Geddy is a multitasking master. He can simultaneously sing, play keyboards, and play the bass pedals. 🇨🇦🎶🎙🎸🎹

Neil Peart is an absolute assassin on the drums. You don't even realize what he did until after his work is done. It's an astonishing display of talent and discipline.

Geddy Lee, vocals, bass and keyboards….Alex Lifeson, guitar….Neil Peart, drums and all the lyrics for Rush. Three Canadian icons. R.I.P. NEIL!

What you see in this video is the actual recording of this track for the album. That's why you see Geddy laying down separate tracks for the vocals, but when they play live, they absolutely multitask everything and it sounds exactly like the album. Both Alex and Geddy have Taurus pedals so they can play guitars and keys at the same time

Neil Peart, one of the greatest drummers ever, had said the drumming in Tom Sawyer was difficult even for him. Check out Limelight from the same studio. Lots of great songs left La Villa Strangiato(epic 9:36 min song ), on from there would be 2112 (another epic song), A Passage To Bangkok, A Farewell to Kings, Closer To The Heart, The Trees, Freewill, Jacob's Ladder, Red Barchetta, Vital Signs, Working Man, Red Sector A.

One of the best concerts ever. I was like 15. Seeing it live was insane. Neil Peart was a masternind. He didn't see drums, he saw a purpose. He was a monster.

One of the greatest drummers of all time.

I am 53 when I was 12 I heard this song… Ot set me up to love Rock for the rest of my life!!!

The drummer Neil Peart, who recently passed away is considered to be one of if not the best drummer music. Without him, there would be no Danny Carry of Tool. You should check out his drum solo live. It'll blow your mind!

Probably the best drummer ever. RIP Neal Peart.

They play it live with 3 guys. Geddy will simultaneously sing, play bass and play synth with foot pedals. Alex also plays some keys and Neil's kit is ludicrous. They push out the sound. Here's a few ideas. Free Will Subdivisions Limelight Working Man (their first hit- no Neil Peart yet though) YYZ (instrumental) 2112 (epic, at over 20 minutes long)

Something you almost never see is the drummer is the lyricist. Neil writes unbelievable lyrics

It’s so cool watching a hiphop dude get into RUSH. There’s thousands and thousands of guitarists, bassists, and drummers who owe their love of playing to RUSH. They really were THE musicians for other musicians. All 3 are paragons of prog rock. Never any scandals, never any selling out…just 3 insanely talented people making something very special. When Neil passed away the world lost one of the greatest drummers of all time. But, his lyrics and his legacy are written in stone. Drummers of all ages (myself included) get a little teary eyed every January 7th. Red Barchetta or Limelight are 2 fantastic follow ups to Tom Sawyer. Cheers!

Hell Yeah - now it’s time for LIVE dopeness from this masterful trio of musicians. Yeah, just 3 guys, but seeing them perform onstage is next level/ in Rio with an over the top *AMPED* up crowd, singing, yes singing along to their instrumental classic YYZ. 🤘🏼🎧🤟🏼

Geddy Lee: Lead vocals, Bass guitar, Keyboard, Bass pedals. Alex Lifeson: Lead guitar, pedals Neil Peart: Percussion extraordinaire, primary lyricist In this video, it looks weird because you can sometimes hear instruments playing that nobody is playing. Geddy plays Bass, keyboards, and pedals, sometimes simultaneously. Well not at the exact same time, but he will play a part on the keyboard, and then switch back the bass, and back to keyboards. All while playing pedal parts. This is basically the music video for the song. It is all they had back then, music videos weren't really a thing yet. It looks like it is a live performance, but it isn't. They are basically showcasing Rush, so sometimes they show Geddy singing, and sometimes playing bass. I hate it when people watch this video because it is confusing. People always look at them and say wait, why do I hear a keyboard but there is no keyboard player? Or where is the Bass player? They basically flash different clips of Geddy doing each one. A contradiction with me is I love this song, but it is not one of my favorite Rush songs like everyone else. People always say, "Oh you have to hear Tom Sawyer!" I would say, "It's good, but you should hear 2112 or Xanadu, La Villa Strangiato, The Garden, Between the Wheels, Vital Signs, Subdivisions. Almost any of their other stuff. 40 years of music." To me the lyrics in Tom Sawyer are basically a bunch of nonsense. **Year Later Edit -- Well not nonsense. It is about something; it just isn't particularly well represented by the lyrics IMO. ** Don't try to put too much effort into decoding them because there really isn't all that much to learn. All their other lyrics though, are amazing. If you think their recorded versions of songs are great, you really need to see them live. They are a band that must be seen live. They refuse to fake it. They play everything live themselves, and you get to watch them do it.

