Life Long RUSH fan, 7 min in and I LOVE your reaction!!! You are seeing and appreciating everything that we have been for 50+ years. Thanks for the love and recognition.
Neil Peart is not just a drummer he’s a percussionist…. Wood blocks, triangles, chimes, bells, marimbas, gong, multi pitch cowbells, and of course, his 20+ piece drum set😂
Saw Rush live during their "Grace Under Pressure" tour. Peart was in a revolving drum cage. I was flabbergasted. The others left him on stage, and he just played. I can still remember how his playing vibrated through my body.
The chord changes... tempo changes... this is intricate stuff... Neil Peart once said "Playing in Rush is like running a marathon while solving equations".
Guitarist Alex Lifeson often gets overlooked in such a strong 3 piece. But he’s playing a double neck (12 string and 6 string), bass foot pedals when Geddy is playing keyboards, and shredding. Geniuses all 3…name any current pop artist who can do what these 3 guys accomplished.. by the way, when they wrote this they were 23 years old.
Alex has always been one of my favorite guitarist, its just magic what he does with fills and he is one of the few that can give a full sound to the strings all by himself. The way he floats between rhythm and lead with little fills just makes a complete sound like nobody else does in a 1 guitar band.
When the music builds to an apex, and it starts to give goosebumps, and your heartstrings are fully tugged... That's when the music becomes magic and is worthy of Heaven. We can't take anything with us, but our favorite songs are already there and many others they didn't create here. We just have to die to hear them.
This particular solo from Alex is just beautiful. Beautifully composed, incredible feeling and he executes it perfectly. The solo is a song in itself. I agree - Alex is very much overlooked/underrated in the rock guitar realm.
Xanadu was one their "One take wonders". When they recorded it in the studio for the album they did it in one take. No redo, they nailed it on the first take.
Most of their songs were done in one take. It might be the 6th or 7th take but it was a single take. The exception to this might be La Villa Strangiato which they had to break into 3 parts for the studio version (iirrc). It's more appropriate to call this a First Take Wonder which is even more of an achievement that a One Take.
It warms my heart to see so many people enjoying Rush nowadays. Forget the past when Rush was minimalized and criticized... this is a new era of Rush discovery, and this will last for generations.
The bells you hear is Neil back there with the whole nine in percussion instruments. From wind chimes to wood blocks and everything in between. Now the thing with Rush is always keep in mind . Every sound you hear is coming from just 3 guys . And 9 outta 10 times it will blow your mind. And anything you hear on any of their albums they can reproduce it live and usually sound better doing it live. They were on another level .
The lower neck on Geddy's double neck is a 12 string guitar. I don't know the exact model but someone will probably chime in with it. Geddy details this double neck Bass /12 String guitar in his book "Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass".
They did some sampling, but all manually triggered. Really amazing work pulling that off live. Still kind of hurts realizing I'll never see them live again...
The thing that shocked me when I first saw them live in 1985 was how they were actually even better live than on record! That day I realized the Great bands are the one that live sound as Goid if not better Rush was mind boggling live in their prime Years.
No extra tracks. No musicians playing backstage. Just 3 guys, each a master of his craft, coming together to create an incredible wall of sound. There will never be another Rush. Glad that you enjoyed it. My mind was blown the first time I saw this as well. You should check out La Villa Strangiato next.
I saw this tour in Glasgow, Scotland. Indeed, I was part of the "Glasgow choir" thanked by the band in the sleeve notes to the live album for our singing along to Closer To The Heart. Just an amazing band, as talented in writing as they are in playing. It's Rush bro - accept no substitute!
There are two moments in this video when Alex switches from one neck to the other on his guitar, INSTANTLY! Absolutely incredible. All the while Geddy and Neil are doing what they do. This may well be the best performance by any trio ever live. Glad you have found Canada's greatest band.
Great reaction to a masterpiece!! Real music like this is why I don’t care for shameful modern music where “performers” are lip syncing live performances to pre recorded music. With Rush, you have three master level musicians writing complicated but accessible music and Neil’s lyrics are extremely deep and well written… they are beyond incredible. They were the real deal. As great as Zeppelin and Sabbath were, Rush was a cut above. And as good as Bonham was (and he was incredible), Niel was untouchable. Check it the studio version of La Via Strangiato (instrumental) from Hemispheres or Natural Science from Permanent Waves, you won’t regret it. Cheers!
I grew up with RUSH and had the fortune to see them play live countless times. How three guys can produce such music and then to be able to play it live is amazing. Anything from their Hemispheres or Caress of Steel album is a must! Thanks for the upload.
Same. Still missing Neil quite a lot. Yoyoka Soma has helped me take the edge off. I'm going to see her next Sunday in Sunnyvale, CA. No telling what she will play, so I can only hope for YYZ. Wish me luck!
"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree: Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man Down to a sunless sea." by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Xanadu was also part of a very famous poem.
The fact that this gift to humanity is from my hometown makes me feel like a proud parent. Listen to natural science and 2112 from their 1997 molson amphitheatre performance, it's on this level. Mind blowing!!
The Professor is terribly missed and will forever be terribly missed. Was lucky enough to watch these three perform together 12 times over the last 25 years. They never disappointed their audience and always gave 100%. As a fan, the most enjoyable parts of their performances was the guys letting us behind the curtain to see their true friendship and it was and is still, my favorite memories from their shows. Well that, and Neil's 8 minute solo was always a treat. It's truly the only band that inspired me to work harder at being a better human being. Class act and silly. Never afraid to laugh at themselves but always took their music seriously. Always put their creative needs first, regardless of what the record label wanted, what their fans wanted, and even, sometime, other guys in the band, uhhm .. 80s synth, lol.. but they always pushed forward, even in times of tragedy, and found their way back to making magic together. Feel lucky to have lived in a time that has given me so much love for music and pure artistry. RIP Neil. Oh, and Danny Carey is heavily influenced Neil and was good friends with him until his passing in 2020.
