This song is now 50 years old, since it was released in 1974, on RUSH's 1st album. With 19 studio albums, RUSH has an enormous catalog of music! I was fortunate enough to see them 6 times live!!! Great reaction!
2:17 Very interesting comments about Geddy's voice. I think he is actually singing an octave lower than he used to in the '70s. But anyway, epic performance by a great GREAT band.
In their early years Geddy sang so high most of the time, that it could not have strained his vocal cords. I mean he sang with higher pitch than most of the women do and if you play keyboards or piano, you can see it when you play those notes.
I saw Rush 25 times in concert and i love the fact that,.at the end of the show, they never promised to "see you next time." It was always, "We hope to see you again some time." A little thing that my friends and i always thought was very cool.
You’ve got Rush wrong. They’re more of a progressive rock, but then that’s just a label. As far as palatable, Rush is a group that put on record what they wanted to play. Despite the record company threatening to cancel them, they have always recorded what they like to play. It never had anything to do with being popular, or short songs for radio play. These guys put out what they like and it’s that honesty in their music, and the massive skill they have for creating an incredible sound that makes them so well liked.
I don't think she's off-base at all. She's just missing one element (which is hardly her fault, as she's not a professional musician). Rush managed to play music that resonated with "the common man" (as they would have said in the '70's and '80's) whilst still being so complex and technically challenging to strike awe in the hearts of musicians. Here, I'm reminded of a podcast video I saw in which Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett is interviewing Alex Lifeson about how he played Limelight. There's a place where Shiflett notes how - in trying to play Lifeson's solo in that tune - he realized just how complex and technically difficult it was and asked Lifeson something along the lines of whether that was intentional. At this point, it seems as though Alex is a little baffled by the question, because he explains that making something really complex and difficult to play but that sounds good to the listener was what Rush was all about. Put another way, it seemed as though Shiflett regarded playing guitar as a means to get from point A to point B (preferably as efficiently / easily as possible), whereas for Alex, getting to one's destination was secondary to enjoying the journey. With no disrespect to Yes, I think Rush was better at staying progressive without always sounding that way. PS - To be sure, I don't disagree with any part of your explanation, just that opening line.
It's right in the lyrics of _The Spirit of Radio_ All this machinery Making modern music Can still be open-hearted Not so coldly charted It’s really just a question Of your honesty Yeah, your honesty One likes to believe In the freedom of music But glittering prizes And endless compromises Shatter the illusion Of integrity The record company tried to push Rush to make "more accessible" music, i.e. short singles with a catchy chorus to appeal to a broad audience. Rush basically said "screw that" and produced the concept album _2112_ which went multi-platinum. After that the record company backed off and Rush produced whatever they pleased.
This also led to the fact that they had one of the most loyal fan base ever. Not as many as with some more popular bands, but so solid that they could tour even in some smaller countries like mine. Their music was so original, that you just cannot be mistaken of any of their songs about who is performing... They sounded like no other...
"Working Man" is the song that really put Rush (right here in Cleveland, OH) on the map in the USA, at least for their longest time listeners, mostly hobbyist musicians. I remember hearing this song in 1975 and being amazed. I was in a high school garage band, and we immediately learned it. The following year, my band performed at a "Battle of the Bands" with 3 other local bands. All four bands played "Working Man" during that show!
Fans of Rush have to give thanks to your local rock station, WMMS aka "Buzzard". It was stated that one of overnight DJ's had to go to the restroom, and DJ had to play a long song cover the air without being dead air. So, DJ played Rush's song, possible 2112. Prior to WMMS, Rush had a hard time to break US market.
@@MrTech226 There's a lot of truth & fact that it was WMMS, Cleveland rock fans & the city of Cleveland who were mainly responsible for putting RUSH on the map. However, what isn't quite true is the story about a DJ @WMMS needed to play a longer song AKA "Working Man" that day in order to take a bathroom break my friend. Although DJ's practiced the method of playing longer songs to absorb a little time they needed away from spinning another record in the studio. Yet, the real reason why DJ (Donna Halper) first played "Working Man by RUSH" on the radio that day is Donna was just really into the band RUSH. Donna had a good intuition about this new band from Canada called RUSH. What many people don't realize is playing a 7 or 8 minute tune @WMMS back in the day was just the norm. Cleveland's classic rock station WMMS 100.7 FM & the DJ's who worked there during that era were absolute trend setter's in the radio industry. The format @WMMS was an album-oriented radio station in the 70's & early 80's. It wasn't something new or special for a DJ @WMMS to play side 1 or 2 of an album in its entirety or even play the entire album on any given day or night. It's just how they rolled @WMMS back then. Also understand that WMMS was ranked as the no.1 radio station in the U.S. for 10 years in a row. Which is why Cleveland's AKA "The Rock n' Roll Capital of the World." If you have any interest in music history I urge you to go check out the history & impact Cleveland had in music. It's really quite interesting to say the least. Just saying... 🤔 ++Peace Rock n' Roll 4 Your Soul My Friend++ 🤘😜🤘
This is why Rush was a must see band… I was fortunate to see them 17x and many tours this was either the closer or encore. R.I.P. Neil Peart and long live the mighty Rush!
saw this concert in L.A. took my 24 year old kid, they played Moving Pictures start to finish, no break...couldn't hear right for 3 days everyone out of their seats standing
By the way this was there break out song in 1974, when it was first played on WMMS radio in Cleveland, Ohio. After that radio play in Cleveland, Mercury Records signed a contract for them to tour the USA , and make records. The rest is history.
