! As a musician - you should definitely check that one out!) Personally, I'd say always check the lyrics! Besides expert level musicianship from all 3 guys, Neil always has something to say in his lyrics - that Geddy perfectly conveys! This song is about the freedom afforded by radio - and the fight for artists to create for their own sake, and not at the whim of the record company ("glittering prizes & endless compromises shatter the illusion of integrity" is an excellent lyrical example!) Love hearing you play bass - especially in mimicking Geddy's bass lines!! Cheers!
1/2 a million as Geddy needed less amps they used laundry or vending machines to fill the space 1 so it looked even and 2 for the guys to hide behind that were taking care of Neil❤🇨🇦
YYZ live in Rio will blow your mind right out the back of your head.The fine people sing along to an instrumental!I don't know the attendance, but looks like several hundred thousand.
The hand gesture is associated with metal and rock n roll. It started with the band Dio, specifically Ronnie James Dio their lead vocalist. It’s based on fantasy creatures often depicted in their early material. Their album Holy Diver is an example of that. The hand gesture caught on with fans and carried over into other rock and metal bands’ audiences.
Alex has stacks of amps behind him on his side of the stage. Geddy began pluggin in directly to the board, so his side of the stage looked empty. So to balance the stage behind Geddy they just put anything up there. One tour it was stacks of washers and dryers, another tour it was rotisseries, another tour it was vending machines. That was just part of their humor. They were a fun bunch of just ordinary guys.
When it was dryers they had t-shirts in them and guys looking like them (hair, clothes similar, guitars) would come out during the concert and pull the shirts out of the dryer and throw to the crowd.
Um, actually, I think it was just laundry day. Oh Geddy. Always multi-tasking…
Or the guy in the chefs hat who would come out and baste the chickens during the show.
They were ordinary in term of how they treated others, but in terms of musical talents all these three guys were probably among the best ever.
The Dryers had a specific purpose. They were set to "cool" mode so they would help with Stage heat, especially for Neil.
Dude you have a great ear. I can't believe your ability to reproduce the sound on the fly!!!!
Great reaction. Anyone that understands music appreciates rush and Alex is very underrated. And the items on stage are an offset. Geddy runs through the mixer now and Alex still uses an amp and stack.
They didn't like the imbalance.
YYZ live in Rio is a must.
RUSH ARMY HERE! For a different, poetic human experience of a Rush song may I humbly suggest that you react to THE TREES. Having the lyrics are crucial. I am loving your reactions.
Church Boy. Thnx for the shout out and great reaction. If you listen to the studio version of the song, the lyrics are clear and quite profound. It's about the integrity of the music industry and the joy of music.
Am I the only one who loves it when Church Boy breaks out the bass and starts playing? It's always the highlight of the videos for me!
Neil is wearing a Kufi which is often worn by Muslims (Neil wasn't at all religious). He started wearing them after a month-long bicycle tour he took through Cameroon in 1988. (He wrote a book about his travels titled The Masked Rider - excellent read). While in Cameroon, he learned African beats from some of the local legends - wearing the hat may be a tribute to the friends he made (and/or to cover his thinning hair).
The song: Alex beginning riff gives the feeling of tunes going into your car antenna. Reggae and other changes give the experience of changing radio stations.
Metal songs are often in E because it allows the open E string to be rung out at the lowest note regularly. The low E acts as a pedal tone in many rock and metal compositions. As a trio, it allows RUSH to create a thicker sound.
What some call the "Devil Horns" hand symbol has been a way for rockers to show their appreciation or enjoyment of a performance for a while now. It was popularized by the singer Ronnie James Dio when he joined Black Sabbath in the early 1980s, as he had often seen his grandmother use it. It is actually called the "maloik," and has Italian roots. It was used as a way to give someone the "evil eye," or conversely as protection from it, which is how Dio intended his use - protection from evil. Dio used this throughout his career, and it was picked up by many hard rock fans as a way to show their enthusiasm for an act. I would highly recommend anything that Dio is connected with (he sang for Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and his namesake band Dio), and suggest Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell" as a great place to start. After you finish your Rush journey, that is. 🤘
FYI, the brief instrumental intro here is from the Rolling Stones "Paint it Black."
