j golanowski that is literally the best use of that phrase I have ever heard. 👍

Fucking funny man ... laughed out loud hard .... still laughing.

Man that is so clever hahaha ...

Lol

HEY TEACHA LEAVE THOSE KIDS ALONE!!!

Definitely!!!

Their first album seriously rips, Canadian Zeppelin as Gene Simmons put it

@@derekk2732 YEAH! OOOOOOOH YEAH!

Totally agree

Absolutely

I love how Geddy’s mom said she was disappointed when he quit school to pursue music, but changed with this this TV appearance saying “he’s an entertainer”

Same here. He said to check it out, and here I am!

@@DanTheManCalter LOL yup, me too! listening to the Audiobook

me too

That book is proving to be one of the best purchases I’ve made in years… So many songs, bands and videos to cross reference! As you’d expect from a genius like Geddy, he invites us beyond the gilded “page” in order to bring the experience to life. What an amazing talent! Rush 4 ever!

There's something a bit weird about the future prog rock greats playing down to earth rock & roll in a high school hall.

They had it nailed down tight even this early. This is amazing stuff.

@@user-qb1sm3rk9r Yeah, amazing find - only 5 years after this they are writing Xanadu! On one hand, I saw many local rock bands in small venues in the 70's and 80's and some were as good as Rush in this video. The difference is how those bands never moved on, still playing the same solid but derivative heavy rock forever. While Rush went into orbit!

Yes sir I'm Mexican American raised in Chicago Back or the Yards Neighborhood very dangerous but sports and Rock n Roll kept me out of trouble I'm 60 yrs young live in Laredo,TX now I was lucky to have seen RUSH 13times !!! RIP Mr.Peart and Long live RUSH !!!!!

Absolutely. I'm truly honored to have seen them 10 times and both of my children got to go a couple of those times. Blessed

When they eventully make a movie dramatization about Rush they'll put Neil in the audience.

This is John Rutsey on drums. Pre-Peart

Yep, and I was in the middle about half way between Laura Secord SS and Dalziel attending Dalewood at the time and thinking about going into Grade 9 at Simcoe SS.

ivm70 funny you mention that, because I imagined a Rush biopic for a while

David R, genius comment man. Haaaaaaaaaa

Kiss is shit

@@cmbestkey8114 But back then, Early Kiss with Ace and Peter was good.

Yeah, Rush is and always was special. Even if they were doing hard rock blues type stuff then, it had it's own unique energy.

Rush concerts were a sausage fest. KISS was a girl in every other seat trying to get the bands "attention."

They went to Belle River high school in the very south of Ontario about the same time as this.

Recorded by local TV station. Rush squired the rights in 2000s. Don't know who posted, but super thanks applies!

Totally agree!! His playing on Working Man, well all of the time is incredible, especially the 97' Toronto concert - only mentioning that one as I just watched the concert, which i was at, and it was truly an epic one at that!!

The best guitarist ever. Definately the coolest.

Thanks for your kind writing. I never thought about how they had that good luck with drummers from the very beginning- John was a very decent one. I guess his timing was even more strict than Neil's. Otherwise Neil was always Neil. John's spokesman's role here is also nice! And many thanks to whoever brought this broadcast to us!

Alex wanted a John Bonham type of Drummer after John Rutsy had to quit and Geddy wanted a Ginger Baker Keith Moon type of drummer Neal must of blew their minds John Rutsy was pretty good drummer though RIP John and Neal

Thinking back Its cool knowing they were in our school gymnasium.

Definitely owed respect!:)

@@hawkwind8468 U IS DAM RITE!

I think Rutsey has that coolness rocker factor that Peart couldn't match. Luv Rush old tunes

Rutsey got the girls for everybody, definitely...

Having said that, if Peart hadn't come along, they never would have been more than a high-pitched version of Triumph...

very interesting!! rip neil

and about 6 years later at the age of 12 I think I heard 2112 and was transported to a world from which I have never returned.

