Rush - Xanadu (Exit Stage left live 1981) reaction

[@Fred-vy1hm]

Rush likes to think of themselves as the world's smallest orchestra and it's hard to argue that with songs like this. The greatest power trio ever, or will ever be. 😊

[@dannyhughes8187]

They were called that. They didn't claim it..

[@Fred-vy1hm]

@@dannyhughes8187 Geddy actually says that in Beyond the Lighted Stage

[@justsmashing4628]

The greatest 3 piece band in history, no debate, over.

[@melanieinsaskatchewan7964]

Not really. Ever hear of Cream? ELP?

[@lotechgreg]

@@melanieinsaskatchewan7964 Hacks.... compared to Rush.......

[@sw3dishla8rat]

cream..was pretty good too,,,debatable who is the more masterful drummer....kicking over a can of worms spilling everywhere

[@jons3808]

Cream and ELP are absolutely amazing. Ginger Baker and Carl Palmer are all-time greats, but nothing compares to Neil, Geddy and Alex… the greatest band ever 👍🏻

[@sw3dishla8rat]

i would have to agree with you sir .../.although art is hard to compared,,I have never come across a 3 piece quite like rush....also the only band I can think of that will always and forevermore remain those three members alive or dead period

[@squidly2112]

In my view, this performance is one of the greatest performances by any band, of all time. It is absolutely unreal how these 3 guys can do so many things, simultaneously and so perfectly. Pay very close attention and you will see Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee (guitar and bass players) also are playing Taurus peddles (peddle synthesizers) with their feet !!! .. if you hear some of the synthesizer fills while each are playing guitar but don't know where that is coming from, pay attention to their legs and feet, they are playing those parts with their feet while playing their guitars, and in the case of Geddy Lee, also singing. They are the MASTERS!!! .. greatest band of all time!!! ... and Neil Peart, greatest percussionist of all time! .. Rest in peace Neil .. we miss you!

[@petedebrino512]

Im glad you got to hear them for the 1st time, and hope you check out the rest of thier music. Ive had the privalige to see Rush on almost every tour and even had front row seats at one time. to hear and see that much music from 3 of the best, is amazing, never ever a bad show, and one year they had to postpone because Getty was sick, to make up for it, they played for extra hour and even took requests from the audiance. There will NEVER be another band like Rush.

[@timshelton8535]

These guys were the best live band ever! I’ve seen them 13 times and I’ve seen some great live acts (including Prince) and the Eagles.

[@oilrules4302]

I am a little older than you I'm sure, I got to see them 22 times in concert, My 1st show was Sacramento memorial auditorium, November 10th Of 1978, And I believe one of my favorite shows was seeing them at their R30 tour at red rocks amphitheater. We all had a good time. My God-bless and keep you

[@johnandrews3568]

I got to see them on every tour at least once from 1980 onwards. Best live band ever!

[@55bolts]

Still are the best! No one will ever touch them live or studio! Saw them live from 1980 till the end!

[@z-man2343]

Three enormously talented and creative musicians and three of the nicest guys you'll ever meet...in any walk of life. Their music is simply an extension of their personalities...seemingly complex, yet very accessible.

[@jons3808]

That’s very well said and I couldn’t agree more! For as complex as their music is, I’ve always felt the song came first and the complexity never overshadowed the composition.

[@RoarOfWolverine]

If you look up the definition of the word humility in the dictionary, there will be a picture of Alex, Geddy and Neil right there. They definitely define humility, all three of them. Being three musicians who were acclaimed as being the best at their respective instrument, they were never brash or arrogant, yet they could have been. I have seen musicians and bands with half their talent strut around like the head rooster of the hen yard. The best example of their humility is how even though they were considered the best technically in their music, each member still continue to improve over the years. The humility it took for Neil Peart to ask Steve Smith how he had improved so much, then contact Freddie Gruber to improve his playing, when he was already considered the best drummer in rock music for years. Anytime after the release of 2112, Neil had made his mark. He was already a legend, but still knew he needed to get better. How many of us would just sit back, just basking in the praise once achieving his iconic stature? That was the humility of all three of these guys. Geddy was also considered the best on his instrument at that time. He had proved he could shred bass like few others. That wasn’t enough of a challenge, so he decides to incorporate keyboards into his already stacked work load on stage as lead singer and shredding bass player. Geddy also took a lot of vocal lessons over the years, learning how to tame his insane range and make it less screechy. Rush was always looking for ways to improve the experience of seeing them live for their fans. I never missed a tour starting in 1980 with Permanent Waves. The best damned concert I had ever seen up to that date and I went to a lot of concerts in the 70s and 80s, but there was only one band who I would never miss in concert and that was the trinity of prog/rock.

