Dear God, FINALLY a reaction to this song that's intelligent! You guys actually paid attention to what you were watching and noticed ALL of the nuances in the perfirmance. Out of the 40 plus reactions I've come across on KZfaq, this one is the only one that didn't leave me shouting at the screen st the lack of understabding what was just witnessed. Bravo!

I will 100% second La Villa Strangiato official music video

Both Alex (guitar) and Geddy (bass, synth) have floor pedals they play as needed. That’s what gets me… they are SO busy, playing multiple instruments with their hands AND feet, and still have time to play around and have fun with each other. Tremendous genius, all three. You guys are in for years of enjoyment. I’ve been listening to these guys for 40 years, and my appreciation just continues to grow.

This was recorded in the UK in the Welsh countryside. They'd well practiced the song, did part of the song for a sound check, then did the entire song in one take. Geddy Lee lived up the street from me in Toronto, we would wave to him on the way to school most mornings, he was super nice to us. Saw pretty much every Rush show in Toronto - New Years Eve at Maple Leaf Gardens was always epic....this band was a huge part of my youth, never understood why they never reached the level of fame they so rightly deserved.

That is the best live performance of any song, by any band ever in history.

That solo....Alex is the heart of it all, he plays with such emotion..

At this concert Rush played 3 songs continuously non stop ending with Xanadu. The other two songs were "The Trees and Broon's Bane". This for me is the best display of musicianship I've ever witnessed by a band, ending with IMO Rush's greatest song ever. Which says a lot considering their catalog is 150 songs deep and half of them are bangers. Love the reaction boys, it's nice when people can articulate what they just witnessed. Good Job.

RUSH the power trio ,the greatest musicians of all time !!! This is indeed the best live version of Xanadu, gentlemen.. Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart (RIP, Professor) we salute you for giving the world 40 plus years of awesomeness!!! RUSH forever! How about reacting to Anthem (1975) off the album Fly by Night, Neil Pearts debut album.. Cheers guys..

I am going to recommend listening to The Garden - Clockwork Angels tour. This doesn't highlight the musicianship rather it highlights their secret weapon, beautiful, intelligent lyrics by Neil and awesome songwriting. It was their swan song, the last song on their last album and given the short time Neil had left, probably the most poignant.

Alex had a double neck where the top is 12 string and the bottom a normal lead. Geddy's double is a bass on top and rhythm on the bottom. When Alex starts his solo near the end is when Geddy drops down to play rhythm through the rest of the song. Both Geddy and Alex have Moog Taurus pedals that they play during various songs, as needed. Meanwhile Neil is back there with every percussion instrument. Your next Rush pick should be the official video for La Villa Strangiato.

RIP Neil Peart, smartest percussionist to ever play in a rock band, his lyrics are cerebral....his drumming is extremely advanced.

Yes, to add to your amazement at Geddy Lee, not only does he sing, play bass, keyboards, and foot pedals, but he also plays 6-string guitar as well... he's just musically godly. Each member of the band are talented beyond compare.

The best 3 piece rock band in history, no contest, over. Next Working man live Cleveland...more amazing please :)

2112 (Pronounced Twenty-one Twelve) was their first masterpiece (written when they were all of 22/23 years old). 2 tracks off of Hemispheres are all time prog classics, both Cygnus X-1, Book 2 (although to be fair, listening to Book 1 is kind of a pre-requisite) and La Villa Strangiato (an 9.5 minute instrumental). Also amazing prog pieces are Natural Science (from Permanent Waves) and The Camera Eye (from Moving Pictures). And that's it for the prog. But not it for awesome Rush. They changed to shorter format, amazing pieces. YYZ (did you catch the rhythm at the beginning is morse code for YYZ?) is part of that short form mastery they developed. Their most radio played songs were Tom Sawyer, The Spirit of Radio, Working Man, New World Man, Freewill, Limelight, Closer to the Heart, The Trees and Dreamline. Any of these songs live are also killer. Ok - here's the one recommendation. Working Man, Live in Cleveland (from 2011). Working Man was their breakthrough single in 1974. This re-imagined version is from 2011. They played it at the very end of the concert. At this point in the night, they've played for about 2 and half hours. In 2011 they were each in their late 50's. But they put on a clinic in this live performance. By doing YYZ and even Xanadu you don't get a good appreciation for Neil's lyrics. As they moved to short form songs, Neil's lyrics really developed into describing the human condition. So, so insightful! I hope you guys do more Rush. Edit - I read in the comments that 'nothing is piped in' and that is partially true. Nothing plays by itself and there is no backing track. But, on some songs, especially some of the keyboard heavy 80's material, the pedal is used as a trigger for a short sequence. Xanadu is a good song off a great album. Xanadu might not even crack my Top 10. Can I add the Live In Cleveland (Time Machine tour) version of Freewill as insane too (the instrumental breakdown in the middle is pure musician bliss).