It's not experimental rock but Progressive rock. Hence there are a lot of different progressions strung together throughout a single tune. The reason of why bother releasing if not palitable, Because everyone has different tastes. What is palitable to you may not be for others. And who decides what is palitable for public audio consumption? Record Companies... On that note you should hear the entirety of Rush's tune 2112... Which no record company wanted to release because the song 2112 was too long for radio airplay. Leaving not enough time for commercials. Yet the song 2112 is an epic masterpiece of musical story telling.
Hey Maddy, Rush was always farting around with their music. It was quite hilarious seeing them live, especially in the later years. A later version of La villa strangiato, it sounded like there was a tuba in the intro. Their opening videos right before the concerts started were pretty freakin funny as well. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
No, the Seinfeld guy played the basslines on a keyboard synth, actually. Jonathan Wolff... started with Jamey Aebersold and then set up shop in LA as a composer. Met him in 2019.
They really changed the song here vs the studio version. This has a mellow somewhat reggae feel to it while the studio is definitely rock. Gedde Lee, lead vocals is actually singing lower than his normal register. Take a listen to Tom Sawyer or Subdivisions (both incredible tunes, gotta really listen to the lyrics). The majority of their songs were written and produced by Neil Pert (drums). RIP to the true GOAT of drummers, not just drummer, but percussionist. If you can find his Franfurt, Germany solo (we'll ANY solo really) you will see why he is called The GOAT
Such an amazing song!! Onw of Canada's Best!! I also recommend "Limelight" and "Subdivisions" Wonderful reaction Maddy! You are always so sweet and beautiful!! Much love from Miami!! 🌹🌹❤❤❤
This was one of there first songs from there 1st album in 1974! They have improved it a bit from the original song studio version. Us Rush fans have always cherished tthere live songs, because they are always better than the original.
Television theme show creator Jonathan Wolff played the bass parts for the Seinfeld show. There are similarities in tone, tuning and maybe technique (idk) to Geddy which I hadn't noticed until you mentioned it. Good ears.
One of my favorite bands. Saw them live twice 20 years apart and just as amazing. They are a Progressive or Prog rock. But you are correct that experimenting is what Progressive rock is.
This is a special song especially to the Cleveland audience. This song was played by a Cleveland DJ and introduced Rush to America…. And the world. So this performance as awesome as it is is very poignant .
Ah yes, I always say that Rush's great strength was taking all the weird time signatures, modes and extended solos and somehow still coming up with accessible songs that anyone can listen to.
You are spot on for YOU. :) The thing about music or any art is "palatable" is different for every consumer. Its a spectrum. I do totally agree that one of the many strengths of Rush is the ability to make progressive very digestible. Great reaction!
@@MaddyReactions just FYI the part after the reggae beat is, more or less, similar to the studio version. The reggae part is 3 guys who have been playing this song for decades messing about a bit.
@@MaddyReactions Unfortunately Rush fans can get a little too indulgent. This version is more for the Rush fans as it combines a Reggae intro with the actual song. It was weird in concert when they played this, but it does show the bands dynamics. Maybe a little off-putting to introduce to first time Rush viewers.
Those two kids in highschool would never have imagined being on this stage in front of a crowd like that after 40+ years of amazing success. Hard work got them there!
Rush is the most progressive of progressive rock bands.. these guys are all master musicians that are next level.. and the great thing about them .. they are super humble .. they are just 3 Canadian dudes that formed a band in Toronto to be cool… just happened they became legends … no one before or after will up them.. they are the template for a minimalist band making big sound.. the running joke is .. where do they hide the other 5 members ?..
Totally agree with you about the palatability of music. If it's just expression but not palatable, then it's not music to me, it's just noise. Missed you so much beautiful Maddy, glad you're back!
I give credit to this song for keeping me half sane for the god-awful 3 1/2 years in Hawaii. NOT an 808 fan.🤬 A band that played at a nearby bar/nightclub would play this and nail it. Giving me a reason to live. When they saw me roll in, they knew they were going to be "Working Men". RIP Neil Peart.😇
Donna Halper, then a disc jockey and music director at WMMS in Cleveland, Ohio, is credited with getting Rush noticed in the United States by playing "Working Man" on the air. The song proved particularly popular in the working-class city. The response resulted in a record deal for the band, which gave her special thanks for her part in their early history and dedicated their first two albums to her.[4][5]🎸🤘This happened in 1974!🎸🤘
It's called having an opinion. You are allowed yo have one just like everyone else. I don't care for Rush myself, and that's ok. I also don't care for Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, The Velvet Underground, Alternative Rock, Reggae, Green Day, Speed Metal, Rap and Hip-hop, At least half of Prince's catalog, or coleslaw. But I also respect the fact that the audience has a right to choose what they spend time and money on. You simply can't invest either on something you don't like or want. Glad to see you back. Now, let's get you to 100K. Keep going and enjoy
1 of the hit songs of Rush. Great 👍 Rush and Triumph were compared to each other in the 1980s. Both started in Metro Toronto. Suggested videos 📹: 1 Triumph performs Magic Power 🔋 2 Rush performs Subdivisions.
