Guitarist Reacts To Rush!! YYZ Live in Rio (Reaction!) So Much Fun!

[@gillrowley]

The opening rhythm is Morse Code for "YYZ", Toronto's airport call sign

[@DonaldHolben]

Yes sir correct !

[@MrDDawson]

finally someone knows!

[@revdmcspumcsb]

I think the reasons that they lasted so long as a trio, made such incredible music and looked like they were having fun is because they were. 1. Alex and Geddy were best friends in high school and never forgot that as they loved to have fun. Imagine just hanging within your highschool buddy doing what you both love doing. 2. They were the opening band for Kiss in their heyday. Interviews with Kiss, they loved touring with Rush because after the concert, Rush went back to the hotel and worked on their music and performance. That meant there was no competition for all the groupies. Basically Kiss got all the girls when touring with Rush because Rush was faithful to their spouses and the music. 3. You can hear in the way they write that there isn't any competition for spotlight as they worked through all the hard transitions to highlight everyone. 4. They did what they wanted to do and while they allowed current trends in music to influence them, they never compromised on the core of who they are, three guys who loved to play together and do it well. 5. They never stopped learning. If you listen to interviews and watch their careers, each of them was always learning something new, reading new books, learning new skills, watching their contemporaries and adding a groove, learning a new instrument etc... In the case of Neil Peart, at the height of his career, he went back to school to learn new techniques and improve his playing skills. 6. They worked hard and toured like crazy. In four years between 1974-1977 they played 864 live shows and produced 5 albums including Rush, Fly by Night, Caress of Steel, 2112 and A Farewell to Kings and if you add 78-80 they broke a thousand concerts at 1015 and produced Hemispheres, Permanent Waves and their first live album All the Worlds a Stage. That included 2 Gold, 5 Platinum and 1 3x Platinum albums.

[@rhalversen63wt]

Triumph and the Police are the only other 3 piece bands that were, in my opinion, possibly, though not quite as talented

[@toddjenkins4858]

Very well said sir

[@graemem111]

David, a more informed and eloquent piece on one of my favourite bands I have not read. Thank you; I’ll plagiarise and credit you as appropriate. Good work, fella!

[@rangerlord31]

@@rhalversen63wt The Who?

[@michaelgnit8476]

Lucky enough to grow up with them in Toronto Ontario Canada. Saw them before they were famous and brings back memories.

[@BlazinRiver1]

From what I understand Rush albums were not sold in South America. Everything was bootlegged into Brazil. This was the first time most had ever seen Rush. The crowd sang every song Rush did at that show.

[@misate8993]

That crowd gets a 10. Just as fantastic as Rush playing.

[@ThaiDaher]

I was there at age 16! Still one of the best nights of my life!!!

[@kph1034]

Geddy said they were as surprised as anyone when the crowd reacted the way they did. Just awesome

[@Stogie2112]

In interviews during that tour, they admitted that they had no idea of just how popular they were in Central and South America. When they finally toured there, the fans were in Heaven!

[@Frankincensedjb123]

I've seen this a dozen times or more, but it never ceases to amaze

[@johnnyriverarodriguez5283]

I was honored enough to see these guys numerous times and could never get enough. Please check out The Garden live from their Clockwork Angels Tour. It's a side of Rush you would never think you'd hear or see.

[@IAmInfinitus208]

Dude, so far you're the only reactor that notices Alex doing some killer scrapes in the middle! Awesome!

[@norwegianblue2017]

I think it was about 65,000 people in that crowd. When a band like Rush goes to a place like Brazil, every single fan goes because they never know when they will come back again.

[@SilverFox-qr1ci]

You mentioned on your last video that you thought Alex Lifeson was underrated. In the early 80's Eddie Van Halen was asked what it was like to be the best guitar player in the world. he supposedly replied why don't you ask Alex Lifeson. Great reaction!

