Couldn't Pause this Song - Xanadu By Rush Reaction.

[@eyemoeba2]

in the presence of such greatness, the greatest compliment you can give it is to sit back and let it play.

[@squidly2112]

One of the best live performances of all time, by any band. Absolutely mind-blowingly awesome .. and only 3 guys!

[@bobespirit2112]

I saw them 16 days earlier on their Tour stop in Indy. So same show, essentially the same performance. They were like gods to us high school kids; and they still are. They did such a good job preserving this Tour forever; it’s one for the ages now! 🎼🎸✌🏼

[@LyonHall1]

This band has been and forever will be my all time favourite band

[@williamdemerchant7295]

I love the way that Neil Peart finesses all of the blocks, chimes and bells in the intro, and follows it up with an absolutely amazing pounding of the drums in this video. You can see the large drum kit shaking. An epic performance of an epic song from my youth. I never get tired of watching this video.🎸🎸🥁

[@thewildgoose7467]

What really gets me is that near the end when they're winding down before the finale, Geddy's playing the bass but at the same time is adjusting the controls on the synth to get the sound just right for one note on one key played for a split second at 12:26 in this video. Their dedication to achieving perfection in what they do was unreal.

[@Fred-vy1hm]

And he did it twice.

[@cruiserhog1]

geddy also takes over rhythm guitar at the end on the bottom neck while alex solos and plays the baseline on the pedals, then at the very end alex takes over the baseline on the pedals to finish out the song

[@mmasque2052]

Besides the astounding music, what really is on display here is how genuinely they liked each other. Geddy and Alex bumping around against each other in their playing, the glances over their shoulders to see if they managed to break up Neil this time… these weren’t three talented musicians, this was, truly, one band.

[@bryanbailey6963]

Saw them live in 1978 on the Farewell to Kings tour. Amazing! Simply amazing!

[@larryoneill7432]

Saw them first on their 2112 tour. Never heard of them but we went. That’s all it took. Hooked since

[@bostonwhofan]

Check out their performance of "Spirit of Radio" live in Toronto in 2003 in front of 500,000 fans on a sunny August afternoon. They start the song with a short instrumental version of "Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones which then segues into a blistering version of "Spirit of Radio". You've probably heard the song before, it gets played a ton on Classic Rock FM radio stations. But the live version is amazing!

[@tobiashoyden2644]

Ok, TMI moment Something about this particular video has made me tear up, even get the shudder chin I was in the 6th grade when this concert was featured on a Sunday evening, right after our local cable provider added MTV to the channel 40 years worth of listening, loving, and been inspired creatively because of not just this song, but this band I've seen them play this live, and I've been the guy to introduce people to the band because of this song Maybe its remembering my journey with this band as part of the soundtrack, or maybe it's because this will never be seen like this again Whatever the reason, I teared up. I was overwhelmed like one hopes to be by the music they love. It's been fun being a RUSH fan, and i'm so f'n glad they are finally seeing just how appreciated they have been

[@Bucketheadgoat]

Was fortunate to see them countless times. an experience like no other. These 3 guys are the real deal

[@billhealey2060]

The stars aligned when Alex, Geddy, and Neil met and created this epic beyond words band. I was lucky to see them live - they poured their souls into every note.

[@darrenvanderwilt1258]

This tour (Moving Pictures) was epic. Saw them at the L.A. Forum. Sadly, a video of the performance can’t give the viewer the full dynamic of what it was really like in person. Mind blowing.

[@rattan3793]

The double doublenecks were kinda signature when it came to reproducing this song live. Although it doesn't show it well in this video Geddy switches to the 12 string bottom neck of his (Rickenbacker 4080/12 doubleneck) after the last vocal passage to play rhythm behind Alex's ending guitar solo and remains there for the duration of the song, covering synth bass with his feet on the Taurus pedals.

[@andrewtongue7084]

Each member of RUSH is a superlative artisan in their own right; combined...well, you see the result. I've been a fan for four & a half decades, the consistency in quality - both studio (& especially live) transcends all. I took up six & twelve string guitar, bass, & drums because of these three guys; there is no doubt that they made me a far more accomplished musician than I had considered I could become (tho' I am in no way a professional). I was on the European leg of this tour (I came to England on a ferry from Ireland, especially). I've seen them on every tour since 1977 - that's a lot of T-shirts & programmes 😉. Thank you for the memories - subscribed !