They were not hiding the fact that they did this in multiple takes in the studio. They don’t have to. They’re Rush. They have proven their abilities in their live performances.

Each one of these guys are God-tier level musicians. (And they are just as good - if not better - live 🤯). Alex Lifeson: guitar and other string instruments. Neil Peart: drums, percussion and lyrics. Geddy Lee: lead vocals, bass, keyboards (yes he does them simultaneously in concert!) Both Alex and Geddy also have the foot pedals you saw to add bass or synth parts when they busy on another instrument. Next up try YYZ live in Rio version or Working Man from the Time Machine Tour in Cleveland.

"Tom Sawyer" is an amazing song. They hit the ball out of the park with that one. The music, lyrics, tone... all of them complement each other so well. The lyrics have so many layers to them, and the music reinforces the lyrics so well, that the song is a true classic. This was one of only a few songs that once it was released, it was played at every show. Actually, it was even played before it was released (I was fortunate to have heard them perform it pre-release when it was still in the writing process).

"There's only 3 of them!" Yeah, that's pretty standard reaction when anyone first hears Rush. The Trees and Freewill are two others I can highly recommend.

Watching this and listening to those drums is one of the reasons I struggle to listen to those computer generated beats today! Such a full rich sound. Thanks for the reaction Cliff 🤗👍🏻

This song is one that when I hear the first notes, I turn it way up - always gets me going!

Rush is so underrated. They are amazing musicians!

Great reaction. Passage To Bangkok - Live by Rush is a must listen. Rock on!

Welcome to RUSH! Badass band! Lifelong fan from day one! Saw them on 18 different tours! RUSH Night was always very special! One of the most intelligent bands you will come across. No dummies in a RUSH crowd. RUSH is special.

Congrats! You have just witnessed the magic of one of the greatest 3 piece bands in Rock n Roll history! Hard to believe they could sound like this with just 3 band members, huh? LOL

I just saw you did this reaction so I'm back here. I grew up in a town outside Toronto and they lived in the next town and we were playing in the park and heard music coming from the factories and we climbed on the dumpsters to watch in the window and saw them rocking out making the most impressive sounds we had ever heard. They saw us and came out and talked to us about hockey (cause that's what we Canadians do 😂)and they talked about the music they were recording and we talked about their cars. They were so down to earth and humble and when I was older I saw them in 88 and 03 in front of 500,000 crazy Canadians at the SARS relief concert it was Epic to say the least. Peace out ✌️ ☮️

My first concert was in 1982 when I was a 15 year old school band drummer was the Signals tour from Rush at the old Rosemont Horizon which is now the All State Arena in Chicago. It changed me in so many ways, I saw music differently.

The rabbit hole is deep, my friend. 19 studio albums, 167 songs, over 40 years of music. These are the musician's musicians. Let the fun begin! 🤘🤯

It's just three guys. They work it.

All the band members have certain sound/effect triggers and keys on the floor they can play with their feet. So Geddy could be playing base, singing and play keys with his foot not being used to stand on at the same time. Alex has his own keys and Neil has programable drum pads.

“It’s only 3 guys?!?!” *every Rush Fan cracks knuckles over keyboard*

You really need to listen to Rush 2112. It changed everything for the band. They went from being told the label may drop them to letting them make whatever they wanted in the future.