Wow, thank you for this.

And thanks to Donna Halper of WMMS in Cleveland who needed a long song to play because she needed a bathroom break took the album they had just gotten and put played Working Man and the rest as they say is history

Wow- I'm glad he didn't stay the drummer. His timing is _not_ good- started 'rushing' on that second song.

He would have the opportunity to grow also, but Neil got the chance. This was pretty early and maybe Neil wasn't as great yet either.

yes he was

Listen to JR flood; Neil was LIGHTYEARS ahead of Rutsy.

@@PNW_Sportbike_Life I hate the Peart/Rutsey comparisons. Both were amazing drummers - just different styles. I'm a RUSH fan which would include Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart AND John Rutsey. Many 'Rush' fans are really just Neil Peart fans.

@@Quad8track Rutsey can't be dismissed, he was their first drummer and did a great job on the first album. Solid all the way. However, as we all know, when Neil came in, their direction changed and the Zep/Bad Company influences kinda went away and they made way more ambitious music. BTW, I hate comparing musicians as well, they all have their style and sound. It's all good. It shouldn't be a competition

I have no idea what any of that means but I totally agree

The Dutch have an expression (some call it a meme) for when something is The Most Dutch Thing Ever: gekoloniseerd. It means you've been "colonized" and is used jokingly to mean that the Dutch have taken something over. Perhaps there is a Canadian equivalent?

The Canucks have stormed the gate.

@@brucenator Not really, since we Canadians, do not have such a long history and have never taken anything over. We did however help liberate you guys from the Germans. I have spoken about this to prince Floris in Minerva in Leiden some years ago. How his mother was born in Ottawa.

How might one go about getting Rush to perform at their high school?

Me too.

Damn straight. It boggles the mind to see the early stuff. Thank you to who ever took this video.

Very cool vid...Recording is excellent. Ahead of its time...

Google Canadian Band Stand ... that was the show that recorded this.

it was recorded for the television station. I believe ckco in Kitchener, for a show Canadian bandstand. I have a couple of friends that were teachers back then who worked there.

Only nerdy guys with pocket protectors worshipped him --- high school boys who could actually get girlfriends thought he was a freak

@@fredwerza3478 yes, I remember it well, I hung out with all the troubled teens, we partyed and smoked dope every day. The three of us who had brains always had Rush on the turntable, the rest of the rabble played AC DC. But we all got along, Lol...

All I can say is that his voice matches his face.

" witchiest... banshee man " XD XD

Ya, not too bad for a "chick with a dick"!

Legend.

Hahaha. @ 19 minute mark….the crowd is all excited to get a Beatles track….then their faces when it is Bad Boy

Thank you !

Thank you so much

My God, they were just kids and they were already this good.

Klipkultur I know. I always wished I could see some old Rush footage with Rutsey, but gave up that pipe dream Long ago. Really cool to see this

@@neub2009I do like Rutsey, but golly, he seems to have had a habit of rushing, no pun intended!

John was pretty good on the skins! He does seem a bit out front at times, but as a drummer its hard to hear the lead and bass well without monitors especially since he was behind the amps.

A picture and 8 songs...lol...spot on. Ive never actually seen him moving before today.

Rutsy was a great drummer too Neil Had big shoes to fill

Me... and you are most certainly correct! Currently reading it now!

Following their music right along with it!!

Yeah, definitely - even back then, he didn't lean heavily in any particular area of guitar playing talent. His technical ability, phrasing, tone, his ability to play soulfully were all balanced evenly. Anyone who can tie it all together like that is someone I want to emulate. I forgot how much I liked Alex Lifeson's playing.

He was not 21 yet.. neil joined rush on geddy's 21st birthday...geddy is 29 days older than alex

Listening closely again to working man and the drummer definitely held them back. He couldn't keep up.