[@rush2112flyer]

a fav of RUSH.... the 70's were fun RUSH years of all.

[@brentd.4093]

This is my favourite version of Xanadu! I saw them in 1981 on this tour. My son is a Rush fan and said he is so jealous knowing that I was in the crowd cheering and roaring as they leave the intro into the main body of the song. These guys are unreal. Alex alternating between 6 and 12 string and playing intermittent Moog Taurus bass pedals...mean while Geddy shedding the bass while singing and playing bass pedals and keyboards....and Neil....OMG Neil playing drums and an entire percussion section. NO TRACKS. NO OVERDUBS. NO LOOPS. Just 3 extremely talented musicians!!!!!!!! Greatest band ever!!! RIP Neil.

[@MrBedZeppelin]

This RUSH live version of "Xanadu" is THEIR version of "Stairway to Heaven" live version at Madison Square Garden, 1973, only Alex Lifeson's double neck Gibson SG is White, compared to Jimmy Page's Red guitar! I am saddened that younger generations can only experience this through video, though I JUST started my regular live concert touring around this time 1980, I was able to catch the tail end of this wonderful Rock period! Thanks for playing it through!

[@markb.2112]

I can't believe you compared Stairway with Xanadu. I saw both bands in the 70's. I saw Rush another 10 times. I didn't bother seeing Zep any more...Just my opinion. I do appreciate and understand the reference though. Graduated high school in 79, and students either had a Zeppelin T-shirt, or a Rush T-shirt. I think history proved what T-shirt lasted longer. Dig both bands.

[@juliebrockett3471]

This is the greatest live performance ever!! 3 guys makin all that sound! At different times Alex and Geddy are both playing pedals with their feet! Doesn’t get much better than this!! RUSH RULES! Be well and God bless… from Texas!!

[@holysmokes5817]

Saw this tour, 1980 ish...Good Lord almighty..Still coming down from it... Cheers!!! 🍄🍄🌲🌲🌲🍄🍄✨💥🌈

[@vinbosco4999]

Maybe the best drum composition of all-time. Everything Neil does here is precisely where it needs to be. Bells, chimes, fills and rolls are unmatched in any other song. Just Brilliant!

[@Fred-vy1hm]

La Villa is more technically difficult and Tom Sawyer is harder to play but you can't argue Neil's instruments played count in this song lol

[@markferrett700]

Lucky enough to see them on this tour in London.....it is by far the greatest gig I've ever seen and believe me I've seen plenty 🎸👍

[@debbieplato5107]

Fantastic song and a fantastic performance!

[@kben036]

With this album and song they entered a new phase of more percussion and more synth. They talked briefly about adding another member and Geddy said “Nah, I’ll do it”. Of course you did, Geddy, and with perfection! This song in one word: perfection.

[@brentd.4093]

ohhhh goose bumps when Alex hits that Moog bass pedal D note at 8:04..... just rumbles my headphones. : ) sounds sooooooo good.

[@nthdegree1269]

Peak Rush...

[@mariannebonar-cunningham6852]

Welcome! 40 year Rush fan.... oh youre gonna have a great ride, cause this song is true genius!

[@davecole2561]

Complete mastery of their instruments and the stage, from the masters. How they could conceive of this music, set words to it, record it, and then not only recreate the studio track but, in my opinion, better it live, is astonishing. Kings among musicians. May Neil be resting in peace.

[@danbaranowski8580]

Another great live performance is La Villa Strangiato by Rush. It highlights each member's virtuoso talent.

[@norwegianblue2017]

Caught these guys at least once every tour since 1986. Just an amazing band, only wish I had been old enough to have caught them even earlier.

[@geddylee501]

Rendered almost speechless, a typical reaction to xanadu by rush Peace

[@Ken-th7yl]

Seen this video 100's of times, first time I noticed Neil lose a stick being fancy at 9:53. Pretty cool.