Geddy is playing a Bass on the top neck and a rhythm guitar on the bottom neck. When Alex starts his solo to close out the last minute or so, that's when Geddy switches to the rhythm guitar and stays on it through to the end.
I always wished the camera guy had a clue to show this better, along with Geddy's foot pedal work while Alex switches to 12 string and Neil is beating on the cowbells.
After his solo, Geddy actually plays the lead melody on the outro, Alex is just repeating an arpeggio on single cord. Neil plays the outro melody on the Xylophone, note for note with Geddy. I have seen these guys over 30 times live and rarely have they not played this song live. Each time I saw that Geddy was playing the melody following Alex’s brilliant solo. This is one of my favorite solos from Lifeson, just behind his first solo in La Villa Strangiato. He plays it with so much feeling. His bluesy solos are alway his best. Alex can rip fast triplets and scales with the best of them, but his real art are his R&B stuff with feeling and the Xanadu solo is the perfect crescendo to round out this mind boggling song. So many tempo and time signature changes in one song. It a masterpiece.
Rush is one of those bands that you just get chills watching because you’re witnessing something that you think is impossible. It’s hard enough to play one instrument flawlessly and they play like 20 each haha
Getty Lee had a double neck Bass and 6 string guitar. He also played keyboards/synthesizer, foot pedals and vocals. Eric Lifeson was playing a double neck 6 and 12 string guitar and bass pedals. Neil Peart wrote the lyrics and percussion.
its hilarious seeing you young dudes discovering RUSH. This was the music of my life from Jr high 1975 to present. So cool to see you see the talent and musicianship of this power trio. Rush was so different back in the day of 70's rock. They were Pioneers of Prog. forever will be a favorite. Even listening to it today over 40 years old...the music NEVER gets old. The became famous doing live concerts... thats where they picked up all the fans. Wasn't studio...it was on THE ROAD.
I've seen this video dozens of times and I'm always amazed that: - Each person is playing multiple instruments, seamlessly moving from one to the next. - Alex and Geddy are so skilled that they can joke and jostle around onstage while playing some of the complex music ever written. - They not only change time signatures many times, but they slow down and speed up in perfect unison.
RIP Professor Neil. Privileged to havre seen them on the 97 Test For Echoes, Laser Light Tour. Phenomenal light show. Best I've seen and being outdoors. Love Rush. If you think this music is great, wait till your ears get blessed with 2112. Have many of their albums still, vinyls, CDs, cassettes. The talent in these 3, is next level or a few lol. Thanks. Great reaction.
Me too, except it was 31 times beginning with Permeant Waves in 1980. That was the best concert I had ever seen at that time. I had seen Zeppelin 2 times and Deep Purple and many others, but that concert blew me away. No other band sounded as full and there were only three guys up there. I swore never to miss another tour of their’s. I think I missed them on Power Windows tour, but that was it. Made every other and they were always my favorite concerts.
Yes, this is an amazing performance of a fantastic song! I would suggest La Villa Strangiato official music video. I picked the official music video as it is the full song. Cheers
Seen RUSH 27 times from 1978 to 2015 and they never disappointed always kicked ass feel fortunte and grateful my older brought home 2112 was hooked after that.
I was lucky enough to see them on this tour in Va. and it was nothing short of what you just saw here. Still the best concert I've ever been to. Thanks for posting and respect.
My friend. I have been a fan for 40 years. I have seen these guys many times in concert. These guys are the G.O.A.T! On and off the stage. These guys are a blueprint for a band. Took a gamble on fame and fortune. They made the music they wanted and didn’t give in to the peer pressure from the record company and went out on top….without 5 farewell tours! Bullshit. I have so much respect for all of them. Three great friends who had a blast doing what they loved with humility. They challenged themselves to be better musicians and it showed. How do you get three of the best musicians in one band? Try Working Man Live in Cleveland, Natural Science 1997, YYZ Live in Rio……list can go on……
They kept their integrity by being a working band for 5+ decades, including 2013, when they were in ducted into the rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame, and in the middle of a tour…. If you listen to the words of Spirit of radio, it was a big middle finger to the music industry for trying to get bands to compromise.
The last few years he played he had 3 different drum sets. They would spin around controlled by a pedal. I was blessed to see Rush 13 times! If I had more money when I was younger?
U r watching a great band in their prime. I feel bad for the younger folks who will never experience something like this in person. Concerts today are inferior to what we saw in the late seventies through mid 90s. Sad but true.
So there’s Spirit of the Radio, Working Man ( live or studio) it’s early like 72 ish, There’s also a vid of a Neal solo in Germany that’s mind blowing! Also.. 2112 is an album that’s 6-7 songs, it’s all one story and fkn incredible. It’s 20-30 min. So many more
Just wanted to point out for people being introduced to Rush that Working Man (1972), great song and always a fan favorite, Geddy's favorite song to play live in fact, is actually John Rutsey on drums. Peart replaced him in about 1974 (which is when I first was introduced to the band) Man, how does that guy feel? Probably only Pete Best, Beatle's first drummer, can relate to that LOL.
@@michaelesgro9506 Rutsey couldn’t tour due to health concerns. Neil became such an integral part. Working Man, by itself, probably made some good royalties for Rutsey.
@@freefall8243 Oh, of course, I did not mean to disparage Peart in any way, very integral to the band, irreplacable really. Saw them several times in the 70s and 80s, never saw the Rutsey iteration.
Only Side One of the original 2112 LP is conceptual, consisting of the multi-part suite, 2112. Side 2 is made up of separate songs unrelated to the conceptual piece.
