RUSH - Xanadu - Live In Montreal 1981

[@miltdobson7524]

Rush...the world's smallest symphony orchestra.

[@mikedown3219]

Best description ever!

[@glennhecker4422]

Them, and also Emerson Lake and Palmer! It's STAGGERING in BOTH cases that just three guys could make that much music, with such a full sound.

[@josephlinnell9855]

Very well said.

[@samuelharvey3496]

Well said

[@drewrosecrans9728]

Ten thousand percent 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@G-MAN1958]

"RUSH makes every other band look Lazy". That's the most insightful comment I've ever heard on any reaction! 🏆

[@John-ed3mk]

Best comment ive heard about rush was this. Making other bands say WTF since 1974.

[@jimaccosted9328]

THAT DISCRIPTION IS SOOOOO SPOT ON!!!

[@gregcormier2379]

This performance is the epitome of multitasking and incredible musicianship. It is truly astounding to think that all that sound is coming from only three people. There will never be another band like Rush!

[@mightyV444]

@@gregcormier2379 - I totally agree! 😍 The fact that both Geddy and Alex also play synths with their feet while playing their double-necks most likely flies under most viewers' 📡! 😁 Just too bad the camera crew had failed to get some good angles towards the end of Geddy after switching to his 12-string guitar! Many other cool moments in this video though, like Alex' swift switch from 12- to 6-string 😊 And their jostling-around had even delighted my two Sons already when they were only little 😄

[@robphelps5001]

Right?

[@robphelps5001]

@@mightyV444Geddy’s Doubleneck is a 4string bass and a 6string guitar…

[@mightyV444]

@@robphelps5001 - It _is_ a 12-string guitar! 😀 I suggest you goggle for a close-up photo of a 12-string Rickenbacker guitar's headstock, which is quite different to Alex' Gibson's! 😉👍 Geddy did also have a double-neck bass with a 6-string, though: It was white, and he'd used it during Alex' solo in 'A Passage To Bangkok' 🙂

[@danielfowler9459]

I was blessed enough to discover Rush in 1982. I saw them 54 times. I consider myself very - very lucky.

[@analogpro7]

You beat me! I saw them 52 times. Treasured memories for sure!

[@johnbarry2048]

That is awesome! I thought I was blessed because I never missed a tour since 1979, and sometimes a few shows in the same tour. But 54 times?? Yes sir, I would have to say you’ve been blessed. Keep Rocking Dude!!

[@charleswagner2984]

I didn't get into Rush until Grace UP. I listened to the previous 4 albums and said "My God! What have I've been missing!" First Rush concert was 1984, p/g tour. What a way to start.

[@FrenchieQc]

This is the gold standard of live performances. Nothing else compares. One absolutely mind-blowing fact about this song is when they were ready to record the Xanadu track you hear on the Farewell To Kings album, Geddy, Alex and Neil walked in, played a minute or two to calibrate all the sound equipment, then played the song start to finish in 1 take, nailed it 100%, walked out, no second attempt needed. Absolute kings, only 24-25 years old back then and already world-class musicians.

[@jonathanroberts8981]

They had, I have read, set aside the entire afternoon to get the track done. Didn’t say what they did with the rest of the time after nailing it so quickly.

[@glengerheauser2771]

Amen

[@patricklenehan1778]

Awesome

[@jocon13]

Astounding!

[@jonnyrebb]

Three best friends having fun together.

[@johnt4668]

This is, imo, the greatest live performance of any song, by any band, EVER. Perfection.

[@64bdchaney]

One of the greatest live performances by Rush... I am 64 yrs old and was introduced to Rush in 1976, my first Rush concert was during the Moving Pictures tour 1981 when they played Xanadu and it was to the tee like this live performance. I have seen the video recording dozens of times and it still make my hair stand up over my body. The one thing about the 3 men Alex, Geddy and Neil is the pure joy, brotherhood and perfect musicianship playing their music to an audience. It's just magic!