@@rockymntdan1 are you high? If anything Rutsey was a tad fast. Give your ignorant head a ahake

@@rockymntdan1 I listened to their first album and thought good band but drummer sucks. Neil saved them.

ZZ Top not so bad either!

Or Cream ??? But RUSHHHHHH for sure !!!!!!

That is a spot-on description of Alex’s style and the band as a whole.

@@eworldtraveler Cream is fantastic. RUSH has hits, longevity, and individual talent. This video is from 74. They were still playing in 2014!

Arguably, Rush is as good as, but not better than Emerson, Lake & Palmer in the Prog-rock genre. (or the ARW Band, and Genisis as the trio of Collins, Rutherford, & Banks for that matter) Sorry Ed, but I find the validity of your astute observations regarding Rush are somewhat diminished by choosing to use the label of "best three piece band ever....." Within the diversity of all genres of rock music there's an array of trio's worthy of consideration for the title of 'the best'. I prefer not to pick one over another when the likes of Jimmi Hendrix Experience, Cream, Nirvana, The Police, Depeche Mode, ZZ Top, The James Gang, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, etc.etc. are in the running..

I'm jealous lol

All because their boyfriends were just too absorbed in the music to give them any attention😲

and who gave even one shit :-)

😂Brilliant comment

True

Not true. Been a huge fan since '81. Lotsa women love Rush.

Agreeddd 100000%

And later he played the pedals and even did his laundry all at the same time on stage.

What any of us would give to've seen this in person

I think they kind of knew. Especially listening to Alex. That dude was jamming his ass off on this at age 20?

None of them, I'd bet.

My guess would be about 23 or 24 of them.

It did end, unfortunately.

I recall the years of the 70's by the songs. In BC except for one little drive to Newfoundland and back Takin' Care of Business with The Night Chicago Died, Star Baby, Seasons in the Sun, Come and Get Your Love and Saskatchewan had the biggest mosquitos since leaving 70 Mile House where the males plucked feathers from our chickens while the females launched their attack until the day when they were exposed to 200 watts of, Oh Mama I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law... which worked like a giant can of TAKE OFF Eh. Geddy Lee, he's like a professional musician. It helps being slightly crazy, just need to figure out how. Peace.

You said it all right there @onelove1968 🇨🇦👍🏼

Same thing in Texas. Watch Dazed and Confused with Matthew McConaughey.

Truth!

For sure They could be 30 plus - truly a wonder!

As a burgeoning bass player in my late teens, listening to Rush and trying to play like Geddy helped me get better enormously. Yes their musicianship was insane. And yes you could see they had it early on but Geddy got even so much better than he showed here. I think Neil Peart really elevated not only Geddy's playing but Alex's too.

Same here man. I started playing in my teens, but my guitar skills didn’t really come together until I was in my mid to late 20’s.

@@darrensiegel6651 it's amazing what a great drummer can do for a band. Suddenly everybody plays better, tighter and the whole band steps up a few notches

" no where near this level of musicianship" , LOL , Well? No Chit. unless you were in Aerosmith or some band like that. LMAO Yea, you right " glad they made it,".. It kinda makes sense, since they were/are "Rush:" :)

His tenure wasn't even that short... this is 6 years in, and six years from this point was 1980, so if they had been as productive album-wise John would have been on 6 or 7 albums! But at that point honing their live show was arguably more important... so John's time in the band put Geddy and Alex in a position to start their time with Neil already running :)

Scott Frostad Thanks Scott for sharing your story - incredible 😀 Do you remember their setlist by any chance? Did they play the very same setlist as we can see & hear here? TIA

I first saw Rush during the Presto Tour.

That is so aweaome! I love hearing first hand accounts of these early shows

You’re a lucky man Scott😁

My Rush story is seeing them in 1974 a few months after this... playing a basement dive called Larry's Hideaway in downtown Toronto (Carlton & Jarvis) . John Rutsey was still with them. The room held about 50 people, and in between sets the 3 of them would grab a table and have a pitcher of beer.... (probably the only beverage that was served there) 😁

Agreed - he could belt those notes out like Janice Joplin.

