Behind The Vinyl - "Tom Sawyer" with Alex Lifeson from Rush

Alex Lifeson of Rush dropped by boom 97.3 to share a story about their song "Tom Sawyer" on vinyl! Alex talks about the connection with South Park and the key ingredients to making their “Moving Pictures” album: cognac & volley ball. Watch as Alex goes Behind The Vinyl!
For more BEHIND THE VINYL go to: boom973.com/behindthevinyl
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[@bearmare9710]

"We sure did play this song a lot." Now that IS an understatement

[@braydonguitar649]

Am I the only one that was shocked when they found out Tom Sawyer was in fact, not Canada's national anthem?

[@itzel1735]

The Canadian Anthem is “Take Off” from the Great White North album.

[@Steve.Cutler]

It should be

[@JS45678]

“It’s kind of all over the place. It’s not a traditional sort of arrangement…” This sums up RUSH’s entire music library!

[@trblemkr1d106]

This summer ( 81 ) I was 19 and a junior mechanic for a big Kawasaki dealer in Tulsa , Ok . The owner sent me to Dallas , Tx. with an old Ford truck , a trailer and about 200 dollars cash ( WOOHOOO ) to pick up a load of Jet Ski's . One of the things I bought was Rush's Moving Pictures and a ZZ Top 8 track ( yeah buddy ! ) because as we Okies knew the radio stations between Okie City and Dallas were crap back then . I still remember the face he made when he saw the receipt for those tapes ( hey ! I was 19 ) . Saw the Moving Pictures tour ..... AWESOME ....GOOD TIMES !

[@northernlitez1]

I went to a Moving Pictures tour concert in '81. April Wine opened. Great show

[@SuperBoomshack]

Sounds choice

[@mikemercer5808]

THAT is a KILLER lineup!

[@bobthebear1246]

Wish I had seen that. That must have been one amazing show back then.

[@79tazman]

April Wine and Rush hell yeah that had to been a great show

[@jenniferbrasuell5060]

Me too!!

[@skparkes1969]

It’s ridiculous how humble Alex Lifeson is. He is one of the all time greats and yet he remains a fundamentally decent and respectful human being.

[@juanblanco3983]

It why the three of those guys remained such good friends and never let success get to their heads.

[@skparkes1969]

@@juanblanco3983 yes - I’m sure that’s right.

[@MohammedSinghar]

did you guys ever see the movie/documentary "come on children" with a 17 year old Alex Lifeson?

[@shmk1]

Love Alex he is hilarious

[@jackzimmer6553]

Wah wa-wah wah wah. He’s great, funny and one hell of a guitarist!

[@skatscan]

Let’s hear it for The Bag!

[@hustler3of4culture3]

It's really hard to play... for Some people. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@3felinesstudio]

Where's the bag, Howie...where's the bag??!!

[@leelifeson9150]

For me! Rush are a life style.. EVERY album is perfect:) I'm 53 and have been a huge fan since I was 14.. the guys have been and still are a huge part of my life:)

[@rogersanderscustoms8121]

I am four years behind you so now in 2021 my story is very similar....I am 53 and I became a fan when I was 14. My older brother randomly bought a cassette of 2112. When I heard it, life changed.

[@timsacco6g694]

When I got my driver's license in the early eighties this was one of the first 8tracks I ever bought used to roll around in my 67 Chevelle eight-track blasting high as f***

[@0penpress]

So often I hear band talk how horrible the recording and writing experience was and how they fought within the band. It's refreshing to hear a pleasant story of positive enjoyment from This Band.

[@turnleftaticeland]

that’s what makes rush special. they’re the closest of friends and hardly had any disagreements. it’s the canadian way q;

[@shaughnziech2193]

Three normal hosers

[@marioiacolucci]

He was in trailer park boys closer to the heart

[@ronwilliams1094]

Alex is truly one of the nicest (and funniest!) people/guitarists in rock-n-roll...ever.

[@zepgen8]

I just love RUSH .Alex is such a great bloke..Long may they Reign.

[@bobthebear1246]

When I first heard this song, I had no idea what to make of it, but I knew I had just heard something incredible and unique. After the 2nd or 3rd time, I was hooked. This was my very first Rush song, and I only first heard it in May 1982, not too long before they released *Signals.* Then, I heard "Closer To The Heart" and then "New World Man" and "Subdivisions" and I quickly became a big Rush fan.

