Rush's Top 10 Guitar Riffs

[@Subatomic_Glue]

Alex Lifeson is so under appreciated. He is an all time great.

[@matthew4694]

Thank you for using the correct and appropriate term to describe this legendary guitarist and his place alongside the greats. Under-appreciated: frequently. Underrated: never!

[@timsears951]

sorry but Alex is hardly under appreciated ..

[@ImYourOverlord]

He's gained a great deal of appreciation during the last 20 years or so, at least :)

[@matthew4694]

@@timsears951 My take is similar to Billy Corgan's comments in the RUSH documentary, "Beyond the Lighted Stage". I think the band is revered by fans for thier catalog and highly respected by players for thier immense talent and artistic integrity. However, Alex in particular is rarely name-checked in the list of all-time great guitar players in quite the same way Neil is mentioned (rightfully so) alongside the best drummers. I feel the band itself is also under appreciated in the same context, begging a definition of criteria. Were they influential and groundbreaking? Did they leave a distinct legacy and have a lasting cultural impact? I think you can make a strong case either way. I personally think they released some of the very best albums across multiple genres; particularly Progressive Rock (2112). Hard Rock (Moving Pictures), and New Wave/Alternative (Signals, GUP, & Power Windows). I'm biased though... I think everyone should adore them (individually and collectively) as much as I do.

[@timsears951]

@@matthew4694 absolutely love RUSH .

[@OzziesRobots]

Jimmy Page singled out Rush as one of the up & coming bands that impressed him in the 70"s . Once again Jimmy was ahead of the curve 🎸

[@MusicMotivator]

That's likely because many of the early riffs are so heavily Zep/Page derived. I mean Working Man is really is a drawn out Communication Breakdown. Finding my Way is Rock n Roll etc. Don't get me wrong at all- these are the best influences to have!!

[@zososhep]

Geddy Lee in an interview said they would play Zeppelin tunes during sound check to get their levels!

[@jasont9907]

He was right talent knows talent

[@mthomas1973]

You are correct. He also cited Little Feat as his favorite band in a 1975 interview

[@russpennekamp5149]

@@MusicMotivator, and just compare the main riff from "What You're Doing" with the main riff from "Heartbreaker".

[@brentscott5359]

What made Rush stand out were three things. One, they never took themselves seriously. Two, they were best friends until the end. And number three, perhaps the most important, the writing credits were shared equally. Everyone knew Neil was the principal lyricist but they all contributed in some way. That in and of itself prevented any tension that may have risen. Being top tier musicians didn't hurt either.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Man! That’s a great comment and so wonderful!!

[@davebasch5995]

"Three things"......Alex, Geddy, and Neil!!!

[@Reggie-The-Dog]

I wouldn't say they never took themselves seriously.

[@GizmoBeach]

I'd say they took themselves VERY seriously. They might be OK to talk to in the right setting (if they started a conversation with YOU and not the other way around) but you don't just magically become that phenomenal by accident. Peart even took lessons from a much admired and respected jazz drummer to reinvent his playing long after Peart was established as an incredible rock drummer. But the years they spent on the road and playing so many shows before nearly having to call it quits in after 1975 before 2112 dropped? John Rutsey knew all about those long road trips and struggling to get noticed outside of Canada; he had to leave for health reasons as much as family ones because of the work involved. Oh they damned-well took themselves seriously.

[@peternicholas2393]

Rush 100% took themselves seriously. They held themselves to very high standards and their output shows it. It was only after they got back together after Peart's personal tragedies that they intentionally decided to do everything differently, including the infusion of humor into their music and stage shows. This isn't my opinion; they're on record in various interviews and Geddy's book saying so.

[@DoctorEnigma01]

The older I get the more I appreciate the genius of Alex Lifeson

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Same!

[@Reggie-The-Dog]

Me too.

[@debilarge]

Alex Lifeson deserves all the love!!! He’s genius and gets less recognition of the 3.

[@swhoover1]

Will never stop listening to Rush, one of the most increadible trios ever. Absolute legends that sounded even better live, magical! Thanks Carl

[@TheErik249]

DUDE! Now your covering my alltime fav. Huge lifetime RUSH fan. Thank Carl!

[@kevinhowey4286]

Carl you are such a superb master guitarist I enjoy your work. Perfect every note and chord. .

[@magashred]

Don't forget the "Alex Lifeson Chord"! An F# bar chord with the open B and high e strings sounding out.

