RUSH - "Cygnus X-1" & Neil Peart Drum Solo (REACTION) A MASTERCLASS!

[@stevemiller7138]

One of the main reasons we tell you reviewers to listen to the studio versions first is so you can get a grasp of the lyrics and sound structure. Then we tell you to play and listen to the LIVE versions so you can see how precise they are with there original versions of the songs itself. RUSH were masters of this Craft on live versions. That is the one reason almost all of Rush fans love there music.!!

[@leddygee1896]

Neil didn't know of his affliction at the time this was recorded in 2015. He was 63 years old. He passed at the age of 67 in January 2020... Rest In Power, Professor.

[@jonsmith9518]

RIP indeed.

[@nickavenoso7851]

To play with tendinitis and a foot infection is definitely not easy and Neil still pulled through because he didn’t want anyone to think he was giving up. He was definitely a trooper. RIP Neil.

[@StickHits]

Wow - So not only did you seek out my upload, but you actually read the pinned comment, read and followed the quality advice at the beginning, and appreciated the difference - of all the channels that have reacted to one of my remasters, you may be the first person to check every box! 🤣 Not to mention your very genuine heartfelt reaction. Thank you!! 🥁

[@SaeedReacts.]

You did an amazing job with this video! Appreciate all the time and effort you put into them! Thanks so much for watching and have a wonderful day!

[@andrewlindenfeld6222]

This should have so much more recognition than it has! As a huge Rush fan... thank you! What an amazing video of the professor doing some of his best work! I'm so glad I was able to see him(and the rest of course!) in person from their first snakes and arrows tour all the way until the end, when I saw them in Newark New Jersey

[@bobcarn]

That was from their final tour. R40. It was one of their best shows. They opened up with music from their last album, and the stage was set up like it was for their last tour, and then they moved backwards through time. As they chronologically regressed, stagehands would come out in moving overalls and change up the stage so it would match the layouts of the time period they were currently playing. And they kept moving backwards through time, finally ending with material from their first album and the stage set up like a high-school gymnasium. It was an amazing experience.

[@donhimmelman1736]

oh how i wish i would have witnessed that

[@rushtabconvideo]

Yes, this was the last professionally recorded concert performance by the band. The original song has some versus of lyrics where they inserted Neil’s drum kit here for this last tour. The end part does have lyrics sang on the studio version but they are so high in range that Geddy doesn’t sing them anymore. You really need to check out the studio cut for how he sings it along with the story and the incredible recording of it. Enjoying your Rush reactions!! I highly suggest that you watch all parts of 2112 performed live for the first time ever in Toronto in 1997.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for the info and the recommendation! Appreciate that!

[@cpmf2112]

Well, they did perform it live on the 2112 tour. 😁

[@rushtabconvideo]

@@cpmf2112 they left out part III. Discovery when played live on the 2112 tour. The 1997 T4E Tour was the only tour that they ever played all parts of 2112 concurrent.

[@rushtabconvideo]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJvFZqaOf5mWpa8si=T4epT9pXcKb6t9yg

[@rushtabconvideo]

@@SaeedReacts. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJvFZqaOf5mWpa8si=T4epT9pXcKb6t9yg

[@stephenpublicover8818]

These 3 Canadian guys always had FUN playing together ! Great respect to each other, Neal Peart is greatly missed!!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Epic band!

[@matthewhoag2609]

This was an abridged/instrumental version they did for this tour. You should definitely react to the studio versions of part 1 and 2 for some storytelling to rival 2112. You noticed the darkness of the music. This is one where the music so completely matches the theme: the sirens call of the mysterious black hole, the upbeat voyage full of Quixotic wonder, the calm before the storm at the edge of the black hole, and finally, the chaos of falling in. It really is some amazing storytelling. Cheers!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will check those out. Looking forward to them.

[@RUSHtoNature]

In my humble opinion, Alex Lifeson is one of the most UNDERRATED guitarists of all time. What a FANTASTIC version. Seeing Neil definitely got me emotional. I discovered Rush in the following order: Neil Peart, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson. And now I'm working my way back.

[@SaeedReacts.]

They are Incredible. Hope to check out many more songs and performances. Thanks for watching.

