Haha! Whenever someone asks me for *thee* Rush song they should listen to, I give them 'Freewill', with the caveat that they have to listen to it 4 times; once overall, then one each for bass, guitar, and drums! This song showcases EVERYTHING that Rush is known for!
To me, the solo section in this song is the embodiment of the meaning of the name of the song, "Freewill". They all 3 break away in their own directions and yet stay in harmony. Absolute genius!
@@LowEndUniversity 1979. Short tour rehearsing before recording Permanent Waves. They played slightly different early versions of Free Will and Spirit of Radio. I knew little about them before that show but left a confirmed fan for life. Actually met Geddy and Alex after a show in either 80 or 81. Got autographs on the ticket stub.
Totally agree, Ken. Saw them 27 times from 1984-2015 and had one great Feedback-era meet and greet at XM studios with 40 people and Al and Ged. They played 3 songs off of the Feeback EP as well as Resist. Magical.
When you said that you had a chance to see RUSH, but passed on it because you were busy and always thought that you would have another chance to see them - it made me think of their last tour. I've seen RUSH 8 times, but I'm sort of in the same boat as you when it comes to their last tour. I was so busy working my full-time job and gigging every weekend in my band that I couldn't catch them the last time that they were in Wisconsin. I told myself that I would definitely set time aside to see them the next time they came back to the state, and then Neil passed. RIP Professor. I'm still kicking myself for not seeing them on their last tour.
Hey, don't sweat it - at least you got to see them! I screwed up and passed on it! I'll never forget the day Neil passed - super vivid memory when I got that news. We will both always have their music and plethora of live videos to remember. I appreciate you stopping by!
The bass line beginning at 14:28 is absolutely beautiful. The bridge/solo section in this song is my favorite Rush moment. All three guys just ripping for a full minute, and it's 100% musical.
I've had the pleasure of seeing Rush 16 times, starting with the Signals tour in 1982. I only missed the Snakes and Arrows tour, due to double pneumonia, and that was a game time decision, as I literally couldn't breathe. They were one of the best live bands EVER! I took my daughter to my last 2 shows, which was very emotional. As a drummer/guitarist, I'm almost obligated to be a Rush fan. Neil, and Alex are huge influences on my playing style. Many hours spent learning how to play the parts, and not a single minute I consider to be wasted. TOOL and Rush are my 2 favorite bands. New subscriber. Great channel!
I got to see them do Moving Pictures and 2112 in their entirety. 2112 was an outdoor concert right after Neil came back from all the tragedy he had in his life. He was so tight. Mind-blowing. Took my son to their last tour. He was like 10 at the time and I am so glad I got a chance to experience that with him.
I had read somewhere that they always looked at guitar solos as band solos. Also The chickens and later the dryers was something Geddy did to balance out the stage when Alex was still using amps and Geddy would plug directly into the PA or however they actually did things.
"What is all that?" Alex jokingly had a bunch of barbie dolls holding signs of admiration since there aren't many female fans in the crowd. Pretty hilarious 😂
But in South America, chicks dig Rush. It's very curious. Yeah, I have been to enough Rush concerts to know Black Sabbath and Rush concerts weren't places to meet girls LoL! Black Sabbath had more Hispanic fans than Rush so it was a little different. Rush was a lot of us white boys. Who aren't racist. It's very interesting how cool white guys went to Rush concerts and girls were being taught to like bubble gum music. It was like an unintended Planned Parenthood or something.
I loved the short video Rush did with Paul Rudd and Jason Segel (that tied into their appearance on "I Love You, Man" and the 2010 Time Machine tour) where Alex, Geddy, and Neil are talking while coming back stage... Neil says, "Seven females at a Rush concert, must be some kind of world's record." Through it all, no matter how popular they got, they always managed to keep a self-effacing sense of humor about themselves and never took it all too seriously! ruclips.net/video/iq3yjfoorsU/видео.html
First time here. Geddy and Alex are both self taught as were alot of musicians at that time. Geddy started out playing guitar but the band in the early years needed a bass player as the one they had quit. It was then he switched to bass. I don't know if you have ever seen it but there is sn excellent documentary called Beyond the Lighted Stage. I think you would really enjoy it. Cheers 🇨🇦
@Debbie Plato - I agree! Such a great documentary, and I've watched it quite a few times, too 😊 The only thing that had bothered me at the time it was released was how all the guys (Joe Black, Billy Pumpkin, JS Bach, etc.) were talking about Rush in the Past Tense, while the band was actually still touring and releasing new albums: "They were this", "They were that"... Sadly it's apt when watching 'Beyond The Lighted Stage' today! 😔
The washing machines and, later, rotisseries were just a joke since Geddy switched to an amp-less stage setup a few years earlier. The band's sense of humor was in full effect. I saw them on this tour with the rotisseries and a highlight was that a chef came out on stage a few times and basted them! (My understanding is that the chickens *were* real, and were really cooking - it was to feed the crew after the show each night!)
Geddy stated in an interview: “I hit the bass so damn hard that you can hear the frets whack and the string hitting the pickup. I’m a bit of an animal!”
@@LowEndUniversityGeddy Lee is why I hit the strings so hard, and can't turn it off! I wouldn't do well in a pop or jazz band lol. I also saw them on that tour, my first time seeing them. Immediately picked up my Geddy Jazz Bass when I got home.
Geddy noticed the giant mountain of amps and cabs that Alex used and wanted something to even out the stage. First he used washing machines that they used to clean the crews clothes. Then to change things up they used rotisserie chicken ovens and cooked dinner for the crew. Nice, hilarious and twisted Rush in a nutshell.
Geddy was my first bass influence. Amazing playing all the time. I was fortunate seeing them live like 3 times but not in the early days as I would have liked.
Great reaction, and a real good choice for the performance. I love the clarity of the instruments and especially Geddy on Bass. Loved your insights into the playing and song.
Just found you. Dang, what a radio voice and intelligent conversation. I really enjoyed this video and I can't play any instruments. Your demeanor exudes humility and respect. It's rare nowadays. Much respect! Subscribed.
One of the lucky ones to see them live. Seeing videos of them live gives a small inkling of what they are like live. They are insanely good, great sound, great music from absurdly great musicians. Saw them in Austin for the R40 tour. Clock work angels was one hell of an album to end on
Man. Another great deep dive! Like you, I’ve always been amazed at how much/how well Geddy “fills the space”. As to “what can we do with three guys”... Exit: Stage Left’s “Xanadu”. The chickens/washing machines in the background came from Geddy’s use of DI hardware and in-ear monitors. No more need for stage amps, so they had to put something there! As a joke, you’ll see that they would “mic up” the washing machines on stage! Fantastic stuff, man. I also appreciate the parallel between Rush and Tool. Keep the fantastic content coming. Travis Q
These solos feel…Huge. I know, most all their solos are big but, Alex is making that guitar scream, WOW!! And Geddy is freakin plucking the crap out of those strings. Just be incredible!!!
A big part of Geddy's sound earlier on was that he was moving a shitload of air with his technique and a cranked amplifier with a 15" speaker. One guy that emulates Geddy's sound very well is Tim Starace from the band YYNot.
When I saw the R30 tour, Geddy was experimenting with tumble driers and/or chicken rotisserie cabinets as an upgrade from his old 15" cabinet, and they sounded great.
It's a shame you never got to see them live... I attended at least one of every tour from Grace Under Pressure up until their final R40 tour. I was also so grateful that I was able to take both of my kids to Rush concerts and introduce them to real musicians playing real music! You would have absolutely loved the theme behind the final tour, and I highly recommend finding a copy of the R40 BluRay to watch. Basically, they came on stage with the same setup as the Clockwork Angels tour (the tour right before the R40 concert) and then started playing many of their most popular songs in reverse chronological order. As they were doing this, every so often, the roadies would come on stage and start stripping down and altering the set. Next thing you know, they have the setup from Snakes & Arrows, then Roll the Bones, and so and and so on. By the time they got to the end of the show and the encore, they were playing songs from their first two or three albums and the stage was completely stripped down to a single speaker sitting on a folding chair in a mock-up of a high school gymnasium. In three hours, they took you on a journey from the height of their stardom all the way back to the time they were three unknown Canadian lads working for snacks back in their old home town. It was poignant, well thought out, and a perfect way to say thank you to the fans. It was definitely one of the best concerts I've ever been to, as you could tell it absolutely meant something to each member of the band... and to all the fans in attendance as well.
It sure is. That's an incredible thing to say you've seen, super jealous, especially because you got to take your kiddos. Yep - my stepdad and his brother were the ones who invited me to see the R40 show, and they told me that exact thing. It kind of reminds me of the last Eagles tour (which I DID see in 2015), where they did the same type of reverse-chronology on their songs, production, and even had an ex-band member out with them. A shame I missed it.