[@alliswell2114]

Hammersmith Odeon London...Wow

[@gregscott7992]

I saw them the first time during this tour in Portland, Oregon. I couldn't believe how perfect every song seemed to be. They never disappeared!

[@Tjeffers128]

Right there with you brother. My favorite concert was at Red Rocks in Denver; it was magical!

[@lisaharrison1031]

A day without “the boys” is like a day without sunshine!! RUSH FOREVER!! From one RUSH CHICK to another!! 🤘🎶💜

[@danjmcs]

Can't ever see/hear Xanadu too many times :)

[@jeffross8400]

Why is Rush So good 1. Best Rock and Roll Guitarist ....EVER 2. Best Rock and Roll Bassist.....EVER 3. Best Lyricist and DRUMMER of all time..........Period.. It just all add up to the Greatest group of musicians of all time.

[@charleswagner2984]

According to Prog Magazine readers, the best musicians ever in all music history include Chris Squire at number 11, number 4 is Rick Wakeman, number 2 is Jimi Hendrix, and the best musician the world has ever known is Neil Peart. I don't know where Geddy and Alex ranked, but I'm very certain that they are underrated as usual. But Neil beat out Hendrix as the best musician of all time. WOW! I don't think that he is overrated there. Neil Peart is the best musician who ever lived.

[@offroadhusky]

“So there are times when you know you’ve just witnessed greatness…and this is one of those times!” I love it! I’ve been listening to this song for decades and it still gives me chills! All that sound and perfection from 3 GOATS!

[@lylebest343]

The greatest 3 piece band to ever walk the earth and I truly miss them..... rest in peace Neil

[@snakeinthegrass7443]

"Rush makes every other band look lazy." Wow, what an incredibly accurate statement! That was a joy to watch with you, neighbor. Thanks for listening to the small people. You rock, sister!! The only way that could've been better is if I was......never mind. 😉 Til next time...

[@redheadedneighbor]

@@snakeinthegrass7443 😊

[@1teamski]

My older sister introduced me to Rush when Moving Pictures came out when I was a kid. I was listening to ELO at the time. One runthrough and I was absolutely hooked. I then saved up my allowances to start collecting the back catalog, starting with Hemispheres. I begged my older brother for his copy of 2112. From the get-go, Rush became my life band. You will find the answers to life through the words of their songs and discover peace within the music itself. That is the magic of Rush.

[@willrobinson9575]

Well said

[@johnbarry2048]

I loved Jeff Lynne and ELO, but then I heard Rush, and that was it.

[@danielfowler9459]

You start listening to Rush - and you are jumping down a rabbit hole. 40+ years of brilliant recordings.

[@emelosh]

Small bit of trivia - Xanadu was recorded in one take! ;-) Despite its complexity and length, Xanadu is a rare "one take wonder" song. Guitarist Alex Lifeson said, "Xanadu was well rehearsed before going to Rockfield, I remember that. On the day we recorded it, Pat Moran, the resident engineer, set all the mics up and we ran the song down, partially to get balances and tones. Because it was a long song, we didn't need to complete that test run. "We then played it a second time from top to bottom and that's what you hear on the album. Needless to say, Pat was shocked that we ran an 11-minute song down in one complete take. Practice doesn't always make perfect, but it sure helps!

[@aMulliganStew]

now my jaw has dropped! wow!!

[@jeffreyhender5272]

Alex's switch from the 12 string to the 6 at around 12:11 here never ceases to amaze me.

[@mikemike1425]

Yup, amazing!

[@mycroft16]

The man is legit incredible. He can go from slow and melodic kind of in a support role to absolutely smoking the strings in a single note. Amd he plays with an incredible depth of emotion. All while just standing there and making it look as if he doesn't even have to work at it.

[@ianmunro5677]

Every time I watch this I wait for the guitar switch. So smooth and fast. Don't blink or you'll miss it.

