Rush...the world's smallest symphony orchestra.

"RUSH makes every other band look Lazy". That's the most insightful comment I've ever heard on any reaction! 🏆

This performance is the epitome of multitasking and incredible musicianship. It is truly astounding to think that all that sound is coming from only three people. There will never be another band like Rush!

I was blessed enough to discover Rush in 1982. I saw them 54 times. I consider myself very - very lucky.

This is the gold standard of live performances. Nothing else compares. One absolutely mind-blowing fact about this song is when they were ready to record the Xanadu track you hear on the Farewell To Kings album, Geddy, Alex and Neil walked in, played a minute or two to calibrate all the sound equipment, then played the song start to finish in 1 take, nailed it 100%, walked out, no second attempt needed. Absolute kings, only 24-25 years old back then and already world-class musicians.

Alex's switch from the 12 string to the 6 at around 12:11 here never ceases to amaze me.

One of the greatest live performances by Rush... I am 64 yrs old and was introduced to Rush in 1976, my first Rush concert was during the Moving Pictures tour 1981 when they played Xanadu and it was to the tee like this live performance. I have seen the video recording dozens of times and it still make my hair stand up over my body. The one thing about the 3 men Alex, Geddy and Neil is the pure joy, brotherhood and perfect musicianship playing their music to an audience. It's just magic!

“So there are times when you know you’ve just witnessed greatness…and this is one of those times!” I love it! I’ve been listening to this song for decades and it still gives me chills! All that sound and perfection from 3 GOATS!

This is, imo, the greatest live performance of any song, by any band, EVER. Perfection.

Three best friends having fun together.

I love your line at the end.... "Rush makes every other band look lazy".... FACT!

You start listening to Rush - and you are jumping down a rabbit hole. 40+ years of brilliant recordings.

"Rush makes every other band look lazy." Wow, what an incredibly accurate statement! That was a joy to watch with you, neighbor. Thanks for listening to the small people. You rock, sister!! The only way that could've been better is if I was......never mind. 😉 Til next time...

Can't ever see/hear Xanadu too many times :)

A day without “the boys” is like a day without sunshine!! RUSH FOREVER!! From one RUSH CHICK to another!! 🤘🎶💜

Neil Peart absolute drumming genius

The greatest 3 piece band to ever walk the earth and I truly miss them..... rest in peace Neil

Xanadu is based on an unfinished poem by 19th century English poet Samuel Taylor Coolidge

Small bit of trivia - Xanadu was recorded in one take! ;-) Despite its complexity and length, Xanadu is a rare "one take wonder" song. Guitarist Alex Lifeson said, "Xanadu was well rehearsed before going to Rockfield, I remember that. On the day we recorded it, Pat Moran, the resident engineer, set all the mics up and we ran the song down, partially to get balances and tones. Because it was a long song, we didn't need to complete that test run. "We then played it a second time from top to bottom and that's what you hear on the album. Needless to say, Pat was shocked that we ran an 11-minute song down in one complete take. Practice doesn't always make perfect, but it sure helps!

Why is Rush So good 1. Best Rock and Roll Guitarist ....EVER 2. Best Rock and Roll Bassist.....EVER 3. Best Lyricist and DRUMMER of all time..........Period.. It just all add up to the Greatest group of musicians of all time.

One of the most epic performances…, ever!

My older sister introduced me to Rush when Moving Pictures came out when I was a kid. I was listening to ELO at the time. One runthrough and I was absolutely hooked. I then saved up my allowances to start collecting the back catalog, starting with Hemispheres. I begged my older brother for his copy of 2112. From the get-go, Rush became my life band. You will find the answers to life through the words of their songs and discover peace within the music itself. That is the magic of Rush.

What a great reaction. Yes, Rush is arguably the best rock band ever. They do make most other bands seem lazy.

This song is on my top 10 all time best rock songs. It is always fun when a reactor recognizes how great it is. Kudos to our RHN!

A lot of folks don’t stop to realize just how hard Neil pounded his kit. Such a strong, masterclass performance from all of them here - the dynamics are fantastic for a live show. One of my all time faves! ✌🏻

I was so lucky to see this tour in 1981. This song live is something I'll never forget, one of my favourite concert experiences. I'm 58 y/o and have been a Rush fan since I was 11 years old. The way they reproduced this song live from the studio version. No tracks no over dubs no loops. Just 3 extremely talented musicians!!!

