Bytor and the Necromancer 1977 Live

[@juliusroescher]

It's really a shame they stopped performing The Necromancer live :( It's such a powerful and awesome tune!

[@drumgk]

In later years it was too high of a vocal range but I would have loved to see if Ged could have made the adjustments. Sometimes tuning low to accommodate the vocal range can diminish the overall song quality but they did it with circumstances on snakes and arrows live and it still sounds great.

[@petmycat2720]

JULES...I have the generic Starman.

[@dez1989]

The whole album was incredible!

[@paulluongo2756]

Listening to Lifeson go off in these early years is incredible.... I love it....

[@WillsRushpage]

Agree! Thanks for your comment.

[@cosmicman621]

Alex Lifeson....is a dude that was born to play guitar 🔥

[@kat834]

caress of steel was such a good album..... it paved the path to future things.

[@andysmith1338]

My favorite Rush album, along with Fly By Night.

[@HighPower762]

@ No freakin' way! 2112 was their breakout album! No doubt Careas of Steel was way ahead of it's time. But, they didn't call it the "Down The Tubes Tour" for nothing!😎

[@arunsabherwal6256]

Is such a great album 😊

[@arunsabherwal6256]

@@HighPower762 it was not received and marketed well by the record co....hence the market response was low plus it was over the top for many who were looking for instant gratification ...

[@shadowlandstudios86]

@@HighPower762 Without caress of steel 2112 wouldn’t have existed. Pretty sure that’s what he was saying. It was a path. And the first album to really take them down the progressive road. It’s my favorite Rush album!

[@alejandrososa5146]

I owned a wedding DJ company about 15 years ago. On nights we were short staffed, I’d work the DJ booth. At most weddings, there is inevitably a drunk uncle about 90 minutes in who makes a song request that’s completely inappropriate for a wedding dance floor. They’ve had between 9 to 11 drinks by that point, and while the songs are often good, they just don’t fit the mood. Stuff like “Cortez the Killer” by Neil Young. One of the drunkest uncles I remember requested “The Necromancer” by Rush. Song unheard, the answer would have been a hard NO, but I fortunately didn’t have the track, which I provided as my excuse. Lo and behold, the KZbin algorithm finally introduces me to it all these years later. Great song……..that has no place at a wedding whatsoever

[@WillsRushpage]

lol That's a great story. Either song would have had the dance flooring rocking not. lol

[@TheBabylonBurning]

Makes sense that upon hearing of Neil's passing I would go through Rush videos on KZbin and find this INCREDIBLE performance of two of my top five Rush songs. Until today I thought there was only one live performance of The Necromancer around. Absolutely majestic. RIP Neil Peart. Forever Rush.

[@WillsRushpage]

Sad news indeed. Thank you for your comment.

[@danieljonlewis]

Neil was Fore shadowing for 2112 ...Xanadu...CygX1...Hemi...this is a transitory-historical moment for RUSH! ..sigh..my teen years come exploding back..thanx. to anyone who had a trip in posting this.

[@jb1934]

Likewise. I was a fan since 1979 starting with farewell to kings, never really appreciated the earlier material by comparison. Now re-visiting for the reasons above I'm just blown away by the dynamics in that vocal performance, by the time of their heyday I don't think it was quite the same as what I'm hearing here. Just effortless, hitting notes like crazy all over the place.

[@christrudell7966]

What a time to be a teenager in Toronto. I was. Unbelievably fortunate! RUSH is a Canadian National Treasure.🇨🇦

[@m00nracer]

saw this in 1977, 3rd row center floor.

[@smashdalde9713]

Hell of a show by the sounds of this, they're on FIRE! Wish I'd seen them in 77' alas I was only three at the time..

[@kennymackay4134]

not '77. '75.

[@williamthrem6662]

When I listen to Bytor and the Necromancer, so do my neighbors. { I hope they can see through the clouds of smoke heading their way!)

[@oldsrocket8841]

Great comment.

[@XXXCRSPL]

Blowing up your sound system?

