Rush | All the Flare of the 1980s | Tom Sawyer Reaction

[@AceofBadeReacts]

What's your favorite era of Rush?

[@scottshields113]

75-85 my favorite period but I love the bands entire catalogue for the most part.

[@Fred-vy1hm]

To me their sweet spot is 76-82 from 2112 to Signals but I like most of their earlier and later stuff as well. Greatest band ever imo. 😊

[@kimberlyroets9334]

1975-1980 was my absolute favorite after I discovered 2112.

[@rushrules81]

@@Fred-vy1hm agree with this totally

[@AceofBadeReacts]

@@kimberlyroets9334 I vaguely remember 2112 from one of the Guitar Hero games, but I also remember thinking it was an odd choice for Guitar Hero

[@matthewhoag2609]

Try Xanadu live from this same concert (Exit Stage Left tour 1981). You will see a lot more of Neil, and he plays EVERYTHING in his kit: chimes. tubular bells, temple blocks, crotales, cow bells, and a glockenspiel. They all multi-task, playing multiple instruments, and sound like a band of six, not three. It is one of the best live performances you will ever see. Cheers!

[@jamesnichols7440]

Check out Xanadu from the same tour - epic

[@AceofBadeReacts]

For sure. That'll most likely be the next Rush song I react to

[@AnthonyKellett]

​@@AceofBadeReacts- and use the Stickhits remaster of it.

[@richardmathews6236]

This^

[@AceofBadeReacts]

@@AnthonyKellett I can do that

[@squamishfish]

Not just a drummer but the lyric writer also

[@BrakRulesAll]

Rush NEVER "broke up". They retired. Best friends for life.

[@AceofBadeReacts]

That's a fair point, and Alex and Geddy I think were talking about touring again as Rush recently

[@richardmathews6236]

They are mulling over playing music together and I think this will happen but I don’t think they will go out under the Rush moniker due to respect for Neil Peart and his family. Source - saw Geddy Lee 2 weeks ago and he was hinting

[@BrakRulesAll]

@@AceofBadeReacts Almost certainly not asa Rush, but they are hinting strongly at a comeback. Ged's voice is toast and Alex's arthritis is pretty bad, so I'm not sure how great of an idea this is. 2015 seemed just right to hang 'em up. If they do come back I hope they prove me wrong.

[@AceofBadeReacts]

@@BrakRulesAll Maybe we'll all be surprised

[@AceofBadeReacts]

@@richardmathews6236 They could go around and play some of their greatest hits in honor of Neil

[@SnowDogisVictorious]