Masterpiece. Never gets old. Neil’s performance is magnetic and captivating.

"There are more guitar necks than members of the band." A true reflection of the sound of Rush.

Geddy's amazing! Bass, Pedals, Keyboards and vocals. I bet he could even wash your car at the same time! 😋

La Villa Strangiato and Natural Science!!! Will not disappoint!

In my humble opinion, the best version of this song. I saw this tour in Atlanta as a young lad (15). Had to sneak out of my house and catch a ride from older friends. What a show! My first of (lucky) 13. Cheers y’all!

This is definitely my all time favorite performance of any band

The necromancer . Classic rush track

Nice one. I'm thankful to have been alive in 1981 and playing this record all the time. Rush was my first favorite band, and it's funny to think how in the early 80s their 70s stuff already seemed vintage. The 70s and 80s really were two strongly separated decades -- we had escaped/survived the 70s, the 80s were the glory days and we knew it -- and Rush managed to navigate both decades without sacrificing anything artistically. Pretty rare thing. I guess a performance like this looks damn impressive from the present day perspective, and it was then, too, though there were plenty of bands that knew how to play. But Rush were an island unto themselves, Neil Peart especially.

Still concentrating on live video I see, Try Working Man live in Cleveland from Time Machine tour .

I'm glad you mentioned the sound of the drum kit. Even though he had bigger and more impressive kits in later years I LOVE the sound of this kit better than all of the others

Back in the day so many bands, had back stage players. To see three guys make this kind of sound, a cherished memory of a better vanished time. I am glad my friends talked me into seeing them live. Surprised I was by the chemistry I witnessed, and the groove they could have when they were really on. Recordings almost capture. Thanks for the reaction gentlemen.

Love That Your Volume Is Turned Up , Helps Tremendously..... Also ...........🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦😎

Great reaction. Honest. Touched on many things going on. Rush. First and last of their kind, and so dearly missed.

Many consider this performance of this song to be Rush's magnum opus. Bravo for the reaction!

thank you for not talking during the song or not pressing pause during the song. this is the proper way of how a reaction is done. true professionalism on the thamesmen part. excellent reaction. if i was allowed to give you 1000 likes i would. thumbs up!! period. the end.

The thing about Rush versus other power trios, is in those other bands the guitar player is usually the obvious star, but with Rush you have a lead guitar player, a lead bassist, and a lead drummer. You guys have noticed similarities to the power rock style of The Who in the past. That's no accident.

Greatest band of all time!

I second the "La Villa Strangiato" suggestions. I also recommend "Freewill" from the "Exit...Stage Left" performance. What most people would call the guitar solo is each member soloing at the same time. It's insane!

Xanadu (RUSH) is the greatest rock song ever composed.

Watched this again. Even more mind blowing is how tight they are, how inside the music they are, even when goofing around. They were in a class of their own. Loved it again!!!

RIP me Peart. Genius as a lyricist. Alex the most underrated guitarist and gedy the absolute best. Masters that cannot be touched

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 wind chimes, but he has 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 was a great writer and his loss so deeply felt dmfor sure. His lyrics are thought provoking and deep ...and their songs always paint a perfect picture. Journey taking for sure. 😊

Who are we going to listen to know😢❤phenomenal

Keep it going. Like you guys! Love Rush. Workin Man, Live from Cleveland. Rush at the near end of their careers, still on top of their game

Yay! Rush, Working Man - Live in Cleveland 🙏

Love watching people see this video for the first time. People have called Rush Canada's answer to Yes, who was a huge influence on Rush.