[@nicholassmith479]

The beginning Chords to Hemispheres is a good example 👍🏻

[@katiegrundle9900]

ya the hemispheres chord

[@johnbatinovic6593]

What's the Xanadu chord ? E , B (w/open strings), A (w/open strings), G (w/open strings)

[@dad1432]

​@@johnbatinovic6593Yes, same finger position, different frets.

[@clockworkangel4026]

Is anyone else's brain automatically adding in the killer drum and bass lines? Lol (Especially on Bastille Day!) Great video. You should follow up with an 80's list. 😁

[@jppagetoo]

No but I sang Geddy's "Yeah, oh yeah!" on Finding My Way.

[@adam6057]

This should have been a top 50, you could go all day playing Alex's best stuff

[@UnderSprayedWhiteSkies]

To think that most rock guitarists can't create one memorable, time-tested riff, AL did it repeatedly for decades.

[@billjones7580]

Fantastic selection. Thinking in their more 'modern' era, I kind of also like the guitar intro to Show Don't Tell

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Yep

[@mthomas1973]

Presto has some really great guitar work

[@jpm1897]

Thx! Enjoyed this! I can think of so many other great worthy openings for a follow up top 10! Red Sector A, Time stand Still, Distant Early Warning, YYZ, Show Don’t Tell………I’ll hang up now!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

:)))

[@bruins1itall]

Awesome video! Alex is such a monster! Rush is still the best and always will be! R.I.P. professor! 🍺🥃🇨🇦

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Amen!

[@s.ri.1020]

So many to choose from. Great list. Great playing.

[@nickpruitt7276]

La Villa Strangiato probably deserves it's own video. That may have been Lifeson's best work early on.

[@SAY.8.18]

THE BEST!

[@peternicholas2393]

I'm also a big fan of his solo on YYZ - he was really channeling Holdsworth on that one.

[@liquidsolids9415]

Lots of fun and great tone, as usual. Thanks, Carl!

[@brentheathersimons7042]

I'm not even a guitar player (bassist, Geddy is my hero! :))and I enjoyed this video! :) Very well done! Alex is soooooo underrated! Best wishes- Brent, VT

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Amen to that!

[@mthomas1973]

You bring back early memories for me when I was first learning guitar and trying to play all these riffs note for note

[@arjavax-r2f]

Great video thsnks for teaching us

[@DanGarrett23]

Working Man was what got me hooked on the band! Loved them all way through their journey! Awesome job, btw!

[@josephferrarese4579]

Thanks so much Carl. You do a great job nailing tone. I appreciate you giving Rush some love. Keep up the great work!

[@shanewalton8888]

Love how much you get into these riffs. Would have loved to see one or two 90s riffs in there as well.

[@Markothunder]

Awesome! Mr. Rick Beato should do his own "Top 10 Rush Riffs" video someday🙂

[@aafjeyakubu5124]

I had the occasion to meet Alex Lifeson a few weeks ago. Super nice chap.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I wish I could meet him!

[@jesseserna8424]

My favorite rock band was Rush at one concert I was in 3rd center (Geddy was 20ft from us) row 2 nd encore and they played my favorite song (the whole arena was waiting for it ) “Red Barchetta “the whole arena went wild 1982 Oklahoma City ,

[@brianhahn3296]

Great vid and love Rush , like your choice of bands

[@rareform6747]

We see your really enjoying yourself ! Love the double ..

[@MrSaleendriver]

Fantastic Carl! Very nice technique & talent ! Thought I was listening to Alex !One of my favorite bands that I have listened to for more than 40 years!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!!

[@chrisgroom4707]

Alex Lifeson. Eddie Van Halen was asked once how it felt being the greatest guitar player. His response was go ask Alex Lifeson.

[@widewailcorduroy7278]

Great list! I might put "Analog Kid" in there somewhere, but I can't argue with your choices.

[@tmcool]

Thank you. I'd have put AK at No. 1. Dude probably can't play it. LOL

[@cjk5115]

Great list, Carl! As others have said, it's tough to pick just 10 from Rush, but you've done an admirable job. Thank you for showing some love for Finding My Way and What You're Doing, too.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Finding my Way is way trickier to play than most of all the other riffs. The timing is warped and most people miss the tritone on the first pull off. It is such a passionate riff!!

[@manuelmontiel5418]

Thanks so Much for posting these riffs , the first three albums are my favorites. I saw them tour 2112 album shortly after its release . In Toledo Ohio Sports Arena , every time I see the snowy background of the Fly by Night cover it reminds me of the moons reflection on the snow the night of that concert.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Awesome memory!