So good to see a young man experiencing the majesty of Rush 43 years after this was recorded! I've seen them 5 times in my lifetime, first time was 1978 when they were promoting the 'Farewell to Kings' album on tour in the UK. They were the OG but there are also lots of bands who have come after them also doing extraordinary things (none of them with just 3 players, it has to be said). For example, let me recommend you Porcupine Tree - Anesthetize (from Anesthetize Live in Tilburg) The drummer is Gavin Harrison and he's another phenomenal stickman. It's a long one but loads of dynamics to enjoy.
Great reaction and commentary!! You've got a 40 year catalog to dive into. You will soon discover many amazing songs, that each time you listen, you'll notice something new and deepen your appreciation for them.
Rush! Teachers of life. I am blessed to have grown up with my mentors. Saw them 6 or 7 times. I play drums to a hundred or so epics. A farewell to Kings, the 1st song is beautiful and technically perfect as all their songs. Tman!...
I'm 57 years old and have been listening to Rush since I was 12. It's always delightful to watch someone discover Rush. ESPECIALLY young black men! Keep on going! Look up Peart's awards. Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) quote, "Neil Peart is your favorite drummer's favorite drummer.." This music was made at the beginning of video game popularity. This song was written in 1977. Video games then were "Pong", Space Invaders... Pac Man came several years later.
Imagine being in high school, stoned and a little drunk, at this concert on the forth row, center. Welcome to my past! 18 times live on 17 tours over the decades! You won’t hear a tighter, cleaner, powerhouse live band, period. RUSH Night was always very special. Welcome to the RUSH ARMY! Phenomenal band!
@MMBxMOB FYI ...... most words starting with an "X" usually are a "Z" sound. Since you've busted your cherry on Rush, you might as well do "2112" (Twenty-One Twelve). The epic that saved their career early on. The "cups" sound are called crotales and they are made of wood.
This song is based on the poem "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Neil Peart would often write lyrics based on what he was reading at the time, and then the three of them would work on the music to go with the lyrics.
This came up on my recommended. I have been a prog fan since the mid 70s. These sounds or Rush, I effectively grew up with. Your video makes me realize how in some sense I take their, and prog in general, for granted. Hiphop is new to me, like prog may be to you. But when I listne to Hiphop I have a similar reaction you do to prog in that there are structures, sound and production worth note. But now when you listen to Hiphop there are some aspects of prog in some songs. Now you know what to listen for and will be able to have a deeper understanding of the music. The more we listen and learn more we can appreciate the evolution of music and different genres. Hiphop and prog share a lot in common.
There is an episode of the show Chuck where the song Tom Sawyer is the key to winning a video game. Not close, but Temple Blocks. Geddy is playing a custom Rickenbacker with a bass on top and a 12 string in the bottom. He plays the 22 string at the very end, most of which is off camera or blovmcked by the amon screen ads at the end. 2112 will blow your mind. There is a new video version that is set up like a graphic novel, which helps explain the story better. Omit us over 20 minutes. For a slightly shorter mind blower, "LA Vilka Strangiato" 1978 official video, which is actually recorded live, though only the opening, which is acoustic on album, sounds different. That's about 9 minutes. The shortest mind blower is a tie: "Closer to the Heart" (1977) or "YYZ" live in Rio. YYZ and La Villa are both instrumentals. Though Rio adds a fourth instrument: psychotic Brazillian fans. Any live performances recorded in Rio is going to be great. See also Queen and Iron Maiden. If you want your mind blown and possibly have a really good laugh, "Roll the Bones" from 1991. A very different era and the only song like it in their catalog.
Quite simply three geniuses at the peak of their creativity and masters of their art. 🤟 Saw them on this tour in London 1981.......the greatest gig I've ever seen ....and I've seen plenty.
12:16 = mind blown! Sorry dude the look on your face must have been the same one I had when I first heard it at 12 years old, And it still shakes me to this day.
Geddy Lee (the singer, bassist, and keyboardist) is using a special double neck guitar made by Rickenbacker, Bass Guitar over a 12-string guitar. The guitarist, Alex Lifeson, is using a double neck, by Gibson, 12 String over 6 String. and Neil Peart (pronounced P-EAR-T by the way, I used to make the same mistake) has his percussion ensemble which some listed already. Try their song "La Villa Strangiato" pure instrumental.
I’ve watched many reactions to this fine band ( from my city I might add) and you sir are now my favorite reaction , and just made me a new subscriber.
The "bell" sound is a glockenspiel (most people call them "bells"). Neil is playing a whole set of percussion instruments. Glockenspiel, wind chimes, orchestra bells, wood blocks, crotales.
Ahhhh my boys!! Mamma gonna tell ya! Alot to take in one listen! 1000's of listens still magical....I think it was in guitar heros game! And that's how its done. Neil (The professor) was a lyricist So it takes time, so just keep listening..... Luv seeing someone really get it..... all the change upd...its like a musical story.... Cheers
Hey my man, thank you so much for the appreciation for my band...you are diving down a rabbit hole of truly awesome and inspiring music. I'm happy to follow you on your journey. Respect in peace Professor.
Both Geddy and Alex worked trigger pedals and in later years Neil even had Keyboard triggers on his drum kit, as if he didn't have enough to do already...
My one regret was never seeing Rush live! The best drummer, bass player on earth, plus Eddie Van Halen was asked about being the best rock quitarist ever he said ask Alex Lifeson from Rush!😉👍
The first time I took my buddy Gene to see Rush. He summed it up exactly as you did. He said, “They’re aliens!!!” When you said the same thing I was laughing my ass off”
The double neck Geddy is playing is a bass and a guitar. He plays the guitar during the outro of the song. You can clearly hear two guitars playing. And yes, Neil throws the drum stick in the air. A highlight of every Rush concert.