Love how much fun they are Having

I saw them at Wembley on this tour,i saw them at the old Hammersmith Odeon in 1979,I've seen them a few times since and on each occasion they were so good they were almost beyond description....they were and remain true masters of their instruments and their art.

Great review Gentleman, you captured the feeling I have every time I here this track…Thank you!

I saw them for the 3rd time on the Pictures tour,still my favorite, and i've seen them over 100 times since 79

There are more guitar necks than members in the band! Great line!😂

La Villa is the instrumental to rule instrumentals for me. May be my favorite. It’s in my top 5 at least. Hard not to pick 2112 or Hemispheres too.

Just amazing,great reaction guys 😊

Molto bene grazie Evitaeterna.Grande Rush desde Argentina , unas bestias.

😂🤣😂 "😳 it's 12 minutes?!?" I adore you guys! 😍 Thanks for another amazing Rush Reaction! 🍿🐰 #ENRGYZRBunny

Omg 😂😂 Chicken!!! They apparently used to roast chickens on stage .

I had watched this when it came out, but of course, I watched it again...I'm sure I've seen this video 100 tines by now. It never gets old. If this doesn't make you a believer, nothing will. Great reaction guys! It's just stunning isn't it?

Simply AMAZING! Rush is just everything! Subscribed! 💥💯🖤🎼🤘 RIP Neil Peart

Alex playing 6 string bottom neck and 12 string on the top neck... Gedddy is bass on the top neck and 6 string guitar bottom neck... Neil's kit has it all including the kitchen sink...

🙋🏿‍♀️ Torn between 🤔 Working Man Cleveland & 😍 La Villa 🎸 Strangiato. 😁 Thanks for the awesome reactions! 🍿🐰

“Eddie Van-bass Halen”, love it! Superb reaction guys. I’m looking forward to your journey. Just subscribed to be a part of it.

Producer: What time signature is this song in? Rush: All of them? :D

Only Neil Peart can make cow bells sound so fucking amazing! Love it! RIP Professor!

I love the 8s and 7s timing at the end.

Try Rush, working man live from Cleveland 2011. 3 guys in their late fiftys absolutely smashing it

It's my favorite Rush track too, George!

I think you need to do a Neil Peart drum solo live video. Maybe from the song Leave That Thing Alone live with peart solo. Lots of people will say live from Frankfurt solo but leave that thing Alone is a whole song with solo.

Molto bene grazie Evitaeterna. grande rush.

Whoever Neil Peart’s drum tech was for this tour was a fucking genius. Never heard such a great sound come from the drum kit. They sound perfect!

Subscribed! Keep the Rush coming guys! Yep. Both the bass player and guitar player play synths on pedals with their feet. And at 13:11 of your video, you see Neil's mixing tech with the mixing board in front of him for just the drums.

They finally did this live in the mid to late 80's, forget which show it was, so freakin cool to see it live!

I can't remember what I did 10 seconds ago. These guys are top Level Excellent.

It is one thing to produce such a song in a studio. Quite another to play it live and sound just as, if not better. Check out Ghost of a Chance, or Driven or Red Tide or, or, or.......so many! thanks for the upload!

It's truly magic!

ANOTHER EPIC MASTERPIECE

Watch as many Rush songs as possible…the more you watch the more you will be amazed

Natural Science, Jacob’s Ladder, The Camera Eye, Witch Hunt etc, etc

One bands of the greatest Live rock band of my generation! Check out YYZ the crowd singing to an instramental

Great react!

I was able to see Rush live over 30 times and they never forgot anything. Geddy always remembers everything. Astonishing. Funny you say the microwave, I think Geddy had a microwave on the stage.😋

AGAIN! RUSH 2112!! I don’t know how many times I have to say it. It’s blow your mind spectacular!!!

Not sure exactly of the time line. But pretty sure sometime after this video Neil Peart went to a drumming coach as he felt he needed to "improve", Yes that's how dedicated the man was. Also regarding "Working Man" in Cleveland, you need to listen to studio version also. Thing about the RUSH guys. They are as a group and individually HILARIOUS. So the concert pretty sure on that tour (working man Cleveland) opens with a hilarious self deprecating video set around a band called RASH set in a butcher shop. The finale of "Working Man" I believe is arranged reggae to mess with the audience. Working Man was a MANDATORY SONG, saw them once in Hamilton Ontario and crowd goes nuts on that tune. Like crazy! Glad you found Canada's best band ever. And Eddie loved Alex Lifeson , big influence.