Maddy is back with a vengeance! Rush has endured for so long because of music and performances like this. Maddy, do not let the naysayers get to you. Keep being you and do what you enjoy. This is Maddy Reactions channel, not commenters' reactions. ✌️🤞🇨🇱💯🎸🎶🎵🎼❤️🤟🤙
Funk bass has been around since the 70's, way before 'Seinfeld'... 😂 This version of 'Working man' by Rush was a live reggae version played only on this 2010/ '11 'Time Machine' tour. The original song was a heavy rock track from their 1974 debut album and it became a hit on radio in Cleveland, Ohio and got Rush signed in the USA that year... Rush still thanks the lady DJ that decided to pick 'Working man' as her "bathroom song" 😂(If she took a bathroom break, the song would not be over when she got back) Rush has various eras over 40 years of their career and u can pick and choose which era u love (which are so different sonically) - their epic early days in the 70's... their 80's synth pop era... their early 90's smooth rock ... their mid 90's return to heavy rock... or their last decade of heavy + emotional works.
@@MaddyReactions Maddy, your analysis, including the contrast you drew between RUSH and Yes, was spot-on. You have very keen musical insights. And you look *_fire_* in that outfit! Cheers. :)
Not the biggest RUSH fan, but of the few I really liked, this is one of them! It related to being raised in a broken home in the 70s/80s, then my own rough work life of rotating shifts of 30 yrs (just retired a few months ago). I'm 57, but am feeling 77, thus first thing I'm doing is getting myself "right", then all the other plans and stuff will fall in place. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Yeah, your right! This type of music (we used to call it Progressive Rock) has different styles and sometimes the bands themselves will experiment around with-in those areas of style(s). Some of it might be really interesting and stick-out, some of it might be very general or POP influenced, on the other hand some parts of it are way, way out in left-field you know? Really hard to swallow. For instance, this band Rush had different versions of the live tour recording "Exit.. Stage Left", one was just on audio and the other was a video from film they shot at a show in Canada on that same tour. I don't like the way the over-all sound is on the audio recording and a few of the song's are better performances IMHO on the video as well but, there's one song on the audio only recording that is so much better than the video. I think in this version of "Working Man" they where experimenting with some Raggae influence that they liked and just incorporated it into the first part of the song because if you check out the studio version of "Working Man" it's quite different than this. And it had a different drummer to as Niel wasn't in the band for the 1st record.
Hi you beautiful Maggie! I was surprised when you said 'I really like his voice' as this was some sort of problem to some of my friends back in the day. I think that Geddy had just right type of voice to this music. Quite high pitch, but just perfect and clear compared sometimes even quite heavy sounds of this band. They even have some more poppish song to tubaduric ones and even some closer to heavy metal like 'Animate' than proggessive rock... That song comes like a freifgt train and won't let any ease from the beginning to the end... It just rolls... In live these guys were outstanding too... I was so glad to see them live... Of the topic: You look gorgeous and please don't get offended... :)
Your YES observations are absolutely on point. They are an acquired taste. Not mine personally, although I have listened to everything RUSH have put out since 1976, I could never get through a full YES album without getting bored to tears listening to the tracks. One or two great cuts from YES but they simply aren't in the same league as RUSH musically.
I witnessed Rush open for Nazareth in Waterloo Ontario Canada in 1971 and Geddy sounds pretty much the same as he did then. Still the best Canadian band going.
Hi beautiful Maddy!!!!❤🥰😍 Welcome back! Don't listen to the trolls. Trolls are gonna troll. I'm here to hear the music & what u have to say. Believe it or not, Yes inspired Rush. This was awesome! More Rush songs: Tom Sawyer, Spirit Of Radio, Limelight, Freewill, Subdivisions, Red Barchetta, Fly By Night, Closer To The Heart, The Big Money, 2112, YYZ, La Villa Strangiato, Xanadu,The Analog Kid
must see other songs from rush. lyrics written by neil the drummer (the professor). please listen. you will like. so many: closer to heart, sudivisions, tom sawyer, limelight, the garden, spirit of radio, and so on.
FOr what it's worth, I've never felt that anything from Yes is unpalatable. Rush is my favorite band of all time, but Yes is right up there. Yes was a huge influence on Rush. Chris Squire was Geddy's favorite rock bassist.They are both pioneers of progressive rock, and are influences to which bands like Dream Theater, Tool, and others owe a great deal.
This is an amazing performance of a song that is off their first album. The original sounds much different but both are bangers! I wouldn't call Rush or Yes experimental rock, both are progressive rock and Yes was a huge influence on Rush. Each band has it's own unique sound sometimes one band's sound speaks to you more than another. I personally like both bands but Rush is my favourite. Cheers
YES is definitely a challenging listen. Their approach is a densely layered sound plus stacking up vocal harmonies on top. At first YES van be disorienting, even the bass is very active and he moves around the fretboard like a lead player, its crazy. BUT... once you pass that stage of feeling overwhelmed tben your ear starts tuning in to each instrument and the counterpoint melodies that are hidden in there, the tones that weave around one another, the chordal arrangements, then you find youself in a very strange new world and its a place where no other rock band would dare set foot... once you are tbere, you just don't want to leave..
The bass does sound Seinfeld-esque, but Seinfeld's bass line was sampled by Jonathan Wolff using multiple sources. So while Rush may have been an inspiration, they personally had no input on the show.