Notice that when Alex plays his guitar solo, the song is in 7/4 time - and in the outro, Geddy plays a synth solo - again in 7/4! While both Geddy Lee (bass, synths, vocals) and Alex Lifeson (guitar, synths) are exceptional at multitasking, in this case (as noted by Septic Topix), Geddy uses multitracking for this song, as it was to be used on the "studio" album: You might notice that when Geddy is playing the bass, all three members are visible - along with a few points where he plays a keyboard - but for most of the synth parts and all the vocals Alex and Neil Peart (drums) are not present. Later, after MIDI was made commercially available, the band started using it to be able to keep the full track density in live performances.

Rush excelled time changes. In some circles, they are considered the forefathers of Prog Rock because of it. You can see the influences in groups like Tool or Jinjer with the very fast time changes that make a single song sound like multiple ones, but still cohesive at the same time. Great reaction!

Drummer, late great Neil Peart aka "The Professor" stated Tom Sawyer is the hardest to drum out of all Rush's songs because of its complexity of rhythm and timing.

You will enter this Rush phase and NEVER leave, especially if you love lyrics!

If you want to see Rush at their finest, react to "Xanadu" - Live Exit Stage Left. 3 master musicians creating unbelievably complex sound that sounds just like the studio version and doing it live. Geddy sings, plays bass, synth and foot pedals all at the same time, he even plays rhythm guitar in some sections. Alex plays the 6 string lead guitar, 12 string lead guitar and foot pedals. Yes, both have double neck guitars and the transitions are amazing. And then there is Neil... enough said!

First concert I saw was Rush, Moving Pictures tour 1981, was a huge Rush fan as a kid...I will never, ever tire or get bored with this song, it still blows me away, just how freaking good this song is many decades later

Geddy Lee and Peart are probably unparalleled on rhythm

Now watch them live and be blown away that they still sound exactly the same, provided it's in the same era!

The most amazing part of Rush is they can pull their music off live And, with just 3 of them!!! ✌ I've see many bands through the years that couldn't!!!👍👍👌👌✌✌😃😃

I was lucky enough to see them when they were on tour for this album. Awesome show.

Biggest sound you will ever get from 3 people. Watch some of their live work and you will be floored.

Got me to like and sub. Rush’s catalog is over 4 decades deep. Welcome to the wormhole, it’s deep. MORE RUSH! YYZ LIVE IN RIO

The 3 most talented musicians ever. Transition kings..

Probably the greatest, most talented 3-piece band that ever lived. Or ever will. Great reaction, as usual.

Young people just now figuring it, it's wonderful. Rush is one of the greatest bands ever...

Cliff my guy, im so glad you did more Rush, now you have to do YYZ live so you can see a crowd sing an all instrumental song.

2 songs to check out #1) roll the bones this song has a little rap in the middle of the song. #2) the garden live this was the last song Neil Piret the drummer wrote. both are amazing songs.

Rush's musicality and lyrics are phenomenal. RIP Neil.

Greatest 3 piece band ever

Fuck Yes Cliff. Great lyrics dude. Go through em on your own time. Good stuff

Took my whole family to R40 (we are all musicians) and so glad I got to see 3 guys do THAT live! RIP Professor

Maybe one of the best bands for a PhD in multitasking and music creativity ❤

'It's just three guys?" I love that response. Everyone who reacts to this video says that. :)

They lay separate tracks, in the studio, but you should see them do it live. When there are drums, bass, guitar, and singing required, together with synths, Alex and Geddy play taurus pedals to provide the synth and/or bass parts. Everything is triggered live, by one of the three (even Neil, the drummer, triggers some samples, as the other two can get a little busy, at times!) 😊

When they play live they sound like they are in the studio. Geddy plays synth pedals when he's playing bass and bass pedals when he's playing synth all while he's singing. They are ridiculously talented. When you see them live that is truly when your mind will be blown.