The reason for the washing machines is obvious; Their clothes were dirty and they have a tight schedule on tour.
"Limelight" and "Fly By Night" are some great tunes to check out also!
They were opening for The Rolling stones and AC DC in this concert. This was a benefit concert put on by the Stones to help people in Toronto after the Sars epidemic . I believe there was close to a half million people there. I've heard higher numbers but I don't know for certain. They had a wicked sense of humour. The tee-shirts will be thrown to the audience later. They put out a new video for this song in memory of Neil Peart who passed in 2020.
I was there! Amazing concert. AC-DC, Stones, Rush, Justin Timberlake, Tea Garden, Burton Cummings, and more! About 400K people at an old airport. CRAZY!
The intro song was a Rolling Stones song.
I have a Rush and an AC/DC pinball machines sitting next to each other.
What epidemic
I was there too, along with a half million other music lovers.
Starting with "Paint It Black" just before the Rolling Stones come on. That's bold.
Notice many Rush fans are telling you to react to live renditions, because they sound so nice live. True, agreed, they do sound great live, but for your very first listen and introduction to a song, personally think it should be the studio version.
Studio versions help you get a better understanding of how they intended for the music to sound in a controlled environment with the mixing precisely they way they wanted for the song.
You can aways react to the live versions at a later date. Plus, in many of these live versions, Geddy is older and his voice is no longer in prime condition.
Just my two cents. Thanks, love your reactions.
I agree. Other than Xanadu, I’d always have reactors listen to the studio version of the song, especially one like this, with a lot of intricacies.
If you want to see a crowd that LOVES Rush, check out YYZ Live in Rio...be sure to look for the remastered version in 1080.
And..."manipulating his instrument" sounds kinky...LOL...I am sure Alex himself would appreciate that, and agree. 😂
I’ve always said there is a sexual nature to Alex’s playing. He absolutely dominates, exploits and ravages his guitar.
@@4randosutube He even has nightmares that inspire him to write songs in which he does unspeakable things with and to his guitars. LOL
@@iKvetch558 Well whatever he does it’s working. 🤘🏽
This was Sarstock Toronto and there were a number of bands playing to 500,000 people. The Rolling Stones put on the event and to honour them Rush played paint it black at the beginning before they went into Spirit of Radio.
The washers,dryers ,vending machines etc were to to balance out the stage after Geddy started plugging into the house sound system and Alex still had his stack of amps. These guys have a great sense of humour.
The hat Neil wears is something he adopted after his bicycle trip through west Africa. There is a story he tells about him being in an African village where a drummer was trying to teach a young missionary how to drum and the poor fellow was at a loss.
Neil was watching and then asked to join in. Neil sat in and in no time was picking up the beat and the women started dancing. The missionary was amazed and all Neil said was I'm in the business.
To see their comradery and their goofiness please react to Dinner with Rush.
Cheers
All facts that i have heard and some new ones. Thanks
Kufi is the type of hat I thought I should add
Yeah, reaja ao jantar !!!
You can also find video of Neil meeting Charlie Watts just minutes before going on stage. He says in his book he gets into his own world just before going on, and someone (Geddy, or Geddys brother) got Neil's attention that Charlie was there to say hi, (one of Neil's idols) you see them shake hands and I think Charlie said 'I'm going g to be watching you' Neil Commented in his book that he didn't even recognize him, thought he was just a random elderly guy 😂😂. Was a good story
I always winced at that name!
If you feel like checking some of their newer songs I strongly suggest these ones, Time stand still, Manhattan Project, Nobody's hero. These are just a few of so many.
The chickens and laundry are because Geddy stopped using on stage amps, and uses house amps. He uses the props to fill the stage where his amps would be.