The breakup was driven by Neil Peart, the one who past away. He had suffered the terrible tragedy of losing both his young adult child and his wife within the span of a year in 1997-1998. As he often explained in his many best-selling travelogues, he did not like touring. He did it because he had to do it, and so he added elements of adventure to keep it worthwhile (first, long bicycle rides between gigs, and later motorcycle rides instead). By 2015, however, he was done. He wasn't willing to add a European leg to the R40 Tour, as were his bandmates and management. He had contracted a number of painful maladies during the trip and was truly exhausted. He also expressed a legitimate concern that he wouldn't be able to keep performing up to the level he expected of himself in future tours, as he grew older (he was over 60 at the time). The clincher, however, was he very strong desire to be as good a father as possible he could be to his young daughter, as well as a husband to his second wife. All three bandmates had felt guilty about neglecting their children because they were constantly on the road for much of their formative years. Peart had the opportunity to "try again" and he wasn't going to mess it up. But tragedy continued to follow Peart, as - within a little more than a year of his retirement - he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer (glioblastoma). While the latest gene therapies and his specific DNA makeup allowed him to outlast the normal prognosis of 2 years by an additional 2 years, he and his family were cruelly short-changed. Re: a possible reunion, it's important to recall that Neil wasn't just the drummer; he was also the primary lyricist. We know, from Geddy's recent book tour interviews, that both he and Alex and getting close to a place where they may be prepared to consider playing together again for a live audience, it seems unlikely that they would do so by hiring a new drummer and calling themselves Rush again - especially if that involved writing and performing new music, which it likely would given the fact of Geddy and Alex's astronomical levels of creativity. I wonder if someone has trademarked "The Remnant" yet? That would be an interesting choice of band name for them... As for suggestions, I have a "few" of them (LOL). In my defence, I'd like to stress how Rush put out 19 studio albums, all of which hit gold, platinum, or multi-platinum in Canada, the US, and the UK - so there's a lot of road to cover here. I have curated these suggestions in order, so that you'll get the biggest bang for your buck in terms of excellence and range. You'll also likely note that almost all of my suggestions consist of live performances. That's intended, because Rush was - first and foremost - a live band,. - Natural Science, live in Toronto 1997 - Headlong Flight, live in Toronto 2015 - The Big Money, live in Birmingham 1988 - 2112, 40th Anniversary Official Video - New World Man, live in Toronto 1984 - Xanadu, live in Montreal 1978 - Working Man, live in Cleveland 2010 - YYZ, live in Rio 2002 - Losing It, live in Toronto, 2015 - Opening Medley / Spirit Of Radio, live in Frankfurt 2004 - Subdivisions, live in Rotterdam, 2007 - The Garden, live in Dallas, 2012 PS - Fun fact, early in your video you mention how Rush had a number of hits. If you meant hit albums, right you are. But if you meant hit singles... not so much!!! As Geddy has often mentioned in his ongoing promotional tour for his new memoir, the band's highest-charting Billboard hit was 1982's New World Man, which peaked at no. 21. By contrast, a novelty song to which he contributed his voice charted at no. 16 (coincidentally, also...) in 1982. That song was "Take Off" by the SCTV Comedy TV Show characters, Bob & Doug McKenzie [aka Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas]. PPS - You really should treat yourself to Bob & Doug's "12 Days of Christmas" parody song, which was on the same album.

[@AceofBadeReacts]

Thank you for the suggestions. With the number of hits, I was more referring to the couple of songs on the radio that get blasted on repeat: Tom Sawyer, Spirit of Radio, Limelight. I think there's probably another one, but those are definitely the 3 I hear the most

[@alleyeditor]

Hate it when you know the band and have heard the song. Takes all the joy of hearing for the first time out of it.

[@AceofBadeReacts]

Yes and no. In a way it's a good thing to have heard the song before because now you can focus on the performance itself and how each musician play and what they do. But an argument can be made for both

[@NondescriptMammal]

Viewers generally watch music reactions specifically to see someone else's reaction to hearing one of their own favorite songs for the first time. Otherwise the viewer is just watching some stranger listen to music. Most viewers will find that far less interesting.

[@AceofBadeReacts]

@@NondescriptMammal Maybe, but there's also something to be learned from watching the band play, even if you have heard the song before. Otherwise by that logic, there's no reason to check out Linkin Park, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Metallica, or any other band I frequently listen to

[@NondescriptMammal]

My comment was not meant to be a logical argument, just an observation.

[@AceofBadeReacts]

@@NondescriptMammal No that's a fair observation. And it's not great because yeah they want to see a reaction for the first time to a song, but there's a lot out there I've heard, just never seen before. Like Free Bird for example. I had no clue they used 3 lead guitars for that song. Even if I've heard a song before, there's still so much I can learn by reacting to it

[@Fred-vy1hm]

The greatest power trio and best live act ever, no three better musicians ever played in a rock band. Both lyrically and musically these guys were at another level. Checkout La Villa Strangiato if you want to see them really show off.