In the early years they were unmatched. I started following them with Fly By Night and Rush would come to the New York / New Jersey area and we would catch them 2-3 times from Motion Pictures through Power Windows and then catch them time to time over the rest of their career. 15,000 fans playing the air drums, singing along, slapping their leg like a bass. The best times. Almost Cult like.
Rush - three massively talented musicians who played without ego. Neil was (almost!) always happy for Geddy to play with his lyrics, Alex didn’t have to be the centre of attention all of the time but Neil and Geddy knew how important he was to the band in every way. Geddy - the most humble frontman there has been. Together they were incredible. I saw them twice and wish I had seen them more often. Sadly we won’t see them live again but I feel lucky to have seen them at the peak of their powers - unbelievable live with fans who knew every beat of their music.
Can't get enough of these man. I never got a chance to see them live either unfortunately. To me they were always an amazing prog rock gatekeeping force that reigned supreme between the og 60s and 70s guys and the late 80s and 90s prog metal groups. Love it!
@@whatdothlife4660 I’m going to bet my house you have no clue on what is going on during the guitar solo. Half of what he’s playing is drowned out by the guitar and bass
I bought Drum Techniques of Rush in 1986, fifteen songs, Freewill was fourth. If you're gonna learn to read drum music on your own, Rush and Modern Drummer magazine did the trick! Yes, solo section is nuts, BUT the really cool thing is, you can see the formation of 'the Neil Peart beat' in the making. His signature beat is just the solo section of Freewill (6/4 here) with the left hand ghosting the snare instead of laying into every note.
Saw them on the Snakes and Arrows tour, first ever Rush concert, it was amazing, then saw them again on the Clockwork Angels Tour. Got to meet Geddy at his book signing in a Costco of all places haha, I was so nervous.
Idk where I read or heard it but Geddy said the washer/dryers and rotisserie chickens and stuff were always just to fill up his side of the stage since Alex always has his stacks, but Geddy went direct so didn’t have any cabs
@@LowEndUniversity When he would use the dryers, there were apparently special shirts you could only get from him tossing them out if he felt good that day.
@@marksherrick Yes, I was at a couple concerts where they did that... either Alex or Geddy would toss out shirts and, sometimes, some of the roadies would actually come up and move the laundry around like they were changing loads and would throw a bunch of shirts out into the crowd. I was never lucky enough to catch one!
Geddy used both his '72 Jazz bass and '77 Rickenbacker 4001 on the Permanent Waves album. Reference June 1980 Guitar Player Magazine interview in which Geddy states he had just gotten the Jazz bass and used it on half the album. Three songs are Jazz bass - Spirit of Radio, Entre Nous, Different Strings. The other three songs are the Ric - Freewill, Jacob's Ladder, Natural Science. Easy to tell the difference between basses when listening through a good set of headphones as the bass tracks are recorded very cleanly on this album.
This is why I love the RUclips community - people like you who comment and fill in cool facts that I’m scratching my head about. Love it!! You have the most accurate fact so far on it. Thank you for this!
It's probably not a 77, he bought a new 74 after they got signed and then recorded Fly By Night. He bought another 4001 later, but probably before 77. He liked the low end bette on his Jazz, but, his Ricky still sounds the best to me. Maybe because I play a 77 4001 lol
@@johnvrabec9747 He's did have more than one Rickenbacker 4001. His first one is a late '73 which he used from Fly By Night thru Farewell to Kings album and tours and by 1979 it was stripped of its black finish and is now natural maple. His second was a '77 he used from Hemispheres thru Signals. He still owns both of them. But the '77 4001 was his preferred Ric once he started using it, until he started using the Jazz bass which would eventually become his #1.
Thanks to Geddy, I got started into bass and keys. Long story short, I attended university and studied jazz, classical music. I believe that music that captures the listener's attention and alters their life in a positive way regardless of age, and continues to provide inspiration after all these years has accomplished we beyond its original intent
I am by far, not a musician. I have learned that a musician is able to hear so much more of a song than someone like me. Ive been a Rush fan sence about 79. I remember when Permanent Waves came out. I was 13. They just completely blew me away. I thought I knew everything about all their music through Moving Pictures. RUclips comes around and guys like you talk about all this and it opens me up to so much more of songs that I have been listening to for 40+ years. It's almost like a new Rush song when things I didn't notice come to mind. Thanks man, really appreciate it! Oh, saw them for the Signals tour. Wish I wasn't so stoned. Don't remember most of it..
The greatest rock band of all time. Btw I enjoyed you playing along a one point very interesting even for someone that doesn’t understand the science of music great video great react. Go Rush 4 ever
I’ve never seen this particular live performance of Freewill til now, and I gotta say, this is the most I’ve ever seen Geddy stretch a out and deviate from the original bass solo jam part. He’s all over the place!! Good breakdown Mark.
Thanks so much! I haven't either. At first glance, I thought it was Rush In Rio, which is one of my favorite live DVDs of all time. I wasn't aware they had a 2007 official live recording like this, and it's spectacular. Appreciate you stopping by!
Another great one, Mark! Freewill, a great display of their musicianship. Another one is The Spirit of Radio, where they double riff over Neil’s drum fills.🔥 Also, a lesser know track, off Signals, Digital Man, check out what Ged does on that. 🤯
Thanks G!! Appreciate your time to check these out. Having fun! I was contemplating Spirit, Xanadu, or this for my first one - the choice is so hard! Hope you’re well!
I love how even in a bass reaction video, Neil’s incredibly calculated playing is what truly blew my mind. The influence of these three will be felt for generations.
I was lucky enough to see them numerous times. I was a little young to see them in the heyday of the late 70s early 80s, but I saw them for the first time at Wembley Arena (I was on a senior class trip to the UK and me and a buddy snuck away for the evening) in 1988 on the Hold Your Fire Tour, after that I saw Presto, Roll the Bones, and Counterparts all in Worcester, MA. then in Mansfield, MA when they came back in 2002 for Vapor Trails and in Boston for the Moving Pics Tour and then Clockwork Angels. I was able to take my son to see his first concert in Alpharetta, GA to see the R40 tour. It was a soggy night, but he had a blast.
I had the privilege of seeing them 49 times from 1982 when I was 12 through every tour until the final tour in 2015 (the one you were invited to) when I was 45. That's a lot of years and a lot of life and experiences. The biggest compliment I can give them is that they always brought all they had on the night I saw them. I never felt ripped-off or felt they were "done" or "over the hill". Even as they (& I) got a little older, they were always in top form. And even the rare occasion someone hit a bum note or a missed cue, it was charming because of the standard they set. I can think of no other band other than perhaps the Beatles who ended their career so much still in their prime. And unlike the Beatles, Rush actually loved each other. I think for a band like Rush that was vital. They left on top. You may want to check out and review their final record 'Clockwork Angels' and really concentrate on songs like 'The Garden', 'Caravan' & 'Headlong Flight'. It just show three men nearing 60 years of age at that time still pushing, still creating and still on their game.
Good GOD that's awesome, almost 50 times. I don't think I've ever seen a band more than 5 times. Love your Rush loyalty! They are true gems and amazing humans from what i've seen. Their music will live on for centuries in my mind.
As much as I love Rush, I have to acknowledge that Ged's vocals had deteriorated quite a bit... don't get me wrong, unlike other heroic tenors who lost their ability to actually stay in-tune late in their careers (Meat Loaf), Geddy could still stay in tune... he just no longer has the range or ability to hit the high notes from the older tracks. The newer songs were written with that in mind, but the older songs were never the same in the later years. It almost looks painful when you watch him sing those songs. I do like his newer vocal style, but I missed his amazing vocals from yesteryear. When I saw Rush on Presto + Roll the Bones + Counterparts tours, he was still able to hit most everything.... but that was pretty much the tail end of it.
I'm 23 and had the fortunate blessing of seeing them 12 times from 2007-2015, the first being the snakes and arrows tour for my 8th birthday and the last being, yes, the final show at the forum on r40. me and my dad, who like you has seen them upwards of 40 times since he was around 14 or 15, flew cross country to LA catch the last 2 shows at the verizon amphitheater and the forum. i will genuinely cherish that last show until the day i die. like you said they were in top form every time they came around up until the very end. there really is no other band like rush
That’s just the reality of your instrument being one that deteriorates with age…I thought he adjusted the older songs very tastefully. But yeah, always a bit sad seeing vocalists age.