Lol At the end, he's like [COME ON MAAAN] I could sense thats what he was tryin to convey, 😊😊😊 but that's so true I never really. even knew what the hell they were even singing about these last whole 40 years cause we didnt have google to look it up, but just the music itself was spell bounding & awesome 👌 .
I'll never forget the first time I heard Rush do this song live was in September 1977. Seattle Center Arena with UFO and "special guest" Max Webster. My best friend from highschool right next to me, close enough to the stage to "count Geddy's nose hairs"🤣 Neil's lyrics got us to seek out and read classic poetry. That's epic
Three guys and seven necks!! An entire orchestral percussion section played by one guy. As others have mentioned, Geddy playing an entire music store, several at the same time, and not to forget Alex playing six and twelve-string guitars, plus playing pedals covering when Geddy is doing other things. For a brief part of the song, Geddy plays six-string guitar. To cover this song live, you need about eight guys. I enjoyed watching you get your mind blown.
Actually, if you look closely Geddy's double neck is a 4-string bass and 12-string guitar. 6 tuners out the sides and 6 out the back. I missed it the first time also.
Great reaction. You are 2 songs into quite a rabbit hole. Your next exposure to their excellence is La Villa Strangiato. This will be your 3rd song to make it official.
Jeez first time i saw Rush do Xanadu i was 11 in 78.I saw them do this very performance in 81 on the second leg of the Moving Pictures/Exit stage left tour of the UK IN 81
The live video this came from, 𝐸𝑥𝑖𝑡 … 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝐿𝑒𝑓𝑡, was played so often in my high school’s tv production studio that we wore the oxide down on the VHS tape to nothing. “Xanadu” was the pinnacle of that video. That song set the hook so hard in my mouth that I became a die-hard Rush fan for over four decades.
Love your reaction to hearing/seeing this. This is the music of my youth.. So great seeing the next generation turning on to Rush..Liked and subscribed and shared. I would like to your channel grow.
There's nothing better than a first time reaction to Rush. Gives me goosebumps watching TH-camr reveal videos. It may be the link of greatness is being shared?
Xanadu - Live Exit stage left, One of the best, or if not “the best” live performance ever. After you hear this, you have no words for what you just heard. Because there are no words for what Rush’s music does for the soul. A word about Niel Peart (not pronounced like the shampoo by the way). He worked on every drum hit he did. He said, in a few interviews, that he always wanted to be the best he could be. Note that the first “real” rhythmite feel you get in the song is Niel playing the large chimes called “Tubular bells”. He is standing up playing sweeping wind chimes, but he nails that beat on the Tubular bells, on point. In time, in every measure, never missing that hit. Realize (from what I can see), he can’t reach those Tubular bells without standing up. And he stood up to play them every time the song called for them. Promptly sitting himself back down to go do some magic on his kit. Amazing. He is called the professor, the professor of his craft, the drums (and lyric writing).
Life Long RUSH fan, 7 min in and I LOVE your reaction!!! You are seeing and appreciating everything that we have been for 50+ years. Thanks for the love and recognition.
Neil Peart is not just a drummer he’s a percussionist…. Wood blocks, triangles, chimes, bells, marimbas, gong, multi pitch cowbells, and of course, his 20+ piece drum set😂
I am glad someone could run down the list for us!😂
Saw Rush live during their "Grace Under Pressure" tour. Peart was in a revolving drum cage. I was flabbergasted. The others left him on stage, and he just played. I can still remember how his playing vibrated through my body.
Neil Peart - Your favorite drummer's favorite drummer....
Not just another great songwriter. He was more of a poet.
Yeppers
The chord changes... tempo changes... this is intricate stuff... Neil Peart once said "Playing in Rush is like running a marathon while solving equations".
I love how they talk about Jesus, how goddam hard their music is to play. 😅
Guitarist Alex Lifeson often gets overlooked in such a strong 3 piece. But he’s playing a double neck (12 string and 6 string), bass foot pedals when Geddy is playing keyboards, and shredding. Geniuses all 3…name any current pop artist who can do what these 3 guys accomplished.. by the way, when they wrote this they were 23 years old.
Alex has always been one of my favorite guitarist, its just magic what he does with fills and he is one of the few that can give a full sound to the strings all by himself. The way he floats between rhythm and lead with little fills just makes a complete sound like nobody else does in a 1 guitar band.
When the music builds to an apex, and it starts to give goosebumps, and your heartstrings are fully tugged...
That's when the music becomes magic and is worthy of Heaven. We can't take anything with us, but our favorite songs are already there and many others they didn't create here. We just have to die to hear them.
This particular solo from Alex is just beautiful. Beautifully composed, incredible feeling and he executes it perfectly. The solo is a song in itself. I agree - Alex is very much overlooked/underrated in the rock guitar realm.
Xanadu was one their "One take wonders". When they recorded it in the studio for the album they did it in one take. No redo, they nailed it on the first take.
Most of their songs were done in one take. It might be the 6th or 7th take but it was a single take. The exception to this might be La Villa Strangiato which they had to break into 3 parts for the studio version (iirrc). It's more appropriate to call this a First Take Wonder which is even more of an achievement that a One Take.
An era when musicians had talent AND creativity. Very rare today.
It warms my heart to see so many people enjoying Rush nowadays. Forget the past when Rush was minimalized and criticized... this is a new era of Rush discovery, and this will last for generations.
The bells you hear is Neil back there with the whole nine in percussion instruments. From wind chimes to wood blocks and everything in between. Now the thing with Rush is always keep in mind . Every sound you hear is coming from just 3 guys . And 9 outta 10 times it will blow your mind. And anything you hear on any of their albums they can reproduce it live and usually sound better doing it live. They were on another level .