[@AudiophileTubes]

One of the most ORIGINAL and MASTERFUL rock songs EVER! It's mysterious, powerful, pensive, and tons more!

[@Baynes91]

To the people that run this channel, thank you for coming up with the 'Behind The Vinyl' series... Really cool to hear some background to these classic songs

[@nonddd9222]

“I’m Geddy Lee, and I can sing what I want to”. Upvote. Upvote UPVOTE!,

[@RJMAalex]

I love the fact he talks about ricky and Diane Sawyer !!!

[@JW-ed5vc]

This song and the entire album are absolutely airtight. Perfection from start to finish. There is no comparison.

[@barkeater7867]

alex such a turn. love it.

[@paulseano5100]

Summer circa 1980 or 81 I was vacationing at South Padre Island and a guy would Walk out of his condominium each day down onto the beach with his jam box and this cassette tape playing Tom Sawyer psssssssssssstttttaaahhhhh! Boom tat boom tat boom tat boom! About five years earlier my friend’s older brother and let me listen to Circumstances and never listened to Rush again until that day on the beach and I walked up to the guy and said who is that? He said this is Rush! Where you been?!!!! I was in my early teens and I had forgotten the name of the band and so already having played the snare drum for a year and a half with lessons, I quickly went to my dad and said I’m ready to graduate to a drum set. He was reluctant but at Christmas time he gave me the set and I have never looked back since and I studied at Neal Peart University like many others. But, this song was on the final exam at Neal Peart University and If you could play the song you can play anything. Thanks to Al, Geddy and Neil!

[@CrimsonKarl]

He's right about the song structure: it is very unorthodox. But, it is arguably one of their biggest hits, if not THE biggest hit and quintessential Rush song. The synth figure that comes in at the bridge (if you can call it that) seemingly has no relation to the rest of the song, but it is stated with such spacey coolness that it doesn't really matter. Note to hit-makers: a song does not have to have verse-chorus-verse structure to be elevated to rock super-stardom. In fact, weirdness can be cool sometimes.

[@mikeysuzefour]

Weirdness in many songs enhances those tunes...

[@bobthebear1246]

It certainly made this song what is was and is.

[@raymondhartmeijer9300]

Yes, and I think off this album, Limelight is the only track that has the standard kinda rock verse chorus solo structure, everything else is pretty 'weird' :P . Like Geddy Lee said on the Classic Albums show, a lot of Rush songs, even the shorter ones, don't really come with verses and chorusses

[@ModernPlague]

Rush became total slaves to the verse-chorus-verse formula. Their late '70s and early '80s stuff was great; after that they ossified into mostly bland radio-rock.

[@scotthandler3314]

@@ModernPlague I don't even own a Rush album after Grace Under Pressure 1984. Rush became an adult contemporary band after that.

[@pxgardiner]

I heard this song on "The New Music", which was a music show on City TV in Toronto back then, when I was in grade seven. I went out the next day and bought the album, and spent the next couple of years trying to get my hands on anything I could about the band. Fast forward 35 years, and I'm still listening to them every day. I have seen every tour since then, and brought my whole family to the R40 concert last year, and this song remains my favourite.

[@jobaecker9752]

What a lovable goofball. :P

[@meesterdinglefritz2064]

Canadians... gotta love em.

[@rogersanderscustoms8121]

I can't say it enough, I love this guy so much. Deep love for all three.

[@ricashbringer9866]

I always liked the album cover of Moving Pictures. A motion picture of people moving pictures of moving pictures, and people being moved by the pictures.

[@angelo062367]

I had watched the video of rush doing this song in the studio and it was so awesome that it just blew me away, all of the band was just so tight and sounded so good. a great video to watch. rush rocks

[@k-dawg3893]

Love the TPB reference at the end😂😂😂

[@HiVoltish]

I remember when I first heard this. Standing in driveway of the house we practiced at, 10:00 pm, freezing cold, freshman in High School. An older friend pulled up and said "holy shit you got to hear this...". Like it was yestetday... Been a fan ever since. Thanks Rush for awesome music. Than you Mr Peart for showing whats possible and how to weather the horror that life hurls at us.