[@ericgen5022]

It is so absolutely wonderful to watch her listen to the glory that is Rush. Brings me to tears each time. They were amazing. And seeing them bring so much joy to the unexpecting - priceless.

[@rushfan9thcmd]

Watching people get to enjoy what we've been enjoying for over 40 years. Standing the test of time.

[@mkg59]

Eric, I know how you feel. I've been a fan since 1974 and every time I watch someone react to this I will get tears in my eyes for two reasons... 1) I enjoy seeing others recognize greatness 2) I realize I will never see these 3 perform again.

[@marypalumbo4894]

I cry too...I so miss them.

[@sw3dishla8rat]

so glad to see an intelligent young person like yourself see why us old timers make such a big deal about our music we've been listening to since the 70s.... back when people only listened to music performed by musicians. back when this stuff was still new life was a blast!

[@JohnCividino]

Now you know why they're considered the best of the best, when it comes to musicianship!

[@LeewardStudios]

Everyone is blow away by their musicianship, then when they take time to analyze the lyrics they are doubly blown away. That is what did it for me and why their legacy endures. RIP Professor. You tended your garden well.

[@shanewilson199]

Love and respect earned over and over

[@marypalumbo4894]

Very well put, Sir. So true.

[@lisafayepranger8561]

first album of theirs I ever bought....A Farewell to Kings. I was 13.

[@kennethhickey8241]

a beautiful reaction to the best power trio ever!

[@allanperry6507]

3 masters of their instruments. 🤘RUSH🤘. Smiles 😃 from Canada 🇨🇦

[@jerrybranagin7615]

U jus witnessed the greatest percussionist to ever walk the face of the earth

[@brian8527]

Quite simply, thank you ma'am for enjoying and appreciating this band. May you continue your journey through the Rush catalog 🤗🤗🤗

[@TimPimentel3006]

Love your reaction! I’ve seen them at least once every tour since 1982. Rush has been the sound track of my life, they were there through the good and the bad. As a musician they gave me musical inspiration and their their down to earth demeanor inspired my personal life. They are legends!

[@Michael-vl8qx]

YES, it is the greatest live performance ever!

[@chefdeth7993]

Agreed. Only thing that even comes close is Stevie Ray Vaughn Texas Flood.

[@debilarge]

My favorite Rush song ever. The original album recording was done in the first take they were that great. In this live performance they were only 28! Genius players all of them.

[@Bucketheadgoat]

Best comment I've seen in regards to this video "Talent level on a scale of 1 to 10: 38 Billion"

[@kben036]

My favorite band of all time, saw them six times starting in 1985 until 2015 and had my picture taken with them. And yes, they performed Xanadu that last time too. It still gives me chills.

[@markferrett700]

Three geniuses at the peak of their creativity and masters of their art.

[@davidguillory1312]

Glad you checked this one out. I figured that you would be amazed at the musicianship of the group. The soundscapes that these three could make are always awesome. If you like instrumentals, check out 'La Villa Strangiato' by them. So...am I detecting that someone is quickly becoming a new Rush fan? :)

[@massaglia]

A beautiful reaction! Looking forward to your future Rush reactions! ❤

[@bobhope3716]

This video shows why I saw Rush 18 times !

[@BigSlick40]

Rumor has it that Geddy Lee could walk, chew gum, juggle, do algebra and make shadow puppets all at the same time.

[@cbdrunk]

I have seen Rush 8 times, pure talent, amazing sounds, will love then forever!

[@greedynewt6149]

What a great and authentic reaction. I truly enjoyed watching experience this for the first time.

[@pamagnolia]

Mind blowing!! Marvelous band! Musical geniuses!!! 😅

[@janetlawson4482]

Ridiculously talented people and an unforgettable voice ❤!