This is not a guitar solo. If you watch and listen... all three of them are more or less soloing at the same time in sync with each other. None of them are holding back. Its nuts. And what's really crazy is they make this look utterly effortless. Like they aren't even trying. After a 3 hour concert... in their 50s.
Maddy I agree with you when it comes to Yes. Great musicians, but it's not always palatable. RUSH, to me, never misses. You should check out a live version of their song Animate
Yeah getting the hook for record sales to please the records labels, rush didn't want to take that path, although some are hits with official videos.The way u describe rush is accurate being different and unique even in commercial music they have mostly lot of non mainstream music. keep coming back, I need my heart to keep running in hippy land lol, Great reaction try freewill if you didn't hear it, was on the radio for decades, but its more a power song with deep thought. well wishes to you and yours
I never really got into Rush for some reason. I've always been a Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk, CCR fanatic but I really enjoyed this song. During the guitar solo they really put in the WORK, pun intended.
Geddys voice has diminished over the years. But he had no training. He said his high rang was just normal to him. He has protected his voice over the years. One way is always to wear a scarf in winter months. He stopped smoking in the 80's.
I'm so glad your back my life has meaning again😂 No your right music has to palatable and i have to argue that most rock is experimental. My my nephew's band was featured on the local news he's the number one act in Mississippi "Hayden Hunter and the yearly trials" but they label him with about 6 different genres and i guess they was right except for emu whatever that is.I advised him to never to covers it will hold you down. The original experimental and he did he is the lead singer and the lead guitar player. You dont see that very much.. ZZ top for one is also a 3 piece band like rush I first seen rush in 1977 or 8 not sure and they was ok then i seen them again on the Tom Sawyer tour I think 1980 and was blown away at how much they had grown as musicians. Thats what makes a supergroup
Opposite, Lee is lower thant he is normally. Need more rush. Pay attention to the lyrics. Written by the drummer, The Professor. Three Canadian super talents. So many good songs. Classic.
Yes are one of the early Prog Rock bands and Rush were influenced by them. Yes was more diverse in the tapestry of styles they brought to their music which may be why it seemed to be too much for you. Rush's first album had a different drummer and was actually more of a hard rock style which this song was from that first self titled album and the reggae wasn't originally a part of it, they just did that for this tour. Neil came to the band after the first album came out and was with them ever since. Once he joined they were wanting to experiment more with their song writing and went through a "Progressive" phase which lasted for 5 albums after which they settled into the style they kept basically from that point on. They, of course, expanded on their sound introducing other elements to what they were writing while still keeping or "utilizing" some subtle Progressive elements such as odd time signatures and the like but they never returned to writing the epic songs they had been known for for a number of years. I hope this helps shed some light.
This song is now 50 years old, since it was released in 1974, on RUSH's 1st album. With 19 studio albums, RUSH has an enormous catalog of music! I was fortunate enough to see them 6 times live!!! Great reaction!
Geddy Lee is hands down one of the greatest rock bassists ever.
This song is the definition of Rush: 3 hard working artists each giving 110%
One of the greatest things about this song is Neil was not an originator of this song, but he owns it !!!!!!!
Alex and Geddy inducted Yes into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, fully acknowledging the influence that Yes had on their music
Geddy played bass with YES at the R&RHOF show
2:17 Very interesting comments about Geddy's voice. I think he is actually singing an octave lower than he used to in the '70s. But anyway, epic performance by a great GREAT band.
Yeah. Age takes its toll.
In their early years Geddy sang so high most of the time, that it could not have strained his vocal cords. I mean he sang with higher pitch than most of the women do and if you play keyboards or piano, you can see it when you play those notes.
I saw Rush 25 times in concert and i love the fact that,.at the end of the show, they never promised to "see you next time." It was always, "We hope to see you again some time." A little thing that my friends and i always thought was very cool.
Maddy
Geddy Lee actually adjusts his vocals as he gotten older. Back in the day, Geddy Lee can hit high notes.
You’ve got Rush wrong. They’re more of a progressive rock, but then that’s just a label. As far as palatable, Rush is a group that put on record what they wanted to play. Despite the record company threatening to cancel them, they have always recorded what they like to play. It never had anything to do with being popular, or short songs for radio play. These guys put out what they like and it’s that honesty in their music, and the massive skill they have for creating an incredible sound that makes them so well liked.
I don't think she's off-base at all. She's just missing one element (which is hardly her fault, as she's not a professional musician).
Rush managed to play music that resonated with "the common man" (as they would have said in the '70's and '80's) whilst still being so complex and technically challenging to strike awe in the hearts of musicians.
Here, I'm reminded of a podcast video I saw in which Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett is interviewing Alex Lifeson about how he played Limelight. There's a place where Shiflett notes how - in trying to play Lifeson's solo in that tune - he realized just how complex and technically difficult it was and asked Lifeson something along the lines of whether that was intentional.
At this point, it seems as though Alex is a little baffled by the question, because he explains that making something really complex and difficult to play but that sounds good to the listener was what Rush was all about. Put another way, it seemed as though Shiflett regarded playing guitar as a means to get from point A to point B (preferably as efficiently / easily as possible), whereas for Alex, getting to one's destination was secondary to enjoying the journey.
With no disrespect to Yes, I think Rush was better at staying progressive without always sounding that way.
PS - To be sure, I don't disagree with any part of your explanation, just that opening line.