I really suggest you react to the studio version first, so you can appreciate the live versions. I am a lifetime musician in Wisconsin. I have a home studio and play all guitars, bass, and vocals. I program my drum tracks. These Rush songs are the only songs where I can’t deviate from the studio versions when recording. This is my favorite band of all time. I’m 56, seen them live. Love every album they have released. There is no other band in the world like Rush 🙌🏻 Welcome to my lifetime of memories with Rush🤩
Similar here, although probably not as aptly as you - trust me. 😅
Neil Peart’s hat is a Nigerian Kufi Cap. It’s kind of a ceremonial or traditional hat worn by people all over the world but mostly in African countries
First off..love your reactions to all Rush so far, but doing the studio version of any song I think is important when starting the Rush journey...love all their live versions, but this song should be a studio reaction when hearing first time. This performance may be my least fave of all the versions out there for Spirit...keep the Rush(studio) reactions coming🤘
Sars concert in Toronto and Neil is playing the xylophone ,you should check out their Hall Of Fame induction
In the early 2000s Geddy stopped using on stage amps opting for amp and cabinet simulators. Since he wasn’t standing in front of big speaker cabinets the stage visual was out of balance so as a giggle Geddy got some laundromat dryers to fill out the visual space on his side of the stage to balance the overall stage image. That evolved into a refrigerator and the dryers to the rotisserie chicken cooker then a giant steampunk sausage maker. On their final tour, the R40 tour the stage presentation was their history in reverse order starting with the sausage maker then moving through all previous stage images while they worked backwards through their catalog eventually finishing in a high school gym complete with basketball hoops and a disco ball with tiny amps being supported on chairs. Brilliant! Alex had amps below the stage for their second to last tour so he had props to start with then fake amps and speakers as stage props. Their Moving Pictures album has moving men depicted on the cover so the road crew dressed as those moving men while they changed out stage props over the course of the R40 show. All of their tours since 2000 have accompanying DVD/BluRay packages available.
I'm happy you did this song, after watching your other Rush reaction videos I was hoping you would do this. 🙂👍
This song is inspired by Neil's memory of listening to CFNY in Toronto, whose tag line was "The Spirit of Radio." What's fascinating is the main guitar riff is Alex's interpretation of what it sounded like when scrolling through a radio dial on an old-school analog radio.
As with every Rush song, it is worth your time to check out the lyrics.
rush have many great songs, and they also have many great and important songs. the following songs appear in the latter list:
'Entre Nous', 'Territories', 'Closer to the Heart', 'Nobody's Hero', 'Manhattan Project', 'The Trees', 'Witch Hunt', 'Subdivisions', 'Something For Nothing', 'The Garden'.
Church Boy a suggestion of next Rush song is Malignant Narcissism live version from Snakes & Arrows tour as you will get to see Neil Peart drum solo.
God Bless.
alex is underrated!!
Alex is such a beast on the guitar
Great reaction!! This was Sarstock in Toronto, there were many bands featured! There were over 500,000 people there I believe! The finger sign 🤘🏼is and old symbol in many cultures used to ward off evil!! In Rock and Roll speak… it means ROCK ON!! LOL! I think you should do “ Where’s my Thing, Here it Is! (Live on the Tome Machine Tour) and you get a premium drum solo for free!! Be well and God bless.. from Texas!! Link Below:
ruclips.net/video/AKIc20Liw3c/видео.html 0:03
Key of E. That is the key of GEDDY's voice
I'd highly recommend still reacting to the original studio cut, from their 1980 album Permanent Waves ✌️
Neil's hat is called a Kufi hat - wirn by Africans. When he was younger, he bicycled through parts of Africa and picked up African percussion rhythms.
His kufi hats are specially built as they have removeable foam inside to absorb the sweat from his head. Between sets, the foam was removed and replaced.