[@michaelbriefs9764]

Sarah! Welcome to the Rush-fan family!! I love how dialed-in you are in listening to and appreciating all the great things about Rush! You have over 40 years of music to discover! They have very, very few "filler" songs; they always made super high-quality music, in all kinds of genres, from Hard Rock, Progressive/Art Rock, New Wave-influenced Rock, Pop Rock and Rock with Metal influences. They really were exceptional. Hey, be sure to pull up the lyrics of Xanadu so you can see how deep that song was! Neil Peart was the drummer (he passed away in 2020, RIP) and he was the lyricist. He based these lyrics on a 19th-century poem called "Kubla Khan, Or, A Vision in a Dream: A Fragment", by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It was an unfinished poem, hence the reference to "Fragment", and Neil Peart said he got "obsessed" with the work, and he decided to write a lyric based on it. OK, what's the next song? How about "The Spirit of Radio"? That's a fun one!

[@Matty0923]

Yes, in my opinion, greatest live performance, and by 3 men. Absolute master class musicians and masters of their crafts. So glad you reacted to it and discovered it. Natural Science is also epic!!

[@tomburns7544]

Yup. You are correct, Sarah. And those things Geddy using with his feet are called Taurus pedals. Sort of the things you find near the floor underneath electric organs. They provide low/bass notes while Geddy (the bassist/singer) plays the more noticeable higher melody and keyboards. Great reaction!

[@firejo1358]

There is only a very brief glimpse of it, but there is one point in the song where Geddy is playing the peddles, open stringing the bass with his right hand, singing and playing the keyboard with his left hand. I know this one because I’ve seen it live several times. My brother took me to my first Rush show in 1979 (Permanent Waves) and I’ve been a Rush fan ever since. I have only missed two shows from that point on. I don’t remember which ones, but one of them was because the circus was in town, and they would only play the Coliseum (so they skipped Seattle) and the second time I was camping in Oregon with my family. Of all of the shows I’ve seen, R40 was the absolute best one, and that’s saying a lot because the others were all great shows. I miss seeing them live but I’m glad they went out when they were still hot and didn’t do a Stones thing. I also miss Neil, such a tragic loss of an amazing drummer and mind. Listening to him talk sometimes was almost as good as listening to him drum (almost).

[@tomburns7544]

@@firejo1358 Spot on!

[@rkalb8114]

This was excellent! I saw Rush two times in concert during the 1980's - their shows were outstanding. Thanks for bringing back my memories of them.

[@SarahDengler]

This is outstanding! 👏

[@TONE11111]

​@@SarahDengler I prefer the studio version.

[@keeskapteyn314]

As a Rush fan since 1981, I love watching these reaction videos because it takes me back to when I first heard/saw them and it's such a delicious feeling to have. This particular video was magic to me and you gave me that feeling again! Thank you!

[@Texturas75]

Rush is my favorite band and this is one of the greatest moments in the history of rock concerts!! I love your reaction! You're so sweet ❤!

[@ronaldbailey6821]

Brilliant song..brilliant band and brilliant reaction..great job!!

[@honeybadger7320]

Yeah, your smile throughout this is what Rush does!

[@shaunbourque9212]

They have many many more great live performances my girl. Enjoy your RUSH journey. Enjoyed your reaction. More RUSH reactions please.

[@Johnny67557]

Welcome to the world of RUSH!!!!

[@RushSmith65]

Welcome to Rushisms!.. Nice.

[@maxnovax3948]

Watched them live on this tour. Yes it was mind blowing; start to finish. Glad you got to hear it.

[@jukeboxdave6026]

So glad you found Rush my friend one of the greatest bands of all time and there fans are absolutely amazing love and respect from the UK 👍👍👍👍👍👍🌟😀😀 amazing channel 👍

[@nashharder5438]

One of the best live performances ever recorded!

[@andrewheck6922]

Like I always said...Rock and Roll will never die!!!! Keep up the good work Beautiful 😍

[@dave131]

It is so much fun reliving that first time we all heard Rush and she gets it. Great reaction. Enjoy the journey ma'am.

[@jacquesjrviens3384]

That's Rush in a nutshell. Best rock trio ever !!!!!!