[@therealspooks]

My first show was in 82 on the Signals tour, saw them LIVE many times as I could after that show! Gentlemen, amazing musicians, perfect Performers! RIP Neil...tragic loss to us Drummers and Rush fans

[@AudiophileTubes]

So glad you did this one Tim! This Brazilian crowd is one of the rowdiest, most passionate audience i've ever seen! RUSH are truly timeless masters! Pinnacle stuff!

[@ViperRose1978]

Greatest Band EVER!!! Glad I got a chance to see them a few times, check out RUSH live at Sars stock, half a million people!

[@mikaelandersson3255]

Best live instrumental performance by the best rock band ever existed! Pure magic as always by Rush!

[@ericvance2859]

I’m certain true fans have seen this concert film in its entirety. For others who haven’t I would highly recommend giving it a go. Hard to imagine a more cathartic reaction to a rock show. Those Brazilian crowds fuckin’ adore their rock!!! Iron Maiden down there is also absolute gold. Starved for jams were they and when they got it they showed absolutely absurd appreciation, adoration and love. Because if that and my love of futbol I absolutely adore Brazil!!!

[@bambam4274]

Over 100 Thousand fans in 2 shows! Amazing Fans!!!!

[@bwells6381]

Where have you ever seen a whole crowd singing an instrumental?

[@walterpen371]

Remember Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes. However no one can surpass RUSH. They will always be talked about for years to come. Peace.

[@luceurlings2156]

Ehhh ......in Brasil????

[@ikpatt]

Best...thing.....ever......

[@toddashton9696]

Thanks Tim, you seem to have enjoyed this as much as I did. Love this version for the crowd reaction, and that Bass. Geddy is ripping it up. Alex kills it, and Neil, well as you said he is a Beast.

[@iainbrodie5740]

Imagine playing in front of 40,000 people all jumping up and down in sync with your playing. That was the Rio concert. 60,000 showed up in Sao Paolo the night before. You can see it in the band's expressions as they are playing.

[@kellymccarthy5656]

Flawless,Precise,Clean and Loud!

[@stephencampanella]

I would like to recommend a group of three sisters from Monterrey, Mexico 🇲🇽 known as The Warning. Their ages are 20, 18, and 15 but don’t let that deter you. Their original music and their abilities are way beyond their respective ages. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed! Rock!!! 🎸🎸🥁👸👸👸🤟❤️👍

[@ianjohnson171]

By the way the main riff in the intro is actually Morse code for YYZ which is the airport code for Toronto in Canada where they’re from.

[@markweiss2307]

Rio...40000 people two nights in a row, 2nd night pouring rain! Listen to the entire album.... incredible show and premier showmen!! You’ll love it!

[@leddygee1896]

Rush had never been to South America before this performance, and this show in particular there were over 60, 000 people in attendance. This was the largest single concert they had ever played, (not counting multiple act festivals) they were, and are the greatest 3 piece rock band in history...

[@2112boomsoon]

Actually there were "only" 40,000 for the Rio show....60,000 was in Sao Paulo a few nights before and that was the biggest audience they'd had outside of festivals...but I couldn't agree more with your final observation!!!

[@leddygee1896]

@@2112boomsoon Hey, I'm old, I don't remember so good anymore!!😋 Thanks for the refresher...

[@Wes1969YT]

@@leddygee1896 The largest crowd was in Plaines d'Abraham in Québec City (Festival d'Été de Québec), july 15, 2010 with 88,550 persons ! I was there ! Source - the 471 pages book: Rush Wandering the Face of the Earth - The official Touring History 1968-2015

[@leddygee1896]

@@Wes1969YT Rush by themselves, or was it part of a multi band festival?

[@TheUnderdogDe]

@@leddygee1896 "that was the biggest audience they'd had outside of festivals"

[@bobparmelee1071]

The Warning 🤘 I'm 52 these young ladies are the best rock trio in years. Their's no hidding in a trio.

[@ex-navyspook]

If you watch their "Boys From Brazil" video, it talks about this concert (and some of their equipment got rained on...there was some worry about getting zapped or blowing the system) and the one in Sao Paolo, and how the Brazilians (all 100,000+!! of them) started singing along to the instrumentals.