[@melvinsmart9442]

Neil Peart absolute drumming genius

[@Paul_Halicki]

There will never, can never, be another like him.

[@brianlipskey8440]

my song if im ever stuck on an island in the middle of nowhere and only have 1 song to listen to forever.....and id still never get bored of it....this version is simply the greatest live rock performance ever....by anyone.... to me, at least....musical perfection....

[@Mark-v1n]

I'll bring the Molson.

[@brentd.4093]

I was so lucky to see this tour in 1981. This song live is something I'll never forget, one of my favourite concert experiences. I'm 58 y/o and have been a Rush fan since I was 11 years old. The way they reproduced this song live from the studio version. No tracks no over dubs no loops. Just 3 extremely talented musicians!!!

[@Treblaholland]

We got kicked out for smoking pot during The Camera Eye, ha! No one bats an eye at weed now.

[@brentd.4093]

@@Treblaholland and remember how there was no recoding devices or cameras allowed……. Now at concerts you just see a million cell phones recording haha oh how times have changed :)

[@robphelps5001]

Ditto!1981 tour was offa the charts!

[@davegilbertson4907]

I think new Rush fans and old Rush fans alike still find it difficult to comprehend this was recorded 43 years ago. Wrap your mind around that. All the bands and artists that has come along since then. We have heard spectacular music great music and well something sold as music. This is still far and above the rest an epic masterpiece and it was performed in 1981. Perspective for you. The album "A Farewell to Kings" was recorded the same year Apple debuted the Apple II computer. Two years after Microsoft formed. This live version happened during President Ronald Reagans first term in office. It really is mind boggling.

[@RobertMichaelStewart]

I love your line at the end.... "Rush makes every other band look lazy".... FACT!

[@charleswagner2984]

I've been to a lot of Rush concerts. After a while I stop watching Neil because after concentrating on him for a half hour, I'm totally exhausted just watching him.

[@dollarmn]

47 years of listening to Rush and it always is fresh to me. I truly believe we will never see anything like these 3 men again. My son still says his greatest musical experience was the 2 of us at the R40 concert.

[@terrymoss758]

One of the most epic performances…, ever!

[@DV82excess]

Your reaction here is PRICELESS. Alex is one of the most under rated guitarists ever. Virtuoso is a word I have never spelled, but it is the word for him.

[@MikePhillips-pl6ov]

He really is.

[@ericchapman1221]

This song is on my top 10 all time best rock songs. It is always fun when a reactor recognizes how great it is. Kudos to our RHN!

[@NicoleDentelle]

Hi from a 65 year old woman who rediscovered Rush just in the last few years! I have watched this performance dozens of time and cannot tire of it. they are so good! Wanna know something sad? I grew up in Montreal and lived there in 1981 but i did not go see that show, fool that I was. The tickets would have been around a whopping $15 at the time... ah well... thank goodness for these videos. Great reaction!

[@redheadedneighbor]

@@NicoleDentelle you have a rush sister who is taking them in through videos as well! I’m thankful for technology!

[@katskillz]

One of the big stars of this performance is the video editor. Hats off to whoever managed to document the manifold roles of each band member so we can see an accurate representation of how they constructed this full spectrum of sound; especially at key ensemble moments, transitions, etc.

[@vicprovost2561]

Yes, totally agree, the blink and you miss him flash video editing sucks, these guys, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin have quality video Editing as well, it is nice to see key band members at the right time.

[@kevinmichael8619]

This was a TV special produced by the CBC

[@mightyV444]

@@katskillz - I do mostly agree, but they also forgot to get some good shots of Geddy playing his 12-string at the end! 😅

[@PeterCharlton-qc1pd]

Absolutely one of the best songs ever played live..

[@jezzneedham8970]

This is the one song that gets a lump in my throat realising I will never see it live again. RIP Professor. 🙏 RUSH forever.