[@Mayathetherian733]

Excellent video Carl! Love Rush.

[@Skypie61]

Love Carl. Great playing and great facials...lol. But seriously, great breakdowns👍🎸🎵🎶🎼

[@klinkokos67]

Epic and Goosebumps all the way! The list was suiting my Rush-favorite list too... I play the guitar and one of my fav's to play is among others "Anthem" and "A Passage to Bangkok" :) -tnx for sharing Carl. -KK from Norway!

[@ramoncranert8177]

I appreciate your showcasing of these indispensable Alex Lifeson riffs and your use of the word "penultimate." 🤔🧐😜🎓🎸

[@ccaputa]

Hey Carl, I was so stoked back in the day when I learned to play the opening riff on Spirit Of The Radio! I'm glad you played the follow up riff because it really completes the section. Thanks!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

You was stoked to learn it too! It takes a bit to get the muscle memory imprinted!

[@GeoZero]

LOVE the videos - great playing, tone, description of licks... has it all!! Falling in love again with so many great songs I grew up with as a fan and guitarist. Thanks for the video!!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you so much!!

[@MrRMB1]

Great choices, all of them!! Enjoyed this video!

[@safiramusica]

You are amazing and with a lot of class! Love your channel!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!

[@ImYourOverlord]

Progressive Rock is a highly respectable genre, often brilliant in its musical complexity when applied tastefully.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Check out my progressive rock music at carlbaldassarremusic.com

[@frenchyfrenchy4424]

As a Canadian and a Rush fan, proud of both, I want to thank you for this segment, watched a bunch of your Zep analyses and enjoyed them immensely and, ounce again, it's the way that you seem to enjoy sharing your knowledge that pulled me in, a good human being, hope to be able to buy you a beer and converse with you some day, I will definitely look at your website, God Bless!!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!

[@nicholassmith479]

Great top 10. Brings back a lot of memories Alex’s music.

[@modernguitarist1992]

This is great. Great video. "The Analog Kid" also deserves a strong mention.

[@maxsambucca2502]

I'm surprised I haven't seen you on line till a couple days ago, I love your band riffs and you play so well, I just started playing a few years ago and I love the guitar, we are the same age rockers and we love the same classic rock , you're RUSH riffs were great and I was happy to see working man as #1, also my favorite and one I learned to play now. Love the Black Sabbath riffs you played. How about some Judas Priest or Thin Lizzy? Rock on ! Great videos and great background!

[@k_viss]

came here expecting to comment "how could you leave off What You're Doing??" glad I didn't have to! What a monster track that is Alex is so underrated a total legend

[@ericpont9053]

Loved this video.....thank you....

[@blake70505]

Wow, I'm really glad I found your channel. I am enjoying your approach to music composition with the perfect amount of "nerdy musician" that really appeals to my nerdy musician side. Alex Lifeson strikes me as the kind of musician that would shred on the weekends while spending the weekdays in the jazz band room in the band Hall during college. Imagine my surprise after a few videos that I realized your relation to one of my other favorite KZbinr who speaks on one my my other passions. Keep the great content coming!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Hmmm…maybe my son Teddy?

[@blake70505]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic Yes sir. I enjoy his content as well. I've purchased several watches from his store.

[@ashjessjack]

Completely agree with your # 1 pick and the guitar in the middle of Working Man is one of the most epic of all rock bands!

[@matthewoconnell114]

As a kid who grew up in Buffalo in the 70’s I loved all of these songs. I think Rush, while popular, is an under appreciated band. I picked up guitar in my mid 50’s and listening to your list I want to play every one of these riffs! In some ways, they are very Zepplin/Stones like in that they are so iconic. While a 12-string riff, I would put Closer to the Heart on an honorable mention list somewhere. Love what you do! Thank you Carl!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you so much!

[@RaymondBCrisp]

It's not really a riff, more of a shred, but that intro to La Villa Strangiato is a masterpiece! But actually, now that I think about it, the opening riff after the solo is pretty kickass too!

[@digitalman7534]

Thank you so much for this video! 👍

[@terrys8690]

great choices! and excellent work.

[@robsgarage4746]

love Rush. Great lesson(s) on the intro riffs.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thanks!

[@jackcase9009]

no idea how you have so little subscribers. Great player and great videos!!