That kinda puts them right up there with Pink Floyd in the integrity category
It's right in the lyrics of _The Spirit of Radio_
All this machinery
Making modern music
Can still be open-hearted
Not so coldly charted
It’s really just a question
Of your honesty
Yeah, your honesty
One likes to believe
In the freedom of music
But glittering prizes
And endless compromises
Shatter the illusion
Of integrity
The record company tried to push Rush to make "more accessible" music, i.e. short singles with a catchy chorus to appeal to a broad audience. Rush basically said "screw that" and produced the concept album _2112_ which went multi-platinum. After that the record company backed off and Rush produced whatever they pleased.
This also led to the fact that they had one of the most loyal fan base ever. Not as many as with some more popular bands, but so solid that they could tour even in some smaller countries like mine. Their music was so original, that you just cannot be mistaken of any of their songs about who is performing... They sounded like no other...
I love your rollercoaster analogy, and I agree. RUSH takes you on a ride that you want to get on over and over again! ☮
Yep - Three simultaneous solos and they didn't step on each other a bit... All 3 -- GOAT.
As someone who has played bass off and on for years I can tell you with absolute certainty that the bass in the Seinfeld show is actually a keyboard.
Was going to make the same comment.
Agreed!
One of the best live performances from the best band ever. They were only pushing 60 here and ending a three hour show. 😊
Yeah, no.
"Working Man" is the song that really put Rush (right here in Cleveland, OH) on the map in the USA, at least for their longest time listeners, mostly hobbyist musicians. I remember hearing this song in 1975 and being amazed. I was in a high school garage band, and we immediately learned it. The following year, my band performed at a "Battle of the Bands" with 3 other local bands. All four bands played "Working Man" during that show!
Fans of Rush have to give thanks to your local rock station, WMMS aka "Buzzard". It was stated that one of overnight DJ's had to go to the restroom, and DJ had to play a long song cover the air without being dead air. So, DJ played Rush's song, possible 2112. Prior to WMMS, Rush had a hard time to break US market.
I listened to WMMS on my phone thru the app.
@@MrTech226 There's a lot of truth & fact that it was WMMS, Cleveland rock fans & the city of Cleveland who were mainly responsible for putting RUSH on the map. However, what isn't quite true is the story about a DJ @WMMS needed to play a longer song AKA "Working Man" that day in order to take a bathroom break my friend. Although DJ's practiced the method of playing longer songs to absorb a little time they needed away from spinning another record in the studio. Yet, the real reason why DJ (Donna Halper) first played "Working Man by RUSH" on the radio that day is Donna was just really into the band RUSH. Donna had a good intuition about this new band from Canada called RUSH. What many people don't realize is playing a 7 or 8 minute tune @WMMS back in the day was just the norm. Cleveland's classic rock station WMMS 100.7 FM & the DJ's who worked there during that era were absolute trend setter's in the radio industry. The format @WMMS was an album-oriented radio station in the 70's & early 80's. It wasn't something new or special for a DJ @WMMS to play side 1 or 2 of an album in its entirety or even play the entire album on any given day or night. It's just how they rolled @WMMS back then. Also understand that WMMS was ranked as the no.1 radio station in the U.S. for 10 years in a row. Which is why Cleveland's AKA "The Rock n' Roll Capital of the World." If you have any interest in music history I urge you to go check out the history & impact Cleveland had in music. It's really quite interesting to say the least. Just saying... 🤔 ++Peace Rock n' Roll 4 Your Soul My Friend++ 🤘😜🤘
@@216Numbskull thanks for clarification
@@MrTech226 It's all good, enjoy the vibe & energy in the music my friend. ✌️😉
This is why Rush was a must see band… I was fortunate to see them 17x and many tours this was either the closer or encore. R.I.P. Neil Peart and long live the mighty Rush!
One of the all time hardest hitting riffs. I absolutely love it. Banger.
So good
saw this concert in L.A. took my 24 year old kid, they played Moving Pictures start to finish, no break...couldn't hear right for 3 days everyone out of their seats standing
By the way this was there break out song in 1974, when it was first played on WMMS radio in Cleveland, Ohio. After that radio play in Cleveland,
Mercury Records signed a contract for them to tour the USA , and make records. The rest is history.
It's not experimental rock but Progressive rock. Hence there are a lot of different progressions strung together throughout a single tune. The reason of why bother releasing if not palitable, Because everyone has different tastes. What is palitable to you may not be for others. And who decides what is palitable for public audio consumption? Record Companies... On that note you should hear the entirety of Rush's tune 2112... Which no record company wanted to release because the song 2112 was too long for radio airplay. Leaving not enough time for commercials. Yet the song 2112 is an epic masterpiece of musical story telling.