[@jewel_laughs]

I saw RUSH on many tours and they never disappointed. But, the last one was something truly special (even though I had awful seats and the Pepsi Center in Denver has horrible acoustics). Thank you for this video, I hadn't seen it before - such a stunning recording of Neil. Tears. Please follow-up with the studio version of Cygnus X-1. That will help you make sense of it all.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Will check out the studio version.

[@juliebrockett3471]

For the best vocals of this song I would listen to the studio version, now that you’ve seen these guys play this beast live!! The vocal REALLY get up (one of the higher notes he ever hits) and Geddy’s voice just couldn’t do it anymore! Great reaction! I told you @Stickhits was the way to go!! Be well and God bless..from Texas!!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for the advice. Will check out the studio version.

[@debbieplato5107]

They performed this without the lyrics and Neil did an amazing drum solo. I would suggest listening to the studio version of both Book 1 and Book 2. Neil is absolutely brilliant! It is so sad he didn't have much time to spend with his second family. Beyond the Lighted Stage is an excellent documentary. You could react to it breaking it up in a few chunks. I am also reading Geddy's new book My Effin Life. It is a very interesting read. Cheers

[@edgarpacifico3421]

Absolutely ❤

[@philstone3859]

RUSH is a Badass Powerhouse! I saw them on 18 tours! Unbelievable I did all that! RUSH Night was always special. A whole separate vibe from other band’s concerts. Special, that’s the simplest way to describe them. RUSH is special. Phenomenally clean, tight and accurate live band.

[@RoarOfWolverine]

I too saw them many times, every tour after Permanent Waves, which was the first time seeing them live. I feel really bad for the young musicians just discovering Rush now on KZbin, who will never be able to have the experience of seeing these guys live. I went to many concerts of over the decades from the 1970s on, but no other band could mesmerize me like a Rush concert. I was always so excited from the time I got the tickets until show night. They never disappointed, that’s for sure. It was almost surreal to see so much talent on one stage together.

[@cityhonors1]

🤗 Everybody played MSG, so I had to choose wisely before spending that "Xmas, Bday, Babysitting Money" in the 7th grade. That was to see Kiss in NJ but left a 🤩 Rush fan! 😌 Never looked back. 😒 Been late on Rent so many times seeing them at MSG. Saw R40 there too. 🙏🏿 RIP Professor... 🥰🐰

[@cpmf2112]

Almost superhuman ability to control all 4 limbs independently 😳 Neil gave us his all every single time he went out there right up to the last tour 5 years before he died. I don't believe he knew about the brain cancer diagnosis before that point. I highly recommend watching the documentary Beyond The Lighted Stage after you go through some more of their songs as you will catch bits of some songs you haven't heard yet.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Just amazing how a person can do that. Incredible. Thanks for sharing that info. Definitely interested in learning more about Rush and Neil.

[@Fred-vy1hm]

Cygnus Xl book ll Hemispheres is the most complex song the band ever did and it tells you just what happens one you enter a black hole. 😊

[@SaeedReacts.]

Looking forward to it!

[@chuckbrown4132]

Studio version is young Geddy hitting crazy high notes.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will check it out.

[@Bass17yl]

Yeah, the 1976 studio version includes the highest note Geddy ever recorded. This tour was also a reverse chronological trip through their discography, so the most challenging songs were at the end of the set. Certain concessions were made :)

[@rickbriefs8712]

1977...." A Farewell to Kings"... My first tour (in '77..) !!

[@Bass17yl]

@@rickbriefs8712 D’OH!! No idea why I said 76 lol

[@stephenpublicover8818]

Yes my friend, Neal Peart is sadly missed!! RIP!

[@cpmf2112]

Yiu should definitely listen to Cygnus X-1 Book1 and then Book 2. 😁

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks! Will do!

[@paulrobinson5833]

That kit sounds thunderous. It might be the 1400 yr old Romanian bog oak kit made from a single huge log by DW drums.