[@stewiedarkinvisibleid]

I'd only seen Rush 30 times, first tour for me was Permanent Waves... but I can't imagine in my wildest dreams seeing them play both Bytor and The Necromancer... and back to back no less. Must have been heaven!!!

[@WillsRushpage]

Agree. 20 times for me but yes agree. Thanks for your comment.

[@stewiedarkinvisibleid]

@@WillsRushpage 20 shows, nice! Besides that first show during the Permanent Waves tour, my top memory was when I had a meet and greet during the R30 tour, and it was on my birthday; got photos with Alex and Geddy, had my arms around them and they were totally smiling. One of the greatest days of my life.

[@WillsRushpage]

@@stewiedarkinvisibleid Sounds nice. Never got to meet them directly but my son got his cast signed by Alex in Toronto. Great day.

[@TheStuport]

I've been a RUSH Disciple since April of 1975 when I cut Biology Class one day to go listen to an album my buddy said Was A Must Hear....He was right! Best Detention Ever🤣 I saw RUSH 53 times over the years! STILL have every Stub and Ticket! Saw them perform many early tunes that were eventually shelved to make room for newer music. Dirk, Lerxst and The Professor always personified Cool Class on stage and off. The Boys became Family real fast. My 3 kids saw them Live and my Grandkids play their music as well. That is a RUSH Legacy! Great Post Will! Cheers

[@WillsRushpage]

Thanks for your visit and comment. Yes, the legacy of Rush will live on!

[@hermanhelmich]

With evil prism eyes They were so majestic heavy and creative back in the 70's And Ged's voice was such a force Strange how you can take things for granted when they occur,

[@scottsuvoski9574]

Wow! Wow! Wow! Thanks for this! I tried to blow up my powered spkrs/Subwoofer. What a treat. The Necromancer! Nothing like early Rush, loud as Hell, kicking ass. Saw them first time in 1980, and many times after that! Thanks again.

[@WillsRushpage]

@@scottsuvoski9574 thanks 😊

[@cannonsav97]

The Necromancer is the most badass pre AFTK song.

[@traumaturgist]

I love how around 6:50 onwards they riff on the "Monsters" medley which would later appear in La Villa Strangiato.

[@joelalexander4513]

These 3 loved The Who so much! Rock and roll, brothers..

[@JusCuz410]

You can hear Baba O’ Riley on Return Of The Prince.

[@midnightlands]

this is one of the most insane Rush jams I've ever heard!!!!

[@genesis0932]

Worthy of preservation in the Vatican Archives. No one writes like this anymore and we all suffer for it.

[@waltermorrison200]

My first concert was Heart opening for Rush at the Ambassador Theater in St Louis, so 2112 had to be the album they were touring. I didn't know anything about Rush at the time, but I'm sure they did this medley. I recall the Caress of Steel logo on the back screen and the Necromancer "voice". Been a true Rush fan ever since.

[@waltermorrison200]

In fact, All the World's a Stage had to be out because I had it on my turntable days after I saw them.

[@oldsrocket8841]

All the Wolds A Stage tour kicked off in Erie, PA with The Doobie Brothers, Heart, & Rush.

[@warptek]

Geddy's singing is just incredible on this.

[@AndrewGrey22]

Huh? He never sings well lyve. Although singing is the hardest job in the band.

[@dez1989]

This was VERY early in the beginning of the Minimoog and Taurus pedal days! It's the 1st time I've ever heard the Taurus pedals played on Bytor! Really cool!

[@djtebeau]

What a freaking Band! So miss them!

[@19nervousbreak]

Incredible last several minutes. ‘The Return Of The King’ is the jewel here. I can’t remember hearing them play any better of tighter and yet it was open enough they felt relaxed and confident.

[@WillsRushpage]

Couldn't agree more!

[@ghrg4]

Saw them in 77 . UFO opened. Saw them again in 78. April Wine opened. Fantastic shows

[@kaz123545]

brilliant what a killer double love rush first saw them in 80

[@WillsRushpage]

Glad you enjoyed it man! Thanks for visiting my page.

[@bigjim718]

Love it man. Just amazing live Necromancer!!!! They sound even better live.