[@viewfromthehighchair9391]

Yours is one of the best reactions (and most appropriate reaction) I've seen so far. That fact that these 3 guys could replicate this performance within an inch of its life night after night is a tribute to the level of musianship and professionalism of this band, one of the greatest of all-time. I will be back to recommend other performances and bands for you. You'll hear from me again. Cheers!!

[@dansouth2088]

Hey Sarah - Thank you so much for taking the time to review a legendary Rush song like Xanadu. I was fortunate to follow them for a short time, only from the late 70s until they finished. To see others experiencing their incredible music and talent for the first time is very heart-warming to me. Wish you the best.

[@loisr3970]

Yes!!@@young lady welcome to the world of Rush our three Canadian Masters . 45 years of musical mastery. 1981 having my 1st baby. Great reaction cheers The classics Mr Neil Peart on drums the professor. Mr Geddy Lee Vocals Bass synth.. Mr Alex Lifeson on guitar. We use to get three hour concerts. Yes classic bands sounded same live as on album pure talent

[@theenlightenedbarbarian1611]

Mrs. Dengler - I started watching various reaction channels just a few months ago - recently, I discovered yours. I must say, with all respect, you are pure sunshine. Thank you for sharing the bright light of your personality with all of us. As you have just discovered one of my favorite all-time bands, Rush, may I recommend - YYZ live in Rio, 2112 the entire first side, as well as Hemispheres the entire album and Caress of Steel the entire second side. You have discovered a unique band with such talented musicians and lyrics for the thinking mind. Enjoy the journey, and I so much look forward to more of your reactions. Thank you again, fine lady.

[@coot1925]

Yep, they make a big sound for a 3 piece. At the begining the guitarist is using a volume peddle to fade the notes in. Both of them also use peddles to play synth lines when their hands are busy playing bass or guitar. I'm an old fart too.....born in 1962, I started playing guitar when I was 4 and then drums, keyboards, bass. I now play 7 different instruments. So I was raised listening to Pink Floyd, deep purple, Yes, Black Sabbath, ELP and of course Rush. How can I not admire pure talent like this. Check out Niel Peart's drum solo live in Frankfurt. It will blow your head off. ✌️♥️🇬🇧

[@lesblatnyak5947]

🙏🍁 58 here

[@coot1925]

@@lesblatnyak5947 my one big regret is not seeing rush live. But I was at the pink Floyd pulse concert in London. I cried like a baby the whole way through. ✌❤🇬🇧

[@burgsrus]

@@coot1925 I'm right there with you, I really regret not seeing Rush live when I was a young teen. I was a rebel back then and did not realize what I was missing.

[@firejo1358]

Actually (not to nitpick), back then Alex used a Cry Baby Wah Wah pedal. They do get used for volume a lot, but they have a shifting band pass filter which gives them that distinctive sound. When they aren’t “moving” the sound is normal which is why a lot of guitar players also use them for volume pedals. By the end of Rush’s touring, he still used a Cry Baby Wah Wah, but it was an effects processor with the pedal just being a position sensor. He was (and probably still is) an amazing talent with that pedal. The sounds he would make, and then reproduce exactly the same way, time and time again were amazing. His La Villa Strangiato solo is a great example of it.

[@williamgreene4834]

62 yo here. If you appreciate young talent you should check out juliaplaysgroove's latest bass cover. She has scary talent. I'm just a fan and she's in Poland. I wish I didn't live on the other side of the planet. I would love to see her live. Thought you might like it. Sorry for writing a novel. :)

[@barrymunro5235]

Congratz, you just got to discover one of the best bands I had the privilege to grow up with.

[@SomeOneNew1029]

Yes, this is absolutely the greatest live performance ever. 23 different instruments but only 3 guys

[@RITH5150]

Great reaction to this magical great talented band to one of my favorite songs

[@RobertAWolf]

Not only does it bring joy to my heart to watch someone get that Wow factor from Rush for the first time, it takes me back long ago when I first had my WOW factor from Rush!

[@clinttynan7763]

It's been nearly 40 years since I first heard this, and your reaction made me feel like I was seeing it for the first time all over again. What a pleasure.

[@HiroNguy]

I only saw Rush in concert 9 times. If I'd have seen them 900 times it would still not have been enough.