[@RUSHtoNature]

I met my husband in 2016 and on our first date, we talked at length about our musical tastes. When he told me that Rush was his all-time favorite band, I did an inner eye roll because when I was a teenager, I thought Rush was "glam metal." After much resistance, I finally agreed to give them another listen. My husband put together a very carefully selected list of songs for me, a Rush newbie, an absolute genius move on his part. I use that exact playlist today when introducing my friends to Rush. It was after I heard Cyngus X-1 and 2 that I went into a kind of shock and mild depression that it took so long for me to discover these guys! But shortly thereafter, I got super excited, because I realized I had finally found a musical treasure trove! Enjoying the sheer volume of their music, combined with reading everything I could about Neil Peart, then reading all of his books, then reading everything I could about Geddy Lee and Alex lightson made my passion for Rush that much stronger. I mean, how often do you find a band whose music you love through and through, whose members you love through and through because they are genuinely decent, brilliant, singularities among rarities? I was hooked and hooked good. Today, I know more about Rush than my hubby, a fact that he absolutely loves! The discovery of Rush has humbled me and taught me an important lesson about contempt prior to investigation!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Now thats a deep dive! Thanks for sharing! So awesome you have a shared love for Rush!

[@bryanhaynes6742]

Yeah. Geddys voice by then could not reach the schrill shrieks from yesteryear. So they figured they'd make into an instrmental. Still a beast performance.

[@motodork]

Some day you should do the studio recordings of this song (Cygnus X-1: Book I) and the sequel (Cygnus X-1: Book II). Worth it.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will definitely check those out.

[@bob2shred894]

I love seeing Rush word their way into people's brains

[@mikehand5881]

Right at 60' years old.What a solo to end 40 years of playing!!!

[@jimtatro6550]

If you get a chance, check out the studio version of this song followed by part two Hemispheres

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will do!

[@mars856]

If you'd like a little more of Neil check out his solo Live In Frankfurt. Another one a lot of people aren't aware of is his performance on Late Night with David Letterman. You'll love it.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for the recommendation.

[@G-MAN1958]

This was an awesome performance, but you might try the studio version also. You won't be disappointed! ☮

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will do!

[@ZIG4ZAG20]

When Rush goes HEAVY they get HEEAAAVVVVYYYYY!🥁🎸🎸🎹🥇🇨🇦🎼

[@SaeedReacts.]

🔥🔥🔥

[@kentgreer1079]

This song was originally released on their 1977 album 'A Farewell To Kings", Towards the end of the song, Geddy reached the highest pitch he's capable of at the time. Thirty-eight years later, Geddy could no longer reach that note or many of the other ones of the original song. So Rush had to either play the song in a lower key or play it without vocals. they chose to do it without vocals. But now that you have an idea about what the song sounds like, you could do another reaction to the studio version. And we would really like that, because you dive into the song in a way few other reactors do.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks so much for sharing this. Definitely will check out the studio version.

[@BattleHardenedGolfClashReplays]

It's interesting you mentioned Robin Williams. Neil Peart & Robin Williams are the 2 "celebrities" whose deaths had a profound effect on me. I'm 57 years old and watched Mork & Mindy at about the same time I discovered Rush - age 12. Neil Peart's death had a much bigger and longer-lasting effect on me than Robin Williams' death. I started listening to Rush because of Neil Peart. I wasn't a drummer, in fact, I played guitar and piano. However, I was mesmerized by his drumming. I had never heard anything like it before. It's very similar to the first time I heard Eddie Van Halen. I never heard anything like EVH before. BUT, with Neil Peart, he wrote the lyrics! They were poetry - not the usual rock lyrics. So, I grew up with Rush and the lyrics spoke to me as I went through life. When I heard Neil was dead I was literally, physically sick for the next 24 hours. Since his death I've had to grieve for him, a man I never met, as if he were my older brother. It has been difficult. I'm so glad there is so much of Rush's music for younger people to discover here on KZbin, and elsewhere online. This way he will always be appreciated.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I definitely felt that and can relate. Robin Williams was a huge part of my childhold and some of the happiest memories i have, come from watching his films. With James Gandolfini had a similar reaction, a man i never met, but his work had such a profound impact on me. And i followed all his upcoming projects. I couldnt even watch his work for a few years after his passing.