[@christopher8220]

Yep, gotta bless Ricky and his Rickyisms

[@CrimsonKarl]

What Alex said about the drumming is correct, but it's not just Neil's bombastic and intricate fills that make this song so difficult to play. It's also the tempo. The sixteenth-notes on the high-hat are just within the bounds of what is humanly possible in a rock-drumming context (without employing some kind of Moeller technique). You have to have good stamina to pull it off live.

[@vantonspraul]

Exactly. I remember faking it by playing both hands on the hi-hat just because it hurt my wrists so much playing it one-handed.

[@sarahwentforalemonwedgeand8991]

@TheKimMits

[@honuman39]

As a drummer I don't think it's a tempo that's excessively fast. 155 bpm or so. The verses have a pretty conventional groove that breathes but it's a hard hitting groove. Those 1/16 notes have to be on and each snare and kick note has to be solid with feeling. It's musical and heavy which takes a lot of energy and focus just to give that feel with power. Then there's all the fills, rolls and accents which takes a lot. To me it feels like it's the consistent output of heavy power through all of the parts that makes it challenging. I think Neil plays more technical songs but this one is all out straight through to make it work.

[@davidgrout1056]

@@honuman39 Tom Sawyer is actually around 177 bpm. But you're right - it's not particularly fast. Neil hits really hard, which affects his groove and speed. When he relaxes, he really flies, like at the beginning of most of his live drum solos when he starts with single strokes on the snare drum. But for a reality check about what's humanly possible in a rock drumming context, CrimsonKarl, check out Simon Phillips on the live version of Pete Townshend's Face the Face. He's doing a sustained shuffle with one hand at about 210 bpm. I haven't found anything in a rock song that comes close to that. Has anyone else? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpi1fnyseduci8k

[@jnishar]

@@davidgrout1056 That is awesome, im a huge fan of simon aswell. But i belive this one tops all of them including jeff porcaro who also was a master of the high hat. But this must be a killer. Check that time counter! Its insane! chris did one hell of a job that night kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3Tbf2Ondqararc

[@scottshipps3614]

Tom Sawyer was the first Rush song I ever heard and it’s my favorite Rush song

[@mightymartianca]

What I love about Tom Sawyer is the control of mood and tone. A lot of that comes down to Neil, who can be so damned busy, but always stays on top of it. There's so much energy in that song, so much drive, and yet Neil doles it out so carefully, like there's a limited number of moves he can make, so he reigns it back in. The tempo is weird, the structure just so peculiar. I can imagine they got tired playing it, but I've heard probably a thousand times, but something about its structure surprises me every time.

[@juanblanco3983]

I’ve heard each of them, on their own, saying they never tired of playing this song. Thank goodness for us, we never do either

[@mommyofzuzu]

He's so sweet!

[@bobbyvoltage7171]

Rush + South Park = Party time.

[@phenbuz]

That is just THE HISTORY. I am the most grateful man in the world for could watch Tom Sawyer alive one day in my life..

[@semiacoustic2017]

I saw Rush in the late 1970s and early 80s, believe you me it was not just a rock concert, it was an education.......never been a band like them, and never will be.

[@santoslhalper6116]

Even Alex gets mesmerized by this song

[@alukuhito]

He sounds sick and tired of it though.

[@davecody5997]

One of the greatest guitar players ever!!!!!

[@jobckts682]

Drummers Needed an Anthem. Learning Niel wrote lyrics, blew minds even more.

[@neckarsulme]

Class act all the way...Thanks for the music guys!

[@serekithegreat]

Definitely one of the top 10 rock songs ever written & performed. Many, many, good times listening to this when I was in high school.

[@MozartJunior22]

-Alex talks about Neil's crazy drumming -Crazy drum solo comes in

[@jamesbond9873]

I’m so lucky that I saw moving pictures live! With fm as a backup.

[@DerHerrMitR]

This is the song that changed my life, both as a listener and as a musician. If it wasn't for a "Best Of Rock" sampler my mpom bought, who knows if I ever would have come across it.

[@vinnymarotta9669]

I love this man

[@hivoltagefx4]

Brings back good High School memories. I was 14 when this album came out and it blew me away. Always loved Rush!

[@katyareads221]

I was a Jr in high school when this came out....it was huge. I remember being so blown away the first time I heard it. Wow it is still a thrill.