I was at this event! Can't believe it's been 20+? Years
Flaming lips, Rush, the guess who, the isley brothers, AC/DC, the stones... Amazing memory
🤘 Universal symbol for metal
🤘"Long live rock and roll"🤘
Ronnie James Dio
Edit: I had commented that it was also a "hang ten" sign for surfers, but then edited as I realized they are similar, but different hand signs.
@@mattbaker5757 🤙🤘 Dio came up with it and has explained its origins many times
Oh man, The Flaming Lips. I saw them in NYC around 1996 and then again in CT around 1999 or 2000. What a great band! Kim's got a watermelon gun.
I always dig your insightfulness for music! Thank you ! And your newfound love for RUSH !! How can you not love RUSH ??? I agree totally with the Alex Lifeson mastery of the guitar. They are all so talented, everyone knows Geddie Lee's bass work and of course Neil Peart. But I honestly think Alex is the best, most technically skilled of the three ! I always have, his tone and ability to change tempo and sounds effortlessly, is second to none. MY three fave giutarist. David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler, and Alex Lifeson. Keep digging, we dig u. Peace
Alex liked to have stacks behind him. So the washers, vending machines blah blah blah were Geddy making fun of Alex.
Geddy plugged into the venue’s sound system and teased Alex because he wouldn’t do it. So Geddy started using props as a joke!
Alex is having a blast in this one. The official animated video is a must see. Keep it up, bud!
As a long time Canadian fan, I appreciate you pronouncing Neil's last name correctly.
Thank you.
Geddy once said his bass tone is clean and dry. Since he does not use a wall of cabinets he used the dryers for a while to fill in the stage. He uses a small amp/speaker cabinet behind the dryers that go in the main console.
Check out Geddy Signature Fender bass guitar.
Church Boy,
You are wise
Beyond your years…
500 000 people as it was a concert in Toronto for Sars with Rolling Stones a d AC DC.They used to have alot of Marshall amps but downsized and used dryers to fill in space.They filled in space with the rotisserie to also fill in space and feed the crew after each show.Luv your reaction.
Enjoy the Rush ride.
God Bless.
It's about the spirit of the radio about how they pushed back against the record labels and radio stations to play the music that they wanted to produce and play.
7:40 - That's the Metal (and to a little lesser extent) Rock sign. Rush isn't a Metal band, but it's thrown up for Rock, too. They don't move their fingers, though.
You should check out "Red Barchetta", too. I think you'd really like it.
The song that they started with, as an introduction to "Freewill" is "Paint It Black", by The Rolling Stones.
Alex is a master of hitting harmonics and overtones in his riffs. The more you listen to him, the more you realize how genius his playing is. More than just his solo playing, but if you dig deep, you realize how much complex chords he involves into his playing. Like his chord that he “invented”… the F#maj with added 4th and flat 7… he plays on Hemispheres… But he is the most underrated of the three guys for sure… but still a maestro!
2:23 if you dont recognize the opening, that is Paint it Black by Rolling Stones.
The song is talking about The Spirit of Radio, so that is a shout out of respect.
Love that you catch the timing changes. Perhaps key of e due to Geddy's soprano singing voice. (I am a not a musician so please firgive me if I've stated this wrong.)
DEFINITELY need to react to YYZ on Rush In Rio. 60,000 fans singing to an instrumental is epic!!!
Love watching a competent musician get to experience and analyze AND FEEL what they're laying down. Music helps people connect. It's so awesome to hear something vicariously thru fresh ears. Thanks man
think you might be ready for the song that was there FU to the record company in 2112 said twenty-one twelve. if you want to learn about them watch the docmentary about the Beyond the Lighted Stage
There were over 500,000 people there, that's a very small fraction of Rush fans out there.
Don’t be misleading though. This was SARSStock. This wasn’t just a Rush gig.
Neil wears that to keep the sweat out of his eyes, 😅..who we kidding. I've seen him dozens of times and I don't think I've seen him barely break a sweat by the end of a 3hr show. I had Front row once, Blew my mind!