[@skyemoz6559]

Great vid. So many to choose from the early records. I remember learning so many of their songs when I was learning guitar. Finding my Way was a great one Really helped my playing immensely 👍

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

It’s the hardest for me to play by far.

[@harrysteeletreo1]

great video... my first time ever seeing any of yours. I like your style, no bullcrap, no un-needed words, right to the point! yes, I subscribed!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Yeah!

[@MusicMotivator]

Thanks for doing this Carl! Now I don't have to do my video! LOL This is the quintessential vid and you are one hell of a player, teacher and video producer.

[@MB-en3do]

Great selection of riffs! Rush has so many to choose from.

[@stevenrwilson181]

Those were very nice things to say About the band. Thank you from another fan

[@nexusreplicant143]

Great job Carl! And one can notice you're a big fan too ;)! Must have been hard for you to select only 10 riffs among so many other good ones. Being a die hard fan I believe that Moving Pictures was a turning point in their career that have consolidated their style. However, my preferred one is Caress of steel. That one got me hooked on Rush forever. Besides, thanks for the good positioning of the camera. It made it easier for us to watch and learn the riffs.

[@oscar35575]

Fantastic as always Carl.

[@TruthSurge]

hi. um... Limelight riff is not right starting at 2:44. First is the power B, true, but 2nd chord is A power chord add 9 (A at 2nd fret position plus pinky on G string 4th fret) then the E (third chord) is index finger barring A and D strings 2nd fret leaving the pinky on fret 4 of G string so that the B note RIDES through the entire lick. Go back and listen more closely to it. You should hear that if you listen or just watch Alex play it in a YT vid.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Will do!!

[@TruthSurge]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic Thanks for not bashing me for merely pointing out what I think is an error. Too bad my wife doesn't think like you. :(

[@elldr]

Rip rockin’ walk down rush memory lane. They played more than once at my high school and we just stood and marvelled, even the chicks from our sister school were into it. Nice 10 sir, you could have chosen 10 different and it would have still been great stuff

[@gordonmorgan1975]

Love the picks for this top ten and that you were not just going for the most popular riffs

[@prippsguld]

Loved this! You made it easy on yourself not picking Lifesons many fantastic riffs ”inside” the songs. To many to choose from? ;) . Sometimes it’s just a 15 sec passage in a song but so good. Thank you

[@prippsguld]

Oh and loved you picks.

[@Piccyman1]

Really like your lighting setup

[@jondiven96]

Great List ! Well done !

[@johnkennedy3970]

so glad you got finding my way and working man in there. my two faves.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Finding my way is the hardest to play for me!!

[@aparise1]

Thanks Carl, I know I was one of prob many that asked and hoped you would do this! I remember as a kid when I first started playing, my guitar instructor after every lesson would always let me play a tape of something I wanted to learn. I played A Passage to Bangkok and within minutes he was showing me a simple way that I could play the riff on the low E. Thanks again....been subscribed for awhile now! Keep up the great work!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!

[@giuseppebayma76]

​​@@CarlBaldassarreMusic wow unusual model of Gibson Les Paul, with Standard body and Headstock and ebony fretboard and Custom style fret markers. Very cool.💗

[@daveconley2601]

Loved your picks, definitely memorable. One little thing, which probably is only a thing for us lifelong Rush aficionados: Riff 7 is The Spirit of Radio, not The Spirit of The Radio. Sure, most folks do call it the former, but given Neil’s wordsmithing, it does change the perspective ever so slightly. Thanks for your breakdowns, though - enjoyed it!

[@manolodelgado3689]

I cringed when I hear the THE.

[@profkeenan]

I'm the biggest Rush dude ever. However, Carl's list is so much better than I would have come up with. What a wonderful, killer, original list. I knew it was going to be different when Limelight and Spirit were so early. Really, really nice list.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I’m glad you appreciated it!

[@katiegrundle9900]

no, cygnux x 1 with the opening off time riff after the feedback in the beginning. thats my favorite. iconic shit right there

[@beeragainsthumanity1420]

Love your stuff! Subbed.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Yay! Thank you!

[@simongaskill]

I completely agree. This might be the best list of Rushs greatest riffs. Great playing btw

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!!!!

[@ImYourOverlord]

Alex's riffs and chords are so unusual that it's difficult for me to follow. I handle many more Rush songs on bass than on guitar, and not that many in their vast catalog at that :)

[@Sean_Farmer]

I'm guessing you already had this in the works when I asked to cover some of Alex's guitar work in a previous video. Great stuff Carl!