Personally I never heard his voice ever worn and torn! Geddy has a style that prevents it. They were GOAT THEN AND ONLY GOT BETTER LIKE 🍷

Well, he is 33.3 percent of the sound, but he’s one of the best.

I agree the bass could have been amped up a bit!

in any other trio, he'd be the one we were still talking about. somewhere on the other side of cygnus x-1, there's an alternate version of rush where JR got un-diabetic & they agreed to carry on doing songs like this: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/etifqMuTz9bDaZc.html

Yes...which is why they kind of lost me for a while in the mid-late 80's...I had no problem with them experimenting and using more synths, but burying a guitarist like Alex Lifeson so far back in the mix and under-utilizing his guitar talents, that I just could not understand...the synths overpowered almost everything on some of those albums, even Neil's drums and Geddy's base and vocals...guitars barely audible, if there at all...

​@dyer2cycle I agree that Alex's guitars took too much of a backseat during the mid-80s. Like you, I was open-minded about their venturing into new territory, adding more synth, but imo they took it too far and Grace Under Pressure was the last album I enjoyed, albeit less than all previous albums. Funny, I only saw them in concert once during their Power Windows tour in 85/86. I was 13 in '85 and missed what would've been my 1st choice; Exit Stage Left, by 4 years. Still, Rush in concert was phenomenal no matter the Era.

Probably no mixer and straight L and R PA. It is a school.

Using two mics was probably to prevent feedback. One out of phase from the other.

@@hot88s23 Thai's exactly what the Dead did in their "Wall of sound"

Nobody in small-town Ontario had a mic splitter in 1974. So one mic was routed to the P.A. console, and the other one was routed to the recording rig. You see this on a lot of live concert videos shot between '69 and '75. (Isle of Wight festival, The Last Pogo for example) Took a while for people to get the proper gear.

@@PingPong85 Tk you.

Totally agree. RUSH fan since 1976. Seen them about 50 times and was never disappointed. So glad they made R n R HOF before THE PROFESSOR'S passing. R.I.P NEIL AND JOHN.

Totally agree. RUSH fan since 1976. Seen them about 50 times and was never disappointed. So glad they made R n R HOF before THE PROFESSOR'S passing. R.I.P NEIL AND JOHN.

Absolutely incredible performance!

I mean, that this clip isn't being fawned over by millions of world-wide Rush fans, and just music fans, is surprising to me. This is pretty abnormal to have this type of clip available. God bless CTV, or CHCH , or whatever Canadian television station that shot and broadcast this extremely long, and extremely out there, concert footage.

High school was so much more cooler back then: www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/billy-gibbons-on-the-zee-zee-top-prom-photo/

It was great. I’d add April Wine to that list

John was really great!

Agreed. He was solid for sure and I enjoy a few tunes from the first album and the straight ahead rock groove. Always felt peart overplayed any of the first album songs, as they were just simple straight 4 on 4 songs

j golanowski most aren't!

I put on a puppet show and won first prize.a trip to McDonalds with the principle. I think these guys shot the stratosphere

That sounds straight out of a sctv skit, lol

Master of Puppets!

@Diggerdog2nd The 70s was the greatest decade to be alive. I remember while in high school they had a several local bands play in the auditorium during lunchtime. I'll never forget one of the bands called "Ezra Pound" would play. They were actually pretty good and surprised they never really went anywhere. It was the same year (1976) when the school decided to stop having bands because of the strong smell of weed. You would catch a contact buzz just walking in. Those were the days, I feel sorry for kids today. Todays music sucks.

I saw them playing workingman at a high school back in 74' but it was either in Mississauga or Toronto still awesome.

B L haha that's great man, you probably got 8 to 10 years over me, was born in the 70s. I do remember crowd surfing in the 80s though in a concert with no cell phones.