[@josejimenez5730]

That crowd was responding like nothing I've ever seen in my life. Talk about energy!

[@G65gear]

Hey … A Brazilian here! Rush is so loved in South America. You have no idea! It was 1985 and the only thing kids were talking about in school was “ did you listen to that Canadian band called Rush?” The concert in São Paulo was even crazier…I was “f$*k#@g” there!

[@Goodtimes523]

Thanks for listening to some rush really appreciate it for fans like myself and enjoy sharing it got a check out more stuff specially live Xanadu take care

[@specialkonacid6574]

The Rush in Rio DVD has a documentary feature I think called the Boys in Brazil. Well worth watching

[@michaelobrien8219]

one of the best live performances i've seen!! talk about a crowd being in sync with a band

[@zerglilngvet5428]

you want fun? see this man... "Working Man" by Rush (Time Machine Tour: Live In Cleveland)

[@joem664]

i agree

[@NCNelz]

Me too

[@bytor9579]

Agreed

[@jamesfoster7707]

This really shows off their talent. It was an amazing concert tour. I saw it twice.

[@shabadoo25]

Ditto

[@GeoffreyGodshall]

So much energy in that stadium. Singing to an instrumental. LOL

[@baronofgreymatter14]

The crowd is singing along with an instrumental...AWESOME

[@vanlifeson6773]

Best crowd ever. Although back in the day our local American venues would go crazy for Rush too.

[@fretless05]

The song is super groovy because it was originally written for just bass and drums. To his credit, Lifeson jumped in and added some rocking riffs to make it even better. Not to have you listen to yet another version, but the live version on Exit Stage Left includes a drum solo that will blow your mind- Peart KILLS it.

[@kellycornell7510]

Another 3 piece Canadian band I think you'd enjoy is The Tea Party. They are still releasing music and touring. I get to see them in January. Can't wait!

[@petec9686]

I always used to listen to YYZ for the drum solo and it is great, but I now find myself even more amazed with Geddy's bass playing. it is just amazing.

[@kraigburningham4288]

Neil's final song live, The Garden.

[@AudiophileTubes]

Is there a video of his last live song/playing?!

[@GibsonB4512]

AudiophileTubes Best version includes a complete string ensemble accompaniment. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6Slf62caq-fkKM

[@jamesfoster7707]

@@GibsonB4512 Clockwork Angels was a great concert. I was in Phoenix when they recorded it for the DVD. It was my 14th time seeing them, beginning in 1978. This album was their swan song - absolutely brilliant! One of the musicians playing violin is Peter Dinklage's brother.

[@JimGeigerMusic]

Was not his final song live.

[@dleasman]

Not true at all... In fact, they did not even play this song on the final tour. The R40 tour, and his last performance, ended with Working Man, sending with 8 bars of a never recorded song called Garden Road, both from when John Rutsy was the drummer, before Peart joined the group. The R40 tour DVD/Blu-ray IS Neil's final performance, and is said to be the last time he sat behind the drums. It's also the only time he ever came to the front of the stage, shocking Geddy.

[@jasonferra6553]

Rush is so good ive seen them 3 times and never disappointed. Awesome!!

[@juliebrockett3471]

There were over 65,000 people there! They didn’t even know they had a fan base in Brazil!! It’s amazing that these concerts even happened, it rained terribly hard and there were no tests of the cameras or anything before the concerts started. So considering that these live videos turned out very good!! As you are a guitarist, I still recommend “La Vill Strangiato” and you and Kimmy doing the epic “2112”

[@mike4127]

it was an impromptu recording. the show in Sao Paulo, a few nights before, was just like this one so they wanted to capture the Rio show. so they went out and found someone with some recording equipment and pulled it in in a truck

[@Easy_Skanking]

Another badass trio that is still playing is King's X. Check out the studio version of "We Were Born to Be Loved" and "Fall On Me". They definitely have their own thing going and sound huge, heavy and beautiful.

[@pahema472]

As a drummer from the 80's, I feel obliged to say rest in peace, Neil, and thank you. I learned so much from you.