[@RoarOfWolverine]

Following the first chorus, Alex changes from the 12 string to the six string neck within 1/8th note. In one sweeping motion, he strums one last chord on the 12 while flipping the switch between the neck, adjusts the volume and hits the next chord on the 6 sting all within 1/8th of a note. It looks so smooth and effortless, like everything Lifeson does. He’s a much better guitarist and innovator than he gets credit for. I guess that’s the price you pay for being in the same band with the greatest drummer and bassist on the planet. You kind of get lost in the hype. The opening piece Lifeson does in the intro was extremely innovative for the time, before digital technology. He fades in each note on a volume pedal, but brilliantly has a 1/8th note delay on the signal post volume pedal. By having the echo in the signal following the volume, the echo continues to carry the note to cover the fade out. Without the delay, you would hear each note fading out before the next. The volume pedal masks the hard attack of the pick and the delay allows the note to continue to sustain into the next note faded in. The effect creates a seamless note to note effect, with each note fading over the next. The final sound simulates a synthesizer, but nothing digital was used because digital processing did not yet exist. I couldn’t wait to buy an echo effect to make such a sound, except that an Echoplex or Roland Space Echoes were running about $500-$600 back then. That was in 1979-80, so that would be equivalent to around $900-$1,200 in 2022 dollars. I was finally able to purchase a Roland Space Echo and get this effect, once my band started actually making money. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to afford to purchase a Geddy Lee and Neil Peart for my rhythm section, so I had to settle for the best I could find. We were pretty good, but we weren’t Alex, Geddy and Peart to say the least. Lifeson has begun to get more credit as time has passed. In fact, Rush has begun to find more popularity in recent years thanks to the internet and KZbin. Although, I do feel a bit sad for all of the young people just discovering the brilliance of this band because they’ll never be able to experience them live. I came up in the 70s and 80s, so I had the privilege of seeing many legendary bands like Led Zeppelin, The Who, Black Sabbath, a Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Heart and so many more, but every Rush concert ever went to were the best concerts. Only Rush sounded exactly like their studio recordings. I first saw them in 1980 on their Permanent Waves tour and have never missed a tour since. I had to have seen them over 30 times live and was never disappointed. Xanadu was a song them performed at every concert, along with 2112 (at least the Overture and the Temple Of Syrinx), Tom Sawyer, By-Tor And The Snowdog and Working Man. Those were staples of every concert. Usually The Spirit Of Radio and Freewill were also played at most concert. They were so perfect live, you’d have thought they were just mimicking to the studio album if it weren’t for the subtle changes from the original cuts. Say what you want about Geddy’s vocals, but he could at least reproduce those vocals perfectly (except for the final years when he could no longer hit the really high notes anymore). I have seen many of the great singers from legendary groups be unable to reproduce their vocals, opting to avoid many of the high notes they hit in the studio. Until his latter years, Geddy could nail even the highest notes from the original cut and never backed down from a single note.

[@stephenpublicover8818]

My Friend this RUSH song is epic!! you have now gone down the RUSH rabbit hole!!

[@pahtar7189]

Fun fact: Kublai Khan lived about 700 years ago, but in the song the protagonist says "a thousand years have come and gone." This means it was written in the future! ;-) It never ceases to amaze me that these guys could play one of the most complex pieces of music ever written, but they're so good they can kid around onstage while doing it.

[@bronxbrothers121]

Rush At Pink Pop 1979. Musicianship is spectacular as always.

[@ronaldbailey6821]

I’ll follow anyone that listens to Rush..and is blown away like everyone else. Good job

[@stunspot]

Y'know, yer right. Maybe it's selection bias, but I've NEVER seen a reaction to Rush where they were like "Well... That was meh.".

[@ginamarandino6451]

You know I don't always suggest this too early in a reactors experience with rush but might just be ready for 2112

[@techreacts]

Maybe I'll dive into 2112.

[@williamdemerchant7295]

He's done Xanadu. That's a big step towards 2112. The animated video is a good accompaniment for a reaction. Guess we'll have to stay tuned. 🎧🔥

[@darronhuggins4788]

Best Xanadu video of all time, how did u do it, that was unbelievable. The close ups the sound. Big props I thought I seen it all until this A+++++++++++ DO MORE PLESE. THANKS

[@Fred-vy1hm]

Reviewing Rush songs is like a cheat code for gaining subs and views. Keep em coming. 😊

[@marypalumbo4894]

Is anybody else waiting for him to announce Pete Schweddy?