I remember when ac\dc used to play local schools here in melbourne aus back in 74 , with the late great Bon Scott .

Yep, saw molly hatchet and Angel once at a high school

Thomas Denmark and only a nerd would know that.

@@barnacleq9341 Yup! Been playing D&D and listening to Rush for over 30 years. :D

Thomas Denmark Rock On! 🤘

never once in my life did i roll a 1d20 to hit and every listen to rush....so you can just ...wait. my bad i rolled my first natural 20 while listeninhg yyz for the first time. that was a rejoice filled day, but i was told it was rush years later.

craig watts ok it's official, you guys are nerds. The only thing I ever rolled while listening to Rush was a joint or my girlfriend onto her back.

Lol

VuckedUpVideos they knew Rutsey was leaving soon so they wanted to give him some time

Preparing Alex for what the next several decades were going to be like. In most bands, the rhythm section are the unsung heroes -- in this one, it's the guitarist who labored in the shadows. (kinda sorta -- Alex is awesomely well respected when you start talking guitar with people who actually play, or who just listen well)

Rutsey rules

they had no foresight. if Rutsey had remained we would be hoping more Alex Time. but Rutsey is missed, not Alex. he survived the eighties and the keyboards. When Geddy played Van Halen style "jump" in Subdivisions. Alex survived!

and 2000's and the 2010's as well actually

Was thinking the same thing, especially during the jam section in Working Man. Those kids were never the same after that performance.

Erindale S.S. ,1970something….Working Men indeed! They probably had a gig in Wawa the next day.They sure paid some dues.

YYZ guy here , thats the way it went down in our day .... My older sister saw the Guess Who in 69 at her high school..

From the introducer it was part of a show, so likely had all the up and coming Canadian bands

kimbo

Lucky

I went to Lakeport where Neil went...many years after though

I remember max Webster playing at governor simcoe high school..I think it was 76

@@xjeepmanx I don't remember the '76 show but I was at the '78 show at Simcoe because Max then opened for Rush in Buffalo a night or two later and I went to that one too.

I think its in a box set

He stole it from somewhere since he has a disclaimer on the description

can you reincarnate ashes, they probably burned this after selling records, LOL. awesome!

This is definitely a gem. I would have never thought anything like this existed since home video was nonexistent at this time. I think this was filmed by a local Toronto station. Sort of a real rare footage like the footage of Lifeson as a teenager telling his parents he wanted to drop out of school. I was shocked at that footage which was included in the documentary, Beyond The Lighted Stage. It seems that some local station in Toronto was doing a piece on rebellious teens or something to that effect and Alex just happened to be one of the teens they covered. I’m sure they were trying to prove a point about not dropping out, but just their luck they picked the one teen out of ten million that drops that bomb on their parents saying they’re going to make it in rock and roll and actually does accomplish that and more, becoming a guitar legend and multimillionaire. What’s the chances? It didn’t really have the desired effect I’m sure. This is where the internet proves invaluable. Where else would us Rush fans have ever found such an early concert of a legendary band? Especially a video of such quality. It was definitely professionally shot, it’s just been downed a few generations. I would love to hear and see the original footage, if it still exists. Probably not. This is the best of what’s left of it, but I’ll take that any day. I was surprised to hear “Best I Can” this early on. I thought that was written with Peart since it was first released on fly By Night. The lyrics for Best I Can do fit where Lifeson was at that time. It goes right along with that film of him and his parents, but his came true.

@@RoarOfWolverine the thing with Alex from 1971 was a documentary that was released in 1973 called "Come on, Children" they recruited 10 teenagers to live together for 2 1/2 months and film the entire thing. Its on KZfaq now, its some bizarre stuff. Way ahead of its time. It's an hour and a half long and Alex has some solid screen time.

Lol. Yeah just think what direction they would have went if Neil hadn't come around. " computerized clinic for superior cynics who dance to a synthetic band"

D C No, just room full of long hair dudes😂 No matter these days, it’s all fluid, right???