Hey Maddy, Rush was always farting around with their music. It was quite hilarious seeing them live, especially in the later years. A later version of La villa strangiato, it sounded like there was a tuba in the intro. Their opening videos right before the concerts started were pretty freakin funny as well. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
No, the Seinfeld guy played the basslines on a keyboard synth, actually. Jonathan Wolff... started with Jamey Aebersold and then set up shop in LA as a composer. Met him in 2019.
thank you maddy for reviewing. Rush will always be my favorite. Glad to see you back with your new setup. Gorgeous lady as always
Great Live performance! Rush was always badazz live! I Luv great music like this!!! Thanks Maddie ❤️💛🤘🏻🤘🏻
They really changed the song here vs the studio version. This has a mellow somewhat reggae feel to it while the studio is definitely rock. Gedde Lee, lead vocals is actually singing lower than his normal register. Take a listen to Tom Sawyer or Subdivisions (both incredible tunes, gotta really listen to the lyrics). The majority of their songs were written and produced by Neil Pert (drums). RIP to the true GOAT of drummers, not just drummer, but percussionist. If you can find his Franfurt, Germany solo (we'll ANY solo really) you will see why he is called The GOAT
Such an amazing song!! Onw of Canada's Best!! I also recommend "Limelight" and "Subdivisions" Wonderful reaction Maddy! You are always so sweet and beautiful!! Much love from Miami!! 🌹🌹❤❤❤
Saw this tour live! Pure brilliance.
This was one of there first songs from there 1st album in 1974! They have improved it a bit from the original song studio version. Us Rush fans have always cherished tthere live songs, because they are always better than the original.
Television theme show creator Jonathan Wolff played the bass parts for the Seinfeld show. There are similarities in tone, tuning and maybe technique (idk) to Geddy which I hadn't noticed until you mentioned it. Good ears.
One of my favorite bands. Saw them live twice 20 years apart and just as amazing.
They are a Progressive or Prog rock. But you are correct that experimenting is what Progressive rock is.
This is a special song especially to the Cleveland audience. This song was played by a Cleveland DJ and introduced Rush to America…. And the world. So this performance as awesome as it is is very poignant .
Ah yes, I always say that Rush's great strength was taking all the weird time signatures, modes and extended solos and somehow still coming up with accessible songs that anyone can listen to.
Great reaction, Maddy! I'm so happy to see you doing reactions again. Rush is a good band to check into. Love your comments!
You are spot on for YOU. :) The thing about music or any art is "palatable" is different for every consumer. Its a spectrum. I do totally agree that one of the many strengths of Rush is the ability to make progressive very digestible. Great reaction!
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Another goodie, Maddy! Saw them in on the 1978-1979 Hemisphere's Tour at the 5 Flags Arena Dubuque, IA. Ticket was $7.00/T-Shirt was $8.00.
If you were to listen to the studio version, you would hear an entirely different song.
Different drummer, too.
The studio is a 1000 times better! She picks the wrong version this time!!!
I react to the video link I’ve been given 🩷
@@MaddyReactions Ok. Fair enough Maddy! I mean no disrespect to your reaction. Just my humble opinion.
@@MaddyReactions just FYI the part after the reggae beat is, more or less, similar to the studio version. The reggae part is 3 guys who have been playing this song for decades messing about a bit.
@@MaddyReactions Unfortunately Rush fans can get a little too indulgent. This version is more for the Rush fans as it combines a Reggae intro with the actual song. It was weird in concert when they played this, but it does show the bands dynamics. Maybe a little off-putting to introduce to first time Rush viewers.
Those two kids in highschool would never have imagined being on this stage in front of a crowd like that after 40+ years of amazing success. Hard work got them there!
Rush is the most progressive of progressive rock bands.. these guys are all master musicians that are next level.. and the great thing about them .. they are super humble .. they are just 3 Canadian dudes that formed a band in Toronto to be cool… just happened they became legends … no one before or after will up them.. they are the template for a minimalist band making big sound.. the running joke is .. where do they hide the other 5 members ?..
Totally agree with you about the palatability of music. If it's just expression but not palatable, then it's not music to me, it's just noise.
Missed you so much beautiful Maddy, glad you're back!
I give credit to this song for keeping me half sane for the god-awful 3 1/2 years in Hawaii.
NOT an 808 fan.🤬
A band that played at a nearby bar/nightclub would play this and nail it. Giving me a reason to live. When they saw me roll in, they knew they were going to be "Working Men".
RIP Neil Peart.😇
Great reaction as usual. This version can’t hold a candle to their 1974 High School auditorium performance.
Donna Halper, then a disc jockey and music director at WMMS in Cleveland, Ohio, is credited with getting Rush noticed in the United States by playing "Working Man" on the air. The song proved particularly popular in the working-class city. The response resulted in a record deal for the band, which gave her special thanks for her part in their early history and dedicated their first two albums to her.[4][5]🎸🤘This happened in 1974!🎸🤘
It's called having an opinion. You are allowed yo have one just like everyone else. I don't care for Rush myself, and that's ok.
I also don't care for Emerson, Lake, and Palmer,
The Velvet Underground,
Alternative Rock,
Reggae,
Green Day,
Speed Metal,
Rap and Hip-hop,
At least half of Prince's catalog, or coleslaw.
But I also respect the fact that the audience has a right to choose what they spend time and money on. You simply can't invest either on something you don't like or want.
Glad to see you back. Now, let's get you to 100K.
Keep going and enjoy
1 of the hit songs of Rush. Great 👍 Rush and Triumph were compared to each other in the 1980s. Both started in Metro Toronto.
Suggested videos 📹: 1 Triumph performs Magic Power 🔋 2 Rush performs Subdivisions.
Hi Maddy! 1st response I have seen since you have been back ! Looking good and this is a great song!
Maddy is back with a vengeance! Rush has endured for so long because of music and performances like this. Maddy, do not let the naysayers get to you. Keep being you and do what you enjoy. This is Maddy Reactions channel, not commenters' reactions. ✌️🤞🇨🇱💯🎸🎶🎵🎼❤️🤟🤙
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Next Level Talent. Unbelievable.