[@WillsRushpage]

Rock on! Thank you for your visit!

[@dalegribble60]

I'll never forget a couple of my buddies when I played them these songs back then....they didn't like the sound, repetitions, off beats and the high screeching singers voice. But I knew.....I just knew.....

[@paulelliott3220]

Unbelievably great indeed Love all the early Rush stuff to death and Caress is, frankly, awesome Actually love all their albums but everything up to Signals has a truly special place in my heart Awesome post

[@andysmith1338]

Caress of steal,2112 and then they went south for me musically.All that tree hugging,acid rain crapola.

[@billybundorxo]

Andy Smith what

[@hermanhelmich]

paul elliott SAME here

[@travo2112]

paul elliott You n me both brother

[@travo2112]

Andy Smith What?

[@andrewgram3039]

On Beyond The Lighted Stage Doc they called Caress Of Steel Tour the " Down The tubes Tour". I call it the just beginning the transformation tour. The wham! 2112 and they never looked back.

[@terryreid4993]

god this is the shit!! love Rush!! Thank you for 41 years of Great, Great Rock!! Grew up on you guys!!

[@stephenhardy4158]

Holy crap, they're rocking. This might be the best live thing I've ever heard them do. The middle trippy section connecting to Necromancer is the trippiest trippy thing I've heard from them. Thx for posting. Also, Alex having a total guitar malfunction @ 15:50 is so awesomely 70s!

[@matthewjay2680]

it's awesome when Alex's git goes out and Geddy just sings right through the deal like a nice dropout, very endearing💜 and when Alex comes back in & Geddy's guitar hovering above his Taurus pedals! That's what made the jam for me; thank you so much for this awesome upload🔥

[@WillsRushpage]

Thanks for you comment. It's one of my favs also!

[@redredbloodwine]

The complete "By-Tor" live is one of my favorite songs by anybody, period.

[@sabbathtribute]

I love Caress of Steel.

[@newworldman2112]

I remember loving to hear this with my gold box DnD games as an early teen

[@irishguy13]

Neil was a mindblowing percussionist.

[@SedonaSounds]

Caress of Steel got stuck in the cassette player of my "77" Honda (don't hold it against me, now) for more than a year + 3 girl friends! LOVE THAT ALBUM!

[@couch63]

haha the chicks couldn't take the "all RUSH all the time" Honda. A lesser man would have put on some Barry White or Bread or perhaps some Eagles but not you man you stuck to the truth !

[@travo2112]

....and me, my '87 Hyundai Excel. Remember that car, one of the worst cars made. The tape proly still in it..

[@bremen8860]

72 Gremlin

[@genesis0932]

Bobby Russell 78 Datsun B200

[@timlofton6595]

Bobby Russell '68 Corvair with 8-track. Had to use a cassette adapter. Spliced in big house stereo speakers that I put in the back seats.

[@iluvpepi]

They rocked out incredibly here. Wish I were there to witness it. Thanks for uploading.

[@wycliffite]

Necromancer is a fucking JAM! Never heard it live like this. Dayum!

[@dgrundman7499]

I cant believe more of you didn't mention anything about the classic guitar equipment fail at the end of the Necromancer. It's fucking AWESOME!! I sounds like his bridge pulled or snapped. This was before the Floyd Rose system was invented if I'm not mistaken, and just listen to the crowd literally in AWE by the unearthly ferocity of JUST THREE GUYS!!! As a 40 year veteran guitarist and lifelong 'hard' aggresive rock enthusiast and apologetically confessed 'how difficult or insanely fast' technical snob, I have to say that for only the 2nd time in my half century of life, the astonished words: "thats the hardest, most insane jam I've ever heard!'

[@schafn]

I noticed that too. I imagine that a band who toured as much as these guys did had their share of equipment failures...broken drum heads, guitar strings, etc. That explains why Neil and Ged just kept plugging smoothly along until Alex got his stuff fixed and joined right back in. No drama.