[@AceofBadeReacts]

I am starting to learn just how good they really are

[@debbieplato5107]

Neil was also the main lyrist for the band and this song is about a modern day Tom Sawyer. A rebel and a free thinker. Another song I would suggest from the same concert ( Exit Stage Left Montreal 1981) is Xanadu The performance is better than the album! 🤯 Cheers 🇨🇦

[@AceofBadeReacts]

Ok so it is about the concept of Tom Sawyer, not so much the character himself. Ok now it makes sense. Yes that one is on the list. As soon as I have a chance to sit down with Brando, we'll both react to it

[@debbieplato5107]

@@AceofBadeReacts Yes, exactly! Also, although Geddy was the main keyboard player Alex Lifeson also played keyboards here and there later on. All are very talented. Neil and Geddy also wrote books and Alex is also a painter and a pilot. They changed their sound through the years but always sounded like Rush. To here some 90's Rush I would suggest Stick it out official music video. It is off their Counterparts album and it is a banger! Cheers

[@AceofBadeReacts]

@@debbieplato5107 I'll add it to the list

[@nealsweeney7350]

When it came to Neil, he was so happy to be almost invisible as he was an extreme introvert, which he gradually grew somewhat out of

[@AceofBadeReacts]

That's a fact I did not know

[@brettsterley9781]

Rush never broke up. They stopped touring due to Neil Peart’s illness (unknown to the public at the time).

[@EdwardRushMan]

You need to see the Best Live Performance of all time RUSH - Xanadu - Live In Montreal 1981 (2021 HD Remaster 60fps) Alex Lifeson - 6 string guitar, 12 string guitar, pedal synthesizer, volume pedal; Geddy Lee - Vocals, bass guitar, 6 string guitar, foot pedal synthesizer, electric piano/synthesizer; Neil Peart - Lyrics, Drums, orchestra bells, tubular bells, wind chimes, crotales, timbales, timpani, gong, temple blocks, bell tree, triangle, and melodic cowbells. Based on Kubla Khan (Xanadu) by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Coleridge composed his poem, ‘Kubla Khan’, in a state of semi-conscious trance either in the autumn of 1797 or the spring of 1798 and published in 1816. The whole poem is pervaded by an atmosphere of dream and remains in the form of a vision. The vision embodied in Kubla Khan was inspired by the perusal of the travel book, Purchas His Pilgrimage. Coleridge had taken a dose of opium as an anodyne, and his eyes closed upon the line in the book, “At Zanadu Kubla Khan built a pleasure palace.” But this opened his creative vision, and the poem of about 200 lines was composed in this state of waking dream. On being fully awake, he wrote the poem down. The theme of the poem is unimportant. It describes the palace built by Kubla Khan, the grandson of Chengis Khan, the great rule of central Asia. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJPcm32hg8ShjLs

[@AceofBadeReacts]

Yeah that's the next one I'm planning on checking out when BrandoIRL is free to. He was the streamer I brought in for the first Rush reaction video

[@jeffjohnson8444]

Camera tech when this was recorded was not far enough along to have small camera's all over the place. You should check out concerts like Working Man Live from Cleveland - Time Machine Tour 2011

[@AceofBadeReacts]

For sure. I'll be sure to check it out

[@artsilva]

camera position limitations on stage is why you didn't see Neil clearly or was not featured enough

[@AceofBadeReacts]

It's a real shame too

[@artsilva]

@@AceofBadeReacts there are plenty of real good live videos that are filmed much better than this with top notch production crews.

[@AceofBadeReacts]

@@artsilva oh for sure. I recorded another one recently where we get to see a lot more

[@vickyrobertson3166]

Such a great song. I really wish you would have reacted to the video instead of the live version. I love watching that one.

[@AceofBadeReacts]

I was not aware there was a music video

[@lindaward5376]

​@@AceofBadeReactsThe official music video was filmed during the recording sessions for Moving Pictures, the album that Tom Sawyer comes from, and the shots of Neil in that one are IMO much better. Another video that was filmed during their recording sessions is Limelight, which I think you'll also like. 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐

[@AceofBadeReacts]

@@lindaward5376 Limelight is another one that is constantly on the radio, so I am a bit familiar with it. I will add it to the list

[@carlbusque]

Alex, the guitarist might be playing some foot pedals for sump…😊

[@AceofBadeReacts]

I see

[@l.thomas4268]

110 - 120 db slamming your body. Wall of sound... BTW Xanadu from that concert shows Neil.