@@generalleigh7387 That's what the bat shit crazy liberals believe.

Crazy right...I liked Rutsey better..imagine if they let him write the songs...?

Yes indeed...fairly decent albums...lol👍🏾

Well 2 out of the 3 did..

@@Dahstin Uh....what?

@Alexis Gonzalez one never knows.

O

If you listened to the first album in 74, you were one of the few

I almost went to that show too but I was a little young (11or 12) My mom didn't trust my dope smoking brother and his friends to keep an eye on me or to refrain from smoking me up, for that matter. I was really bummed out that I couldn't go.

Agree, but one would wonder if Rush could of become the great band they are had Rutsey had stayed in the band. I personally don't think so.

@@607rocket Yup...Neil just had too much more to contribute...

@@robertallen6710 true.. but all props to him for being a part of their history!

John Rutsey eventually succumbed to type 1 diabetes..my beloved father passed away at 75 having this dreaded disease since he was 23...rip John and Neil.

John was tight no doubt. You can see here he was not healthy. Too bad too. I think they would have succeeded regardless though the longevity and music would have been much different with John on the kit. More this style rock like the bands of the era. (the who, zeppelin, aerosmith ect.) I assume washed out by the 80s.

Does she have a sister? I've met four female Rush fans in my entire life. One spoke only German, Norwegian and Dutch. One was an addict. One was a JW and would never admit publically she loved Rush music ( and she wouldn't marry me because I would not join her religion 😁 ). One was too hardcore and I was not able to best her in an arm-wrestle. All four loved Canada, wanted babies, believed in GOD and were magnificent specimens of feminality. Never met another since the last one over 20 years ago. "...well the Oaks can't help their feelings, if they like the way they're made..." Solid. 🇨🇦🧔 💌 Rush Station.

Neat story Man! Yep me too.My girl Mel loved them too!

An old friend of mine from back in high school (I'm 31) was a cheerleader and could play the drum solo from Tom Sawyer. She's a huge Rush fan with outstanding taste in music in general. Super cool too, we're still friends.

LOL

My mom likes rush and it's how I heard about it

Critical of the day hated his voice

Agreed...Geddy played outlandish bass lines, pedal synth, and sang the melodies.....makes my brain hurt

Seen them in 1976 2112 tour at younstown agora 5 dollers for the ticket great show

@@kevinlane7555 he probably wouldve stood out as a scientist or medical specialist or some complicated type career if he hadnt gone in the rock direction.

Agree fully. Working Man let you know that this was a true professional band in the making.

@@RMLaxCoach yep, a sure sign of things to come. But then they took it 100 levels higher a few albums later. Crazy !

Wow. Lucky you. Did you hear about them before that night? Did you buy Caress of Steel right after the concert?

Would have liked that, Caress of Steel is one of my favorite albums

Lucky dog

First time in 80 at the Cap Centre.

Wow, I grew up in MD. I know where you are talking about. I was just a kid then. I never undetstood why nobody liked that album. I love it.

Amen bro

It was common at that time for bands to perform the songs before they were released on the albums. But Neil Peart misses this song.

Pretty much most bands I've seen including Zep played songs before release. Also even though you can say they evolved I prefer most bands early raw stuff over their so called better days. When they are young and go for it. And Geddy singing high like on the albums. I prefer this hands down

Good band but never liked Lee's voice

turns it on to say "subdivisions"

You can sometimes hear him on bootlegs! And sometimes he actually sounds pretty okay. :P Nah, I adore Lerxst, but even he admits he has no problem leaving the vocals to Geddy.

He never sang

Omg I was thinking the same thing! I honestly I don’t believe that’s AL's voice on Subdivisions.

Rick Gurule it’s Neil’s voice

I'm pretty sure his onscreen name was Grantly

Good one

😂😂Good one!!