[@mattplus09]

Enjoyed your reaction...thanks! Good journey...Peace!

[@Brian-lt5ib]

With a wink a gun Alex looks at Geddy...we got em

[@turdeaugottago114]

THE rock gods among us mere mortals. the looks on your face each time your mind is blown is 100% appropriate :) correct on no pause, you dont interrupt the rock gods!

[@MrSTOUT73]

The intro to this song always reminds me of Alan Parsons.

[@daviddahan3204]

Seeing that performance reminds me of how much back then, it was all about the music, and not the singer. Geddy’s voice is unique and wonderful, but it’s just one of many instruments in this masterful performance. It fits into the song, but it’s not what makes the song. No one thing does. Each of them are playing multiple instruments and, damn, they bring it all together so well. It’s hard to think of a band today who has half as much talent as these guys coupled with the modesty to know it’s not about them, it’s about their music. Each instrument, including the voice, is a part of of something larger. It’s a musical version of ‘the sum is much larger than the parts.’

[@alancarver2511]

10:33 Neil!! Incredible!

[@loisr3970]

Ahhhh my boys, one of this Nanna's fav. Cuts On vinyl cranked workin in my garden. You can see my flowers blooming. My neiubours know it well 2 🤣 The boys in their prime, love how this video shows Geddy in action lead vocal, bass synth.... how he switches it up flawlessly! Alex awsome solo. Well the Professor Mr Peart showing us all his talent. Enjoy the Rush ride its a blast. Cheers

[@cityhonors1]

🤗 Subbed for Rush! Let's do this! 🥰🐰

[@darronhuggins4788]

O and one more thing I worked that Concert it have me flash Backes all over it was perfect...... . .

[@chefdeth7993]

Flawless.

[@Brian-lt5ib]

Pinnacle of live success

[@chadbennett7873]

Three players and seven necks!! Just the instrument count alone is staggering. Neil plays an entire orchestral percussion section, in his typical perfect manner. Alex shifts from twelve to six strings as deftly as any guitarist I've ever seen, while adding synth parts with foot pedals. And speaking of foot pedals, Geddy Lee, Master of All Instruments, playing at maestro-level: Bass, Synths, pedals (both synth and bass), six-string guitar (at one point), all the while singing. There is a point in the song where he's singing, playing bass and triggering synths with his feet. Neil's matching the synths with glockenspiel is sometimes not noticed, I've heard people say they thought it was a double-patch for the synth, shows just how tight they are as a band. A masterpiece on every single-friggin' level. In contention for the greatest single live performance of all-time ... in my top three.

[@shera1789]

Thank you so much! Rush is simply amazing! One of my all time favorite live performances ever! It is truly incredible! And since you happen to say it...can you please react to RUSH Best Intro EVER! Thank you my friend! Til next time☮ 💯🔥💜🎼🤘

[@jackteppo9633]

14 28 watch the switch. Rush Rocks!

[@amytoney6241]

Rush is an acronym for G.O.A.T👍🤘👽

[@dougie2112]

Quite simply a masterpiece

[@j.h.3777]

Unfortunately, one of the few bands that I never saw at the Forum. If you're wondering why the video looks fuzzy, it's probably because the whole place would fill up with "smoke" until they would vent it. Greetings from Montreal!

[@charlesmartel3995]

Xanadu is Rush's Stairway to Heaven.

[@chrisbeloff6689]

Did you see the switch from 12 to 6 string? Perfectly executed!

[@Buds1own]

LO VE ♥

[@SundayMorn]

Check out ‘Beyond The Lighted Stage’ if you haven’t already. It’s an extremely well done documentary on the band’s history, evolution and impact.

[@techreacts]

Definitely have to give it a watch

[@fig816]

EARGASM

[@vincentweyerts-bu3jp]

In Washington state there exists a Xanadu. In the San Juan's, on Decatur island true. A spot were God reaches out to man, A place to understand His plan.