[@Paul_Halicki]

Bear in mind, this is "early" Rush. It's from Farewell to Kings, their follow-up to 2112, the first album that was noticed by a wide audience. They were in such a period of growth here; it's a amazing. My favorite Rush song, Closer to the Heart, is from Farewell to Kings.

[@markgettemeyer1145]

A lot of folks don’t stop to realize just how hard Neil pounded his kit. Such a strong, masterclass performance from all of them here - the dynamics are fantastic for a live show. One of my all time faves! ✌🏻

[@jonathanroberts8981]

Some drummers have the same cymbals for twenty years or more. Neil hit so hard he went through three sets in a tour.

[@ilikeonlygraphite]

@markgettemeyer1145 exactly! He only ever truly wanted to be a rock drummer who pounds the crap out of those drums. I mean seriously plays very hard, much harder than most. Check out "Digital Man - Neil Peart takes centre stage". Type that and see just how hard he drums. Incredible!

[@iMacMan54]

This is widely considered to be THE greatest prog-rock song ever. And of course, from one of the originators of the genre and one of the greatest lyracists ever. RIP, "Professor".

[@watrandy99]

Before you read the lyrics, check out the poem "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge from the 19th century; Neil created the lyrics to this song based upon the poem. It's long, but explains this song

[@paulgreenhalgh1647]

Thank you my dear!! I found your channel following RUSH reactions videos There my favorite band and I love seeing new fans fall in love with them. Your reactions always put a smile on my face. I'm 57 and been listening to them my whole life. Cheers from Ontario Canada.

[@markchristie7031]

Agreed. My 1st concert was Rush at the Montreal Forum on March 31, 1978 on the A Farewell To Kings tour. I'm 62 and have been a fan since that show.

[@redheadedneighbor]

@@paulgreenhalgh1647 thank you so very much

[@redheadedneighbor]

@@markchristie7031 what a treat!!

[@markchristie7031]

@@redheadedneighbor The real treat was the price; $7.99!! When I saw them on their Farewell Tour in Minneapolis in 2015, the ticket was $115.00.

[@moon4music]

See Alex switch from the 12 string to the 6 string so smoothly at the 12:10 minute mark, incredible and near the end of the song his solo is crazy good and then, he goes out with the foot pedals while rocking the guitar., amazing! ..and Neil on the drums throughout the entire song is just so damn good and of course Geddy seamlessly plays alongside them so amazingly. I love Alex, I love Geddy, I love Neil.

[@redheadedneighbor]

@@moon4music fascinating

[@millerbeer01]

I get teary every time I hear Neil talk. Him, they, have had a profound effect on not only my life, but so many others of us cast outs, us music purists and absolute musical nerds. They are the result of what happens when 3 people obsessed with making music, say a collective "F*ck it. We are doing it our way". Some people pretend they don't get it, but they are just making excuses for the fact that they do get it, but refuse to admit when they're wrong. "Where's My Thing? There It Is" live in Dallas. Mind blowing

[@NoLegalPlunder]

The key to their early stuff, for me, is how they were essentially storytellers. The music and lyrics both served one thing: the story. The beginning, especially, evokes a traveller making his way through a woods with the sounds of nature all around. Once the traveller finally finds Xanadu, there’s a big crash of all the instruments to indicate the wonder. Their first 6 albums, for me, are impeccable works of magic.

[@Stevedrums741]

the drum-kit that opened up all of the doors for me. I was 11 in 1981 and saw this kit in a magazine and I was hooked, amazed, awed and inspired. To do what Neil was able to do musically and compositionally has him firmly entrenched on my personal Mt. Rushmore of drumming influences.

[@scott4482]

Xanadu is based on an unfinished poem by 19th century English poet Samuel Taylor Coolidge

[@neilparnell5712]

It's ''Kubla Khan'' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. A poem written from the memory of an opium induced dream.

[@dominicgibson9529]

Coleridge, my friend...but I was just going to point that out👍

[@allancarel8511]

I always get a tear in my eye watching this performance. maybe for the professor or just thinking what it would be like to live forever. So much wisdom in Niels song writing.