[@KacyRay]

As much as I know the trainwrecks bothered them, for me to hear them just reminds me of how difficult it is to do what they did, as well as they did. In this one Geddy seems to actually lean into the situation, transitioning it into a bit of a "cigarette lighter in the air" moment. These guys were big league from the very start, and they only got better.

[@home37]

I don't hear it. What time of the song did it happen?

[@HighPower762]

@@home37 If you start listening at the 15:50 mark, you can hear Alex's guitar go out of tune. Then he drops out for a bit and just Geddy and Neil are playing while he switches guitars and comes back in at the 16:20 mark.🤘

[@joeysislandofmisfitsongs9634]

The guys always talk bad about Caress of Steel because the tour was a downer . I think its some of their best music! Love that record!!

[@shadowlandstudios86]

Agreed!

[@BlackMaidenTallica]

Undoubtedly one of the heaviest of that decade. Not only in the musical sense but the philosophical and thematic sense. But dang, they could thrash too.

[@annihilus10]

"The Necromancer" is pretty rare. This is the best-sounding live version I've found so far....

[@WillsRushpage]

Agree. one of my favorite recordings. thanks for stopping by.

[@Paul-ow9gj]

This is nice! Love all the old 70's bellbottom shit. I stopped buying Rush albums when they got too lost in the 80's techno sound. My favorite live version of Bytor is still on "All the World's a Stage". The recording is grainy and fuzzy, but reflects their raw power back in the day.

[@brucedickinson12]

and its my fav song the necromancer

[@hermanhelmich]

Paul Sanders right, and the middle section with the build up to the solo is exceptional

[@illusionclassicrock6742]

Same here! I was 13 or 14 when caress of steel came out and it blew me away. It was my first Rush Album. Saw them on their 2112 tour and every year after that until they lost me when they went New Wave/Electronic in the 80's. They got me back in the early 90's and I started going to their shows again. This stuff was brilliant!!! The creativity and emotion was mind blowing.

[@MnMSkittleSkittle]

Alex plays a spacey precursor of La Villa Strangiato at 6:45.... This performance was amazing!!

[@jkljackal]

Markell not a prelude to Xanadu? That’s what I’m hearing.

[@briankane6400]

Markell was right.

[@ryannewton1202]

@@deegeeare1150 This was actually the 2112 tour still, but they were already playing Xanadu by this point, a few months before A Farewell to Kings came out.

[@JusCuz410]

They were recording Kings at this point since it was recorded in the UK.

[@theomegaconcern9564]

Holy shit. The beginning of the trippy part in the middle of bytor, Lerxt was doing the riff out of strangiato

[@EYEBALLband]

This is from 6/2/77 at Free Trade Hall, Mancester, England.

[@tammysmith2553]

Hard to believe I saw this version performed back then. This was my first Rush show & they were on a triple bill with Artful Dodger and Ted Nugent (headliner). Saw them again in the fall of '77 as headliners touring A Farewell To Kings with UFO and Max Webster as openers. Needless to say, I saw almost every tour after that concluding with R40. Miss these guys. RIP Pratt.

[@jonathansefcik473]

Wow, I thought they only performed The Necromancer on the Caress of Steel tour.

[@supergrover777]

yes, rare to find live versions of the necromancer....this is great stuff...

[@2112rushfan1]

without a doubt my favorite medley by far. How good is this?!

[@progrocktommyscorner]

This is awesome.

[@andywatts4753]

1977 ,78and79 14 15 and 16 years old. I was a lucky bugger. Hammersmith Odeon . I recorded it in 78 with a cassette player on my back and microphone down my sleeve 😂

[@NUKE-W.E.F.]

Loved Caress and Necromancer! Speaks volumes about how incredibly talented RUSH was and hinted at what was to come. I saw them several times during this era and what amazed me then and now is the quality of the live sound and stage production given what they had to work with then versus today. This band was a tight and polished live act right from the start. I'll never forget the first time I saw them in 1975, I was 16 y/o and my jaw was just dropped to the floor and I couldn't be bothered picking it up, so it just stayed there the whole show!