[@bach27]

Thank you for not talking during Alex's solo.

[@babajaiy8246]

Even though they did a fantastic job live and stayed true to the spirit of the song -- Listening to the studio version has it's own magic because of the fact it's not live. This song can take you in even more listening in your own room with the studio version because of the silence that the intro plays into. Giving you a sense of being somewhere else.

[@evanswendy9773]

Xanadu is a song about an unfinished poem!

[@dsomerville5293]

Please check out The Trees, Red Barchetta, Freewill, The Greatest Intro Ever live and the EPIC 2112

[@Brian-lt5ib]

Holy shit

[@thegman8968]

🏆🏆🏆!

[@donhadfield2835]

Welcome to the one-man percussion section...

[@geddylee501]

Haha yes, the octopus drummer that is neil

[@peterarmstrong6928]

Eddie Van Halen was asked,, who's the best guitarist in the world and said,,go as Alex Lifeson 🤟🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@jons3808]

Greatest band of all time… just sayin’

[@traceysharpe6330]

A other great band from Canada, Is Motion Device.

[@Spunky62]

I saw them in the 70s! WHAT A SHOW!($7.50 a ticket) 😏🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻✌️❤️🔥🔥🎶🎶🎶💯💯💯😎Have you hea4d Ozzy's new Patient Number 9 album? OMG 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯😏

[@GM-MarkOfExcellence]

8:29

[@TrapperC2112]

almost seems like you're apologizing for your reaction. there is no right way. my best friend in the wide world hates this song. its on of my Top One. Like any another band, Rush is what you think about it. peace, love, music.

[@nflr92]

Well that was pretty good, eh?

[@mookyyzed2216]

I'd love to see Cardi B pull off anything remotely impressive as this live. Oh wait, all she knows how to do is throw things at her fans.

[@ptr250]

That intro is straight from Yes or early Genesis (PG).

[@extantpoet9331]

They can only dream

[@Mr.S369]

Always a would-be YES/Genesis, who composed music with FAR greater depth, rhythmic complexity, and melodic content. Fact. Not to mention Peart being the ultimate cheese-ball, lyrically at least. Kubla Khan is a poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, completed in 1797 and published in 1816. It is sometimes given the subtitles "A Vision in a Dream" and "A Fragment."

[@フルーツぶどう-h8q]

好みの問題だけど退屈である。

[@karelvandervelden8819]

I keep trying Rush but.....no. After Yes and Genesis this is mediocre.

[@thatsnice99]

You didn’t need to pause this since it’s incredibly sloooooow, and the most OVERRATED of Rush songs. 3 mins later after “gimmicky “ bells, whistles, horns, synth, birds and bells…zzzzzzzzzz🛌😴😴. This song would be 1000 times better if it just started at a time Neil starts drumming, which is 4:38 of your video.

[@techreacts]

Which rush song do you enjoy the most?

[@thatsnice99]

@@techreactsI like the ones that I can share with others new to Rush. Most Rush fans are selfish and recommend songs that ONLY appeal to them leaving you to wonder why. They are the worst advocates for the band they claim to like. Songs I can guarantee you will love: Driven Rio YYZ RIO 2112 Rio Where’s my thing live Leave that thing alone Rio Anthem live, not the pretend live version Bytor 1981 Freewill Best intro ever Malignant Narcissism

[@techreacts]

Thanks for the list. Will check them out.

[@lindaward5376]

@@techreacts I hope that you won't give too much credence to Billy Lo's comments that this performance is overrated, or that we're selfish, or that we're the worst advocates for the music we've known and loved for 40+ years. For as long as I've been participating in these forums, he has consistently trashed this performance and anything else not on his list, along with anyone liking it, so please be careful if you ever encounter him again.

[@itzel1735]

@@techreacts We all have our favs. ‘Xanadu’ will always be mine. While I will never love ‘Bytor’, I second the recommendation for ‘Leave My Thing Alone’ Live. And I’d leave Best Intro Ever until you’ve at least heard all the songs that make up this overture style compilation.

[@antoniocunha8772]

hey my channel im subscribe masterpiece , tnks from brazil