I think new Rush fans and old Rush fans alike still find it difficult to comprehend this was recorded 43 years ago. Wrap your mind around that. All the bands and artists that has come along since then. We have heard spectacular music great music and well something sold as music. This is still far and above the rest an epic masterpiece and it was performed in 1981. Perspective for you. The album "A Farewell to Kings" was recorded the same year Apple debuted the Apple II computer. Two years after Microsoft formed. This live version happened during President Ronald Reagans first term in office. It really is mind boggling.

Before you read the lyrics, check out the poem "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge from the 19th century; Neil created the lyrics to this song based upon the poem. It's long, but explains this song

The key to their early stuff, for me, is how they were essentially storytellers. The music and lyrics both served one thing: the story. The beginning, especially, evokes a traveller making his way through a woods with the sounds of nature all around. Once the traveller finally finds Xanadu, there’s a big crash of all the instruments to indicate the wonder. Their first 6 albums, for me, are impeccable works of magic.

Welcome to your first RUSH epic. Every Rush album from 1974 Fly By Night up until Signals, and at least on epic song. As an original Rush fan I consider these the golden years. These are the songs that separate RUSH from all other bands. Don't let Xanadu be your last foray into the epics.

Hi from a 65 year old woman who rediscovered Rush just in the last few years! I have watched this performance dozens of time and cannot tire of it. they are so good! Wanna know something sad? I grew up in Montreal and lived there in 1981 but i did go see that show, fool that I was. The tickets would have been around a whopping $15 at the time... ah well... thank goodness for these videos. Great reaction!

Considered to be one of the best live performances ever in any music category.

I literally can't help but get choked up listening to this. They were and will always be such a HUGE part of my journey as a musician and bassist. Miss the boys from up north more than I can possibly say.

One of the big stars of this performance is the video editor. Hats off to whoever managed to document the manifold roles of each band member so we can see an accurate representation of how they constructed this full spectrum of sound; especially at key ensemble moments, transitions, etc.

I get teary every time I hear Neil talk. Him, they, have had a profound effect on not only my life, but so many others of us cast outs, us music purists and absolute musical nerds. They are the result of what happens when 3 people obsessed with making music, say a collective "F*ck it. We are doing it our way". Some people pretend they don't get it, but they are just making excuses for the fact that they do get it, but refuse to admit when they're wrong. "Where's My Thing? There It Is" live in Dallas. Mind blowing

This is widely considered to be THE greatest prog-rock song ever. And of course, from one of the originators of the genre and one of the greatest lyracists ever. RIP, "Professor".

Now you’ve done it! This is reaching music perfection.

Basically three great musicians. I've always thought Rush were very quirky in their song writing and I mean that in a good way. You never know where a song is going to go next but it always works.

Thank you my dear!! I found your channel following RUSH reactions videos There my favorite band and I love seeing new fans fall in love with them. Your reactions always put a smile on my face. I'm 57 and been listening to them my whole life. Cheers from Ontario Canada.

I must have seen this video at least 20 times. Never bored.

It's as if Rush simply decided they would try and generate as much suspense as possible with half the song as an introduction. Most epic intro of all time.

Just remember that you are watching LIVE performances, instead of studio versions. Rush has always excelled in there LIVE performances. That is one of the reasons us die hard fans love them. There LIVE performances are there masterpieces.

Absolutely one of the best songs ever played live..

Lograr esta perfección en vivo!! Solo 3 músicos!!! Por favor RUSH es lo más grande que existió como grupo de rock progresivo!!; gracias RUSH Argentina

I FIRST SAW THIS IN 81,I'm old now ,but i was there.I am happy.My Band

See Alex switch from the 12 string to the 6 string so smoothly at the 12:10 minute mark, incredible and near the end of the song his solo is crazy good and then, he goes out with the foot pedals while rocking the guitar., amazing! ..and Neil on the drums throughout the entire song is just so damn good and of course Geddy seamlessly plays alongside them so amazingly. I love Alex, I love Geddy, I love Neil.

OMG you are speechless I adore that💯💯💯 That smile is showing pure joy from your heart and soul ❤❤❤❤❤ #reaction #rush #rushreaction #geddylee #alexlifeson #nealpeart #redheadedneighbor #bestreactor #redsarmy #beautifulduncountrygirl #heartofgoldwithmetalinhersoul

Greatest power trio and best live performers period. So sad that the greatest show on earth could only bless us with a little over forty years of magnificence they're so missed.