[@19nervousbreak]

Always loved ‘Return of the prince’ and this is an excellent version of it. At the time my friends and I were in our senior year of high school and following Rush closely. Would love to a video of this.

[@canislupis3129]

such a great band! I remember seeing them often at this time in Ontario but they were all ready on their way and less often seen in our little towns. I used to take 35mm photos and have them blown up to posters, nothing of today's digital quality, but still very cool at the time. My friends could not wait to see them.

[@BlackFlag1719]

I saw them on this tour. It was great when they switched to doublenecks halfway through, the first time I saw them with those. The next year, on the Farewell to Kings tour, they played By-Tor up until the aftermath part, and then switched to Xanadu.

[@andysmith1338]

What year was that? I think that's when I last saw them live.

[@katiegrundle9900]

what other songs did they use doublenecks. maybe something for nothing and a paggage to bangkok

[@marcwoodliff8186]

Absolutely beautiful and fantastic band hands d😢down no other band can compare or compete with Rushs originality song writing and music and stage act

[@timsears951]

Love all their albums or hate em they were all experimental in the RUSH fashion...so screw all the haters and the picky bastards out there ....RUSH was very different ..honest ...pure...thoughtful of their audience , themselves..these guys really cared about what they did and ALWAYS strove to the best of their abilities...not all bands get it right ...yes ever RUSH...its the nature of the creative beast..and RUSH was really no different..they explored new sounds , sights etc... simply put :RUSH was THE real deal..in this context no band was greater...people that pan RUSH have been listening to much of other junk that it clouds their judgement...maybe their later stuff wasnt much stellar than earlier efforts.. but hey it was still RUSH regardless....I still weep to think they are no longer , but good things were made not to last...and they left it on a very high note....RUSH is THE most classiest band of guys out there..thank you Dirk(Geddy) Lerxst(Alex) and Pratt(Neil)..your great efforts are truly appreciated ..

[@marcwoodliff8186]

Totally agree wow amazing stuff love them after I bought the Archive album never heard of them just drawn the star man symbol wish I could see this on dvd

[@robertdemos43]

I love the part of By-Tor where Alex is using the Echoplex, it reminds me of Jimmy Page with all that wonderful nuances of over tones cascading together to make a beautiful landscape of guitar work! I miss all that stuff he use to do! Genius personified!

[@whorush91]

I love Alex's guitar playing in Necromancer its unbelievable

[@one80srocker89]

Awesome recording! Rush has given their fans alot of what they want over the years. It'd be nice to get some of these shows released in their entirety like the Moving Pictures tour as well as 2112 tour, CD/DVD. The setlists are amazing.

[@alexalexides8947]

That's a great By-Tor!

[@michaelpolissky]

RUSH is like fine wine, they get better with age!

[@genlerxst5479]

Wow, such a fantastic warm rich recording. The tubes were lit up. I'm getting chills.

[@craigsavage5341]

Fantastic, never heard the Necromancer live before. Got into Rush when I was 15 , saw them first in 1979 Hemisheres Tour. For me the best period, lost interest in later years, Show Of Hands was the last tour I did. Great memories including my one and only foreign concert, Grace Under Pressure Tour in Toronto 1984 while on holiday.

[@WillsRushpage]

Thanks for your comment. I was at that 84 show in Toronto.

[@terryreid4993]

All some of the best musicians in Rock!!! Alex, Geddy, and of course NEIL PEART!!!

[@briansimmons8782]

Greatest band of all-time

[@stevenmills7568]

MISS THEM!

[@mahoganyrushfan5688]

I'm still kicking myself I didn't bring a tape recorder to the Winterland '77 show....sigh...

[@lazarusagame]

Out-freaking-standing! Thanks so much!

[@WillsRushpage]

Thanks for your visit!

[@Luke-yr2yu]

Awesome- great sound quality too!

[@jaamman]

Wish they would do this on the next tour!

[@cyndielcoate5330]

Amazing live audio. thanks for sharing

[@WillsRushpage]

Thanks for your comment

[@johnk6982]

Thank you RUSH! Thank you.

[@MrManus64]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that states this song is the start of speed metal (13:00)

[@paulluongo2756]

MASSIVE..... The glory days ....