@@LowEndUniversity I agree with you. Geddy did as good of a job as could have been done. At times he looked in pain singing, but he was always in-tune and hitting the right notes in key, even if lower. Meat Loaf was just sad. I saw him in concert in 1994 and he was amazing. He started losing his voice around the turn of the century and by the 10's he shouldn't have been trying to sing. He was simply incapable and continuing to put himself out there was damaging to his legacy as one of the most powerful heroic tenors in rock history. I loved Meat Loaf and his later work was depressing.
Rush was the first concert I ever. saw live, It was their All the World's a Stage tour in 1976. I was fortunate enough to see them live 17 times over a number of different tours. They remain my all time favorite band. I also after that first concert and seeing Geddy play bass... went out and immediately picked up a bass and started to learn, to one day be Geddy Lee when I grew up. Of course I never became Geddy, there is only one Geddy. But I still have my Rickenbacker 4001 and still sing lead vocals. I've been in numerous bands and Geddy's playing and vocals have influenced my musical and vocal performance through many years of playing. Thank you for your video and the trip down memory lane. Your video gets four thumbs up from me! I wish you had gone to the show you missed, it would probably be one of the greatest concerts you could have ever had the pleasure to experience. Rock On! I'll be visiting your webcast again.
I have seen them live twice in my life. I live in Norway, and they have been here only twice (1979 and 2007). I saw them in 2007 in Oslo, then again in Sweden Rock festival in 2013. One of the rare moments Rush actually played at a festival. I even had a starstruck moment when, many hours before the show started, I waved at a black-clad guy with sunglasses (Alex Lifeson) and he waved back at me. I was wearing a Rush T-Shirt and tiny circular sunglasses (like Geddy Lee) and a white top-hat. My older brother was with me, and my brother was the one who introduced me to Rush. He used to play Rush from age 13 as drummer... in addition his two other musician friends from that time was with us as well. So we were ALL star struck because we saw he was obviously waving back at me - and there was nobody else in the field in front of the stage (most people were kind of low key, standing with their backs to the stage).
Just discovered your channel. Although I never played an instrument, the way you explain the idiosyncrasies of everything makes it so easy to understand. By the way the, first time I heard Rush was in 78, 2112, changed me forever. Keep up the good work and you gained a new subscriber!
first time here, love your enthusiasm while watching my favorite band. Not to rub it in, I have seen this band over 30 times starting with the Signals tour. The best live band to ever perform (my opinion). Thanks for the video, I will be watching more of your content and have subscribed to your channel. RIP The Professor!
Dude, I dont play bass and I subscribed because you do a great job, and I love Rush. This song is epic. The version from the Exit Stage Left tour in the 80's is closer to the original tempo and burns with light. Thanks so much and well done.
The Exit stage left version is my reference of Freewill. Man I listen to it a couple of times a Year (for 40 years) and the mid-solo section is still…. …out of words, out of this world…🤗
I’ve seen every tour since ‘87 and the same thing happened to me. Figured their would be a second leg of the last tour and it never happened. I’ll never get over it.
@@LowEndUniversity Check out the band YYNOT. They used to be a Rush cover band, but now have a few releases of original music that is VERY Rush inspired. The bassist, Tim Starace, is amazing! He’s got a Geddy Lee signature jazz bass and the Geddy Lee sans amp and has Geddy’s tone down perfect!
Awesome review for the most awesome band. So sorry you didn’t get to see them live. I got to see them on there moving pictures tour, and at the Hollywood bowl in 2006. Perhaps one day you could meet Geddy and Alex, or maybe interview them. I’m sure they would really appreciate this video you made about them. Great job.
Hello from Montreal, great video and thanks. Lives shows had the washing machines and chicken roasters to offset Alex’s rows of amps. Geddy didn’t have any on stage. I discovered Rush with this album when I was 15. Also realized that all this great music was being made one hour north of where I live. I definitely got into them and still am. At the time they were hanging around the old baseball team the Expos and the Canadians. I was fortunate to see them many times so blessed. Anyways Freewill is in my top ten songs . The lyrics and the solo got me really into them and it got radio airplay. Through time of over 40 years of evolution of their sound I appreciate every album. A lot of people gave up on them later but I think their last three albums are some of the best. I would maybe start at the end and work back. Take care
I saw them on their last tour, they were wonderful! Geddy played additional, amazing solos. They had a lot of fun and so did everyone watching them. They also had a funny video with them playing the parts. Lighthearted, friendly, fun, hard to dance to their unusual time signatures, but entertaining to watch people try. :)
I was 17 when a friend played Moving Pictures, the B-side. That was an eye opener, because all I had really heard was worn out stuff they played on the FM radio. I soon purchased a couple records (2112, and Farewell To Kings) and began listening to the entire albums over and over. I was a bass player, and this became my class time. I went to the Signals tour concert in Houston, and then the next tour Grace Under Pressure I was able to get 5th row seats. Amazing. Really kinda paved the way for my future. This was what I wanted to do. Im now 58 and I still love playing along with Geddy. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so sorry you never got to see them live!! I’ve seen them several times. Not as many as would have liked to, but I’m glad I did. It always was an experience! My daughters first concert on the R30 tour. It was amazing! And the first time I heard them do Mystic Rhythms live too. My daughters favorite Rush song! Geddy is the reason I play bass too! 😉
I've seen Rush more than once live, and took my son to a show in Michigan on their final tour. Fantastic virtuosos, and as somebody who plays guitar and bass I appreciate both Geddy and Alex for their skills.
Despite this being way later in their career, they sounded GREAT on this tour - I went and watched more from this show afterwards. I'm glad you got to see them live!
I saw Rush 12 times, my first Rush concert was in Corpus Christi at the Ritz theater in 1976 "2112 tour"..they were known as a "three ringed circus" because you could not watch all 3 at the same time. All three played critical iconic parts of songs because they had TONS of hits...you had to choose one of them at a time to see how they played those parts, and then go to another while missing out on the two you just watched. lol. When all 3 are busy playing very important parts of the same song you know you are watching something special. There were always plenty of fellow musicians in the audience at their concerts doing what I was doing, taking mental recordings, trying to learn from true masters.
As a drummer for many years, of course I love Rush, my first show was on the Signals tour in 82-3, I saw them 6 more times after that all the way up to my last show to see them was the Vapor Trails show at the Sminoff/Starplex in Dallas.
Nice! I live in Louisiana, so always traveling to Dallas when I can for shows. I'm sure The Professor had a profound impact on you as a drummer, much like Geddy did me!
Saw them for the last time with my son then 20 in NYC during the last tour 2015 for maybe 13th time over 33 years. We live in Ireland (they did not do any shows in europe) so seeing them in NYC was a big expense but my wife forced us to go and I am so glad she did. Will never forget Geddy and Alex coming out of the mist during the start of Xanadu both wielding their double necks, the tears were streaming down my face at 50 years of age (first time I saw them was London in 1982 Signals just after MPics when they had dropped the double necks). £3k but the memory is forever. So sad you never got to see them, gutted for you
I'm gutted too, ha! I'll just have to reminisce and enjoy the few live DVDs I own - Rock in Rio being a regular watch over the years. The memory IS forever, and you can't put a price on that. Thanks for sharing that!
I have seen the Moving Pictures tour, Signals, Grace Under Pressure, Vapor Trails and Moving Pictures/2112. They still blow my mind. Music for the musician. RIP Neil.
'What a Badass!' Truer words were never spoken. Glad to find a new bass site to check out. Hope to see more Rush on here. (Ged's the reason I play and it's great to get some in depth info on what he's doing. )
I'm not a musician, but I enjoy these reaction style videos. I was lucky enough to see Rush in Calgary. I don't remember there year, but I think it was PROBABLY their 2010/11 Time Machine Tour, although it could have been the Snakes and Arrows tour before that. I wish I had gone a second time when I had a chance later, but I'm still satisfied that I got to see them at least once.
Killer video! Geddy is such a inspiration, I learned from Portnoy, when counting to the seven, he just counts “sev” so it becomes one syllable, “sev-en” is two syllables and can throw ya off
This was the very first Rush song I ever heard (when it was new, in 1980, and I was 14 years old), and it's the entire reason I became a bass player. At the time, I was just starting to learn guitar, and I don't think I was even really aware of the "bass guitar" as a distinct instrument. My friend showed me the song, and when it got to the instrumental section, Geddy started playing ... and it was the coolest thing I'd ever heard! I asked my friend, "Wow, what instrument is that?" and he said, "That's the bass!" I was hooked. Alas, I was 19 before I finally got my own bass. But I've learned most of Geddy's lines (though I still can't play them perfectly), and since I wanted to be like Geddy I made a point of also learning to sing his vocal parts while playing his bass lines. The singing was almost as challenging - I'm a natural bass/baritone singer, so it took a lot of years and effort to be able to match Geddy's high notes!