Some lyrics that get me emotional every single time: Losing it, Witch hunt, Vital signs, Red sector A (About the holocaust), Middletown dreams, The pass (Teenage suicide) and my favourite Available light. That last one just rips my heart every time since Neil’s passing. Please check these songs with the lyrics nearby. Brilliant writing.

They played my junior high school dance as a cover band, saw them in bars in Toronto, saw them open for The New York Dolls at The Victory Burlesque. Many stadium shows, and this song gives me goosebumps EVERYTIME!!!!

Howdy! So glad that today's youth are getting introduced to the music I grew up with. Rush was one of my favorites. These guys are so unbelievably talented!! And they are having loads of fun together!!!

Seen them 43 times but I still say this is their Masterpiece.

How lovely to start my Thursday with that amazing song and such a wonderful reaction to it! 😊🙏💚🌈☀️🎵🍀🦋🌻

One of the best performances by any band, ever. RUSH was one of the best performing bands of all time. I was fortunate to have been able to see 18 of their concerts over the years. Never ever disappointing. Always EPIC performance, EPIC shows .. RIP Neil Peart, we miss you!

the drum-kit that opened up all of the doors for me. I was 11 in 1981 and saw this kit in a magazine and I was hooked, amazed, awed and inspired. To do what Neil was able to do musically and compositionally has him firmly entrenched on my personal Mt. Rushmore of drumming influences.

You just witnessed the best live performance ever. RUSH has 175+ songs, it's a deep catalog but you won't regret going down the Rush rabbit hole. The best band ever in the universe

Both Geddy and Alex use the Moog Taurus pedals on this song while playing their guitars.

Bear in mind, this is "early" Rush. It's from Farewell to Kings, their follow-up to 2112, the first album that was noticed by a wide audience. They were in such a period of growth here; it's a amazing. My favorite Rush song, Closer to the Heart, is from Farewell to Kings.

My introduction to Rush was in 74 they played my high school for a school assembly. I have seen them 9 times since and have seen them perform this song 3 times , this by far is the best version. All 3 are goats. What a full sound for just 3 maestro's all of them at the top of their game here. Canada Rocks!!!!!!

🤗 Oh we are so here for you & ready for these Rush Reactions! 🥰🐰

Whenever I introduce someone to Rush, this is the song I use. I tell them it's the story of one man's quest for immortality, subtitled "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it."

Simply a perfect performance. Never gets old.

Your smile and reactions makes this old man smile too . Takes me back to the 70's when I first heard Rush when they blew my mind . Cheers from Toronto .

Hearing Neil’s voice echo in the beginning brings me to tears almost every time, I just look up at the clouds and imagine he’s speaking to us from there.

I watch your face and expressions and seeing pure joy in you listening to this. As a Canadian, and a Rush fan from way back, thank you. You have brought new light to these songs and hopefully exposed this trio to new audiences. Sadly Neil Peart is no longer with us but the legacy of great music,. exception lyrics and pure power rock, lives on forever. Signed, a grateful Canadian!

Greatest band ever!!!

Best live performance band by far at there young age. They got better playing live than they did in the studio. There live music is so much richer in sounds than the studio versions. And they always played one hell of a live show. I’ve seen them 10 times from the 80’s to 2013.

From a fellow Redhead, glad to see RUSH bringing to YOU what they provide in Resplendent Abundance.... JOY! 🥰 Was so Fortunate that one of my Junior High friends turned me on to RUSH on his dad's stereo in the man cave/pool table room in 1975! Thanks Dan!🥰 My favorite concert of theirs was at the Hollywood Bowl in July of 2004! The Bowl is one of the Best Venues on the West coast! 👍 Check out "Losing it", and "The Pass", and of course " La Villa Strangiato" just to name a few! Enjoy your Journey! 😁 Mike in San Diego. 🌞🎸🚀🖖

The song comes in so full of mystery and magical expressiveness. Beautifully done. And develops into such an explosive onslaught of technical musical delivery. Delivered with complex changes and execution. Each playing very very difficult parts. All syncopated and executed with a kind of flawless delivery. The lyrics are really important, and well written. Really, a jaw dropping performance.