[@whiskeycreammedia]

Misses his video queue and ironically starts late. “Hi, Alex here. No..I’m Geddy Lee and I can say whatever I want to!” The man is a national treasure.

[@ZippyThePinhead]

This tour was my first Rush concert, I was in my first year of college. 3 of us did a road trip from college to our hometown, over 200 miles. Got stoned to the bone while on the road, went to the concert got stoned to the bone at the concert, then made the trip back to college after the concert.., yes, we were young & dumb. I don't remember much about the concert except staying high, and that they did a mellow version of Working Man. We were a bit bummed out by that, we wanted the hard rocking version. Even though I don't remember much, that experience still sticks with me, because we survived our stupidity. 😁

[@MasterRichardBrian]

You three have always been my favorite!

[@mikehygj9221]

Alex............... you fuckin ROCK !!!! Thanks for the memories!!!!!! Love you man!!'

[@jamesbond9873]

Love Alex

[@CNCChazz]

I loved he started it talking about the South Park Clip lol

[@tonyrollman3991]

Moving pictures truly a masterpiece !!!

[@nb_tman699]

Rush is a Canadian's; The Beatles. I am Canadian. They have been my idols since 1981 or so. RIP NP.

[@DrJ-hx7wv]

Don't insult Rush by comparing them to the pop nonsense Beatles.

[@jasonmormando2570]

Couldn't love this guy more...thanks, Alex : )

[@theothertroll]

Hat off to Neil for his creativity, but playing it In cover bands in the 80s + I found it easy and fun 🤪

[@davidherbert9601]

That album was released on the day I was born ! Such a great album

[@BigJackGameplays]

Oh man, everytime I saw a Rush video, with one (or more) of the guys, I always laugh. It's so awesome that these guys made some of the best pieces of music in history, and still can crack some jokes here and there, and be kind, etc...

[@Faulkdizzleyearsand]

Great tune and band and voice!

[@weredesperate7138]

ALEX I LOVE YOU

[@wyndymequine9206]

When I hear this I think of the night members in MY band came late for a gig or a rehearsal (fuzzy on that)- the reason was that they were in Toronto at some photo shoot for Neil's band "Rush"- and they were going to use a naked photo of our manager for the bass drum maybe etc....just helping out our St. Catharines buddy - who knew.....? What a career it became.

[@surrealheights]

I’ve been listening since I was four years old. 32 now. Still my favorite band.

[@californiamusic]

Gotta love Alex !

[@giovanimans4ni]

3:26 HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@lhart99]

Every time I think about Rush or attempt to express how bad ass Rush is, my head just fucking explodes! They are just the best. I put them right up there with the best of the best.

[@x1625]

If Alex wasn't the best guitarist in the North, he would of probably been the top Standup comedian.

[@AVOLITE]

DAMN, I miss those days of my youth of pulling this album out of its sleeve (by the extreme edges of course!), placing it carefully onto the turntable, using my vinyl record cleaner for a few moments then cleaning and doing a check of the stylus before placing it slowly down onto the outer ring of the record, adjusting everything on the receiver, tuner and all outboard gear one last time as the first notes rang out of my stereo speakers (ones that were very much like the ones seen here around Alex) and just sitting back with the album cover in my hands and losing myself in the sound of this perfect album. That first time doing this with the Moving Pictures album was so mind blowing and I can still recall how much I knew i was onto something with this band. Had long been aware of Rush, but it was the purchase of Moving Pictures, the complete submersion into it and then the following obsession with this album for months afterwards that made me a life-long fan.

[@Diabloisalive]

+AVOLITE You can still do that. I do it every day. I almost only listen to vinyls these days. Its just so much better!

[@AVOLITE]

Diabloisalive .. I still do too on occasion. My post was more about being back in the day for real without any thought or idea of the process ever being different and corrupted like it easily is today. Not so much lamenting my youth, but the long gone reality of it all being current regarding the release date of the album and running to the record store to buy it and then treating the listening experience with such reverence.

[@tonyrollman3991]

I was very lucky to have moving pictures as a senior in high school

[@tonydir5673]

Moving pictures is the best rock and roll drumming album of all time

[@BJMallory]

Iconic.

[@andree.b4723]

Canadian T. Carlson. Love the dude (s). + R.I.P Le Studio.