Saw a documentary on Rush. Their biggest influence was when they toured with Kiss. They were told if you make a dime from touring your show isn't big enough.

Watching someone new exposed to this will keep Neil alive forever. Rest in power, Professor. 🥁

In the studio, they could overdub their parts. But live they still did a phenomenal job of covering all that territory with only 3 guys and no pre recorded tracks.

"It's just three guys?" Therein lies the sonic alchemy that is Rush. Three super-skilled and amazingly talented guys can produce such an incredibly big and multi-layered sound, and make it look easy.

One of the weird parts about this is the instrumental part is actually in 5 beats to the measure which just isn't done in pop music. I love it.

OH, I LOVE how supportive of those suffering mental health! Far to few people dare about those who suffer!!!!

Glad you're finally listening to a great progressive rock band. I've been jamming to this tune since middle school.

If you want to see an instrumental that the crowd actually sings to try….” YYZ ..Live in Rio “

Whoa, brought back sooo many memories came flooding back into my head! Love this song❤

You ain't seen nothing yet...Xanadu, the LIVE performance from "Exit...stage left." 1981. It will blow your mind. :)

This song came out in 1981 - the year I graduated from high school. I think he is talking about the first gamer boys - the Tom Sawyers of those days, skipping school and spending all their time at the arcade playing games, one of the first of which was called Space Invaders, and the weird sounds are reminiscent of the loud whistles and beeps filling the air.

Greatest rock band of all time in my book. 🤟

I think it is time to really blow Cliff's mind with "2112"

I love the lyrics "no changes are permanent, but change is".

If you’ve never seen the epic Canadian show the Trailer Park Boys, Alex Lifeson, the band’s guitarist, is at the centre of the plot of the episode “Closer To The Heart.” It features a few of Rush’s songs. It’s a hilarious episode with great music, so I won’t spoil it for you if you haven’t seen it.

Next you need to react to something Rush did live, Limelight from Exit stage left comes to mind. Its one of their more popular songs that got quite a bit of radio play. I went to this show in late 1981 and it was outstanding.

This video documented the recording of the studio track, and it's a nice peek into how most recording is done. The shots where the three of them are in the room together playing are the drums being recorded. They're only concerned with getting a good drum take here; guitar and bass go to tape, but those are primarily for the drummer's reference while playing and are considered "scratch" tracks that won't be kept. The individual shots are recording the keeper takes of the other instruments and vocals, and happened after all the drums were done. Keep in mind, though, that the guys never recorded anything that the three of them couldn't pull off live (at least until their last album, 2012's _Clockwork Angels,_ which they recorded - and performed live - with an orchestra). If you want to see Rush pulling this all off live in 1981, I recommend the live performance of "Xanadu" from the _Exit...Stage Left_ tour. This is the best version I've found on KZfaq: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aMipna2cs8XSho0.html

If you want to catch Geddy Lee having fun and jamming, he did a stand in with Yes in 2017 when they were inducted into the HOF and he played bass for them. The group Yes was one of Geddy's inspirations and they lost their bass player, so they asked him to stand in on their performance of "Roundabout" at their Induction Ceremony. He doesn't sing (Jon Anderson of Yes is the lead), but he is in his happy place on bass and you get to see him just havin' a good time with Yes... you can find the video on KZfaq (search Yes, Roundabout, 2017, and live) and you are in for a ride....

Thank You! For calling out the Rush website. They deserve it.