Danny Carey and Neil were great friends, along with Chad Smith , Greg Bissonete , Taylor Hawkins Neil was also the Godfather to Taylor’s son, Doane Perry Jethro Tulls drummer , Stewart Copeland , all these guys were at the last show of Rush and attended his funeral , None of these guys had music education ,Neil took lessons for a long time from a local Drummer ,
I saw that show and the drum set rotates so he can play two different drum sets during one song. I was lucky to have front row seats. Didn't really use the seat much. RIP Neil. Too bad you didn't go see them live. It was awesome. All these great musicians are getting older now and there's no telling how long they'll be around, that's why I tell everyone to go see them if you can. Styx is touring and I hope to see them again even if Ticketmaster has totally screwed up the price of concert tickets. They do concerts sometimes that are their albums song for song, that's so cool. Rush, like you said Moving Pictures is a great one. My two favorites are YYZ and Red Barchetta.
Memories of hemispheres tour and the live energy there. Playing much of side one and most of 2112 side one as well. Geddy plays unbelievably aggressive live, with a bright almost trebly tone. Leaves no room for error.
Such a great video. Geddys a huge influence on me also. My technique is kind of a mess to but I've always played the same way & never really had issues. My big hang up is tone though. I can have a great night note wise everything but if I'm not happy with my tone...you don't want to be around me lol. I like a ringing tone with a lot of bottom end. Most bands I've played in only had one guitarist so lots of ground to cover. Had the privilege of seeing Rush around 5 times...all phenomenal including their last tour which my great wife had the wisdom to buy us tickets to see that tour I think it was a Xmas present. Anyway a buddy of mine from Buffalo NY worked for them in the early to late 80s as a lighting tech.
Thanks Joe!! If you haven’t had issues, don’t change your technique! - unless you feel pain. “Correct technique” is a strongly-recommended guidance, but not the law.
I missed a few of my favorite bands as well, but still saw hundreds of great ones. My band (the Lunar Stew Trio) played the "sunrise" spot at a three day festival and when we finished our set, in this giant barn, at about 5am...a new fan came up to me and said, "you're just like Getty Lee." This was in 2003, and unfortunately didn't hear Rush until 2013 while working at a studio. Been way too busy playing on stages as a solo and building a house, raising kids, booking and more, so no time to listen to music. Having no idea who he was referring to, I made a joke about wanting to be J Paul Getty Lee. Now having become a huge Rush fan, wish I could go back and tell him, "I'm not worthy!" Here we are opening for the New Riders, I am (as you might have guessed, on the bass). Learning to play my originals written on guitar was quite a challenge...I loved it. Great stuff, keep up the good work... Peace & love, Uncle Brother ruclips.net/video/iHa0eB4JhQg/видео.html
Loved this breakdown...especially the music theory stuff! I saw every Rush tour since I was introduced to them in 1984 and had 5th row seats to Grace Under Pressure in Kansas City. Didn't know why but as a learning guitar player it was impossible for me not to primarily listen to Peart's and Lee's drums and bass. Imagine being the lead guitarist in a band with THAT rhythm section. You are going to want to explore their instrumentals starting with La Villa Strangiato and YYZ...gratuitous individual virtuosity.
Free will is the first song I ever heard from them. My late grandfather showed them to me, and I am forever grateful for that. I'm not saying I wouldn't be into prog, but I don't think it would be as important to me as it is.
You mentioned it a few times, but as a drummer I've always appreciated the way Neil and Geddy could write (and REMEMBER!) these intricate little fills that might be different every time you hear them, and yet on the other hand could include so much improvisation and zest to the live shows rather than sticking hit for hit to the studio version. Such musicianship. I had the privilege of seeing them live three times, and all three land in my top five concerts of all time (with Dream Theater grabbing the other two slots). So sad that when I had one last chance to see them in 2016--and my 15-year old bass-playing daughter asked me to take her--money was tight and I decided not to do it. All-time favorite band.
Geddy's guitars as listed in the tour booklet from 1980. "two Rickenbacker 4001 basses, one Rickenbacker 4002 bass, one custom-modified Fender Precision, one Fender Jazz Bass, and one Rickenbacker custom double-neck, which incorporates a 4001 bass with a twelve-string guitar. All basses are equipped with Badass bridges and Roto-Sound strings, and a Roland chorus is used on the guitar".
I've lucky enough to have seen them 3 times. After I saw the Vapor Trails tour, a week later I bought a crafted in Japan Getty Lee Jazz bass, and still have it. Getty is definitely one of my mentors and the main thing I stole from him is using my index finger for 16th note riffs. The guys I jam with do a cover of Anthrax's Only, and I do the 16th notes with my index. Love your videos, keep them coming.
"When someone asked you if you wanted to see Rush you say YES" I regret only seeing them live once during the Roll the Bones tour in 1992. I've seen a lot of shows but theirs will always be the best I ever saw.
Everyone: “There’s no such thing as a ‘band solo’!”
Rush: “Hold my Canadian ale”
🤣🤣
I'd prefer "maple sirup" :)
Haha! Whenever someone asks me for *thee* Rush song they should listen to, I give them 'Freewill', with the caveat that they have to listen to it 4 times; once overall, then one each for bass, guitar, and drums! This song showcases EVERYTHING that Rush is known for!
Hold my Molson, MF 😂🤣☠️
Love it
To me, the solo section in this song is the embodiment of the meaning of the name of the song, "Freewill". They all 3 break away in their own directions and yet stay in harmony. Absolute genius!
Interesting point! Thanks Shane!!
Yup… I love that section..it pure artistic joy….
That solo section is pure genius! I 110% agree with that phrase! Such great writers!
@@marsdrums62981000%. THAT SOLO. THAT BASS TONE. THOSE 16th NOTES 🤤
Thank God I got to see this band live 19 times. Best band I ever saw or ever will see. Master musicians. Master performers.
Man, SO jealous! When was your first Rush concert?
@@LowEndUniversity 1979. Short tour rehearsing before recording Permanent Waves. They played slightly different early versions of Free Will and Spirit of Radio. I knew little about them before that show but left a confirmed fan for life. Actually met Geddy and Alex after a show in either 80 or 81. Got autographs on the ticket stub.
Oh man. That sounds unforgettable! Thanks for sharing Ken.
Saw them around 6 times. Power Windows (1985) up to Vapor Trails(2002).
Totally agree, Ken. Saw them 27 times from 1984-2015 and had one great Feedback-era meet and greet at XM studios with 40 people and Al and Ged. They played 3 songs off of the Feeback EP as well as Resist. Magical.
When you said that you had a chance to see RUSH, but passed on it because you were busy and always thought that you would have another chance to see them - it made me think of their last tour. I've seen RUSH 8 times, but I'm sort of in the same boat as you when it comes to their last tour. I was so busy working my full-time job and gigging every weekend in my band that I couldn't catch them the last time that they were in Wisconsin. I told myself that I would definitely set time aside to see them the next time they came back to the state, and then Neil passed. RIP Professor. I'm still kicking myself for not seeing them on their last tour.
Hey, don't sweat it - at least you got to see them! I screwed up and passed on it! I'll never forget the day Neil passed - super vivid memory when I got that news. We will both always have their music and plethora of live videos to remember. I appreciate you stopping by!
How Alex, Geddy and Neil found each other, clicked and became this perfect trio is just astounding
The bass line beginning at 14:28 is absolutely beautiful. The bridge/solo section in this song is my favorite Rush moment. All three guys just ripping for a full minute, and it's 100% musical.
I know!! It's firing on all cylinders, reeling it in when it's the chorus, and blowing it out elsewhere - but so intelligently done.
It's peak Rush
I've had the pleasure of seeing Rush 16 times, starting with the Signals tour in 1982. I only missed the Snakes and Arrows tour, due to double pneumonia, and that was a game time decision, as I literally couldn't breathe. They were one of the best live bands EVER! I took my daughter to my last 2 shows, which was very emotional. As a drummer/guitarist, I'm almost obligated to be a Rush fan. Neil, and Alex are huge influences on my playing style. Many hours spent learning how to play the parts, and not a single minute I consider to be wasted. TOOL and Rush are my 2 favorite bands. New subscriber. Great channel!
I got to see them do Moving Pictures and 2112 in their entirety. 2112 was an outdoor concert right after Neil came back from all the tragedy he had in his life. He was so tight. Mind-blowing. Took my son to their last tour. He was like 10 at the time and I am so glad I got a chance to experience that with him.
That’s unbelievably cool. So jealous of you all!
