Been a fan since '77 when I first saw them. I saw them in concert, said "those guys are my favorite band now!", and they stayed that way.

I’ve also been a rush fan for 40 years. I heard “The Spirit of Radio “ and it immediately captured my attention. It was profound. I asked my friend who had made be a cassette tape with this song on it and he replied Rush. The next night we were in his basement and he said what till you hear this. It was 2112. I was hooked. I couldn’t believe what I just heard. 3 guys I said? I have been saying since 1982 that these guys are best of the best…on and off stage. Rush is the blueprint for a band. They made the music they wanted and went out on top. Other bands should follow their lead. I was blessed to see them 3 times. G.O.A.T.

One of the greatest little solo section's in rock history. They are one of the most powerful groups ever, forget trio.

After being a Rush fan for decades, the Time Machine tour was the only time I saw them live. I travelled over 11,000km to near San Francisco just to see the tour as it seemed the best tour option with such a smorgasbord of greatness from all Rush era's played on that tour. My ex thought I was crazy to do the trip, no one I spoke to at the concert did - and she is now my ex for this and many other reasons 😂

They were the best of friends as well, with no "band" drama. Plus, if you hear any of them interviewed, they are outstanding individuals as well, and, they just happen to be amazing musicians. ❤

I'm part of the 'core'. I saw my first live Rush show in 1976. And I saw this tour(with my 16 year old daughter!!!) in 2012. Watching Geddy sing the last verse on this song literally made me tear up. There is no better band I can think of attaching to for my past 45 years!

This was actually one of the easier songs for me to learn as a teenager because the vocal and bass are essentially doubling the same melody and rhythm. The instrumental section is the hardest part, but even that by Rush standards isn't too bad (I still don't have the "YYZ" lick down.) But Rush came along when a whole generation of young men were feeling alienated because they weren't cool or whatever, and suddenly here's this great rock band saying "Think what you want. Be who you want to be." They explored this topic again on the song "Subdivisions", but the ferocity with which that message was delivered here has never been topped.

One of my favorites from Permanent Waves…. To this day I get goosebumps at the end of the solos, when the register drops down. Loves this song. This whole album is awesome, and certainly one of my favorites.

Rush is bigger and better than any band ever. No band in history will ever have 3 virtuosos in their craft like Rush. Privileged to have seen them 5 times. This was Snakes N Arrows I believe.

Us Rush fans are so appreciative of their relentless passion to the art of musicianship and creativity, that they also can pull it off with such good taste.

It's important to remember that Rush ditched their original drummer because they wanted to do more complicated music and he didn't, in addition to his health issues. When they met Neil, it was as if everything just fell into place for them. He wanted the same things: to be great and to do more complex music. It really was never about the rock star lifestyle for Rush; it was always about the music, and making their shows the best they could be, and they fed off and pushed each other to make that happen. It's rare enough for a situation like that to exist, but for it to exist for 40+ years is incredible.

What a great tune! I've had the pleasure of seeing this performed live a few times. I've heard the band refer to that solo as a "band solo" . Neil Peart has said he is playing at his fastest capacity to keep up with Alex. It's rock history right there...that will be admired 100 years from now. Amazing!

I was in 7th grade when 2112 came out. For us, it was different and hard core . We knew our parents would hate it. But we loved it even though they didn't play their music on the radio yet. It was good stuff.

I must admit, I’ve never really been that aware of Rush, or listened to their music before, but that was outstanding! Thanks for introducing me to them this week. I’ll certainly be exploring them more.

To me it is also the fact that since the 70's not 1 ego overtook the rest of the band. They always thought of themselves as equals perfect marriage of friendship/talent and brilliance.

Great reaction, the best live performance of this song IMO. Neil and Geddys faces are priceless after the solo section. They knew they had nailed it and were as one having so much fun and satisfaction

My favorite band,as simple as that the problem know is who comes even close❤

Doesn’t get better than that, y’all!! Be well and God bless… from Texas!!

Great drummer, great band! Plus, they are all talented and push each other to be better.

I agree most normal covers bands don't cover Rush. But there are actually quite a few bands composed of hardcore Rush aficianodos who do manage to get pretty close to the Rush sound. Check out YYNOT who I think are the best out there right now. Their new singer Patty sounds like a female early Geddy.

As an addendum to what you've just said, you should look up their induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. It's wonderful.