So happy your enjoying and appreciating them.
The song is an ode to the joy of listening to music on the radio. Back in the day when that's how you listened to music & found new songs.
RUSH sheet music scores are on the internet and Geddy has a book “The Big Beautiful Book of Bass”. His musical talent is undeniable and Geddy was the one involved with all the concert stage design and production for their tours too!
Every show I had the blessing to see, started with this song. "One likes to believe in the freedom of music but glittering prizes and endless compromises, shatter the illusion of integrity." Is my favorite verse.
2112 was their make or break middle finger to the music industry at the time. It worked for them. After that, full steam ahead!
Alex Lifeson, gets overlooked too often, so I'm glad you pointed him out. This version is actually a little stripped down. it's without the keyboard parts, and there were a lot of muffled notes - maybe because of the wind. Thanks, for another excellent reaction.
I think that this was my 1st RUSH exposure in my life, 1980, I was 12 and in 7th grade, from then on I've loved a certain time frame of RUSH ALBUMS, from the 1st album to Signals, in 1982. After that my interest fell off or they moved on to new songs that i didnt bother to learn or listen to. Also they weren't really played on the air locally, atbleast not down here in South Florida. Have you done the 2112 album or specifically side 2. Side 1 is a short space/roch opera about a future in which humans live under an oppressive ruling structure that encourages conformity and obedience, but has no music or musical instruments. Then one day a man finds a guiter and learns to play it and the consequences of his actions. Just a masterpiece of classic rock. 1976
I saw RUSH in 1976 and a song I think you may enjoy is "Anthem". Great live, but the studio version great also.
this concert was to show the world that toronto was safe and open again after the sars outbreak in 2003. there were several acts, including Justin Timberlake, The Guess Who, Rush, AC/DC, and the Rolling Stones, who closed the show.
The washers/ rotisserie machines are used to balance out the stage. Alex liked using his stack of amps, whilst Geddy would have his basses and keyboards connected directly to the house amp systems. Otherwise the stage would look weird with the empty space behind him.
BRAVO ! Look for the Documentary of them going to So. America, for the fist time. Behind the scenes and a SOLD OUT tour , Live in RIO
Geddy would always tease Alex about all his Marshall stacks so he would have everything from dryers to rotisserie chicken machines on his side of the stage
Their love for one another shines through in their shows
Alex loves to experiment with what kinds of sounds he can pull out of his guitar an he never overreaches, he is always so freakin melodic
An the grooves that Geddy an Neil pull off are insane
I think it’s time for you to do 2112 a 23 min rock opera that defined exactly who Rush wanted to be, it was their big F U to the record label who wanted them to do 4 min radio friendly songs
Do the studio (comic book) version, it will help you with the whole journey the song takes you on
Whole heartedly agree!!!!!!
Good stuff, keep them coming! I am here for your Rush reactions! You are fast and insightfull.
Since you love Rush especially Gettys bass lines. Highly highly highly recommend Roundabout by Yes. Listen to the remastered album version for the best listen
That track is also worth a lyrics dive. Peart wrote all their lyrics and he was great.
The devil horns are a rock thing... invented by Ronnie James Dio ...he sang lead for Black Sabbath, Rainbow and later his own band DIO... it just means 'Lets Rock'
Love your Rush reactions! It looks like others have answered your questions.
Watch the live version of Marathon from the Time Machine tour (fire bass line!).