[@justineapril7922]

If you want to see Geddy Lee "going nuts," check out the live version of another of Rush's instrumentals, "Leave That Thing Alone!" His bass playing looks effortless. This concert in Rio had an attendance of 60,000+! Their first trip to South America!! 💜💜💜

[@bryansmith5980]

Any reaction from any band in Reo is worth the watch and listen.

[@its_me_erle6502]

The Warning Live..... #futureofrock

[@ThisTrainIsLost]

It’s over 60,000 in that audience seeing Rush in South America for the first time. That is also the final concert of the Vapour Trails tour.

[@Luthiart]

Vapor Trails. Neil didn't want to use the British spelling. Now that I think of it, having read a couple of his books, I don't think he used any British spellings at all. Not that I can recall, anyway.

[@ThisTrainIsLost]

@@Luthiart Yes, I botched it out of habit because "vapour" is also the Canadian spelling. Neil's reasons are understandable. He'd been living in the States for some time and he knew that his largest market was going to be the US, so it's natural to pander to that market despite the peculiarities of its spelling.

[@zekehall]

This video is what music is about. Some buddies got together, said, "What's Morse Code for our hometown airport?", proceed to write a 5 minute song around that, using a crazy time signature so it worked. Then, on the other side of the continent, they have a concert where an enormous crowd shouts the instrumental lines. Only Rush and Rush fans.

[@blanewilliams5960]

Rush have always been this good, I have seen then several times live starting around 1976 and every time a great show and outstanding performances. I attribute this to all of them being great musicians to start, being professional and always wanting to put on a good show for the fans. And finally..staying off the drugs and having their soup.

[@kph1034]

Rush- the art of playing complex music and making look like a walk in the park

[@smith041958]

One thing that is truly incredible and inventive, is that at the beginning of the song Neil taps out the morse code for YYZ and then Alex and Geddy also play the morse code to begin. Listen carefully (Y= long-short-long-long, Z=long-long-short-short) 2 Ys and then the Z. BTW YYZ is the code for Pearson Intl Airport in Toronto.

[@brianmyers6706]

I have this DVD too. That crowd was amazing the whole time!

[@bobespirit2112]

Yes, Alex kills it - here and awesome. His playing here is fast, clean and accurate with little flourishes like the pinch harmonics and the scrapping fun and bringing in brief heavier distortion when he starts a run. A true master of his craft. And his tone!!

[@mariners80]

Same thing happened in México City concert. We were lucky to see live these 3 monsters in stage! It won't happen again.

[@conrad98gtp]

Thanks for the reaction!! Love Rush! One of my all-time favorites! Check out The Warning, a 3-piece rock trio of very young SISTERS from Monterrey Mexico. Paulina the drummer sites Neil Peart as one of her biggest influences! They are the future of rock in the making! Here's a song from 2 years ago, "Sinister Smiles" from their concept record Queen of the Murder Scene. Their ages respectively at the time were, Daniella (Dany) Guitar/Lead Vocals 18, Paulina (Pau) Drummer/Lead Vocals 16, and Alejandra (Ale) Bass/Vocals 13. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpmVloxmpcpsjpI

[@bradleyp3655]

Yes! The Warning please.

[@bobparmelee1071]

Definitely The Warning

[@its_me_erle6502]

without doubt. the Warning burn the roof off..... 🤘🤘🤘

[@briancunningham2155]

There is so much good company here.

[@jfl125]

Thanks for the suggestion. I just checked out Dust to Dust and it's really good! I'll check out the rest of the album soon :)

[@motodork]

For your next reaction, try La Villa Strangiato, the official video version. It’s actually a live performance.

[@paulweibel1615]

Initially a 3 piece, Grand Funk Railroads version of Inside Looking Out, Live 1969 is one you should check out.

[@RaymondBCrisp]

FYI 40,000 people attended the show in Rio. The night before, in Sao Paulo, there were 60,000. But these are nowhere near the largest crowd Rush played to. That would be the Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto benefit, where between 450,000 to 500,000 were in attendance.