[@daniellucas3848]

Watching these reaction videos takes me back to my first time...love it.

[@stephenpublicover8818]

Hey Sarah, glad you enjoyed RUSH a great Canadian progressive rock 3-man band, seen rush in the late 80s(Power Windows Tour) Only 40plus years of music! RIP The 'Professor' Neil Peart!😀💔👌👍✌

[@PeterMcCracken-n3g]

Just for you Sarah, now you know what great looks like. Rush are progressive rock and by the sounds of it this genre is your thing. Thankyou for a great reaction and being a great podcaster.

[@sovereignbrehon]

We don't have a word for the peculiar satisfaction this brings, to see someone discover one of my absolute favorite songs and have such a visceral reaction to their virtuosity. Thanks!!! ❤️ your reactions!

[@Mark_T_23]

Xanadu - One of the best, or if not “the best” live performance ever. After you hear this, you have no words for what you just heard. Because there are no words for what Rush’s music does for the soul. A word about Niel Peart (not pronounced like the shampoo by the way). He worked on every drum hit he did. He said, in a few interviews, that he always wanted to be the best he could be. Note that the first “real” rhythmite feel you get in the song is Niel playing the large chimes called “Tubular bells”. He is standing up playing wind chimes, but he has that beat on the “Tubular bells” on point. In Time, in every measure, never missing that hit. Realize (from what I can see), he can’t reach those “Tubular bells” without standing up. And he stood up to play them every time the song called for them. Promptly sitting himself back down to go do some magic on his kit. Amazing. He is called the professor, the professor of his craft, the drums (and song writing).

[@brianfisher6165]

They are mind blowing great!!! I've been a fan for about 47 years and they still amaze me!!! 👍👍👌👌✌✌😁😁

[@avantprog6902]

Awe, sorry I just saw your final thoughts and have to comment. You are a kindred spirit. You love music. Music serves people in different ways. For some it pacifies them after work. For some it's something to move to. For me it's a cinematic experience.

[@robertdubin5850]

It is really special stuff!! Your review was heart warming. Thank you.

[@willrobinson9575]

To watch her joy brings tears to my eyes.

[@t0dd000]

Their most elaborate composition, for sure. Always amazes me

[@KCPELICAN]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Rush. There's allot to enjoy.

[@nodrush80]

One of the greatest!

[@scottbaxtrom4324]

I listened to Rush for the last 35 years and these 3 guys from Toronto Canada are so unbelievable. I am so fortunate enough to have seen them twice in Toronto. Please review Working Man live in Cleveland. Rush is Timeless

[@kenbourne8011]

The best band I ever have or ever will see live. Absolute master musicians.

[@drewrosecrans9728]

I saw this tour 🤘🤘🤘🤘 I was 14 year's old they sound just like their albums when they play live! Rip professor 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

[@jhc2093]

Welcome to the world of Rush

[@Islander2112]

I was 11 when this video came out on Mtv and VCR tape, and was convinced then that these guys were super heroes of rock and possibly from outer space, lol. This performance is one of the most majestic ever recorded by any band, no less a three piece. Moog Taurus 1 bass pedals for the win as both Geddy and Alex command a set. Great reaction, thanks for sharing.

[@AlGardiner-xm9bo]

Now you’re a Rush fan,and you can’t help it Welcome to the fountain of lamenth That’s another Rush song that you don’t wanna miss Love the way you listen and wonder

[@adanac9424]

I respect that you enjoyed that without pausing/interupting the song. I was introduced to them many years ago and it's great to see their magic spreading to new ears. That was a great reaction and evidence to the power of(good)music. That pedal Alex was playing with his foot is a volume pedal. When he picks the notes, his foot is pushed back on the pedal and the volume is down/off. Then he pushes it forward to give it the volume, making the notes swell.

[@EricMeyerweb]

If you want to see them blow the roof off live, try the Time Machine Tour Live in Cleveland version of “Working Man”. They absolutely KILL it, at the end of a three-hour show, in their late 50s to boot. Some other strong candidates: the Rush in Rio version of “YYZ” (an instrumental), the HD remaster of “La Villa Strangiato” (another instrumental), and if you want to bathe in the drummer Neil Peart’s mastery, his drum solo from Live in Frankfurt. “Tom Sawyer” and “The Analog Kid” are also very strong choices, whether live or not. There are many more virtuoso performances from them on KZbin, but I think any of those are great jumping-off points. And if you want to see how they managed to get all that sound from “Natural Science” out of three people, there are live versions of it online. I saw them a dozen or so times, including the Time Machine Tour’s Cleveland show, and they never once failed to completely blow the crowd away.