The phone ringing sound is a triangle.
They were definitely on another level live…
Truly 3 of the greatest ever to grace a stage
Don't overlook the fact Geddy Lee plays bass, sings lead and ALSO plays organ foot pedals ALL AT THE SAME TIME!
and at the end of this song 12 string
He's also playing guitar, on the lower neck of his double neck bass+guitar in some parts of this song.
The lower neck on Geddy's double neck is a 12 string guitar. I don't know the exact model but someone will probably chime in with it. Geddy details this double neck Bass /12 String guitar in his book "Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass".
The most talented 3 man band EVER!!!!!!
and neil is the lyricist.
Standing ovation. Absolutely. One of my favorite live performances ever!!!!!!!
"Might be the greatest instrumentation I've ever heard in my life"
And it's only three dudes with ZERO backing tracks... It's all created LIVE!!! 😎
They did some sampling, but all manually triggered. Really amazing work pulling that off live. Still kind of hurts realizing I'll never see them live again...
@@Mike80528 At least you got to see them😢
Ha ha ha. You just fell into the Rush rabbit hole...
The thing that shocked me when I first saw them live in 1985 was how they were actually even better live than on record! That day I realized the Great bands are the one that live sound as Goid if not better Rush was mind boggling live in their prime Years.
I was so lucky to see this live in 1981
The worlds FIRST and only 3 man orchestra, 1968-2015
No extra tracks. No musicians playing backstage. Just 3 guys, each a master of his craft, coming together to create an incredible wall of sound. There will never be another Rush.
Glad that you enjoyed it. My mind was blown the first time I saw this as well.
You should check out La Villa Strangiato next.
Yes the greatest band of all time lyrically and musically!!!! All 3 are virtuosos on their instruments!! Seen them 38 times!!
I saw this tour in Glasgow, Scotland. Indeed, I was part of the "Glasgow choir" thanked by the band in the sleeve notes to the live album for our singing along to Closer To The Heart. Just an amazing band, as talented in writing as they are in playing.
It's Rush bro - accept no substitute!
There are two moments in this video when Alex switches from one neck to the other on his guitar, INSTANTLY! Absolutely incredible. All the while Geddy and Neil are doing what they do. This may well be the best performance by any trio ever live. Glad you have found Canada's greatest band.
Great reaction to a masterpiece!! Real music like this is why I don’t care for shameful modern music where “performers” are lip syncing live performances to pre recorded music. With Rush, you have three master level musicians writing complicated but accessible music and Neil’s lyrics are extremely deep and well written… they are beyond incredible. They were the real deal. As great as Zeppelin and Sabbath were, Rush was a cut above. And as good as Bonham was (and he was incredible), Niel was untouchable.
Check it the studio version of La Via Strangiato (instrumental) from Hemispheres or Natural Science from Permanent Waves, you won’t regret it. Cheers!
I grew up with RUSH and had the fortune to see them play live countless times. How three guys can produce such music and then to be able to play it live is amazing. Anything from their Hemispheres or Caress of Steel album is a must! Thanks for the upload.
I saw them at the arena in North Bay…after winning a couple tickets
Same. Still missing Neil quite a lot. Yoyoka Soma has helped me take the edge off. I'm going to see her next Sunday in Sunnyvale, CA. No telling what she will play, so I can only hope for YYZ. Wish me luck!
@@racebiketuner Yoyoka is a phenomenal drummer already… I download to my playlist her playing to LZ fool in the rain…❤️
Now you know why we are called The Rush Army!!!
I joined when it was just a militia 😉
I love the way Alex moves from the 12 string to the 6 string without missing a beat... A very underrated guitarist!
Now you know why Soo many Love this Band !!
"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree:
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea."
by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Xanadu was also part of a very famous poem.
That IS the poem!
The fact that this gift to humanity is from my hometown makes me feel like a proud parent. Listen to natural science and 2112 from their 1997 molson amphitheatre performance, it's on this level. Mind blowing!!
The Professor is terribly missed and will forever be terribly missed. Was lucky enough to watch these three perform together 12 times over the last 25 years. They never disappointed their audience and always gave 100%. As a fan, the most enjoyable parts of their performances was the guys letting us behind the curtain to see their true friendship and it was and is still, my favorite memories from their shows. Well that, and Neil's 8 minute solo was always a treat. It's truly the only band that inspired me to work harder at being a better human being. Class act and silly. Never afraid to laugh at themselves but always took their music seriously. Always put their creative needs first, regardless of what the record label wanted, what their fans wanted, and even, sometime, other guys in the band, uhhm .. 80s synth, lol.. but they always pushed forward, even in times of tragedy, and found their way back to making magic together. Feel lucky to have lived in a time that has given me so much love for music and pure artistry. RIP Neil. Oh, and Danny Carey is heavily influenced Neil and was good friends with him until his passing in 2020.
Geddy is playing a Bass on the top neck and a rhythm guitar on the bottom neck. When Alex starts his solo to close out the last minute or so, that's when Geddy switches to the rhythm guitar and stays on it through to the end.
I always wished the camera guy had a clue to show this better, along with Geddy's foot pedal work while Alex switches to 12 string and Neil is beating on the cowbells.
And Alex plays the bass notes with his feet, on Taurus Pedals.
@@AnthonyKellett yep that too
After his solo, Geddy actually plays the lead melody on the outro, Alex is just repeating an arpeggio on single cord. Neil plays the outro melody on the Xylophone, note for note with Geddy. I have seen these guys over 30 times live and rarely have they not played this song live. Each time I saw that Geddy was playing the melody following Alex’s brilliant solo.