I had read somewhere that they always looked at guitar solos as band solos. Also The chickens and later the dryers was something Geddy did to balance out the stage when Alex was still using amps and Geddy would plug directly into the PA or however they actually did things.
"What is all that?" Alex jokingly had a bunch of barbie dolls holding signs of admiration since there aren't many female fans in the crowd. Pretty hilarious 😂
LOL! I keep finding new reasons to love them even more. Thanks for the info!
The roadies and crew rotated all types of post-it notes that the Barbie's held up lol. True story. Hilarious.
But in South America, chicks dig Rush. It's very curious. Yeah, I have been to enough Rush concerts to know Black Sabbath and Rush concerts weren't places to meet girls LoL! Black Sabbath had more Hispanic fans than Rush so it was a little different. Rush was a lot of us white boys. Who aren't racist. It's very interesting how cool white guys went to Rush concerts and girls were being taught to like bubble gum music. It was like an unintended Planned Parenthood or something.
😂😂😂 I never noticed. 🤔 That’s choice!! 🤣🤣
I loved the short video Rush did with Paul Rudd and Jason Segel (that tied into their appearance on "I Love You, Man" and the 2010 Time Machine tour) where Alex, Geddy, and Neil are talking while coming back stage... Neil says, "Seven females at a Rush concert, must be some kind of world's record." Through it all, no matter how popular they got, they always managed to keep a self-effacing sense of humor about themselves and never took it all too seriously!
ruclips.net/video/iq3yjfoorsU/видео.html
First time here. Geddy and Alex are both self taught as were alot of musicians at that time. Geddy started out playing guitar but the band in the early years needed a bass player as the one they had quit. It was then he switched to bass. I don't know if you have ever seen it but there is sn excellent documentary called Beyond the Lighted Stage. I think you would really enjoy it.
Cheers 🇨🇦
Hey Debbie, thanks for stopping by. I LOVE that documentary - such a perfect story of the band. Cheers!
@Debbie Plato - I agree! Such a great documentary, and I've watched it quite a few times, too 😊 The only thing that had bothered me at the time it was released was how all the guys (Joe Black, Billy Pumpkin, JS Bach, etc.) were talking about Rush in the Past Tense, while the band was actually still touring and releasing new albums: "They were this", "They were that"... Sadly it's apt when watching 'Beyond The Lighted Stage' today! 😔
The washing machines and, later, rotisseries were just a joke since Geddy switched to an amp-less stage setup a few years earlier. The band's sense of humor was in full effect. I saw them on this tour with the rotisseries and a highlight was that a chef came out on stage a few times and basted them! (My understanding is that the chickens *were* real, and were really cooking - it was to feed the crew after the show each night!)
Love it!!
Geddy stated in an interview: “I hit the bass so damn hard that you can hear the frets whack and the string hitting the pickup. I’m a bit of an animal!”
I believe that, verbatim - it is SUCH a part of his sound that so many people forget. And it's iconic!
I actually attack my bass the same way he does. Too bad I don’t sound as good at it as he does!! 🤣🤣🤣
That’s all subjective! If it sounds good to you, that’s what’s important 💫
@@LowEndUniversityGeddy Lee is why I hit the strings so hard, and can't turn it off! I wouldn't do well in a pop or jazz band lol.
I also saw them on that tour, my first time seeing them. Immediately picked up my Geddy Jazz Bass when I got home.
Lucky to have seen them once live. 1992 Roll the Bones tour in Germany. Primus was opener. Probably the greatest concert I ever attended.
Saw that tour at MSG. First Primus! Great show!
Geddy noticed the giant mountain of amps and cabs that Alex used and wanted something to even out the stage. First he used washing machines that they used to clean the crews clothes. Then to change things up they used rotisserie chicken ovens and cooked dinner for the crew. Nice, hilarious and twisted Rush in a nutshell.
Geddy was my first bass influence. Amazing playing all the time. I was fortunate seeing them live like 3 times but not in the early days as I would have liked.
One of my favorite lines from RUSH is "Life is just a candle and a dream, must give it flame". It is from the song " The fountain of Lamneth".
Profound stuff!
Easily my Favorite album👊🏼
Great reaction, and a real good choice for the performance. I love the clarity of the instruments and especially Geddy on Bass. Loved your insights into the playing and song.
Just found you. Dang, what a radio voice and intelligent conversation. I really enjoyed this video and I can't play any instruments. Your demeanor exudes humility and respect. It's rare nowadays. Much respect! Subscribed.
Dang, Randall - that means a lot to hear. Having fun with these, and I appreciate you subscribing and stopping by. Stay tuned for more!
Even as a 46 year die hard rush fan I'm still shocked at just how talented they actually were. RIP Neil.
Yeah, sure. Whatever you say.
Whatever I say? How about you are a colossal pile of dog, Bull, And horse shit. Not necessarily in that order asshole
One of the lucky ones to see them live. Seeing videos of them live gives a small inkling of what they are like live. They are insanely good, great sound, great music from absurdly great musicians. Saw them in Austin for the R40 tour. Clock work angels was one hell of an album to end on
Man. Another great deep dive!
Like you, I’ve always been amazed at how much/how well Geddy “fills the space”. As to “what can we do with three guys”... Exit: Stage Left’s “Xanadu”.
The chickens/washing machines in the background came from Geddy’s use of DI hardware and in-ear monitors. No more need for stage amps, so they had to put something there! As a joke, you’ll see that they would “mic up” the washing machines on stage!
Fantastic stuff, man. I also appreciate the parallel between Rush and Tool. Keep the fantastic content coming.
Travis Q
These solos feel…Huge. I know, most all their solos are big but, Alex is making that guitar scream, WOW!! And Geddy is freakin plucking the crap out of those strings. Just be incredible!!!
A big part of Geddy's sound earlier on was that he was moving a shitload of air with his technique and a cranked amplifier with a 15" speaker. One guy that emulates Geddy's sound very well is Tim Starace from the band YYNot.
When I saw the R30 tour, Geddy was experimenting with tumble driers and/or chicken rotisserie cabinets as an upgrade from his old 15" cabinet, and they sounded great.
It's a shame you never got to see them live... I attended at least one of every tour from Grace Under Pressure up until their final R40 tour. I was also so grateful that I was able to take both of my kids to Rush concerts and introduce them to real musicians playing real music!
You would have absolutely loved the theme behind the final tour, and I highly recommend finding a copy of the R40 BluRay to watch. Basically, they came on stage with the same setup as the Clockwork Angels tour (the tour right before the R40 concert) and then started playing many of their most popular songs in reverse chronological order. As they were doing this, every so often, the roadies would come on stage and start stripping down and altering the set. Next thing you know, they have the setup from Snakes & Arrows, then Roll the Bones, and so and and so on. By the time they got to the end of the show and the encore, they were playing songs from their first two or three albums and the stage was completely stripped down to a single speaker sitting on a folding chair in a mock-up of a high school gymnasium. In three hours, they took you on a journey from the height of their stardom all the way back to the time they were three unknown Canadian lads working for snacks back in their old home town. It was poignant, well thought out, and a perfect way to say thank you to the fans.
It was definitely one of the best concerts I've ever been to, as you could tell it absolutely meant something to each member of the band... and to all the fans in attendance as well.
It sure is. That's an incredible thing to say you've seen, super jealous, especially because you got to take your kiddos. Yep - my stepdad and his brother were the ones who invited me to see the R40 show, and they told me that exact thing. It kind of reminds me of the last Eagles tour (which I DID see in 2015), where they did the same type of reverse-chronology on their songs, production, and even had an ex-band member out with them. A shame I missed it.
Out of the Rush concerts I have seen, R40 was the best and a fitting last tour to an amazing career.
In the early years they were unmatched. I started following them with Fly By Night and Rush would come to the New York / New Jersey area and we would catch them 2-3 times from Motion Pictures through Power Windows and then catch them time to time over the rest of their career. 15,000 fans playing the air drums, singing along, slapping their leg like a bass. The best times. Almost Cult like.
Rush - three massively talented musicians who played without ego. Neil was (almost!) always happy for Geddy to play with his lyrics, Alex didn’t have to be the centre of attention all of the time but Neil and Geddy knew how important he was to the band in every way. Geddy - the most humble frontman there has been. Together they were incredible. I saw them twice and wish I had seen them more often. Sadly we won’t see them live again but I feel lucky to have seen them at the peak of their powers - unbelievable live with fans who knew every beat of their music.
Can't get enough of these man. I never got a chance to see them live either unfortunately. To me they were always an amazing prog rock gatekeeping force that reigned supreme between the og 60s and 70s guys and the late 80s and 90s prog metal groups. Love it!
Thanks so much as always Aaron! I guess we’ll have to reminisce on these videos 😌…I certainly wish I would’ve went.