Hope you are having a wonderful summer ☀️ Maddy 😊 ! Thanks for the epic Rush tune 🎸.
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Funk bass has been around since the 70's, way before 'Seinfeld'... 😂 This version of 'Working man' by Rush was a live reggae version played only on this 2010/ '11 'Time Machine' tour. The original song was a heavy rock track from their 1974 debut album and it became a hit on radio in Cleveland, Ohio and got Rush signed in the USA that year... Rush still thanks the lady DJ that decided to pick 'Working man' as her "bathroom song" 😂(If she took a bathroom break, the song would not be over when she got back)
Rush has various eras over 40 years of their career and u can pick and choose which era u love (which are so different sonically) - their epic early days in the 70's... their 80's synth pop era... their early 90's smooth rock ... their mid 90's return to heavy rock... or their last decade of heavy + emotional works.
Hard to say enough about Rush I think it’s just as if music was a person and then divided into three.🤩
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@@MaddyReactions Maddy, your analysis, including the contrast you drew between RUSH and Yes, was spot-on. You have very keen musical insights. And you look *_fire_* in that outfit! Cheers. :)
A woman.
Makes that sound on signfield and it's not a bass guitar.It's some type of a keyboard synthesizer
I was at this show for free! Thanks to my Brother in law 😊😊😮😮😮😊
I was at this show too. Not for free, but worth every penny.
@@djmolnar I bought the shirts and books
I love Rush and have never seen this live show.... Phenomenal. Oh and you are soooo beautiful , smart, and funny.
I was at that concert and it was one of the best nights of my life. Apart from my children being born l would put it right up there.
Maybe da Seinfeld vibe is dat Jerry Stiller who was Geogre`s father (Frank Costanza) appeared in a couple of Rush concert vids...😜
Not the biggest RUSH fan, but of the few I really liked, this is one of them! It related to being raised in a broken home in the 70s/80s, then my own rough work life of rotating shifts of 30 yrs (just retired a few months ago).
I'm 57, but am feeling 77, thus first thing I'm doing is getting myself "right", then all the other plans and stuff will fall in place. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Yeah, your right! This type of music (we used to call it Progressive Rock) has different styles and sometimes the bands themselves will experiment around with-in those areas of style(s). Some of it might be really interesting and stick-out, some of it might be very general or POP influenced, on the other hand some parts of it are way, way out in left-field you know? Really hard to swallow. For instance, this band Rush had different versions of the live tour recording "Exit.. Stage Left", one was just on audio and the other was a video from film they shot at a show in Canada on that same tour. I don't like the way the over-all sound is on the audio recording and a few of the song's are better performances IMHO on the video as well but, there's one song on the audio only recording that is so much better than the video.
I think in this version of "Working Man" they where experimenting with some Raggae influence that they liked and just incorporated it into the first part of the song because if you check out the studio version of "Working Man" it's quite different than this. And it had a different drummer to as Niel wasn't in the band for the 1st record.
Hi you beautiful Maggie! I was surprised when you said 'I really like his voice' as this was some sort of problem to some of my friends back in the day. I think that Geddy had just right type of voice to this music. Quite high pitch, but just perfect and clear compared sometimes even quite heavy sounds of this band. They even have some more poppish song to tubaduric ones and even some closer to heavy metal like 'Animate' than proggessive rock... That song comes like a freifgt train and won't let any ease from the beginning to the end... It just rolls... In live these guys were outstanding too... I was so glad to see them live... Of the topic: You look gorgeous and please don't get offended... :)
Nice reaction to this awesome song!! Good to see you again Maddy!
Thank you!! 😁
He wasn't part of Seinfeld.
Love this song Maddy. Thanks for reacting to it!
They were great from the very beginning, it's really hard to understand but check there early live stuff....unbelieveable!
The studio version is totally different but great as well.
Best prog rock band ever! And there Canadian!
Epic band
Your YES observations are absolutely on point. They are an acquired taste. Not mine personally, although I have listened to everything RUSH have put out since 1976, I could never get through a full YES album without getting bored to tears listening to the tracks. One or two great cuts from YES but they simply aren't in the same league as RUSH musically.
This is a great song by Rush in a long line of other great songs 😮😮😮😮😮
I agree with you in the RUSH vs Yes debate. I respect the talent of Yes, but I was never taken by their song writing.
I witnessed Rush open for Nazareth in Waterloo Ontario Canada in 1971 and Geddy sounds pretty much the same as he did then. Still the best Canadian band going.
Hi beautiful Maddy!!!!❤🥰😍 Welcome back! Don't listen to the trolls. Trolls are gonna troll. I'm here to hear the music & what u have to say. Believe it or not, Yes inspired Rush. This was awesome! More Rush songs: Tom Sawyer, Spirit Of Radio, Limelight, Freewill, Subdivisions, Red Barchetta, Fly By Night, Closer To The Heart, The Big Money, 2112, YYZ, La Villa Strangiato, Xanadu,The Analog Kid
🩷 hugs!
@@MaddyReactions Keep doing what your doing! You'll get 100K in no time!😃
Great reaction 👍
Never heard that version before but again they are live
must see other songs from rush. lyrics written by neil the drummer (the professor). please listen. you will like. so many: closer to heart, sudivisions, tom sawyer, limelight, the garden, spirit of radio, and so on.