[@anthonyboyko3686]

I must have seen this video at least 20 times. Never bored.

[@scottmcfeely6426]

Greatest song in the world ever! La Villa right there tied! What a band. What musicians. RIP Neil

[@STEPHENGOODE-y2o]

They played my junior high school dance as a cover band, saw them in bars in Toronto, saw them open for The New York Dolls at The Victory Burlesque. Many stadium shows, and this song gives me goosebumps EVERYTIME!!!!

[@dirtyoldgrognard6427]

What a great reaction. Yes, Rush is arguably the best rock band ever. They do make most other bands seem lazy.

[@mbeeps]

Considered to be one of the best live performances ever in any music category.

[@ilikeonlygraphite]

Your reaction to this was a complete privilege for me to witness. So genuine. You made me feel as if I too had just discovered the greatness of Rush all over again. And this happened for me nearly fifty years ago! I was thirteen. Congratulations and thank you! I will subscribe and look forward to more emotional joy received from your videos. ❤

[@jacquesjrviens3384]

Some lyrics that get me emotional every single time: Losing it, Witch hunt, Vital signs, Red sector A (About the holocaust), Middletown dreams, The pass (Teenage suicide) and my favourite Available light. That last one just rips my heart every time since Neil’s passing. Please check these songs with the lyrics nearby. Brilliant writing.

[@islaypeat9798]

Great choices. Especially “Available Light”, such an amazing song.

[@neilparnell5712]

For me, ''Losing It'' is the single most poignant song that Neil ever wrote. The Hemmingway connection where the writer, realising he was losing his faculties and ability to write, took his own life early one morning in his kitchen:- ''Thirty years ago, how the words would flow With passion and precision But now his mind is dark and dulled By sickness and indecision And he stares out the kitchen door Where the sun will rise no more'' It's just my interpretation, but I feel that Neil probably had a recurring dream as we all do, of the fear of this happening to him that prompted him to write this lyric, and it is incredibly sad that he was taken too soon with exactly the type of terrible debilitating illness that he alluded to in this song. An incredibly powerful lyric that came from a dark corner of his fertile mind.

[@ace1usmc]

I literally can't help but get choked up listening to this. They were and will always be such a HUGE part of my journey as a musician and bassist. Miss the boys from up north more than I can possibly say.

[@stevemiller7138]

Just remember that you are watching LIVE performances, instead of studio versions. Rush has always excelled in there LIVE performances. That is one of the reasons us die hard fans love them. There LIVE performances are there masterpieces.

[@Fred-vy1hm]

Greatest power trio and best live performers period. So sad that the greatest show on earth could only bless us with a little over forty years of magnificence they're so missed.

[@timdaly5831]

I saw this in Toronto the same week as the Montreal show. It was the Hemispheres tour, and this set was Broon's Bane, The Trees and Xanadu flowing right in to each other. What a band, what a band!! Please keep on with your Rush reactions and please do a reaction to "The Garden" live version.

[@crhu319]

It's exactly that set on Three Sides Live. Fantastic recording of fantastic performance.

[@andrewcorlett5954]

The drum fill at 14:14 is my favourite moment in all of music. Can't say why, just that I always scrub back a few seconds just to hear it again.

[@jonisears742]

Now you’ve done it! This is reaching music perfection.

[@scott4482]

Welcome to your first RUSH epic. Every Rush album from 1974 Fly By Night up until Signals, and at least on epic song. As an original Rush fan I consider these the golden years. These are the songs that separate RUSH from all other bands. Don't let Xanadu be your last foray into the epics.

[@vicprovost2561]

Spot On, she should try Bytor and the Snowdog and hear how good they got immediately with Neal Peart on drums/lyrics, 1st epic of many, good start to their journey.