[@AceofBadeReacts]

Yes I do believe Xanadu is the next one I am doing

[@rushrules81]

More Rush!!

[@AceofBadeReacts]

There will be more Rush in the future

[@CosmicVagabondPixie]

The RIVER!!! heh oh man i adore **Geddy Lee** i think i already told ya or someone to check out his newest interview its only a specific one tho cuz i dont know if he says this in all the interviews so yea look for "Geddy Lee Explains His Effin Life/Extended Interview CBS News: The National" he talks bout seeing "Led Zeppelin" when he was a teen YAY its freakin awesome...as for my fav era of **Rush** hmm i luv this song & Closer To The Heart & Limelight & 2112 & hmm bunch of others so not sure i have a certain era i just totally dig **Geddy** for sure & i guess it is the guitarist i luv him cuz i know he has a rockin sense of humor from some stuff ive seen him on so dont have a specific era i just luv em ALL around heh

[@AceofBadeReacts]

That's fair. No I don't think I saw a comment about that interview, but I'll be sure to check it out. Unless it's something I should react to

[@CosmicVagabondPixie]

@@AceofBadeReacts Sure why not ya can react to it if ya want to i would watch it along with ya tis up to you...Geddy is just a wonderful **Being** so yea would be fun either way hope ya watch it

[@patrickfortin4222]

Bytor and the snow dog. Same concert

[@AceofBadeReacts]

I did check out a medley with that song in it. Should I go back and listen to the song in full?

[@patrickfortin4222]

@@AceofBadeReacts yes, definitely!!

[@AceofBadeReacts]

@@patrickfortin4222 I'll add it to the list

[@MarcoBosma]

Do Xanadu, same concert, much better sound, better camera work, epic song

[@AceofBadeReacts]

That is the next Rush song I plan to do

[@squamishfish]

Rush did not depend on Radio air play to be known , A lot of their songs are longer than Radio air play allows

[@AceofBadeReacts]

That's a good point. I just wish they had more than 4 songs on the radio. I mean Queen made a 6ish minute song work on the radio

[@robbyrocks5355]

They didn't break up. They stopped playing because Neil Peart was very ill, and a couple of years later, he passed

[@HansMcGruber]

Neil wasn't ill when they stopped playing, he just felt he couldn't tour anymore and wanted to retire.. He was diagnosed a few years later. RIP professor

[@SnowDogisVictorious]

Correct, except that it was only about a year later, @@HansMcGruber . On a related point, the only reason Neil submitted to playing a short run of North American dates in 2015 was that Alex had been battling severe arthritis and it was feared he might never be able to play again. So Neil, who had already wanted to call it quits, stuck it out for his friend.

[@AceofBadeReacts]

Yeah I probably misspoke, but they did retire for a while. I did hear Alex and Geddy are wanting to tour again

[@allenseigrist3334]

You need to see the official video it shows evey one. You will love the back grond.o5:11 5:11

[@AceofBadeReacts]

That is what I heard. I have added it to the list

[@CosmicVagabondPixie]

YAY!!!

[@AceofBadeReacts]

It was fun reacting to this one

[@CosmicVagabondPixie]

Hi Ace! cant member if i suggested these before to you or not so gonna suggest it just in case please when ya feel like it could ya maybe check out "Humble Pie" songs "Black Coffee" & "30 Days In The Hole" & also "Small Faces" songs "Itchykoo Park" & "Tin Soldier" please Thank You muchly! **Twirls**

[@AceofBadeReacts]

Is Humble Pie a band or a Rush song?

[@ginamarandino6451]

I agree with you 120% it really annoys me when rock stations only play like five or six Rush songs over and over again. They jave 40 years of music people!!?!? Pick a different song!!!

[@AceofBadeReacts]

Maybe it has something to do with the record company?