You need to hear the studio version this opening verse is a tongue in cheek joke
FOr what it's worth, I've never felt that anything from Yes is unpalatable. Rush is my favorite band of all time, but Yes is right up there. Yes was a huge influence on Rush. Chris Squire was Geddy's favorite rock bassist.They are both pioneers of progressive rock, and are influences to which bands like Dream Theater, Tool, and others owe a great deal.
This is an amazing performance of a song that is off their first album. The original sounds much different but both are bangers!
I wouldn't call Rush or Yes experimental rock, both are progressive rock and Yes was a huge influence on Rush.
Each band has it's own unique sound sometimes one band's sound speaks to you more than another.
I personally like both bands but Rush is my favourite.
Cheers
YES is definitely a challenging listen. Their approach is a densely layered sound plus stacking up vocal harmonies on top. At first YES van be disorienting, even the bass is very active and he moves around the fretboard like a lead player, its crazy. BUT...
once you pass that stage of feeling overwhelmed tben your ear starts tuning in to each instrument and the counterpoint melodies that are hidden in there, the tones that weave around one another, the chordal arrangements, then you find youself in a very strange new world and its a place where no other rock band would dare set foot... once you are tbere, you just don't want to leave..
Pls keep in mind this was the last song of the concert :) He prob sang his heart out for 90 mins so gotta give him some love for that :)
The bass does sound Seinfeld-esque, but Seinfeld's bass line was sampled by Jonathan Wolff using multiple sources. So while Rush may have been an inspiration, they personally had no input on the show.
This is not a guitar solo. If you watch and listen... all three of them are more or less soloing at the same time in sync with each other. None of them are holding back. Its nuts. And what's really crazy is they make this look utterly effortless. Like they aren't even trying. After a 3 hour concert... in their 50s.
I am soooo happy you are back 😍❤️🔥
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Maddy I agree with you when it comes to Yes. Great musicians, but it's not always palatable. RUSH, to me, never misses. You should check out a live version of their song Animate
The Seinfeld theme wasn't even produced using an actual bass guitar lol
Glad to see you back Maddie
Yeah getting the hook for record sales to please the records labels, rush didn't want to take that path, although some are hits with official videos.The way u describe rush is accurate being different and unique even in commercial music they have mostly lot of non mainstream music. keep coming back, I need my heart to keep running in hippy land lol, Great reaction try freewill if you didn't hear it, was on the radio for decades, but its more a power song with deep thought. well wishes to you and yours
Seinfeld Bass was actually a DX-7 synth.
this is a gimmick version. The studio version is what put them on the map, and radio airplay in the US
I never really got into Rush for some reason. I've always been a Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk, CCR fanatic but I really enjoyed this song. During the guitar solo they really put in the WORK, pun intended.
Geddys voice has diminished over the years. But he had no training. He said his high rang was just normal to him.
He has protected his voice over the years. One way is always to wear a scarf in winter months. He stopped smoking in the 80's.
RIP “The Goat” Neil Peart👍🥁
Miss them terribly...
I'm so glad your back my life has meaning again😂
No your right music has to palatable and i have to argue that most rock is experimental. My my nephew's band was featured on the local news he's the number one act in Mississippi "Hayden Hunter and the yearly trials" but they label him with about 6 different genres and i guess they was right except for emu whatever that is.I advised him to never to covers it will hold you down. The original experimental and he did he is the lead singer and the lead guitar player. You dont see that very much.. ZZ top for one is also a 3 piece band like rush
I first seen rush in 1977 or 8 not sure and they was ok then i seen them again on the Tom Sawyer tour I think 1980 and was blown away at how much they had grown as musicians. Thats what makes a supergroup
Opposite, Lee is lower thant he is normally. Need more rush. Pay attention to the lyrics. Written by the drummer, The Professor. Three Canadian super talents. So many good songs. Classic.
🤘👽🍻. Fantastic Song 👏👏
Take Care Maddy 🙏💞
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You just don’t know enough about the group the music or their history. 👋🏽
@@surfboard396 She's Learning 👍✌️
This takes me back to the early yesrs
Lovely Maddy. I am so happy that you’re back.
Me too!!
Yes are one of the early Prog Rock bands and Rush were influenced by them. Yes was more diverse in the tapestry of styles they brought to their music which may be why it seemed to be too much for you. Rush's first album had a different drummer and was actually more of a hard rock style which this song was from that first self titled album and the reggae wasn't originally a part of it, they just did that for this tour. Neil came to the band after the first album came out and was with them ever since. Once he joined they were wanting to experiment more with their song writing and went through a "Progressive" phase which lasted for 5 albums after which they settled into the style they kept basically from that point on. They, of course, expanded on their sound introducing other elements to what they were writing while still keeping or "utilizing" some subtle Progressive elements such as odd time signatures and the like but they never returned to writing the epic songs they had been known for for a number of years. I hope this helps shed some light.
I'm not sure who the bassist was on the Seinfeld intro, but I highly doubt it was Geddy Lee
It was Jonathan Wolff.
Prog rock knows no boundaries!
Good Canadian boys. R.I.P. Neil.
Calling, Ms Maddy. The Rush rabbit hole still awaits you. Don't be afraid. We'll keep you safe. Maybe Jacob's Ladder for your next song??