Rush Pt 1: The Early Days - From Garage Band to Kings

"The Rush Story (Part 1: The Early Days). This week, we embark on an epic journey into the formation and rise of Rush, one of prog rock's most innovative and influential bands. From their humble beginnings in the suburbs of Toronto to the conceptual heights of A Farewell to Kings, we'll explore the musical chemistry between Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart (and original drummer John Rutsey). We'll dissect their intricate songwriting, their groundbreaking albums (including Fly By Night, Caress of Steel, and 2112), and their unwavering commitment to pushing musical boundaries. Discover how these three Canadian musicians forged a unique sound that would inspire generations. Kindly like and subscribe - it really helps this channel a lot. I do appreciate it!"
This is part 1 of a 3 part series.
Check out the 4 part series on the life and career of Eddie Van Halen here:
Eddie Van Halen The Early Years:
• Eddie Van Halen: The E...
Eddie Van Halen The Roth Years:
• Eddie Van Halen: The R...
Eddie Van Halen The Hagar Years:
• Eddie Van Halen: The H...
Eddie Van Halen The Final Years:
• Eddie Van Halen: The F...
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#rush #progrock #geddylee #alexlifeson #neilpeart #johnrutsey #classicrock #70smusic #canadianrock #conceptalbum #2112 #afarewelltokings #flybynight #caressofsteel #drummer #bassist #guitarist #virtuoso #musicdocumentary #behindthemusic #rockhistory #musiclegends

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Neil Peart's name was mispronounced in this one. I know, millions of you have let me know, and let me just tell you that I know. Did you know that I now know I know I mispronounced it? If not, well now you know. Thank you!

[@guitarmeetsscience]

@michaelsmith8453 it's aboot eh

[@bluesrocker6l6gc8]

Saw them live on their debut tour for the first album. Lifeson was wearing a white jumpsuit, playing a gold standard LP, had shoulder length golden hair ala Robert Plant, and broke a string. He casually told the audience, stopped the song, got a new string (high E I think), and changed it himself, while talking with the audience. Had a giant array of Marshall stacks. Then they finished the song. Have never forgotten that honest sincere moment we all saw that night. No pretense, just balls to the wall sound all the way through!

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Great story man! Yep I could totally see Alex doing that. I saw them in the mid '90s - that was one hell of a show. Flawless all the way through!

[@ProfoundOneSpeaks]

​@@guitarmeetsscienceGreat insight into early Rush. Before the internet, it was hard to find these types of stories. My brother and I idolised that band, loving the first album onwards.

[@PD-jj4fo]

It’s unusual for a bass player to break a string and there is no high E on a bass

[@tex244]

I saw them when they came out w Caress of Steel, Great Album !!!!!!!🎉😂❤

[@cashmoney7660]

In 1975 I was a freshman at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. One of my dorm buddies heard that Rush was going to play that night in three Rivers Michigan, so we all loaded up and went to this log cabin type bar that held maybe 200 people and saw and heard fly by night for the first time. I think they were warming up for their tour, great show!

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Damn - that had to be awesome!

[@Bloomcycle]

Rush played at my highschool back in the 70's . My brother went & has pictures of the show & the band

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Pretty damn cool

[@DrumsTillDeath74]

I was a budding Drummer when “All The Worlds A Stage” came out. I stumbled on the Record and was drawn in by the cover. I thought who ever plays a drum set like that has to be good. That became an understatement quickly. I went out and bought all the studio albums that came b4. I loved Caress of Steel. But Farewell to Kings became my #1 until “Moving Pictures” I’ve played drums since 1972 and still play daily. If I play covers I don’t dare touch anything by Neil Peart or John Bonham. One of a kind Pics of both hang proudly over my kit reminding me who the OG’s are.

[@guitarmeetsscience]

That is pretty awesome - the ultimate inspiration right there, and glad to hear you are still rocking the kit!!!

[@RobertChrostek]

been a fan ever since my drum teacher told me to listen to Tom Sawyer..That was over 35 years ago!

[@leeaycock8602]

As much as I love side 1, side 2 of 2112 has some really great songs as well.

[@quinnrollen]

When I get a nice chunk of time, I'm sitting down with a glass of vino and watching this uninterrupted.

[@Jamman610]

That’s what I’m doing now.

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Right on!

[@solomonmayes]

Love seeing these guys get more video essays, looking forward to parts two and three!