[@jstenberg3192]

2 things: 1) it rained like crazy that day and it was a mad scramble to get all the equipment working, 2) I own the stage rug they are playing on. Tracked it for in Brazil after they had to leave it there since it was so water logged. Prized possession!

[@ThisTrainIsLost]

That’s somewhat over 60k people at that show, second largest that Rush played to. Somehow fitting for Rush’s return to the stage after about a five year sabbatical, following the collapse of Neil’s life. At the time, whether Rush would even continue to exist was a question with no answer. But Neil did finally return and they released the “Vapor Trails” album. That show you just reacted to was the last show of the Vapor Trails Tour. For a little more crowd enthusiasm (which really is not truly possible since that audience was already nuts before the show started but…) check out “Closer To The Heart” from that same concert. The song was a big South American favourite. (Again, a great reaction! Thanks! 😎)

[@qmiller9]

Animals as Leaders is a 3 piece that do this type-o-thing. Try Tooth and Claw or The Brain Dance. Leave That Thing Alone is a lesser known but great another Rush instrumental jam like this. You'll love it!! That was 60,000 people from what I recall of the DVD documentary.

[@KevinSPeace]

From what I understand, Alex, while he was doing the pilot thing, went to pick up Neil in California and get him back to Canada to record. Upon getting close to the airport, Neil caught that rhythm to the morse code for for Toronto airport (YYZ) and began to incorporate the idea into a song. So, when you listen to the song, as a musician, it goes thru several modal change. What these modal changes are dictates the ethnic origins of different continents of music. Mixolydian is the mode of a lot of blues and jazz. Phrygian is known as a Spanish gypsy scale. And a Harmonic Minor leads to that Middle eastern sound. After they go thru these modes, they keep returning to the Mixolydian feel, which symbolizes 'coming home' to YYZ (Toronto). More interesting geeky stuff for a musician, is during the intro, when they are playing the morse code part, Alex and Geddy are playing the dashes on a C note, and the dots are played as an F#. The song is just pure fucking genius!

[@jafquist27]

Please check out The Warning, a trio of sisters from Monterrey, Mexico. They are AWESOME!!!

[@uroktim]

Agreed! Just checked out their newest video. Dropped today.

[@herkimertryon]

If you get a chance look at some of the video of their R40 tour. After you are again in awe of the masters remember one thing...they are all in their 60's for this tour and just as sharp and crisp as ever!

[@johanvanderneut6978]

One of the greatest bands EVER !!

[@t0dd000]

I've seen them maybe five times. They are always very precise. That's their thing. They play clean and to perfection. Every stadium they have played over the 40 years ... I think they sell them all out. And yeah, that's how the audience responds to YYZ. :)

[@LesPaul-MorePaul]

I grew up not to far from these guys, Peart auditioned for them in the town beside mine. They played my high school back in the day. The High Priests of the GTA 🇨🇦

[@mikenaykki2173]

There simply great!👍👍🎸🎸🥁😎

[@steadfastneasy26]

@Out Loud Studios The reason the crowd was so crazy was because prior to that show, Rush had never been to S. America yet they had a big fan base there.

[@skoon002]

That was the smaller crowd. Only 40,000. The other night in Brazil they had 65,000. It was the first time they had played in Brazil, so the fans had been waiting for a long time. They appreciated Rush coming to their country.

[@richardbradley8535]

Seen this before but still best crowd reaction ever

[@robertbyrd4796]

They had over 100,000 people at that concert. Rush, in their later years would go on tour and be the only name on the Marquis, like this concert in Rio.