People overlook how incredibly hard the drums are in this part. For people who know what he’s playing they know it’s insane
Absolutely no one is overlooking the difficulty of this music.
@@whatdothlife4660 I’m going to bet my house you have no clue on what is going on during the guitar solo. Half of what he’s playing is drowned out by the guitar and bass
I bought Drum Techniques of Rush in 1986, fifteen songs, Freewill was fourth. If you're gonna learn to read drum music on your own, Rush and Modern Drummer magazine did the trick!
Yes, solo section is nuts, BUT the really cool thing is, you can see the formation of 'the Neil Peart beat' in the making.
His signature beat is just the solo section of Freewill (6/4 here) with the left hand ghosting the snare instead of laying into every note.
Saw them on the Snakes and Arrows tour, first ever Rush concert, it was amazing, then saw them again on the Clockwork Angels Tour. Got to meet Geddy at his book signing in a Costco of all places haha, I was so nervous.
JEALOUS OF YOU!!!
Nice man!! I still want to get one of his books for my studio. Thanks for stopping in man, hope you’ve been well!
Idk where I read or heard it but Geddy said the washer/dryers and rotisserie chickens and stuff were always just to fill up his side of the stage since Alex always has his stacks, but Geddy went direct so didn’t have any cabs
It’s hysterical and I love it!
@@LowEndUniversity When he would use the dryers, there were apparently special shirts you could only get from him tossing them out if he felt good that day.
@@marksherrick Yes, I was at a couple concerts where they did that... either Alex or Geddy would toss out shirts and, sometimes, some of the roadies would actually come up and move the laundry around like they were changing loads and would throw a bunch of shirts out into the crowd. I was never lucky enough to catch one!
Geddy used both his '72 Jazz bass and '77 Rickenbacker 4001 on the Permanent Waves album. Reference June 1980 Guitar Player Magazine interview in which Geddy states he had just gotten the Jazz bass and used it on half the album. Three songs are Jazz bass - Spirit of Radio, Entre Nous, Different Strings. The other three songs are the Ric - Freewill, Jacob's Ladder, Natural Science. Easy to tell the difference between basses when listening through a good set of headphones as the bass tracks are recorded very cleanly on this album.
This is why I love the RUclips community - people like you who comment and fill in cool facts that I’m scratching my head about. Love it!! You have the most accurate fact so far on it. Thank you for this!
It's probably not a 77, he bought a new 74 after they got signed and then recorded Fly By Night. He bought another 4001 later, but probably before 77. He liked the low end bette on his Jazz, but, his Ricky still sounds the best to me. Maybe because I play a 77 4001 lol
@@johnvrabec9747 He's did have more than one Rickenbacker 4001. His first one is a late '73 which he used from Fly By Night thru Farewell to Kings album and tours and by 1979 it was stripped of its black finish and is now natural maple. His second was a '77 he used from Hemispheres thru Signals. He still owns both of them. But the '77 4001 was his preferred Ric once he started using it, until he started using the Jazz bass which would eventually become his #1.
I saw them 6 times over a 30 year period, Rush rocks. Listen to their 2112 album, it’s a masterpiece
RIP Neil.
I regularly spin that one!! It's fantastic, and timeless.
Thanks to Geddy, I got started into bass and keys. Long story short, I attended university and studied jazz, classical music. I believe that music that captures the listener's attention and alters their life in a positive way regardless of age, and continues to provide inspiration after all these years has accomplished we beyond its original intent
More Rush! Geddy has so many iconic bass lines, would love to see you do a video on the Cygnus series!
More to come! There are so many good choices, I had a hard time deciding!! 😅
I am by far, not a musician.
I have learned that a musician is able to hear so much more of a song than someone like me.
Ive been a Rush fan sence about 79. I remember when Permanent Waves came out. I was 13.
They just completely blew me away. I thought I knew everything about all their music through Moving Pictures.
RUclips comes around and guys like you talk about all this and it opens me up to so much more of songs that I have been listening to for 40+ years.
It's almost like a new Rush song when things I didn't notice come to mind.
Thanks man, really appreciate it!
Oh, saw them for the Signals tour.
Wish I wasn't so stoned. Don't remember most of it..
20:03 Me too, man. I'm 35 now and have been a Rush fan for as long as I can remember, (Thanks Dad!). RIP Neil.
The greatest rock band of all time. Btw I enjoyed you playing along a one point very interesting even for someone that doesn’t understand the science of music great video great react. Go Rush 4 ever
Thanks Alex! I appreciate that. I can't help but play along when Rush is on, ha!
I’ve never seen this particular live performance of Freewill til now, and I gotta say, this is the most I’ve ever seen Geddy stretch a out and deviate from the original bass solo jam part. He’s all over the place!!
Good breakdown Mark.
Thanks so much! I haven't either. At first glance, I thought it was Rush In Rio, which is one of my favorite live DVDs of all time. I wasn't aware they had a 2007 official live recording like this, and it's spectacular. Appreciate you stopping by!
Another great one, Mark! Freewill, a great display of their musicianship. Another one is The Spirit of Radio, where they double riff over Neil’s drum fills.🔥 Also, a lesser know track, off Signals, Digital Man, check out what Ged does on that. 🤯
Thanks G!! Appreciate your time to check these out. Having fun! I was contemplating Spirit, Xanadu, or this for my first one - the choice is so hard! Hope you’re well!
I love how even in a bass reaction video, Neil’s incredibly calculated playing is what truly blew my mind. The influence of these three will be felt for generations.
Loving this style of content Mark ❤️ Keep it up!
Thanks! Will do! 💥🙏🏼
I was lucky enough to see them numerous times. I was a little young to see them in the heyday of the late 70s early 80s, but I saw them for the first time at Wembley Arena (I was on a senior class trip to the UK and me and a buddy snuck away for the evening) in 1988 on the Hold Your Fire Tour, after that I saw Presto, Roll the Bones, and Counterparts all in Worcester, MA. then in Mansfield, MA when they came back in 2002 for Vapor Trails and in Boston for the Moving Pics Tour and then Clockwork Angels. I was able to take my son to see his first concert in Alpharetta, GA to see the R40 tour. It was a soggy night, but he had a blast.
Geddy and neil were always checking on each other. They had a connection , this is true musicianship
I had the privilege of seeing them 49 times from 1982 when I was 12 through every tour until the final tour in 2015 (the one you were invited to) when I was 45. That's a lot of years and a lot of life and experiences. The biggest compliment I can give them is that they always brought all they had on the night I saw them. I never felt ripped-off or felt they were "done" or "over the hill". Even as they (& I) got a little older, they were always in top form. And even the rare occasion someone hit a bum note or a missed cue, it was charming because of the standard they set.
I can think of no other band other than perhaps the Beatles who ended their career so much still in their prime. And unlike the Beatles, Rush actually loved each other. I think for a band like Rush that was vital. They left on top. You may want to check out and review their final record 'Clockwork Angels' and really concentrate on songs like 'The Garden', 'Caravan' & 'Headlong Flight'. It just show three men nearing 60 years of age at that time still pushing, still creating and still on their game.
Good GOD that's awesome, almost 50 times. I don't think I've ever seen a band more than 5 times. Love your Rush loyalty! They are true gems and amazing humans from what i've seen. Their music will live on for centuries in my mind.
As much as I love Rush, I have to acknowledge that Ged's vocals had deteriorated quite a bit... don't get me wrong, unlike other heroic tenors who lost their ability to actually stay in-tune late in their careers (Meat Loaf), Geddy could still stay in tune... he just no longer has the range or ability to hit the high notes from the older tracks. The newer songs were written with that in mind, but the older songs were never the same in the later years. It almost looks painful when you watch him sing those songs. I do like his newer vocal style, but I missed his amazing vocals from yesteryear. When I saw Rush on Presto + Roll the Bones + Counterparts tours, he was still able to hit most everything.... but that was pretty much the tail end of it.
I'm 23 and had the fortunate blessing of seeing them 12 times from 2007-2015, the first being the snakes and arrows tour for my 8th birthday and the last being, yes, the final show at the forum on r40. me and my dad, who like you has seen them upwards of 40 times since he was around 14 or 15, flew cross country to LA catch the last 2 shows at the verizon amphitheater and the forum. i will genuinely cherish that last show until the day i die. like you said they were in top form every time they came around up until the very end. there really is no other band like rush
That’s just the reality of your instrument being one that deteriorates with age…I thought he adjusted the older songs very tastefully. But yeah, always a bit sad seeing vocalists age.