[@redheadedneighbor]

@@scott4482 it just enhanced my thirst

[@mightyV444]

@@scott4482 - She may still also enjoy Rush post-'Signals', though! In fact, my _own_ very first impression of their music (in '89, at 19) had been the album that followed it, 'Grace Under Pressure'! And already its opener, 'Distant Early Warning' had me hooked instantly to Rush 😀 And for life, as it would turn out 😊 'Permanent Waves' through to 'Counterparts' are _my_ favourite Rush albums 🙂

[@TommyLMason]

@@redheadedneighborBE SURE YOU HAVE THE LYRICS when you dive into By-Tor and the Snow Dog….PLEASE! Trust me, it will GREATLY enhance the experience. And the best version is the studio version from Fly By Night, even though Rush is widely known as THE BEST at pulling off perfect versions live, IMHO, you’ll get the best “feeling” from the FBN studio version. Other “epics” you should react to during your Rush rabbit hole journey are Cygnus X-1, Books I & II. First book is from A Farewell to Kings and Book II is the entire side A from Hemispheres. Also, two of my personal favorites are “deep cuts” from Caress of Steel. The Necromancer and The Fountain of Lamneth. Rush on gorgeous! ❤️🙏✌️

[@gudidit4750]

Your Rush reactions bring such a new joy to their music. Thanks!

[@WdyWP]

Howdy! So glad that today's youth are getting introduced to the music I grew up with. Rush was one of my favorites. These guys are so unbelievably talented!! And they are having loads of fun together!!!

[@drewrosecrans9728]

Welcome to the Rush family 💯🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@squidly2112]

One of the best performances by any band, ever. RUSH was one of the best performing bands of all time. I was fortunate to have been able to see 18 of their concerts over the years. Never ever disappointing. Always EPIC performance, EPIC shows .. RIP Neil Peart, we miss you!

[@Paul_Halicki]

That laugh when they move past the intro.... yeah, you get it. 😍

[@highstepperARF]

Yep. 🤘😎🤘

[@drewrosecrans9728]

The greatest band 💯💯💯 been a fan since 1980 my dearest friend turned me on to them Neil peart the greatest lyricist and poet hands down 💯 the greatest drummer 🥁🥁🥁 RIP brother u are missed everyday the professor 🥁🥁🥁🥁

[@aquaticborealis4877]

The song comes in so full of mystery and magical expressiveness. Beautifully done. And develops into such an explosive onslaught of technical musical delivery. Delivered with complex changes and execution. Each playing very very difficult parts. All syncopated and executed with a kind of flawless delivery. The lyrics are really important, and well written. Really, a jaw dropping performance.

[@Kotic1959]

My introduction to Rush was in 74 they played my high school for a school assembly. I have seen them 9 times since and have seen them perform this song 3 times , this by far is the best version. All 3 are goats. What a full sound for just 3 maestro's all of them at the top of their game here. Canada Rocks!!!!!!

[@drewrosecrans9728]

1981 moving pictures tour 1981 my first Rush concert i was 14 years old and this song just took me on a journey ten thousand percent rush 4Life 💯💯💯 geddy on the synthesizers beyond awesome 💯💯💯

[@ellisdee1233]

Your smile and reactions makes this old man smile too . Takes me back to the 70's when I first heard Rush when they blew my mind . Cheers from Toronto .

[@brianbarrett192]

It's as if Rush simply decided they would try and generate as much suspense as possible with half the song as an introduction. Most epic intro of all time.

[@EnerGeezerSquirrel]

Hi from Canada, checked your channel and saw that you haven't listened to Neil's Frankfurt drum solo. While watching "Working Man" you wanted to have a split screen on each member? Well, this solo gives you that, but if you think it's boring, trust me, you'll be *thoroughly* entertained, and appreciate Neil's genius even more. Mind blowing!

[@eventhorizon2218]

RUSH entered my life in the early 70's . I never exited that train. So much talent I miss them so much. RIP Neil.

[@Alberto_1965_BR]

Best live performance of any genre ever! The Three Guys Orchestra Best band ever!