I mean.....I've been a fan since 83 or so.....and obviously I know their greatness...but it's so hard to wrap your brain around how just these 3 guys could come up with all this music...and sound....and 5 different parts in their songs and mix it all in, and do this for 40 years!! People can say there are "better" bands out there, but they truly don't understand this band or really know them well enough. Or they're just being spiteful and ignorant
The different musical genres represented in this song the feeling of switching back and forth between radio stations
RUSH fans are like no other. They got very little Air Time. 19 Albums. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Church Boy I'm so glad you did the Live version The Spirit of Radio in Toronto. So cool Rush played Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones before the song dropped. Please react to Subdivisions Live. Amazing lyrics. Geddy switches back and forth from playing a Synthesizer to a bass all while singing. If you really want to see a young Rush Anthem live 1975. A real banger for sure. Enjoying your Rush journey. 🤘🔥
Listening to Rush for the amazing musicality… and then eventually understanding that the lyrics might eclipse the music. I love Yes.. but Jon Anderson doesn’t even understand his own lyrics. I love Genesis, some of the lyrics are great.. but some of them might have taken inspiration from Jon Anderson. Rush, and Neil’s lyrics, are next level.😊
I love this line in this song- "One likes to believe in the freedom of music
But glittering prizes and endless compromises
Shatter the illusion of integrity"
Very true. The Spirit of Radio (and money in music) is inherently corruptive, unfortunately. Even the existence of professional touring creates a lot of ethical problems with no clear solutions.
PS- Laundry on stage is just for fun, I think cause Geddy Lee no longer needed amps on stage
I also feel you have heard enough Rush that it's time for 2112!
Hold onto you hat
Geddy Sings in the key of E. That's why they stay there. Laundry is a tour theme prop.This is one for the studio version. The music video is pretty cool!!
Molson Canadian Rocks Toronto festival to mark the end of the SARS epidemic. 480,000 tickets issued plus an estimated 15,000 service and set up people. This was the afternoon show and they were the highlight of it, according to my co-workers who went. The evening show was topped by The Rolling Stones and AC/DC. The Stones management company helped the city organize the whole thing which was held at the old Downsview Airport. Charlie Watts made a special point of introducing himself to Neil Peart just before he went on. The Stones' connection was why they inserted the Paint It Black intro.
Church Boy! 👋 I also greatly enjoy Rush’s live performances, and I realize that you prefer live music in general. However, imho, I believe that for first-time listens, Rush’s studio versions are a must. This is because it gives you the opportunity to hear the definitive version, crafted just the way the band intended it to sound like. It also gives you the ability to follow along with the lyrics, if they’re displayed on screen. Once you’ve heard (or reacted to) the studio version of a song, then reacting to a live version is a great way to appreciate their live performances without sacrificing or missing any of the less obvious nuances or tasty details otherwise heard clearly in the studio versions. Not sure how others feel about this, but it’s how I’ve always felt, not only about Rush, but all bands.
2hr roast chicken = 1 rush set ..... 1hr wash + 1hr dry = 1 rush set 🤘💥
Keeps his head warm.
I have seen Rush every tour since the Grace Under Pressure tour. When I see videos of them playing live i get sad knowing I will not see them live again. But at the same time they ended on a musical high note. Not a band of "once was" like some out there now.
I was at this concert, brings back memories. The hand gesture you are inquiring about has a huge history and reference in pretty much all cultures on the planet. From a rock n roll/metal perspective it's referred to as the devil's horns. Nothing evil about it, people usually do the gesture, when the music gets them excited/amp'd up.
You're into lyrics. Please read the lyrics. You won't regret it. Love your reactions.
This means 🤘 Long live rock and roll 🤘
It's creation is mostly credited to singer/ song writer, Ronnie James Dio (DEE- oh), who is a legend in heavy metal. Consistently named best metal singer of all time. status! Massive career and then taken too soon by cancer - same with our brother Neil.
And speaking of our brother Neil - I think we're getting close to giving him the flowers he deserves and playing his solo in Frankfurt. You said you love jazz. Oh please buckle up bc it's gonna get fabulous. He was obviously a student of jazz, (as were most rock drummers from the 60s and 70s) - it's the music they grew up on. His solo includes some great jazz and the entire performance will leave you in awe. Have a blessed week, my brother in Christ! ✝
The hand signal is the sign for “rock on”
The lyrics are definitely worth looking into- it was kind of an indictment of the state of the music industry, and an embrace of newer technologies and types of music as well
Appreciate another RUSH reaction. It’s crazy how quickly you become addicted to their music or you don’t. Keep this run going.