[@BattleHardenedGolfClashReplays]

@@SaeedReacts. I'm 57 years old. My sister and me watched Mork & Mindy which started about 1977 as a spin-off from Happy Days. Just like I had never heard drumming like Neil Peart's, I never saw comedy done like Robin Williams'! In stand-up he never had to memorize a script of jokes. He just looked at the audience and interacted with them, non-stop humor. He was naturally funny and was pretty much the manifestation of the manic side of Manic Depression (Bipolar). Unfortunately, he experienced the depression side of that illness alone.

[@mattbaker5757]

That was only part of one movement of Cygnus X-1 with a Neil Peart drum solo, longer than the movement, in the middle. You'll have to find another video of the full 'Cygnus X-1: Book 1 "The Voyage"' to get what you were expecting. This was just a fragment of the song, I think, they chose to use along with Neil's new drum solo because it went well with it. Of course that could have been the plan all along and this is a "Cygnus X-1 drum solo." An idea I wouldn't put past Neil or all of them to come up with for the last concert tour.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for this info! Will check out the full version.

[@m.ericwatson968]

Literally waited decades for them to play this track live, honestly never thought they would after so many tours, it's just so "out there", no pun intended; "This is a song about a black hole, this is Cygnus X-1"

[@SaeedReacts.]

Definitely want to check out the studio version to learn about the story.

[@m.ericwatson968]

@@SaeedReacts. An astronaut/cosmonaut takes his spacecraft into the deepest regions of reachable space, from Earth, to figure out what a black hole actually is...he finds Gods, at war, that's it in a nutshell

[@lauriivey7801]

I don't think he knew yet that he was sick (not for another year or so), but he knew that they were retiring ... but he always played at the upper limit

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for sharing.

[@orlylivne]

Impressing!! thanks for sharing

[@SaeedReacts.]

A masterclass! Thanks for watching.

[@lazydada1062]

Check out the original studio recording, from the album A Farewell to Kings. One of my favorite tracks ever, by any band!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will do!

[@jujugar9442]

I agree with the other comments saying you should react to the studio version of this song. Follow up with part II, Hemispheres. It is actually my favorite “story song” by them. The lyrics are incredible!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will do! Looking forward to it.

[@briancarter8697]

This was just a teaser....you need to check out cygnus book one and book two studio versions for the story...and you really need to check out Neil's drum solo from Frankfurt you will be blown away!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will do the studio versions. And probably will check out that other solo to at some point. Thanks.

[@juliebrockett3471]

Then listen to Cygnus X1 book 2 (hemispheres) studio then watch live by Stickhits!! That would be great!!

[@moon4music]

While this performance is so so great, you really need to react to the studio version of "Cygnus X-1 Book I: The Voyage", which is the last song on the "A Farewell to Kings" album. And then it must be followed by "Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres" the first song on the following album "Hemispheres". 😊

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will check those out. Thanks!

[@alexbonner2128]

Looks like we’ll have to do the studio version for the lyrics. I’m sure all the Rush fans here won’t mind hearing it again. Come on!! 😁

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for the advice! Appreciate that.

[@КонстантинКосарев-п3с]

Одна из самых любимых команд. Жаль, что эта сказка закончилась! А вещь, насколько помню аж из 1978 года!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Amazing band!

[@byronness7385]

You will have to do the studio version of Cygnus book 1 an book 2 to fully experience the journey of the music, the lyrics an the voice ❤️🔥

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will check those out. Looking forward to it!

[@JaDem148]

Some bands reach a point where lyrics aren't necessary for the crowd. RIP Neil. Alex and Geddy? Rush on!

[@ericvonsteuben7533]

If you listen to the studio version of this song, you'll know why they only played the instrumental parts of the song. There was no way Geddy could have vocally hit the notes. Far too high for his 60-ish self. Still awesome, however!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Looking forward to it!

[@bdc1117]

bearing in mind that he was not a young guy here. still a machine

[@chucksmusicaldebris3536]

I hear ya about loss. Funny you mentioned Robin Williams. That was huge for me as well. Followed him as a kid when he was doing stand up. I felt the same way with George Carlin. Also very much with Robert Jordan! Brendan did a great job but I still haven’t finished WOT because the story and characters felt to different. The writing was similar but I wasn’t feeling it the way I did with Robert

[@SaeedReacts.]