[@Steve_Blackwood]

Simply a perfect performance. Never gets old.

[@goldenretrieverdad]

You just witnessed the best live performance ever. RUSH has 175+ songs, it's a deep catalog but you won't regret going down the Rush rabbit hole. The best band ever in the universe

[@djinx296]

There is only one band I've seen more than once. Starting in 1978, 11 times until 2015. Greatest live performers I ever saw.

[@bige1824]

Both Geddy and Alex use the Moog Taurus pedals on this song while playing their guitars.

[@triadmad]

This is a performance that always brings tears to my eyes, when I watch someone witness it for the first time. I suffer from an affliction called empathy, so when I see you and others become overwhelmed with their greatness, it brings just as much joy to me. When you listen to 2112, and I know you will, there's one produced as a comic book version, wherein you'll be able to read the lyrics and story elements as was included in the original album sleeve. Be prepared for top notch performances by all three, even by their standards.

[@stephenbracka2270]

Greetings once again from San Diego's resident Rushoholic. This version of Xanadu came a few years after the original studio release on their 5th original studio album A FAREWELL TO KINGS from 1977. You might try that version along with the rest of that album on your channel. Xanadu is considered by myself and others as their finest song. By the 5th album, most bands are toast. Rush were just getting warmed up in the early phases of their career. The drums were still all acoustic with numerous effects some of which appeared quite readily in this concert such as orchestra bells, wood blocks and wind chimes. Geddy only used his double neck for this song. The lower neck (for a right handed player such as Geddy) is a 6 string electric guitar that only compliments Alex for the handful bars that finish the piece. Then Geddy's double neck goes back in its case. What's remarkable here is that the live performance is, by its nature, done in a single take after years of performances. Equally remarkable was how this was produced originally in studio. Xanadu was a new song which they ran through once to find the best microphone set up. The next take was the only other with no studio dubs for the instruments. The vocals were overdubed later as usual. Geddy turns 71 on July 29th. He and Alex were both 27 in this video. Neil was 28. Rush makes every other band seem lazy. Just remember to not seem lazy, but to stay classy...

[@Mark_T_23]

Nobody's commented on this that I know of. Right after Getty sings "praying for the light" and before he says "prisoned in the Lost Xanadu" Neil does this extremely courageous flip of a stick. He throws it up in the air catches it almost above his head and comes down on it and in one motion does a cymbal hit. He's moving his hand downward as he's catching the stick. It's simply amazing. If he missed that stick in that part of the song it would have been a noticeable mistake. What confidence and courage that took. As an amateur drummer I can tell you how it feels when you come down with a symbol hit coinciding with a base hit right after a rest. I can almost see what he was feeling when you hit that. Has anybody else ever seen this stick flip? I've never heard anybody comment on it. Maybe as an amateur drummer I'm the only one that notices. Well I'm sure I'm not the only one.

[@Mark_T_23]

As far as I'm concerned this is the best live performance I've ever seen. (And I'm old) Kudos to the video photographers and the video editors. The way they cut Neel in every time there was a drum sound to be heard was out of this world.

[@nigelholroyd2942]

Never tire of it, EPIC 👍

[@allengray5748]

1977 the studio album for this song came out. Girls were just getting into Disco while I was jamming to this and tons of other ROCK! Made talking to girls tuff while biting my tongue!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎

[@davidgrice-kp1hj]

A true masterpiece! Especially for 3 performers ❤❤❤

[@texassendero4901]

OMG you are speechless I adore that💯💯💯 That smile is showing pure joy from your heart and soul ❤❤❤❤❤ #reaction #rush #rushreaction #geddylee #alexlifeson #nealpeart #redheadedneighbor #bestreactor #redsarmy #beautifulduncountrygirl #heartofgoldwithmetalinhersoul

[@kingsdrummer]

Xanadu is a great song. This live performance is my favorite from Rush. When I would see them perform this live, the light show and the lasers that would shoot over the crowd made this song so epic live. Thanks for reacting to this. I could see it blew your mind!