This band has the deepest rabbit hole you could ever explore that does not have the commercially type music like The Weekend , Justin B has , be ready to expect the unexpected

It breaks down like this - Geddy Lee - lead vocals, keyboard, bass pedals, bass, rhythm guitar. Often sing, pedals, and keyboard or bass, pedals, and singing. Alex Lifeson - Lead guitar, bass pedals, backup vocals. Often switches between 6 and 12 string guitars. Neil Peart - Drums, percussion, tubular bells, glockenspiel, lyrics. Joined Rush for their second album and the three were a band and very close friends since. "Tome Saywer" lyrics was a collaboration of a friend of the band and Neil. All their studio tracks were composed and worked out hiw they could be played live by the three of them. If you check.out "Xanadu" from their "Exit, Stage Left" live album, the video does a pretty good job capturing what the guys are doing at any point in during the song. Both Alex and Geddy have double neck guitars. Alex has a 12 string on top, and a 6 string on the bottom. From the opening, he's feathering his volume pedal creating a sound much like a cello. Geddy has his Rickenbacher bass on top and a 6 string on the bottom. He uses the 6 string towards the end to provide rhythm while Alex is playing the 12 string. Neil is just a machine either all that he does, utilizing everything he has as part of his kit. If you can bang it and make noise, Neil.plays it.

Nobody will ever be as good at anything as these three are at making music.

I recommend that you download this entire album, “Signals!” And listen closely to the lyrics in every song. Also, put them in context to what was going on in the world during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. We were still worried about Nuclear war with the USSR, there were 2 Germany’s, the Lunar Landing happened not even a generation before, there was an “Oil Embargo” and miles long lines at the gas pump. 52 Americans were held hostage by a country, Iran, that most had never heard of and was half way around the world! Yet we had musicians that could put our thoughts and feelings into songs that would stand the test of time!!

Subscribed....love the reaction....love the message, thank you, we are here ,for you,also,thanks again, Todd from Ohio....Xanadu live in '81 is slick....

I always chuckle when someone in the comments calls Neil Peart a drummer. Neil was a PERCUSSIONIST. If you physically strike an instrument to make a sound Neil could play it. And wrote the lyrics to boot. Amazing artist

Rush can teach you everything. Drummer is the main songwriter.

just watched the best song writer , musician, drummer ever!!.....R.I.P NEAL.

Only 3 guys. Trio making all that sound. They are tremendous

Thanks. In the last 20 mins you've reminded me just how much I love Rush and Led Zeppelin!!

Always a good day for some Rush. Jite. It up. Ready to Rock. RIP. Professor Neil. Awesome band live. Seen in 97. Laser light show hell yes.

Perfect ensemble and the perfect storm from the genius of three guys from Ontario. Subdivision official vidéo is another great song, also the Big Money official video, Xanadu live, La Villa Strangiato live, YYZ live in Rio. Fun fact YYZ is the code for Toronto Pearson airport

If you look at the sheet music for the drums in this song the time signature changes 30 times!

Check out “YYZ Live in Rio” to see how 3 guys make all that music and how Geddy Lee does all he does, except YYZ has no lyrics as it’s instrumental. That however doesn’t stop the audience from singing along!

Dave Grohl once said of Neil Peart, _"He's your favorite drummer's favorite drummer"_

My favorite 3 piece band is Grand funk railroad! You should check out Inside looking out live 1969 if you want to see an amazing performance!

LOVE that you discovered these guys!! There is so much more to come...

Great reaction and analysis 👏. You should continue with this album, Moving Pictures. Tom Sawyer was the opening song, on the album. You will find most, if not all, of these songs to be "instant Playlist ". See what you think.

You gotta hear LimeLight...recorded in same studio as this

They were awesome Live every time I saw them. Multitasking as the Live Show went.. Unfortunately my Last time seeing them was 2007 and was a 28 song set which was AMAZING previous times were in the 90's and late 80's RIP Neal My favorite band of all time

Been a subscriber for a while. I know it’s a first time reaction and there’s a lot going on, but rush is a band you could definitely do lyrical breakdowns as well. There’s a few bars in that song for sure!

I'm grateful I got to see Rush libe with all original members, RIP Niel Peart 🥁

Since were on rock/metal Pantera - Domination live in russia is one of the most electric performances i've seen.

My favourite Rush song, and a favourite overall. This kind of fierce & pounding complexity is rarely matched in Musical History. Great reaction, Man. 👍✌❤ 4:20 (he he) This right here is POWER. 🤘🤘🤘