[@cissmjg]

Sorry if this comes off snarky but the name of the song is "The Spirit of Radio" not "Spirit of the Radio" ... pet peeve of mine. Otherwise awesome video. And to echo many others here ... "La Villa Strangiato" is a masterwork and probably deserves its own video. 😀

[@peternicholas2393]

Also, it's "A Passage to Bangkok," not "A Passage from Bangkok."

[@saintbrando]

Amazing! Canada’s finest. 🙌🏻

[@joshfreedman3558]

I like the tone you have with the room ambience.

[@dshockley01]

That Les Paul sounds great! Really dialed in. Very cool video idea. Would like to see Xanadu and Red Barchetta as possible considerations for future vids. Alex has so many great riffs. Every album is a master class in guitar evolution. Sound, chops, emotion and his attack and speed variance is timeless.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

You’re sooo right!

[@stevencancel1727]

Glad you added songs from early albums my fav Always thought the clean Plexi tones on those early albums were inspiring!

[@edwardziff3274]

Alex, EVH, DIMEBAG, never depended on the pentatonic scales. They played crazy creative riffs. That's why they are great. Their rhythms and leads almost made no sense ...but they did. All so different from most other artists.

[@yoyo1899]

As always, excellent work. Alex Lifeson is so brilliant that calling him underrated is a pure understatement. Or something like this. Anyway, you know what I mean. Keep going, sir.

[@yeti1002]

Alex lifeson needs more love 😘 , let's give it to him .... Very underappreciated, Alex is a true riff master . Rush , the greatest three piece band ever.

[@cmtemoacirsilva]

Great vídeo!! Very well done!! Congrats!! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@jamesimpellizzeri1970]

Hi Carl, Jim here, Another SLAMMING track from Rush is off of the“Fly By Night” album. Titled, “In The End.”

[@ryanlenihan427]

By tor and the snow dog is awesome too

[@kph1034]

Great work recreating those fantastic Riffs. Just wanted Neil and Geddy to kick in and finish the tracks 😁

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I know!!

[@markroylance1584]

Well I've not watched this yet...! Keeping it for tonight with headphones!! However Carl.. Can't wait!! I know you've probably got a huge 'to do' list...... Will you ever get the chance to do some Gossard/McCready riffage ?

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

It’s time for me to listen to that band. What are the top riffs I should learn?

[@johnnolan4312]

Growing up I remember Rush playing the high school circuit and small clubs around Toronto like the GasWorks, I count myself quite fortunate to have grown up in that Era, nice job on the riffs!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thanks!

[@jackkitchen737]

You put together a great video here. You really know your RUSH. You have a new subscriber.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!!!!!!

[@rb343]

Great vid and great tribute to Alex's playing. Working Man was also my #1. I saw them live in concert in 1976 with Blue Oyster Cult and Foghat. A night to remember! Well I remember most of it, lol. The first song I learned to play on guitar of Rush's was Working Man.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

One of my first as well! The good old days!

[@funkilus]

Well Played! Great Choice, You've covered one era really well. Would love it if you did a top 5 era wise! Thank you! Loved your emotion over technique video as well.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you! I’d love to do another Rush episode!

[@rickvalentine1041]

Some great choices...Love that I can hear your pick scraping the string on Bastile Day...just like Page on Moby Dick.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Good ear!

[@markgriffin5889]

Nice job here, Carl. But Working Man? Nah. Give me Spirit of Radio every time. All hail Rush!

[@chrishughes4285]

What you're doing is the first Rush tune I ever heard. Saturday night album sides on WMMS in Cleveland. During a time when DJ's programed their shows, I believe WMMS helped launch Rush in the US.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Such a great riff and album! Good memories of those days!

[@eddiejr540]

Awesome list…its hard to just pick 10…and I applaud your restraint Carl…I know you wanted to just keep ripping on a few of those songs 😎

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

It was such a great trip to play these riffs. I never played them for the most part.

[@randyhenderson6166]

Thank you, Carl, for pronouncing Neil's name correctly! Fun video!!

[@gregoryguitars6291]

You're the coolest. Nice use of the word penultimate. And pronunciation of Peart

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

You’ve made my day!!!!!

[@hwy1310]

Great choices!

[@reallife7235]

That was interesting. Enjoyed it. Missed the call/response next part of Working Man that you stopped just before playing.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I feel you!

[@bryanfarless9579]

Well done sir, thank you.