[@thomasmyers1664]

Hard to believe, but this is my favorite song by them. I would’ve been 14 when this song was released! So long ago but it makes me feel like a kid every time I hear it. ❤️❤️

[@mightyV444]

How lovely to start my Thursday with that amazing song and such a wonderful reaction to it! 😊🙏💚🌈☀️🎵🍀🦋🌻

[@bobryczak6018]

The first time i heard Rush i knew this was going to be something great. Been on this ride from start to finish. God needed the best drummer ever in heaven because he knew.

[@mattmid7012]

Basically three great musicians. I've always thought Rush were very quirky in their song writing and I mean that in a good way. You never know where a song is going to go next but it always works.

[@andrewwallace1376]

This track showcases the very best of Rush music !! 🎸🥁🎤🙏👏

[@kevinmichael8619]

When this was performed, there were no samplers, only rudimentary sequencers, heck this was five years before MIDI. If you hear it, they played it, period.

[@drewrosecrans9728]

They are taking you on a journey 💯💯💯 each instrument is telling a story 💯💯💯

[@jakethompson8515]

Hearing Neil’s voice echo in the beginning brings me to tears almost every time, I just look up at the clouds and imagine he’s speaking to us from there.

[@funkmeisterB-5000]

1:08-Shows what he knows..Hell of an apocolyptic prison camp, the tension in the control room when we went to the moon, China and Tibet's border battle, The special thing that drives the athelete to win, The power of freewill, big money controlling the world, etc, etc. How could a band making potent songs about those subjects be called lyrically challenged?! Wow. This is an iconic performance, glad u caught this one and to see you enjoy it so!

[@redheadedneighbor]

Excellence, they are excellence

[@alphamegaman8847]

From a fellow Redhead, glad to see RUSH bringing to YOU what they provide in Resplendent Abundance.... JOY! 🥰 Was so Fortunate that one of my Junior High friends turned me on to RUSH on his dad's stereo in the man cave/pool table room in 1975! Thanks Dan!🥰 My favorite concert of theirs was at the Hollywood Bowl in July of 2004! The Bowl is one of the Best Venues on the West coast! 👍 Check out "Losing it", and "The Pass", and of course " La Villa Strangiato" just to name a few! Enjoy your Journey! 😁 Mike in San Diego. 🌞🎸🚀🖖

[@ThomasBabcock-e8g]

I had the privilege to see rush live in concert six times in my life times and the first time in 1981 the moving pictures tour in reno nevada it was definitely incredible stage performance.

[@gutsanglory1]

One of my favorite songs, sometimes they just leave you speechless! Grab a nice warm cozy drink and settle in for RUSH 2112 !!!, Its a discovery and adventure within itself !! Loved the reaction !!! Cheerz!!!

[@renoverant6510]

Omg I love you. You’re doing the Exit Stage Left version. This album describes my nerdy young teen mind. I listened to this album religiously as a teen. And this song. It helped me deal with a lot as a teen. Thank you thank you

[@renoverant6510]

After seeing this band for more than 29 times this is still my favorite song. This Freewill and Bytor

[@BaddAtom]

i love Geddy picking up the bass after the keyboard. Just strait up jamming

[@mattsnow2376]

I stumbled across this channel-I'm so glad I did-I love this woman's emotional reactions and pure joy when she discovers something she finds-she is totally into it. Love it. Keep up the good work Neighbour!

[@tglenn3121]

If you don't already know, Xanadu is based on Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem 'Kubla Khan-A Vision in A Dream.' It is rumored that Coleridge wrote this either while smoking opium (in an opium den), or wrote it after coming down from the opium.

[@cityhonors1]

🤗 Oh we are so here for you & ready for these Rush Reactions! 🥰🐰

[@Ghostnotes1221]

This is hands down one of the best live performances in the history of live performances. Full stop/