Side A to "Permanent Waves" was terrific -- "The Spirit of Radio" leading off, followed by "Freewill" was hard to beat; I was very happy when I brought the vinyl LP home from the record store!

I used to sing for a Rush Tribute band. Yes it was very complex. So was my original music as I grew up a huge fan of Rush.

😒 Eyes barely open after 3 shows in 24 hrs but I can't sleep! 🤗 It's day 4 of Rush week and you guys are doing Free Will! 🥰 Let's go! 😁🐰

We are well and truly back in the awesome flavored crisp section, no boring plain crisps here. I don't know where to start, I think you guys covered everything really well. But I will rip out some highlights for me: The opening seconds when the crowd realized what was about to come. I love an educated and well-trained crowd. They were up as one. It's amazing and so much fun to be in a crowd that is so switched on and know when to react and how to react, this is a skill that takes years to hone. Rush has amazing 'crowd control'. I am staggered that they were able to get such a rich sound out of a 6-string guitar and a 4-string bass. But that drum kit though .... man, that is a beast. The drums were so tight (as they had to be for that song) and so expertly played. However, I would have loved to have seen some greater engagement. I am putting the lack of pizzaz down to how freaking complex the song is. The time signatures: I can't name a band off the top-of-my-head that isn't specifically a Prog Rock band, that can pull off those time changes. For a rock band (maybe venturing to hard rock a bit) to pull those changes off demonstrates consummate dedication to their art and exquisite skill. This was an amazing track.

Serious favourite. Never did understand why the girls at my school didn't like it... then again they were listening to Flock of Seagulls and Spandau Ballet... 😱 sad but True... 🙄 Awesome job Sean! Going to have to copy your notes to read more in depth. Great job curating. Thanks George & Alex!

This is one of their songs where their influence on Tool is more apparent. Speaking of which, when Tool recently played in Toronto, they invited Alex to play on one of their more complex songs -- one he hasn't been playing at concerts all his life -- and he absolutely nailed it.

I was at this live show in Cleveland. Was so fun!! 1st half was Moving Pictures the rest was so much fun too. Thanx to my bro in law!! He made it happen.

Ahhh My boys 47 year's!!! Our three Canadian masters!!!! Got to check out yyz ( Our airport) We love them here at home!!! We got three hour concerts. They just worked such friends. They feed of each other. Gotta also see Sars fest 560000 people. Cheers

Ladies and Gentlemen, you have just witnessed perfection.

You have to admire when musicians push themselves to the limit!😊

Excellent!! Freewill was not my favorite Rush song but your reaction and some of what you said moved it up a notch or two. Nice job, really enjoyed this.

right there is the best instrumental part ever made in music history

They were all playing at their best during this show. Alex was superhuman that night for sure. Not that they aren't always brilliant, but there is not one song from this show that isn't above great.

Rush & Nightwish are my 2 favorite bands 🤘

"Nobody covers Rush" etc. Dream Theater. Huge Rush fans but also as an ensemble, a significantly more impressive result (once again, HUGELY influenced by the best that preceded them).

Great reaction, gents. I was hoping this one would deliver some thrills and I could tell that you both got it. What a band!

Great notes and fantastic reaction boys. The energy and musicianship on this solo is very reminiscent to the Working Man solo reaction you boys did earlier. Both songs are from the Time Machine Tour DVD and is a must own Rush concert. They play their most famous album (Moving Pictures) front to back. The album where I and many became Rush fans, just a special concert.

If I had to choose 1 Rush song that encapsulates everything that Rush, it has to be this one. If I had to pick one example of how they play live, how their skills didn't diminish, how they still kicked ass even 31 years after a song was released, it might be this performance. Geddy Lee's parents were Holocaust survivors (met in the concentration camps) and relocated to Canada after the second world war. Alex Lifeson's parents were Yugoslavian refugees that settled in Canada after the second world war and they moved to the same neighborhood. How random. Oh, and both families had sons at the same time that became musical geniuses. I don't know what random twist of fate makes that happens. And then one of the world's best drummers grew up down the road from them and they became the current lineup of Rush on Geddy's 21st birthday. Astounding. I hope, hope, hope that the last song in Rush week is the live performance of their swan song, The Garden. I'll be ok, if it's something else, but what a way to end 'Rush Week'. And what a way to end a career - with maybe their best album and certainly a carefully crafted farewell (even if no one knew it at the time).