[@okguy1282]

Just like we think about what we were doing back in those days whenever we hear that songs....you can tell Alex does the same thing. Alex Lifeson kicks ass!!

[@Vatch1966]

LoL Love Alex's Cartman imitation

[@BLRANCH0300]

When he does the sales voice for the dvd. 😂

[@davidcutwater2479]

Watch Alex on Trailer Park Boys....it'll make your day.

[@daveg4236]

David Cutwater I didn't kidnap him, I borrowed him.

[@AudiophileTubes]

RUSH is MASTERCLASS!

[@JohnGieschenJr]

this is hilarious - love alex and all of rush

[@nickygeeksterx01]

2.30 Neil Peart is the best drummer on this planet...period!

[@christopherdougherty7740]

Brett Kennedy best drummer alive!!! John Bonham from Zeppelin was and is the best rock drummer ever! Neil Peart is the best drummer alive

[@babayaga1767]

hemwouldn't last 2 minutes in ac/dc, get my point?

[@cocanecaulk]

Only since Keith Moon died am i right?

[@liams706]

@@cocanecaulk no

[@pterafirma]

Neil, along with Carl Palmer, Terry Bozzio, Steve Smith, etc all great, but Billy Cobham totally smokes 'em.

[@dougg1075]

Nice dude.

[@midwayer11]

I fuckin love Alex Lifeson. What a legend. Him and the Rush guys are all living legends. Nerdy legends who redeem themselves by being awesome at playing music.

[@BubbaZen10]

I am so glad i saw R40. I have seen them more than any other band. I think it was 11. (there were a few that were a little hazy)

[@Meekimotosyoutubechannel]

Alex Lifeson is possibly the best guitarist ever. He's right there with Jimmy Page if not better, in my opinion. Neil Peart is a beast and Geddy is a genius on the bass guitar. Glad Rush is in Rock and Roll HOF they totally deserve it. They never faded over the years.. still master musicians.

[@fendergibs]

Rob Meek Best guitarist ever? Come on dude.

[@1997lordofdoom]

@@fendergibs Easily the best.

[@fendergibs]

1997lordofdoom yeah in Canada

[@cherbutler85]

Well, considering some of the buffoons who have entered the HOF,...not really sure it’s as worthy as it was intended.

[@crusheverything4449]

cherbutler85 - The so-called Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame is a money-making endeavor and a total scam/sham. It’s more a marketing ploy than anything.

[@buickmonte]

Ha.....Harrison Ford acting like Alex Lifeson here...cant fool us Rush fans!!!!!

[@AnubisXII]

Theres also a lot of interviews out there of Tom Hanks acting like Neil Peart.

[@kevinm1728]

Ihave seen Rush probably about 10 times and I can't imagine how sick he is of playing Tom Sawyer every show for probably 35+ years. But I would have disappointed if I didn't hear it. Thanks Alex and gang for playing a song you probably got sick of 25 years ago.

[@NS9213]

Your sub-title is inaccurate as Alex says "done at the studio". He's saying "done at Le Studio".

[@trelard]

Nice Trailer Park Boys reference at the end.

[@skipnick]

he definitely got two birds stoned at once with that. i mean in rickys defense they only borrowed alex, and got him back safe to play his big guitar on stage or whatever

[@stevenduval6898]

He's so hokey! I love this guy...reminds me of a school chum that would tell you the most corniest song and just laugh and laugh..

[@mellowhippo]

Nice shoutout to TPB

[@davidrosser4407]

RUSH know doubt my favorite Rock band. I'm wondering in a hundred years will they be the Mozart or Beethoven of progress rock.. I think so!!!

[@jhonhall928]

This song taught me more than my man in society highschool class.

[@j88k001]

Dude is such a stoner. And it's great.

[@benturner3947]

AWW ALES DONT CRY

[@mm37too]

Kerry Von Erich used to come out to this song!

[@weredesperate7138]

I DIED WHEN I SAW THIS

[@everthealtruist]

He's so fucking cheeky.

[@scottgolden2766]

I hope they do one for Red Barchetta

[@donalddodds8335]

LoL Alex's imitation of Cartman

[@toddwalker4301]

Love this guy! Funnier than Hell too....

[@SuperBoomshack]

Every song on this album is good, no filler