This is one of my favorite solos from Lifeson, just behind his first solo in La Villa Strangiato. He plays it with so much feeling. His bluesy solos are alway his best. Alex can rip fast triplets and scales with the best of them, but his real art are his R&B stuff with feeling and the Xanadu solo is the perfect crescendo to round out this mind boggling song. So many tempo and time signature changes in one song. It a masterpiece.
I reacted similarly the first time I heard Xanadu in 1983! Welcome to the club. Rush has a very deep catalog of gems.
That look you give! Priceless! You make all of us long time Rush fans SO HAPPY! It is absolutely amazing to watch you discover.!
Rush is one of those bands that you just get chills watching because you’re witnessing something that you think is impossible. It’s hard enough to play one instrument flawlessly and they play like 20 each haha
The "cups" are wood blocks...sometimes called "gok blocks"
I had that album on 8-track back in the 1970's.
Getty Lee had a double neck Bass and 6 string guitar. He also played keyboards/synthesizer, foot pedals and vocals. Eric Lifeson was playing a double neck 6 and 12 string guitar and bass pedals. Neil Peart wrote the lyrics and percussion.
Ah... Alex
Glad you enjoyed this. It is always so enjoyable to see someone react to music of my childhood.
its hilarious seeing you young dudes discovering RUSH. This was the music of my life from Jr high 1975 to present. So cool to see you see the talent and musicianship of this power trio. Rush was so different back in the day of 70's rock. They were Pioneers of Prog. forever will be a favorite. Even listening to it today over 40 years old...the music NEVER gets old. The became famous doing live concerts... thats where they picked up all the fans. Wasn't studio...it was on THE ROAD.
I've seen this video dozens of times and I'm always amazed that:
- Each person is playing multiple instruments, seamlessly moving from one to the next.
- Alex and Geddy are so skilled that they can joke and jostle around onstage while playing some of the complex music ever written.
- They not only change time signatures many times, but they slow down and speed up in perfect unison.
I love how you’re like 80% of the way through and suddenly you’re like wait, where’s the face melting Alex solo? And then it comes in. 😅
RIP Professor Neil. Privileged to havre seen them on the 97 Test For Echoes, Laser Light Tour. Phenomenal light show. Best I've seen and being outdoors. Love Rush. If you think this music is great, wait till your ears get blessed with 2112. Have many of their albums still, vinyls, CDs, cassettes. The talent in these 3, is next level or a few lol. Thanks. Great reaction.
Gotta watch Neil Peart drum solo live in Frankfurt. Blow your mind
I was lucky enough to see Rush live 15 times between 1982 and 2006, I only wish I could see them live one more time.😢 RIP Neil
Me too, except it was 31 times beginning with Permeant Waves in 1980. That was the best concert I had ever seen at that time. I had seen Zeppelin 2 times and Deep Purple and many others, but that concert blew me away. No other band sounded as full and there were only three guys up there. I swore never to miss another tour of their’s. I think I missed them on Power Windows tour, but that was it. Made every other and they were always my favorite concerts.
Natural sciense is on of my all time favourite songs. It's from the album Permanent waves from 1980.
Great reaction! Glad you enjoyed! Gave you a thumbs up and a sub! From west coast Canada 🇨🇦, peace.
Yes, this is an amazing performance of a fantastic song! I
would suggest La Villa Strangiato official music video. I picked the official music video as it is the full song. Cheers
Seen RUSH 27 times from 1978 to 2015 and they never disappointed always kicked ass feel fortunte and grateful my older brought home 2112 was hooked after that.
I was lucky enough to see them on this tour in Va. and it was nothing short of what you just saw here. Still the best concert I've ever been to. Thanks for posting and respect.
My friend. I have been a fan for 40 years. I have seen these guys many times in concert. These guys are the G.O.A.T! On and off the stage. These guys are a blueprint for a band. Took a gamble on fame and fortune. They made the music they wanted and didn’t give in to the peer pressure from the record company and went out on top….without 5 farewell tours! Bullshit. I have so much respect for all of them. Three great friends who had a blast doing what they loved with humility. They challenged themselves to be better musicians and it showed. How do you get three of the best musicians in one band? Try Working Man Live in Cleveland, Natural Science 1997, YYZ Live in Rio……list can go on……
They kept their integrity by being a working band for 5+ decades, including 2013, when they were in ducted into the rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame, and in the middle of a tour…. If you listen to the words of Spirit of radio, it was a big middle finger to the music industry for trying to get bands to compromise.
I finally got to see them in Lakeland fl. On there snakes and arrows tour, bust concert I've ever seen, I will never forget that !!!
The list goes on and on my friend....my rush concert ticket collection is over 100 ...RUSH ON BROTHER!
Your next one should be “ Natural Science” …another epic mind blowing masterpiece….
Never gets old seeing people react to Rush for the first time. Welcome to the Rush experience. :)
Welcome aboard the Rush train. Sit back and enjoy the musical journey. The fellow Rush fans have said all that needs saying. RIP Professor!!
They will leave you speechless !! Awesome Reaction
It says video games because some of their music was in the Guitar Hero games.
The last few years he played he had 3 different drum sets. They would spin around controlled by a pedal. I was blessed to see Rush 13 times! If I had more money when I was younger?
U r watching a great band in their prime. I feel bad for the younger folks who will never experience something like this in person. Concerts today are inferior to what we saw in the late seventies through mid 90s. Sad but true.
I love it when someone finally discovers what we've known all along. Well done sir on the appreciation of these 3 aficionados and the great reaction.
So there’s Spirit of the Radio, Working Man ( live or studio) it’s early like 72 ish, There’s also a vid of a Neal solo in Germany that’s mind blowing!