The bass sound comes through so well in this recording, amazing tone!

Great.Some very good Rush covers out there.Beth Patterson does Red Lenses a MUST hear.And Jacob Moon.On the roof Subdivisions also a MUST hear.

Had to watch this review again, so insightful! More Rush please!

Came for Rush - thanks!

Great live performance.....great song. Rush are genius.

BTW Alex don't worry about not being able to play an F chord. The man himself Lerxst didn't know how to play it as well and his version eventually became came known as the Lifeson chord 😂😂. All kidding aside, the reason Alex plays many chords to sound open (ring out) is because Rush is a 3 piece and it helps to make the song sound full.

Lots of hype in the notes, but the band delivered.

Wow! That was something else. I know I'm never going to love everything they've done, but I'm so glad that I've taken the time to listen to more of them. I already have quite a few tracks on my playlist. This would not have happened if not for The Thamesmen and Sean of course. You guys take me on some great adventures, so many surprises. Thank you. ❤

I covered Rush! :) It's hard though. Geddy changed registers 3 separate times and you'd need 3 different vocalists to really nail the right sound if you wanted to be authentic to the song. Then you have the fact that it took months of practicing one single song when we could have ben learning the entire AC/DC and Def Leppard catalogs in that same time. They "payout" of being in a Rush cover band just isn't worth the lack of notoriety you get by playing songs nobody knows or wants to hear in a dank bar on a Friday night.

This performance is great & they're abt 60! One issue tho, like most YT reactions, this or R40 vids are used. While Geddys vocals still good, it's lost some of the color and heights his voice had & is found in earlier recordings that raise the song even higher. In any case, cheers, and thanks. A little or A Lot of Rush, is always welcome, very welcome.

The Best of the Best pretty much sums it up! 😁

Actually in 2011 they were just about 60 (all born in the same year)

As much as I enjoy the vynl rush experience it does not match watching them playing live. The crowds, the the skill level but most of all watching them have fun. As difficult and complex their music is they are always smiling and playing off each other right down to Neil Perts its over growl at the end. Well done.

love Rush seen them 5 times.. When you do Working man you have to do the live from Cleveland version I was there and it blew everyone away.

Turned out it was those who thought it wasn't cool to be a Rush fan were the uncool ones. Lol.

Worth watching the documentary on Netflix, beyond the lighted stage. It really shows what they went through when they started and how the record companies wanted them to change but they decided they were going to stick to their guns and 2112 was basically shit or bust.

I like the part where they're playing music.

Geddys voice is shot here.Should have done an 80s or 90s version

This should really be on BBC 1

Think about this: They did this in their late 50s.

You should have done the live version from 1981

Cool. Cool. Cool.

By the way, love Geddy’s Rash shirt!

Holy crap 11:40 a female at a Rush concert!

You guys ever heard of that saying When you're promoting indian food " Curry Curry to the toilet" ??😂

Dream Theatre covers Rush. How well? I don't know but I trust that they know enough to not try to replicate Rush songs. Taking a song and making it in some way yours is the better way. But you are right: nobody covers Roxy Music. Concrete Blonde has a song ABOUT Roxy Music that is quite lovely but it is their song and not a cover.

Bloody hell I feel like a really good curry now!! Even a dodgy vindaloo would suffice.

I will choose free will...

I think I am actually going to disagree with you on the "no one covers Rush" comment. There are actually quite a few Rush cover bands out there. Rush has, in some way or another, influenced a ton of musicians. Regardless, I am loving Rush week. These are some of their most well known songs. It is amazing how something so complex still is a song that you can sing the lyrics to.

What Rush fans don’t understand is that Freewill has an instrumental with a fantastic bass line, as compared to Limelight, which doesn’t. Also Geddy has a vocal range in Freewill not found in Limelight. Conclusion: Freewill is better, yet recommended fractionally BY RUSH FANS in comparison to Limelight.

Nooooooooo! Lol. If you've never heard this song before, this is definitely the wrong version. Geddy's voice was completely trashed by then, and even a year or two after this album came out he had a lot of trouble hitting those notes live. Musically this was way more sloppy than the original and Geddy is painful to listen to. Anything live after 2000 or so you're not going to get Geddy Lee at his best, although the instrumental parts are always amazing.

I'd like to sponsor you. uh...Can you loan me some money?