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Thanks - I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@MAXIMUSMINIMALIST]

I quit countless jobs and spent tens of thousands of dollars to follow the last four RUSH tours coast to Coast including dozens of front row and pit brokered tickets. I'm the one holding the Permanent Waves sign and LIFESON license plate during Vital Signs on the Time Machine DVD and also in the Beyond The Lighted Stage documentary fan photo at the Rock hall of shame photo. I wasted the rest of my money on food and shelter 😳

[@guitarmeetsscience]

That's a pretty hardcore level of fandom, man! 🤘

[@23nacho23]

Worth every penny.

[@dimebagdave77]

Thanks so much.. for me, these guys produced some of the very best rock and roll ever made

[@timmackenzie8145]

Ok so I came here after part 3, instead of what I said I was gonna do over there. Oops. Great video, on what is partially my favorite era of the band.

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Right on man thank you!!!

[@UltraPvnk]

Red Barchetta could be one of rock's greatest songs.

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Oh yeah - starting with those harmonics. Love that tune!

[@Unmonroe]

So I'm laid up on the couch with the flu but see your notification pop up about early Rush and forgot I was sick Thanks and keep doing what you're doing.

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Oh man that sucks! Well I hope you have a speedy recovery, and I'm glad I was able to do my part. Get better soon 🤘🤘

[@Nick-RiffsPit]

Ahhhh! I'm so happy to be here

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Thank you bro - glad to have you here 🤘🤘

[@mr.timebombman2230]

They wanted to replace John regardless of whether he thought he could continue or not. Because of his health issues, Ray Daniells had said he'd never make it going on that first US tour, and that he'd wind up coming home in a box. That combined with the musical differences, it was inevitable either way. John was a bit upset at the time, but if they never got Neil, who knows what they would have ended up like.

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Yep, I honestly think that they would have just gone by the wayside. Maybe remembered by a scant amount of people as that band that was around that time. Neil gave them such a shot in the arm

[@CT-Records]

Great video man! Just wanted to point out, Geddy sang with chest voice, and in his higher range, head voice. He only used falsetto and whistle tone rarely. He definitely put it all into every note, voice and bass. You can tell his vocal range began to diminish in their later years, but who could keep that up for that long?

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Thank you! Really good points on his voice as well, because yes the falsetto would have sounded really off - that was pure head voice. Man did he have a range when they first started! Even still though he always sounded great through the decades even with the lowering of the range. Such a distinctive voice. Thanks for sharing that man I appreciate it!

[@erics9754]

Rush debut was and always will be my favourite!!

[@cmonster67]

FINALLY someone mentions Jeff Jones!!

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Oh yeah!! And it worked out so amicably as well.

[@Fredster-sk9rc]

I saw Rush live in '78., Great show!

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Perfect time to catch them!!!

[@mr.timebombman2230]

A Farewell to Kings is probably my favorite album from the early days. Hard to pick though.

[@tex244]

Also, saw them at the " Aragon Brawl Room" in Chicago's Northside !!!!! Chavez ❤😂🎉😅

[@williamweiss6128]

Teenage drummer. First concert was Max Webster, UFO, RUSH. So good. $7 probably.

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Oh yeah - back when concerts were actually affordable! And good..... Damn good!

[@BrandonBames]

Uh oh....you said "pert" not "peeeeaaaaaart" ...here come the angries Thanks for the content bro! :)

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Lmao - I'm married to a Canadian, and she stands behind my pronunciation. She eats ketchup chips - so I think she is definitely an authority on the subject 🤘😆🤘

[@mofost1]

No mention of “in the mood” that’s the best song on that first album, _off a great complete album.

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Thank you

[@everydaystuffandthingsguy4554]

My favorite channel! Woke up at 5:30AM and saw 2 treats: NFL postgame press conference and a brand new gem from you doing a fantastic video on one of my favorite bands! Interesting fun fact: Geddy Lee was asked to produce Metallica Master of puppets! He wasn’t able to do so because of time. Can you imagine if he did? We would have a 20 minute opening to the song, “One” done in 6 parts with 8 times changes 😂 Master of puppets would maybe sound like this: “Yeah oh yeah! Master of puppets pulling your strings from celestial objects!” 😂 I actually told you about the time I saw Rush in 82 on the Signals tour in Cincinnati! John Butcher axe was the opening act. Never forgot that tour and I thank God I did!

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Thank you so much! Yeah - that's right, I could imagine how wild the album would sound with him at the helm. It would have been pretty damn cool! Appreciate the kind words bro Glad you dug it 🤘🤘

[@BryanPatterson-s5o]

Even non rock fans can't NOT apprieciate Rush

[@guitarmeetsscience]

You nailed it 🤘🤘

[@rogertayloRRR]

When does a band get "created"? When the name gets agreed upon? When you release a record? When you play a paid gig or when you advertise a gig with the name?