If you guys really want to know more about RUSH? Then go and watch 'Beyond the Lighted Stage' A RUSH Documentary

Try Rush Working Man live in Cleveland

Great reaction guys! It's actually 7/8 and 4/4 ;)

This whole concert was like watching Close Encounters of the third kind....except xanadu was the soundtrack.

The Orchestra of Three.

Rush Army here and ready for duty...

A vote for "Red Barchetta" from that same live album, Exit...Stage Left. Not sure if Snagglepus made it to GB (He was a cartoon with a pink cat who had an upturned collar, with cuffs, and whenever he would leave a scene in a hurry, he would say, "Exit...Stage Left" or right. Google him). The most clever thing about that album is that the front cover is shot looking out onto a crowd from Stage Left, and the back and insides of the album (A 2 record set back when they had such things) are filled with subtle nods to their previous albums. Again Google it. Rush is a bottomless rabbit hole. Enjoy it!!

This was a good one. I'd like to suggest a Rush vs. Rush song-off: La Villa Strangiato - the official music video version from "back in the day" vs. the version from the Rush in Rio concert. Both live, both epic, but they have changed it a bit so Alex can have more fun. BTW, this song really showcases his guitar playing skills.

Yet another vote for La Villa Strangiato. It's an epic.

La Villa Strangiato will be highly requested no doubt, but if you need a contender to go up against it I would recommend Jacob’s Ladder, another epic, mostly-instrumental with killer soloing by Alex.

Neil hit them hard, right in the center.

Absolutely fantastic!!!!

yes he does pedals too. they rehearse a lot before the tour.

Flashback: Much younger me at home at 2 or 3 am after partying all night. Headphones on and the only light was a lava lamp lol. This song will take you places. Exceptionally well done gents. Fun to watch people discover a band that made music, for the sake of music. Not formulated 3 minute songs with a ' hook ' every 30 seconds. Just music.

Rush arguably the best 3 man band big sound from so few. Neil "The Professor" "The Goat", Geddy has to be a top 5 bassist and Alex is one of the most underated guitarists. Saw them 9 times Neil is unbelievable in this song Chimes everywhere, temple blocks, bell towers, glockenspiel, tubular bells and then his massive kit Saw this song performed a few times but this tour was definitely the best version. And he's the lyricist

Neil is as much a percussionist as a drummer

Gents! I’m thoroughly enjoying your journey down the rabbit hole that is Rush :) However, you’re selling yourselves (and viewers) short by not doing videos including the LYRICS! While I appreciate their prowess of live performances, Neil’s capacity to convey our universal human conditions cannot, and should not, be ignored. His pose are equally important as the music...he will make you think, and even send you to the dictionary! I’ve been learning from him for the past 42 years, and there’s no end in sight. Suggestions for more reactions would include: Subdivisions, Cygnus X-1, Natural Science, 2112, ALL of Moving Pictures, and SO much more.... Maybe you should do a reaction to the documentary Beyond The Lighted Stage (?). (BTW, Neil is known to use the fat end of his sticks to strike harder w/o breaking the drum heads!)

La Villa Strangiato will blow your minds away. I'd highly recommend you react to the studio version as well as the official video of the song which is live! If you thought Neil Peart was amazing based on what you've seen and heard so far......you are in for a treat with La Villa Strangiato!

Question is, how? Alex plays guitars and Taurus pedal synths, Geddy plays bass, guitar, keys and taurus pedal synths, and sings, Neil plays god knows how many percussive instruments, there is no other band in existence that compares live without many more members playing, astonishing, especially considering THREE gentlemen pulled that off live! Unbelievable! Love this band above all others.

They both played Taurus Pedals. As they played their guitars.

Awesome song!

Check out Natural Science,Jacobs Ladder (Studio) La Villa Strangiato (Studio and Exit stage left version)

He has always had ONE drum roadie, and NOBODY else touches them.