Also.. 2112 is an album that’s 6-7 songs, it’s all one story and fkn incredible. It’s 20-30 min. So many more
Just wanted to point out for people being introduced to Rush that Working Man (1972), great song and always a fan favorite, Geddy's favorite song to play live in fact, is actually John Rutsey on drums. Peart replaced him in about 1974 (which is when I first was introduced to the band) Man, how does that guy feel? Probably only Pete Best, Beatle's first drummer, can relate to that LOL.
@@michaelesgro9506 Rutsey couldn’t tour due to health concerns. Neil became such an integral part. Working Man, by itself, probably made some good royalties for Rutsey.
@@freefall8243 Oh, of course, I did not mean to disparage Peart in any way, very integral to the band, irreplacable really. Saw them several times in the 70s and 80s, never saw the Rutsey iteration.
Only Side One of the original 2112 LP is conceptual, consisting of the multi-part suite, 2112. Side 2 is made up of separate songs unrelated to the conceptual piece.
One of the best live performances of a song ever! The fact 3 GUYS can even pull this off live is astonishing
So good to see a young man experiencing the majesty of Rush 43 years after this was recorded! I've seen them 5 times in my lifetime, first time was 1978 when they were promoting the 'Farewell to Kings' album on tour in the UK. They were the OG but there are also lots of bands who have come after them also doing extraordinary things (none of them with just 3 players, it has to be said). For example, let me recommend you
Porcupine Tree - Anesthetize (from Anesthetize Live in Tilburg)
The drummer is Gavin Harrison and he's another phenomenal stickman. It's a long one but loads of dynamics to enjoy.
These guys should be wearing capes! Musical superheroes
Wind chimes, concert chimes, crotales, wood blocks. He was the whole percussion inventory back there.
Great reaction and commentary!! You've got a 40 year catalog to dive into. You will soon discover many amazing songs, that each time you listen, you'll notice something new and deepen your appreciation for them.
Rush! Teachers of life. I am blessed to have grown up with my mentors. Saw them 6 or 7 times. I play drums to a hundred or so epics.
A farewell to Kings, the 1st song is beautiful and technically perfect as all their songs.
Tman!...
Welcome to Rush I had the same reaction 46 years ago.
I'm 57 years old and have been listening to Rush since I was 12.
It's always delightful to watch someone discover Rush. ESPECIALLY young black men! Keep on going!
Look up Peart's awards. Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) quote,
"Neil Peart is your favorite drummer's favorite drummer.."
This music was made at the beginning of video game popularity. This song was written in 1977. Video games then were "Pong", Space Invaders... Pac Man came several years later.
RUSH : the ultimate in true instrumentalists at their greatest! From the beginning and now forever!
for 40 years , there has been RUSH , and then there has been everybody else . it will never change .
Imagine being in high school, stoned and a little drunk, at this concert on the forth row, center. Welcome to my past! 18 times live on 17 tours over the decades! You won’t hear a tighter, cleaner, powerhouse live band, period.
RUSH Night was always very special. Welcome to the RUSH ARMY!
Phenomenal band!
@MMBxMOB
FYI ...... most words starting with an "X" usually are a "Z" sound. Since you've busted your cherry on Rush, you might as well do "2112" (Twenty-One Twelve). The epic that saved their career early on.
The "cups" sound are called crotales and they are made of wood.
This song is based on the poem "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Neil Peart would often write lyrics based on what he was reading at the time, and then the three of them would work on the music to go with the lyrics.
La Villa Strangiato should be your next one! Great reaction!
Wooden blocks, chimes, triangle, tubular bells, bell tree?, cow bell, carillion?... I might be missing a couple.
Nothing beats prime Rush. I've had the pleasure of seeing every tour starting with Fly By Night and ending with R40 in New Orleans.
I was at the R40 in New Orleans. Extremely great show. 3 hours of fantastic entertainment. 🎸
I saw them in ‘81 and 3 other times…I’m a lucky dude…your reaction justifies that…respect…
Greatest 3 piece rock band in history, no debate, over.
This came up on my recommended. I have been a prog fan since the mid 70s. These sounds or Rush, I effectively grew up with. Your video makes me realize how in some sense I take their, and prog in general, for granted. Hiphop is new to me, like prog may be to you. But when I listne to Hiphop I have a similar reaction you do to prog in that there are structures, sound and production worth note. But now when you listen to Hiphop there are some aspects of prog in some songs. Now you know what to listen for and will be able to have a deeper understanding of the music. The more we listen and learn more we can appreciate the evolution of music and different genres. Hiphop and prog share a lot in common.
There is an episode of the show Chuck where the song Tom Sawyer is the key to winning a video game.
Not close, but Temple Blocks.
Geddy is playing a custom Rickenbacker with a bass on top and a 12 string in the bottom. He plays the 22 string at the very end, most of which is off camera or blovmcked by the amon screen ads at the end.
2112 will blow your mind. There is a new video version that is set up like a graphic novel, which helps explain the story better. Omit us over 20 minutes. For a slightly shorter mind blower, "LA Vilka Strangiato" 1978 official video, which is actually recorded live, though only the opening, which is acoustic on album, sounds different. That's about 9 minutes. The shortest mind blower is a tie: "Closer to the Heart" (1977) or "YYZ" live in Rio. YYZ and La Villa are both instrumentals. Though Rio adds a fourth instrument: psychotic Brazillian fans. Any live performances recorded in Rio is going to be great. See also Queen and Iron Maiden.
If you want your mind blown and possibly have a really good laugh, "Roll the Bones" from 1991. A very different era and the only song like it in their catalog.
Quite simply three geniuses at the peak of their creativity and masters of their art. 🤟 Saw them on this tour in London 1981.......the greatest gig I've ever seen ....and I've seen plenty.
*🤘🏼
12:16 = mind blown! Sorry dude the look on your face must have been the same one I had when I first heard it at 12 years old, And it still shakes me to this day.