[@guitarmeetsscience]

It's all interpreted differently depending on the band of course

[@cmkdrums]

really awesome buddy 👊🙋

[@TOCC50]

5150

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Thank you so much man!!; 🙏

[@58MrMike]

My favorite Rush period. I liked them less as they “progressed “ . I stopped buying albums after Power Windows

[@TreysLosingItRapidly]

Very nice! 😎

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Thank you so much!🙏

[@marceldagenais1893]

They played our high school .Max Webster as well. AH the 70's going back .64 now living like the past it's a better place where nobody plays the laptop!

[@dimebagdave77]

Many thanks Guitar Meets Science 🤘🤘🤘

[@guitarmeetsscience]

🤘🤘 I agree - these dudes did so much for music it's unbelievable! Thank you bro I do appreciate it 🤘🤘

[@JoelPerri7777]

I was never a Rush fan, but I am one of the ppl that really love their first album with Rutsy. The raw sound, even if it sounded very Zeppelin-esque, just spoke to me as a 15 yr old washing dishes at some dive bar I worked. One of the cooks would put on that album when we would be doing end of night clean up. I remember thinking Lifeson’s soloing on working man sounded like Tony Iommi, so I def dug it. Don’t really care much for the proggy polished sound they had later, but man could those guys play.

[@hensoakira]

I love all of their stuff but yeah working man is a whole stoner rock track

[@guitarmeetsscience]

That's a great take on their first album! It sound and it's vibe where what made it so classic. And it is a great way to start off the group. They naturally progressed, those days are so well encapsulated in that first album

[@DallasGunther]

First? Wooooooo hooooooooooo!

[@guitarmeetsscience]

🤘🤘

[@BryanFink1]

Why people refer to Geddy as singing in a high falsetto is beyond me, he most certainly did not. He just had a very high natural voice.

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Nope - you're right I screwed it up. It was that elusive head voice of his. Fully admit I dropped the ball on that one.

[@davin6175]

Actually his speaking voice is not particularly high and neither is natural singing range. He punched it up high in the early days due to loud band volume and lousy PAs. It was necessary to cut through and be heard. Also the kind of bands they emulated had high ranged powerful singers. But he later would have much success singing in a lower range. However, he never lost the ability or desire to punch it back up when called for in a song.

[@BryanFink1]

@ Of course in the early days he was singing in his upper range, my point was he wasn't using falsetto to do so. It also wasn't particularly hard for him it was pretty effortless because he had such a high range.

[@youtoo2233]

I cut my Rush teeth on their Kings album around 1980

[@guitarmeetsscience]

That's a great album to cut one's teeth on for sure

[@danerichter2289]

Besy song writets...Best Band!!

[@zenn3339]

Farewell to Kings- nothing better

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Oh yeah

[@ugaais]

The Album I go to the most by Rush

[@nefariousstylo9943]

Great series though this is the first time I've heard Geddy and John "leaving" the band. Y'know, since Geddy was fired shortly after they hired a manager (his suggestion) and John Rutsey had been axed for his health reasons plus the fact the dude literally tried to sabatoge the first album in an anxiety attack.

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Thank you so much! And yes you are right my choice of words was a little off for that part. Good catch!!!!

[@scottnorris8071]

🇨🇦

[@guitarmeetsscience]

🇨🇦🍁 Canada rocks 🤘🤘

[@TRayTV]

For anyone interested but ignorant of Rush this is a good place to start. For your follow up videos you should know it's pronounced PEERT not PURT. It shouldn't take much research for you to confirm that. Though he was a hero to me, I mispronounced Peart for years. (But that was before the internet.)

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Thank you!!! The others are already in the bag..... I expect a lot of angry people popping in, but I will tell them that I acknowledge it, however my Canadian wife begs to differ and actually sides with my pronunciation. She's Canadian and supposedly they all know each other 🤘😆🤘

[@jatodd3746]

Check out another Power Trio from across the OTHER border that has a similar spirit: The Warning!

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Thank you! I will definitely check them out

[@IamMichaellucifer13]

And Metalica went from garage band to garbage band, at least Rush did it right, lmfao.

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Hahaha yep lol

[@DAMON409]

Rush was never very original. They went from copying led Zeppelin to copying genesis the copying thr police. They really got to new wavy and electronic. Lost their edge when geddy lost his voice.

[@scottrussell4742]

Yes they did

[@mofost1]

Fly by night is still blues hard rock similar to the first album, after that they became “progressive”

[@guitarmeetsscience]

Thank you

[@danholm4952]

thought hemispheres was their last real good album