@@LowEndUniversity I agree with you. Geddy did as good of a job as could have been done. At times he looked in pain singing, but he was always in-tune and hitting the right notes in key, even if lower. Meat Loaf was just sad. I saw him in concert in 1994 and he was amazing. He started losing his voice around the turn of the century and by the 10's he shouldn't have been trying to sing. He was simply incapable and continuing to put himself out there was damaging to his legacy as one of the most powerful heroic tenors in rock history. I loved Meat Loaf and his later work was depressing.
Rush was the first concert I ever. saw live, It was their All the World's a Stage tour in 1976. I was fortunate enough to see them live 17 times over a number of different tours. They remain my all time favorite band. I also after that first concert and seeing Geddy play bass... went out and immediately picked up a bass and started to learn, to one day be Geddy Lee when I grew up. Of course I never became Geddy, there is only one Geddy. But I still have my Rickenbacker 4001 and still sing lead vocals. I've been in numerous bands and Geddy's playing and vocals have influenced my musical and vocal performance through many years of playing. Thank you for your video and the trip down memory lane. Your video gets four thumbs up from me! I wish you had gone to the show you missed, it would probably be one of the greatest concerts you could have ever had the pleasure to experience. Rock On! I'll be visiting your webcast again.
Man, I'd kill to own a 4001 these days. Maybe one day I can find one. Thanks Mark!
My personal favorite of that era . Keep your LIMELIGHTS and red barchettas. And the guitar solo is
Epic
.thanks for the deepdive
You characterize Rush perfectly. Just legends. There'll never be another band like them
There won't be! Nailed it.
I saw every tour since Permanent Waves. Great video. Great breakdown. We always wanted to be Rush way back when. Ooo for the good ole days again.
Thank you Steve, that's incredible that you've seen them live so consistently. Appreciate the kind words!
I have seen them live twice in my life. I live in Norway, and they have been here only twice (1979 and 2007). I saw them in 2007 in Oslo, then again in Sweden Rock festival in 2013. One of the rare moments Rush actually played at a festival. I even had a starstruck moment when, many hours before the show started, I waved at a black-clad guy with sunglasses (Alex Lifeson) and he waved back at me. I was wearing a Rush T-Shirt and tiny circular sunglasses (like Geddy Lee) and a white top-hat. My older brother was with me, and my brother was the one who introduced me to Rush. He used to play Rush from age 13 as drummer... in addition his two other musician friends from that time was with us as well. So we were ALL star struck because we saw he was obviously waving back at me - and there was nobody else in the field in front of the stage (most people were kind of low key, standing with their backs to the stage).
Ha! Such a cool story to have. I hear they are very down-to-Earth guys and a pleasure to chat with.
Just discovered your channel. Although I never played an instrument, the way you explain the idiosyncrasies of everything makes it so easy to understand. By the way the, first time I heard Rush was in 78, 2112, changed me forever. Keep up the good work and you gained a new subscriber!
first time here, love your enthusiasm while watching my favorite band. Not to rub it in, I have seen this band over 30 times starting with the Signals tour. The best live band to ever perform (my opinion). Thanks for the video, I will be watching more of your content and have subscribed to your channel. RIP The Professor!
Dude, I dont play bass and I subscribed because you do a great job, and I love Rush. This song is epic. The version from the Exit Stage Left tour in the 80's is closer to the original tempo and burns with light. Thanks so much and well done.
Thanks so much Matthew! I appreciate the sub! I love ESL era live shows, but this one showed Geddy a lot more up close when I compared.
The Exit stage left version is my reference of Freewill. Man I listen to it a couple of times a Year (for 40 years) and the mid-solo section is still…. …out of words, out of this world…🤗
I’ve seen every tour since ‘87 and the same thing happened to me. Figured their would be a second leg of the last tour and it never happened. I’ll never get over it.
I saw this tour in 2008. 13th row in front of Geddy. Best concert I've ever been to!
Amazing!
@@LowEndUniversity Check out the band YYNOT. They used to be a Rush cover band, but now have a few releases of original music that is VERY Rush inspired. The bassist, Tim Starace, is amazing! He’s got a Geddy Lee signature jazz bass and the Geddy Lee sans amp and has Geddy’s tone down perfect!
I’ll check ‘em out!!
Awesome review for the most awesome band. So sorry you didn’t get to see them live. I got to see them on there moving pictures tour, and at the Hollywood bowl in 2006. Perhaps one day you could meet Geddy and Alex, or maybe interview them. I’m sure they would really appreciate this video you made about them. Great job.
I've only seen Rush twice. The Counterparts tour in the 90s, and Snakes and Arrows in 2007, in Indiana. Loved it!
This was fantastic. I'd love to see you do more Rush
Thanks Randall! Will do! I appreciate that so much.
Hello from Montreal, great video and thanks. Lives shows had the washing machines and chicken roasters to offset Alex’s rows of amps. Geddy didn’t have any on stage. I discovered Rush with this album when I was 15. Also realized that all this great music was being made one hour north of where I live. I definitely got into them and still am. At the time they were hanging around the old baseball team the Expos and the Canadians. I was fortunate to see them many times so blessed. Anyways Freewill is in my top ten songs . The lyrics and the solo got me really into them and it got radio airplay. Through time of over 40 years of evolution of their sound I appreciate every album. A lot of people gave up on them later but I think their last three albums are some of the best. I would maybe start at the end and work back. Take care
One of my favorite Rush songs. Had the pleasure of seeing them live in '91. ☮
I bet that show was killer!! Jealous!
Was that the 'Roll The Bones' Tour? That's when I would've been able to see them that one time but didn't! 😔
@@mightyV444 Yes it was. Great memory.
@@LowEndUniversity So good!
I saw them on their last tour, they were wonderful! Geddy played additional, amazing solos. They had a lot of fun and so did everyone watching them. They also had a funny video with them playing the parts. Lighthearted, friendly, fun, hard to dance to their unusual time signatures, but entertaining to watch people try. :)
Hey, my friend, I saw RUSH in 1988. in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Best live band ever!!!👍
I was 17 when a friend played Moving Pictures, the B-side. That was an eye opener, because all I had really heard was worn out stuff they played on the FM radio. I soon purchased a couple records (2112, and Farewell To Kings) and began listening to the entire albums over and over. I was a bass player, and this became my class time. I went to the Signals tour concert in Houston, and then the next tour Grace Under Pressure I was able to get 5th row seats. Amazing. Really kinda paved the way for my future. This was what I wanted to do. Im now 58 and I still love playing along with Geddy. Thanks for sharing.
Thank YOU for sharing all of that - super cool history you have as a fan. I'm so jealous of that!
I’m so sorry you never got to see them live!! I’ve seen them several times. Not as many as would have liked to, but I’m glad I did. It always was an experience! My daughters first concert on the R30 tour. It was amazing! And the first time I heard them do Mystic Rhythms live too. My daughters favorite Rush song! Geddy is the reason I play bass too! 😉
They are unbelievably amazing.
Never could get into the 80s Rush, but would never deny that it's better than most things!
I've seen Rush more than once live, and took my son to a show in Michigan on their final tour. Fantastic virtuosos, and as somebody who plays guitar and bass I appreciate both Geddy and Alex for their skills.
Very cool! Awesome to hear younger generations seeing Rush. I really wish I’d have gone to see them.
I loved the Snakes & Arrows tour......I bought a many of plane ticket for that tour. The memories......the joys......the tears!
Despite this being way later in their career, they sounded GREAT on this tour - I went and watched more from this show afterwards. I'm glad you got to see them live!
I was so fortunate to see them 5 times. Thank you for your breakdown
That's awesome. I appreciate that, Jean-Paul! Glad you stopped by.
I saw Rush 12 times, my first Rush concert was in Corpus Christi at the Ritz theater in 1976 "2112 tour"..they were known as a "three ringed circus" because you could not watch all 3 at the same time. All three played critical iconic parts of songs because they had TONS of hits...you had to choose one of them at a time to see how they played those parts, and then go to another while missing out on the two you just watched. lol. When all 3 are busy playing very important parts of the same song you know you are watching something special. There were always plenty of fellow musicians in the audience at their concerts doing what I was doing, taking mental recordings, trying to learn from true masters.
12 times?! So cool. I'd have given anything to see them in those days. Thanks for sharing that!
As a drummer for many years, of course I love Rush, my first show was on the Signals tour in 82-3, I saw them 6 more times after that all the way up to my last show to see them was the Vapor Trails show at the Sminoff/Starplex in Dallas.
Nice! I live in Louisiana, so always traveling to Dallas when I can for shows. I'm sure The Professor had a profound impact on you as a drummer, much like Geddy did me!