Geddy Lee (the singer, bassist, and keyboardist) is using a special double neck guitar made by Rickenbacker, Bass Guitar over a 12-string guitar. The guitarist, Alex Lifeson, is using a double neck, by Gibson, 12 String over 6 String. and Neil Peart (pronounced P-EAR-T by the way, I used to make the same mistake) has his percussion ensemble which some listed already.
Try their song "La Villa Strangiato" pure instrumental.
I’ve watched many reactions to this fine band ( from my city I might add) and you sir are now my favorite reaction , and just made me a new subscriber.
The "bell" sound is a glockenspiel (most people call them "bells"). Neil is playing a whole set of percussion instruments. Glockenspiel, wind chimes, orchestra bells, wood blocks, crotales.
They were an incredible group, easily amongst the best musicians of their time, everyone of them. Nice choice.
I loved watching your reaction ! I felt the same way when i first found RUSH in 79
Ahhhh my boys!! Mamma gonna tell ya!
Alot to take in one listen! 1000's of listens still magical....I think it was in guitar heros game!
And that's how its done. Neil (The professor) was a lyricist
So it takes time, so just keep listening.....
Luv seeing someone really get it..... all the change upd...its like a musical story....
Cheers
Hey my man, thank you so much for the appreciation for my band...you are diving down a rabbit hole of truly awesome and inspiring music. I'm happy to follow you on your journey. Respect in peace Professor.
Wow, thank you Brian! This journey so far has been AMAZING!
Both Geddy and Alex worked trigger pedals and in later years Neil even had Keyboard triggers on his drum kit, as if he didn't have enough to do already...
My one regret was never seeing Rush live! The best drummer, bass player on earth, plus Eddie Van Halen was asked about being the best rock quitarist ever he said ask Alex Lifeson from Rush!😉👍
I'm sad for you dude. I saw them at least once every tour from 1980 to the end. Unparalleled show in every sense.
The first time I took my buddy Gene to see Rush. He summed it up exactly as you did. He said, “They’re aliens!!!” When you said the same thing I was laughing my ass off”
The double neck Geddy is playing is a bass and a guitar. He plays the guitar during the outro of the song. You can clearly hear two guitars playing. And yes, Neil throws the drum stick in the air. A highlight of every Rush concert.
Lol At the end, he's like [COME ON MAAAN] I could sense thats what he was tryin to convey, 😊😊😊 but that's so true I never really. even knew what the hell they were even singing about these last whole 40 years cause we didnt have google to look it up, but just the music itself was spell bounding & awesome 👌 .
I'll never forget the first time I heard Rush do this song live was in September 1977. Seattle Center Arena with UFO and "special guest" Max Webster. My best friend from highschool right next to me, close enough to the stage to "count Geddy's nose hairs"🤣
Neil's lyrics got us to seek out and read classic poetry. That's epic
You’ve now got a lifetime to listen to this song whenever you want to.
La Villa Strangiato....the song that haunts me still.
My favorite song of all time!
Three guys and seven necks!! An entire orchestral percussion section played by one guy. As others have mentioned, Geddy playing an entire music store, several at the same time, and not to forget Alex playing six and twelve-string guitars, plus playing pedals covering when Geddy is doing other things. For a brief part of the song, Geddy plays six-string guitar. To cover this song live, you need about eight guys. I enjoyed watching you get your mind blown.
Actually, if you look closely Geddy's double neck is a 4-string bass and 12-string guitar. 6 tuners out the sides and 6 out the back. I missed it the first time also.
Great reaction. You are 2 songs into quite a rabbit hole. Your next exposure to their excellence is La Villa Strangiato. This will be your 3rd song to make it official.
Jeez first time i saw Rush do Xanadu i was 11 in 78.I saw them do this very performance in 81 on the second leg of the Moving Pictures/Exit stage left tour of the UK IN 81
The live video this came from, 𝐸𝑥𝑖𝑡 … 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝐿𝑒𝑓𝑡, was played so often in my high school’s tv production studio that we wore the oxide down on the VHS tape to nothing.
“Xanadu” was the pinnacle of that video. That song set the hook so hard in my mouth that I became a die-hard Rush fan for over four decades.
Love your reaction to hearing/seeing this. This is the music of my youth.. So great seeing the next generation turning on to Rush..Liked and subscribed and shared. I would like to your channel grow.
There's nothing better than a first time reaction to Rush. Gives me goosebumps watching TH-camr reveal videos. It may be the link of greatness is being shared?
I get a kick out of watching people be absorbed by the genius that is Rush! It's like watching myself as a young man discovering it for myself!
This song is like musical heroin.
Rush Headlong flight. Welcome to the awesome world of R U S H
Xanadu - Live Exit stage left, One of the best, or if not “the best” live performance ever. After you hear this, you have no words for what you just heard. Because there are no words for what Rush’s music does for the soul.
A word about Niel Peart (not pronounced like the shampoo by the way). He worked on every drum hit he did. He said, in a few interviews, that he always wanted to be the best he could be. Note that the first “real” rhythmite feel you get in the song is Niel playing the large chimes called “Tubular bells”. He is standing up playing sweeping wind chimes, but he nails that beat on the Tubular bells, on point. In time, in every measure, never missing that hit. Realize (from what I can see), he can’t reach those Tubular bells without standing up. And he stood up to play them every time the song called for them. Promptly sitting himself back down to go do some magic on his kit. Amazing. He is called the professor, the professor of his craft, the drums (and lyric writing).
Neil had a set of Tubular Bells. And that is the title of an album by Mike Oldfield you will want to include in your reactions.
Take the dive! Rush is simply unparalleled. Dude, you gotta go down the rabbit hole. There are so many great Canadian bands you need to react to.