It happens to almost every reaction channel on RUclips 🤷♂️
Hell yeah
That hand motion/signal/whatever is simply Devil Horns - ROCK ON BRO!
You want to hear Geddy's bass work in all its glory? You will appreciate the bass riffs on "Digital Man" by Rush (listen to the studio version to hear it clearly).
definitely check out the lyrics - it's about the commercialization of the radio / music industry.... and yes, that was reggae, it's more pronounced in the studio version too... a couple easter eggs in the song...
There's another 3 piece band from Canada 🇨🇦 I think you would really enjoy called Triumph - their music is always positive and uplifting & are definitely worth a look
This was the song that started at all for me with my obsession with rush. It was released as a single in late 1979 when I was 12 years old and I immediately loved it. Permanent waves came out in January 1980 and I bought it the day it came out and I have been obsessed ever since.
Finally back to covering the hits instead of the obscure videos. Please just focus on more of the album versions of songs.
This intro is a STONES cover. They once did a tour of nothing but covers! I couldn’t believe it! I thought it was a joke when my friend told me about it because he saw the tour before I did. And I’ll be damned if that entire show wasn’t covers! I think it was the 30th anniversary tour so they played the bands that influenced them.
Subdivisions!!!!!! RUSH.
A few more possible reasons for the dryers on stage: they were responding to a music critic who had commented that seeing one of their concerts was about as boring as doing his laundry; Geddy wanted to prove to his wife that he could multitask by singing, playing bass, playing keyboards, and doing his laundry at the same time; he wanted his voice to have that fresh, clean sound. If you want to see another perfect example of mutitasking, be sure to see Xanadu from Exit Stage Left, where Geddy is singing and playing a double-neck bass while he plays keyboards with his feet, Alex is playing a double-neck guitar, and Neil is basically playing anything you can hit with a stick. Cheers from Toronto!
🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐
If you look closely you'll find the dryers are mic'ed up as well. Geddy no longer needed his gear throughout the show, tied directly into stage stacks - but didn't want the stage to feel off center, so decided to put dryers (vending machines, time machines, rotisserie chicken - fed to stage crew after concert, etc) with t-shirts they gave out at the end usually. But basically Geddy just wanted something on his side too. lol
Great reaction Church Boy! Almost a shame you started with this version...it's good, but as far as Rush live goes, it's not the best (that goes to the video called 'Best Intro Ever' - which features an overture called R30 that features a medley of their 70's output which segues into Spirit Of Radio! As a musician - you should definitely check that one out!)
Personally, I'd say always check the lyrics! Besides expert level musicianship from all 3 guys, Neil always has something to say in his lyrics - that Geddy perfectly conveys!
This song is about the freedom afforded by radio - and the fight for artists to create for their own sake, and not at the whim of the record company ("glittering prizes & endless compromises shatter the illusion of integrity" is an excellent lyrical example!)
Love hearing you play bass - especially in mimicking Geddy's bass lines!! Cheers!
1/2 a million as Geddy needed less amps they used laundry or vending machines to fill the space 1 so it looked even and 2 for the guys to hide behind that were taking care of Neil❤🇨🇦
YYZ live in Rio. Brazilians know how to rock !
Can’t wait to see these Rush song reactions.
Xanadu
La Villa Strangiato
2112
YYZ live in Rio will blow your mind right out the back of your head.The fine people sing along to an instrumental!I don't know the attendance, but looks like several hundred thousand.
The hand gesture is associated with metal and rock n roll. It started with the band Dio, specifically Ronnie James Dio their lead vocalist. It’s based on fantasy creatures often depicted in their early material. Their album Holy Diver is an example of that. The hand gesture caught on with fans and carried over into other rock and metal bands’ audiences.
The intro was a Rolling stones number called paint it black, then they go into Spirit of Radio.
You haven't fully experienced RUSH until you have listened to 2112