Saw them for the last time with my son then 20 in NYC during the last tour 2015 for maybe 13th time over 33 years. We live in Ireland (they did not do any shows in europe) so seeing them in NYC was a big expense but my wife forced us to go and I am so glad she did. Will never forget Geddy and Alex coming out of the mist during the start of Xanadu both wielding their double necks, the tears were streaming down my face at 50 years of age (first time I saw them was London in 1982 Signals just after MPics when they had dropped the double necks). £3k but the memory is forever. So sad you never got to see them, gutted for you
I'm gutted too, ha! I'll just have to reminisce and enjoy the few live DVDs I own - Rock in Rio being a regular watch over the years. The memory IS forever, and you can't put a price on that. Thanks for sharing that!
So glad I got to see them a couple times over the years. So sad Neil is gone. He had a very rough last 7 years.
I have seen the Moving Pictures tour, Signals, Grace Under Pressure, Vapor Trails and Moving Pictures/2112. They still blow my mind. Music for the musician. RIP Neil.
I think you have the tone as close as anyone I've heard! Good job.
Really appreciate that! Got it as close as I could with completely different equipment. Thank you!
Great analysis. Enjoying these videos.
Thank you so much! Much appreciated.
'What a Badass!' Truer words were never spoken.
Glad to find a new bass site to check out. Hope to see more Rush on here. (Ged's the reason I play and it's great to get some in depth info on what he's doing. )
More to come! He’s also the reason I play. It never gets old watching him. Thanks for the kind words!
I'm not a musician, but I enjoy these reaction style videos. I was lucky enough to see Rush in Calgary. I don't remember there year, but I think it was PROBABLY their 2010/11 Time Machine Tour, although it could have been the Snakes and Arrows tour before that. I wish I had gone a second time when I had a chance later, but I'm still satisfied that I got to see them at least once.
I was lucky enough to see them 19 times in St. Louis. Always epic. Analog Kid off Signals my favorite.
Killer video! Geddy is such a inspiration, I learned from Portnoy, when counting to the seven, he just counts “sev” so it becomes one syllable, “sev-en” is two syllables and can throw ya off
Dude! This was so enjoyable to watch. New to your channel. Die hard Rush fan over here. Respect bro!
This was the very first Rush song I ever heard (when it was new, in 1980, and I was 14 years old), and it's the entire reason I became a bass player. At the time, I was just starting to learn guitar, and I don't think I was even really aware of the "bass guitar" as a distinct instrument. My friend showed me the song, and when it got to the instrumental section, Geddy started playing ... and it was the coolest thing I'd ever heard! I asked my friend, "Wow, what instrument is that?" and he said, "That's the bass!" I was hooked. Alas, I was 19 before I finally got my own bass. But I've learned most of Geddy's lines (though I still can't play them perfectly), and since I wanted to be like Geddy I made a point of also learning to sing his vocal parts while playing his bass lines. The singing was almost as challenging - I'm a natural bass/baritone singer, so it took a lot of years and effort to be able to match Geddy's high notes!
Danny Carey and Neil were great friends, along with Chad Smith , Greg Bissonete , Taylor Hawkins Neil was also the Godfather to Taylor’s son, Doane Perry Jethro Tulls drummer , Stewart Copeland , all these guys were at the last show of Rush and attended his funeral , None of these guys had music education ,Neil took lessons for a long time from a local Drummer ,
Super cool! It’s one big musical family out there.
I saw that show and the drum set rotates so he can play two different drum sets during one song. I was lucky to have front row seats. Didn't really use the seat much. RIP Neil. Too bad you didn't go see them live. It was awesome. All these great musicians are getting older now and there's no telling how long they'll be around, that's why I tell everyone to go see them if you can. Styx is touring and I hope to see them again even if Ticketmaster has totally screwed up the price of concert tickets. They do concerts sometimes that are their albums song for song, that's so cool.
Rush, like you said Moving Pictures is a great one. My two favorites are YYZ and Red Barchetta.
I saw RUSH in Denver back in the 2000s and it was AMAZING. Could have seen Boston and Ozzy but for some reason, I passed on it.
I truly enjoy your videos a lot. Thanks!
Memories of hemispheres tour and the live energy there. Playing much of side one and most of 2112 side one as well. Geddy plays unbelievably aggressive live, with a bright almost trebly tone. Leaves no room for error.
Such a great video. Geddys a huge influence on me also. My technique is kind of a mess to but I've always played the same way & never really had issues. My big hang up is tone though. I can have a great night note wise everything but if I'm not happy with my tone...you don't want to be around me lol. I like a ringing tone with a lot of bottom end. Most bands I've played in only had one guitarist so lots of ground to cover. Had the privilege of seeing Rush around 5 times...all phenomenal including their last tour which my great wife had the wisdom to buy us tickets to see that tour I think it was a Xmas present. Anyway a buddy of mine from Buffalo NY worked for them in the early to late 80s as a lighting tech.
Thanks Joe!! If you haven’t had issues, don’t change your technique! - unless you feel pain. “Correct technique” is a strongly-recommended guidance, but not the law.
I missed a few of my favorite bands as well, but still saw hundreds of great ones. My band (the Lunar Stew Trio) played the "sunrise" spot at a three day festival and when we finished our set, in this giant barn, at about 5am...a new fan came up to me and said, "you're just like Getty Lee." This was in 2003, and unfortunately didn't hear Rush until 2013 while working at a studio. Been way too busy playing on stages as a solo and building a house, raising kids, booking and more, so no time to listen to music. Having no idea who he was referring to, I made a joke about wanting to be J Paul Getty Lee. Now having become a huge Rush fan, wish I could go back and tell him, "I'm not worthy!" Here we are opening for the New Riders, I am (as you might have guessed, on the bass). Learning to play my originals written on guitar was quite a challenge...I loved it. Great stuff, keep up the good work... Peace & love, Uncle Brother ruclips.net/video/iHa0eB4JhQg/видео.html
Sorry you never got to see them live. A real treat.
I bet. And, I'm sorry too, haha! : /
Loved this breakdown...especially the music theory stuff! I saw every Rush tour since I was introduced to them in 1984 and had 5th row seats to Grace Under Pressure in Kansas City. Didn't know why but as a learning guitar player it was impossible for me not to primarily listen to Peart's and Lee's drums and bass. Imagine being the lead guitarist in a band with THAT rhythm section. You are going to want to explore their instrumentals starting with La Villa Strangiato and YYZ...gratuitous individual virtuosity.
Free will is the first song I ever heard from them. My late grandfather showed them to me, and I am forever grateful for that. I'm not saying I wouldn't be into prog, but I don't think it would be as important to me as it is.
That’s awesome!! It’s cool how everyone’s musical journeys are so unique to things like specific songs / albums. Thanks for sharing!
You mentioned it a few times, but as a drummer I've always appreciated the way Neil and Geddy could write (and REMEMBER!) these intricate little fills that might be different every time you hear them, and yet on the other hand could include so much improvisation and zest to the live shows rather than sticking hit for hit to the studio version. Such musicianship.
I had the privilege of seeing them live three times, and all three land in my top five concerts of all time (with Dream Theater grabbing the other two slots). So sad that when I had one last chance to see them in 2016--and my 15-year old bass-playing daughter asked me to take her--money was tight and I decided not to do it. All-time favorite band.
Saw them five times including three with my kids. Tremendous 😎😎😎
That’s so cool!!
Geddy Lee dosen't suck. He BLOWS!!!
Now this is fun!
I had fun as well!
Great breakdown! I love Rush. I'm not surprised you stumbled into BAND-MAID.
Thanks so much!
Speaking of their last tour have you ever heard headlong flight? That baseline is sick!
I don't think so! Some of Rush's later albums I admittedly haven't fully checked out. I'll look it up!
Geddy's guitars as listed in the tour booklet from 1980. "two Rickenbacker 4001 basses, one Rickenbacker 4002 bass, one custom-modified Fender Precision, one Fender Jazz Bass, and one Rickenbacker custom double-neck, which incorporates a 4001 bass with a twelve-string guitar. All basses are equipped with Badass bridges and Roto-Sound strings, and a Roland chorus is used on the guitar".
The score has been settled, ha! Thanks for sharing Jeff!
I've lucky enough to have seen them 3 times. After I saw the Vapor Trails tour, a week later I bought a crafted in Japan Getty Lee Jazz bass, and still have it. Getty is definitely one of my mentors and the main thing I stole from him is using my index finger for 16th note riffs. The guys I jam with do a cover of Anthrax's Only, and I do the 16th notes with my index. Love your videos, keep them coming.
"When someone asked you if you wanted to see Rush you say YES"
I regret only seeing them live once during the Roll the Bones tour in 1992. I've seen a lot of shows but theirs will always be the best I ever saw.