Love George Carlin as well. I finished the books, and he got better at writing the characters, but his prose and style is different than Robert Jordan. I do believe he was the best man for the job and did pretty well. Ofcourse very sad we never got Robert Jordan's ending.

[@chucksmusicaldebris3536]

I really need to go back and finish it. It’s been 10 years since I’ve read the Gathering Storm. What do you think of the the TV show version?

[@SaeedReacts.]

@@chucksmusicaldebris3536 There were some changes i enjoyed, because i know they just have to because its a different format. Some didnt make sense, but i do believe season 2 was a step up (except for the first episode of s2 that was so bad) I hope that upward trend continues in season 3. But ofcourse the books will always remain special to me.

[@chucksmusicaldebris3536]

I totally agree! I knew it was going to a different telling of the wheel mainly because of only 8 seasons. That’s not near enough time to tell the tale

[@christianwilliamson9752]

Check out the album version of this song. Its incredible. In fact you should listen to album.start to finish its only about 40 minutes

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will check out the studio version. Thanks for letting me know.

[@cityhonors1]

😂 Gonna go out on a limb here & guess many will ask you to do the actual recording of Cygnus X-1: The Voyage. 🤗 Fans won't be mad if you do The Voyage twice and it will help Cygnus X-1: Hemispheres make a little more sense. 😁🥰🐰

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will check out the studio version of the voyage

[@Tarkus_]

🤘🥁🤘

[@SaeedReacts.]

🤘🔥

[@paulgarcia1566]

Gedster couldn't hit those high notes and this point (who could?), so we get the music only. Now please do the same cut from A Farewell to Kings and for the story arc.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will check out the studio version of Cygnus X-1 and add the others to my list. Thanks.

[@JeffMeyers-zm2lh]

This retro drum set like the more modern drum set played on the first half of the show all the toms and kicks/bass drums were made from a 1500 year old Romanian bog Oak. For me this retro kit sounded far superior to the modern kit. It was so raw and powerful with much more resonance and presence. Someone at Drum work shop managed to acquire the oak. A test shell was made Neil was informed and tried it out and said he had to have a set for the next tour which would be R40 in 2015. They had enough of the wood to do both sets.

[@steveschaff4620]

Geddy Lee was in his mid 60s on this tour, so instead of sounding like a DRUNK in a bar that try's to sing 'Stairway to Heaven', Geddy was smart enough not to try to reach the 'Geddy Lee in his 20s' high notes.

[@cecillegravelle2590]

Great reaction .. please listen to the full 🎵 🎶. also Geddy's t-shirt has his 2 dogs on it. he posted something on Instagram recently about how they were in his family for 13 years or so. 🙏 🐕 🐕

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will check the full version out.

[@michaelbriefs9764]

You should listen to the original, studio recording. No, not should, have to!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will do!

[@TexasVeteranPatriot]

This live version is great, buuut it's an abridged no lyric version....Their magnum opus full with lyrics on book 1 ... Rush - Cygnus X 1 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJa0fYmud8iteLs Rush - Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGSke4igqbyHncU

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for these! Appreciate that.

[@PalimpsestProd]

Cygnus-X1: that time Rush accidentally invented Death Metal.

[@ZIG4ZAG20]

He couldn’t even begin to sing that tune at the register it would require so opted to just musically bring it which they did.

[@darronhuggins4788]

No, it was the 1st BLACK HOLE ever found in the in the universe, and that Is what the the song is about going through a black hole. Called Cygnus book1 and Book2 combined in to two albums RUSHRULES and Trump sucks.

[@SaeedReacts.]

I will check out the studio version for the story

[@rbue]

Have to do Cygnus X-1 Book 2. so good.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will do!

[@dalemerrifield8308]

You should check out the album version. This is nowhere near what the real song is like.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will do!

[@Lemmingadventures]

Geddys voice is shot at this point. He can't sing those high notes anymore. Do the album version.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for the advice. Will do that.

[@cityhonors1]

🤗 That is EXACTLY how you are supposed to feel! 😶‍🌫️ Like you are being sucked in to a 🕳️... 🤔 However not gonna say anything about a drum solo being thrown in to the middle of Cygnus because 😌 at this juncture we were glad to get anything from the "old days" that was rarely played! 🥰🐰