It's such a joy to see a young beautiful woman open to listening to arguably the best ever rock 3 piece and getting into my favourite band ever. Your joyful reactions make me remember how I felt when I heard Rush tracks for the 1st time. Keep going down the Rush rabbit hole! So many joys await you! X RIP Neil. Miss you.

Your reaction to this was a complete privilege for me to witness. So genuine. You made me feel as if I too had just discovered the greatness of Rush all over again. And this happened for me nearly fifty years ago! I was thirteen. Congratulations and thank you! I will subscribe and look forward to more emotional joy received from your videos. ❤

I had the privilege to see rush live in concert six times in my life times and the first time in 1981 the moving pictures tour in reno nevada it was definitely incredible stage performance.

Another great reaction!!! Through your Rush journey thus far...you are truly witnessing musical greatness!!! More songs below that you haven't reacted to yet. Top of the list is La Villa Strangiato. - La Villa Strangiato - Live in Cleveland from 2011 Time Machine Tour (Instrumental - custom "carnival" intro) - original was 1978. Pure musicianship!!! UNMATCHED - IMHO best instrumental EVER. This was performed just BEFORE Working Man at the concert from what you reacted to before. These were the last two "encore" songs at this concert. Not bad after playing for 3 hours and them being in their 50's. 🙂 - Freewill... Live from Snakes and Arrows Tour 2007 - original was 1980 - The Garden (Clockwork Angels tour live) - original was 2012 - Best Intro Ever - Live version (R30 tour 2004) - various riffs from their 1970's songs leading into Spirit of Radio - original was 1980 - Leave that Thing Alone - Live in Cleveland from 2011 Time Machine Tour (Instrumental) - original was 1993 - Malignant Narcissism (instrumental) and Drum Solo - Live 2008 Snakes and Arrows Tour - original was 2007 - Subdivisions...original video (preferred) or live version - original was 1982 - Fly by Night - original was 1975 - Also...Neil Peart's Drum Solo Live from Frankfurt 2004. He was The Professor...a pure musician and percussionist...not just a "drummer". Be ready to be amazed by not just his hand coordination...but most of all his foot coordination...basically his feet being completely individual in timing from his hands during segments of this performance. He was the master of this technique.

Xanadu is a great song. This live performance is my favorite from Rush. When I would see them perform this live, the light show and the lasers that would shoot over the crowd made this song so epic live. Thanks for reacting to this. I could see it blew your mind!

Greetings once again from San Diego's resident Rushoholic. This version of Xanadu came a few years after the original studio release on their 5th original studio album A FAREWELL TO KINGS from 1977. You might try that version along with the rest of that album on your channel. Xanadu is considered by myself and others as their finest song. By the 5th album, most bands are toast. Rush were just getting warmed up in the early phases of their career. The drums were still all acoustic with numerous effects some of which appeared quite readily in this concert such as orchestra bells, wood blocks and wind chimes. Geddy only used his double neck for this song. The lower neck (for a right handed player such as Geddy) is a 6 string electric guitar that only compliments Alex for the handful bars that finish the piece. Then Geddy's double neck goes back in its case. What's remarkable here is that the live performance is, by its nature, done in a single take after years of performances. Equally remarkable was how this was produced originally in studio. Xanadu was a new song which they ran through once to find the best microphone set up. The next take was the only other with no studio dubs for the instruments. The vocals were overdubed later as usual. Geddy turns 71 on July 29th. He and Alex were both 27 in this video. Neil was 28. Rush makes every other band seem lazy. Just remember to not seem lazy, but to stay classy...

That laugh when they move past the intro.... yeah, you get it. 😍

The first time i heard Rush i knew this was going to be something great. Been on this ride from start to finish. God needed the best drummer ever in heaven because he knew.

I always get a tear in my eye watching this performance. maybe for the professor or just thinking what it would be like to live forever. So much wisdom in Niels song writing.

This track showcases the very best of Rush music !! 🎸🥁🎤🙏👏

This song has always been the epitome of Rush as Prog Rock… Agree greatness and a masterpiece. Fun reaction and review 👊🏻

A true masterpiece! Especially for 3 performers ❤❤❤

If you don't already know, Xanadu is based on Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem 'Kubla Khan-A Vision in A Dream.' It is rumored that Coleridge wrote this either while smoking opium (in an opium den), or wrote it after coming down from the opium.