[@goldenretrieverdad]

Wonderful reaction. Best band ever and best live performance ever!

[@jlapp]

"multi-tasking" yes what a great way to describe what they do. haha Just think they did this song after song, night after night, decade after decade. Just incredible.

[@ultimatespinach]

That wonderful reaction just earned you another subscription. I've enjoyed your reactions for quite some time Sarah but this one from Rush was just too incredible to pass by. Many thanks from the Rush's homeland, Canada. If you want another wonderful example of this band's virtuosity check out the live (1978) version of "La Villa Strangiato". Much like Xanadu it will leave you scratching your head trying to figure how 3 guys make such an incredibly large and complex sound. Seeing is believing!

[@SinbadSailing]

I bought 'A Farewell To Kings' years and years ago for the Xanadu track but this live version from Exit Stage Left in 81 is just mind blowing!

[@thumpermcfar]

Quite simply the best live band that ever was!!!

[@danallshaw1131]

I drove 115 miles to buy this cassette in 1981. May you love Rush as much as I do.😎🥰🥰

[@andrewheck6922]

You should have been at the concert in the front like I was. The sound bouncing off the body like your body was a musical instrument was amazing!

[@EvilSean62]

love your reaction to what is basically classical music now !!! also live ... no auto tune , no samples, no tricks...actual talent !!! ... you have a wonderful journey ahead of you discovering the rest of the hidden treasure so ... i was watching your yes reaction and my 4001s dependancy brought me here never saw them live but was employed to break down their glasgow gig and yet my 2nd bass was the 4001s ... mostly due to chris but then i got a jazz bass and later discovered geddy uses one ...which is nuts because to my young ears it still sounded like a rick thus ended my love affair with expensive kit also this was the 1st rush song i learned

[@chefdeth7993]

How cannot anyone be in AWE of this most incredible performance?

[@michaeldoherty7434]

Arguably the best live performance ever. Certainly the best technical one.

[@jamesstevens4795]

Yeah, I’m old…… but I got to be at that concert

[@SarahDengler]

Awesome !👌

[@racebiketuner]

Same 😉

[@shirleysmith3747]

EPIC Masterpiece for the soul .

[@2ndmachine620]

I love your reaction! Fantastic!

[@gregblunier5813]

My dear , I appreciate you watching this. You have witnessed the greatest band in history

[@AlGardiner-xm9bo]

Your reaction touched my heart ♥️

[@joesixpack8305]

Wow, you did a very good job on your reaction. Wish you would do more Rush songs.

[@mikemitton6447]

Hard to believe that's only three musicians playing this! And live to boot!

[@sergebrunet4218]

😋good old song from a local band here in Canada ! all 3 from the GTA ( Greater Toronto area ). been listening to Rush since the 70s !

[@davidballard4896]

YYZ live in Rio next. Then do Neil Peart drum Solo live in Frankfurt. Seen these guys live in 1979. Love the channel 😁❤️

[@richieyyz]

Best band ever !! No lip syncing, not tracks. Just pure amazing musicians.

[@TexTom1981]

They DID use some loop tech...but done on stage by them. They never cheated the fans with stuff they didn't control on stage.

[@fretless05]

Rush put out a number of live tracks from that tour in in the early 1980s (I think 1982). They also put out Trees and La Villa Strangiato, which are both worth watching. Live tracks from that tour were recorded and released as an album, Exit Stage Left, which is one of my all-time favorite albums.

[@rosuobs3972]

Loving your reactions, I knew that would blow your socks off, more of the same please, RIP Neil

[@victorjohnson7512]

This song was on the "Farewell to Kings" album in 1977. (I had it on 8-track tape back in the day). Neil Pert based the lyrics on the poem Kubla Khan, written in 1797.

[@edgarpacifico3421]

Brilliant! A Masterpiece!