[@iNsTaNtpUdDiNhEaD]

Great reaction! I have never sung along with Alex, but I did once have a girlfriend who used to get quite annoyed with me whenever I would sing along with David Gilmour's guitar or Jimmy Page's guitar! lol I do love live performances, even when it's just in videos. I got to see Rush in concert decades ago when I was working floor security. As I was moving up the center aisle, I locked eyes for several seconds with the bassist/singer. Talk about giddy! lol (Or about Geddy!) I see several people have asked for you to check out The Warning. Their performances will definitely make you feel giddy! And I have been to two of them at the Whisky in LA! A good place to start (and you may get a wide variety of suggestions), and there are many great places to start, would suggest their song "Dust to Dust", which is the Prologue to their lastest album, which is a concept album in four chapters. Go either from their performance at Lunario CDMX (Mexico City) or from their Patreon release that they recently made public, which is a fun show! You will enjoy either of those!!

[@scottviverette14]

This one was just perfect

[@chrisc3735]

There will never be another 3 piece band of that caliber.

[@groundscoresteve4964]

You'd be going CRAZY too if you were in South America, and RUSH came DOWN THERE and laid THIS down for YOU!!!

[@martyflannigan5052]

Alex and Geddy have been friends since grade school and the were very lucky to find Neal when they did, all three are top musicians and the way they progressed with time over the years is amazing

[@scott4482]

I second it, Working Man Time Machine Tour

[@skipvincent9778]

I agree with CentralCaliConrad. If you want to hear a good trio, you should try The Warning. They really are amazing. :-)

[@juliebrockett3471]

Yes, as far as other trios you could try ZZ-Top or Triumph!

[@jamesfoster7707]

I heard someone once say that Triumph was the Canadian version of Rush. What????

[@iNsTaNtpUdDiNhEaD]

@@jamesfoster7707 🤣

[@MissyM68]

@@jamesfoster7707 Exactly! How do they not know Rush is Canadian!

[@sqr2024]

One of the few bands that sound just as good live as in the studio. "Leave that thing alone" live in Cleveland is another good instrumental.

[@jamesfoster7707]

You really need to check out Neil's drum solo from Frankfurt.

[@cal5355]

That is amazing 👊👊

[@uroktim]

Keep the RUSH coming!!

[@pasit1738]

You haven't yet checked out the best Rush song, La Villa Strangiato. I suggest to go for the live version from this same concert in Rio.

[@shannonmccullough8324]

Rush attributed their work ethic on tour to the band that they opened for on their first US tour. That band was KISS. Geddy and Alex talked about how KISS made it priority #1 that their fans got their money's worth.

[@fernandoroza6061]

I was there! That's Brazil Man, we love good Music!😊👍

[@jaymann2112]

HEADLONG FLIGHT-RUSH- A Must!!!!!!🙏🏻 Clockwork Angels Tour Live

[@fernandoroza6061]

I was there... We waited Rush from decades... This Stadium is the most famous Soccer Stadium of the WORLD ! The Maracanã, who used to attend 200.000 people. After modernization It fits "only" 85.000...

[@trevcornwall8160]

Music is all about the stage!

[@michaellambert5223]

Not three piece but you almost couldn’t tell cause the vocalist is in the shadows in back. TOOL is a force to be reckoned with!! 🤘😎🤘

[@randallphillips8285]

Allman Bros cover Van Morrison's Into the Mystic. It's a live performance from Boston. Triumph, Fight the Good Fight; another Canadian Trio. April Wine, Sign of the Gypsy Queen; another Canadian band, and when I saw them in the early 80s they had two drummers.

[@Scooter730]

Great reactions check out the live version of Losing it...they only played it live twice

[@amarok9097]

Love this version and yes Alex is the glue that pulls this together. If you get the chance try Ne Obliviscaris - And plague flowers the kaleidoscope live in Colorado

[@Sumo197m]

You should take a look at "2112" that is the song that saved rush and if it weren't for that song the band would not have become the group everyone loves today.

[@trainguy1017]

They would play with that intensity for the better portion of a 3 hour show!

[@robbyr07]

There was about 200,000 fans at this concert, it is an approx.

[@loud7070]

A version of YYZ in Portuguese, love it!

[@GWhoves]

RIP Neal. you will forever be missed. Sep. 12 1952 - Jan 7 2020 Brain Cancer.

[@ctrlaltdel877]

The other power trio from Canada is Triumph.

[@MonsterSound.Bradley]

YYZ YUP