[@andyharman3022]

Alex played THE HELL out of his guitar on this, and it finally gave up at about 15:56. Then he dropped out and was back in with a fresh guitar about 24 seconds later. Ged and Neil didn't miss a beat. The boys were true professionals by this time.

[@joem9704]

First time hearing these two together live. Awesome. Thanks!

[@wadeharten6600]

The boys should have never taken the ending out of Bytor from the live set in later years. Alex's solo is monstrous!

[@krismed86]

Any TRUE RUSH fan would appreciate this! Fan-F'ing-Tastic! Thank you for post!

[@dbpeirce]

listen to that Rick!!! They crushed it!!

[@juanmanuelportillo9293]

I love Rush and just realized that The Necromancer is Baba O'Riley

[@FunkMauzz]

You're so Right , bro . They are true Musical PIONEERS , I got hooked on them around ' 79 , Still one of my fave bands

[@wowbobwow37]

If they broke out Necromancer in concert, I would seriously need a new pair of pants!

[@Steven-xd5kn]

Very cool... 🍻

[@cyberbri6899]

This is such a GREAT recording!!!!

[@aman2112]

Hey just stumbled across this. These guys can play :)

[@vladtepes97]

+Aaron Dancygier who knows? if they put their minds to it maybe they can make something of themselves, maybe play the sarnia bar circuit.

[@MrZBKMan]

+Aaron Dancygier you sir have discovered the greatest band of all time RUSH

[@belladonichaze3213]

@@vladtepes97 Yeah I hope they make a song about this guy Tom

[@stevenscott5348]

Rush's By-Tor jam here is sort of their equivalent to Zeppelin's Dazed and Confused jam, I think.

[@MrManus64]

what a treat to find this version of the necromancer.

[@dontommasino6882]

I subscribed the first second I saw/heard this clip!!!!!!

[@kennethcraig8897]

Saw rush in early 77 at the capital in Passic N.J.open For Kansas.they played.FLY BY NIGHT.And right before the solo.Alex.s whole rig Died.just Bass and drums.he was pissed...great show

[@donl297]

RIP , Neil ….

[@mineheadX1]

my first show was '77, have some pics shot on the front row, a friend of mine recorded it but lost track of the tape (idiot)...was this a special occasion ? I'm amazed that they've worked this into the set after they shot Caress to pieces in the press...fans can't get enough of these rarities !

[@WillsRushpage]

Thanks for the comment Earl. I am not sure if this was a special thing. The track came from a boot. I think it's pretty awesome. I wish they had done some of the old deep cuts on the 40th but for them, this was their early stuff and not interested in doing it much in the later years.

[@chesk13]

...and I dig Neil throwing in the tubular bells on Return of the prince. This is one of those must have boots for an old-time Rush fan. Thanks for posting this very worthwhile vid!

[@Scottdrums]

You could here the sound of the 1st generation RUSH geeks just totally into it. Awesome!!!!

[@benjaminleimkuhler6812]

This same show has an early version of Xanadu. If I recall correctly this was their first show in England.

[@noheadphones]

Definitely hearing origins of Xanadu and La Villa here.

[@jnoble12]

Geddy looks like he went shopping in the infant section for that shirt. lol

[@ixcygnusxi9107]

+jnoble12 lmao! so true haha

[@turnleftaticeland]

oh my god

[@glenbridge6992]

Both versions here sound amazing, so much heart from 3 men!

[@couch63]

Geddy playing the doubleneck on rhythm and bass pedals at the end. Nice. First time I've ever heard Ged play the doubleneck other than Xanadu. Fantastic fucking recording.

[@bentavel3143]

This is spectacular!

[@WillsRushpage]

Thank you. It really is. Thanks for your comment.

[@johnegli1308]

Rush opened for kiss. Their 1st tour. R U kidding. Have every ticket stub. No idea how many times I’ve seen them. 50 plus. For sure. My favorite band all time. 3 guys can ya believe it. Took my daughter years back. She’s like. The bassist is the front man. Yup.