One of my favorite songs, sometimes they just leave you speechless! Grab a nice warm cozy drink and settle in for RUSH 2112 !!!, Its a discovery and adventure within itself !! Loved the reaction !!! Cheerz!!!

Best live performance of any genre ever! The Three Guys Orchestra Best band ever!

This is a performance that always brings tears to my eyes, when I watch someone witness it for the first time. I suffer from an affliction called empathy, so when I see you and others become overwhelmed with their greatness, it brings just as much joy to me. When you listen to 2112, and I know you will, there's one produced as a comic book version, wherein you'll be able to read the lyrics and story elements as was included in the original album sleeve. Be prepared for top notch performances by all three, even by their standards.

Omg I love you. You’re doing the Exit Stage Left version. This album describes my nerdy young teen mind. I listened to this album religiously as a teen. And this song. It helped me deal with a lot as a teen. Thank you thank you

The single best live performance ever recorded

1981. When playing a double-neck guitar and a double-neck bass was a thing. And playing with a cable to the amp. Those were the times 😍 Once again, loving your reaction, RHN 🥰

You are so great. Love your so in to Rush.You understand them. Great lyrics from Neil. God bless him.

Now you know why I bugged you about it for so long. In many ways, it's their magnum opus. Regarding lyrics, Neil is a master. He was deep, he was thoughtful and he was brilliant. They didn't call his the Professor ironically. I call this song ... three guys and seven necks! Neil plays an entire percussion orchestral section; Geddy is on Bass, synths, bass pedals, six-string guitar, and vocals; Alex on six and twelve string, along with bass pedals and triggers. It's like an entire orchestra and three guys running around on stage pulling it off. Simply one of the greatest performances ever!!

This takes me back to 1977 when I saw them in San Antonio at the Majestic theatre. I'm actually shedding a tear, right now!

The different stages of the song are about the stages of the character looking for Xanadu. First searching. Then finding it and becoming eternal. Last regretting becoming immortal. A thousand years have come and gone But time has passed me by Stars stopped in the sky Frozen in an everlasting view Waiting for the world to end Weary of the night Praying for the light A thousand years have come and gone But time has passed me by Stars stopped in the sky Frozen in an everlasting view Waiting for the world to end Weary of the night Praying for the light Prison of the lost, Xanadu Be careful what you wish for. Many of Neil's writing is about that topic.

I saw this in Toronto the same week as the Montreal show. It was the Hemispheres tour, and this set was Broon's Bane, The Trees and Xanadu flowing right in to each other. What a band, what a band!! Please keep on with your Rush reactions and please do a reaction to "The Garden" live version.

3 people get together and what a result! Perfection!

The greatest band 💯💯💯 been a fan since 1980 my dearest friend turned me on to them Neil peart the greatest lyricist and poet hands down 💯 the greatest drummer 🥁🥁🥁 RIP brother u are missed everyday the professor 🥁🥁🥁🥁

1977 the studio album for this song came out. Girls were just getting into Disco while I was jamming to this and tons of other ROCK! Made talking to girls tuff while biting my tongue!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎

You want lyrics?? Two words... "Entre Nous" from Permanent Waves... Best love song EVER!!

Masters of their craft

Nobody's commented on this that I know of. Right after Getty sings "praying for the light" and before he says "prisoned in the Lost Xanadu" Neil does this extremely courageous flip of a stick. He throws it up in the air catches it almost above his head and comes down on it and in one motion does a cymbal hit. He's moving his hand downward as he's catching the stick. It's simply amazing. If he missed that stick in that part of the song it would have been a noticeable mistake. What confidence and courage that took. As an amateur drummer I can tell you how it feels when you come down with a symbol hit coinciding with a base hit right after a rest. I can almost see what he was feeling when you hit that. Has anybody else ever seen this stick flip? I've never heard anybody comment on it. Maybe as an amateur drummer I'm the only one that notices. Well I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I just stumbled across this video, I love watching reactions to Xanadu and YYZ! This was actually the very same video that got me hooked on Rush, as well as their “Exit Stage Left” LP. Not too long after I heard that 80’s rock goodness, I saved up the money to buy a signature Geddy Lee jazz bass as one of my first musical instruments, and began to learn their songs! It’s been so much fun, I love how active Geddy is with his playing style. 😊