Rush - YYZ (REACTION!!) | Alex Lifeson Interview Where Is He Now?

[@ritchmoore1442]

All master's of their craft, but the best of friends as well.

[@rroby5526]

" no Egos" and "Power House" are 500% accurate. They have always been "All In" .. welcome to the Family ~R.

[@pendermanager3739]

😂 the band has a chemistry that no other band ever had then and now. RIP the Professor the prophet of percussion

[@Sethmacd0]

Yes, those are dryers on the stage, throughout the concert, a stage hand will come out and switch the loads. At the end of the show, they open them up, take out t shirt merch and throw it out into the croud

[@jons3808]

3 master musicians who are better people than they were musicians. We’ll never see anything like them again. RIP professor

[@debbieplato5107]

YYZ is the indicator code for the Toronto International Airport and the beginning of the song is Morse Code. Alex Lifeson is also a licensed pilot and was flying them back to Toronto when Geddy and Neil heard it and it stuck with them. Both Geddy and Alex have been busy with projects.Some musical some not. Some they have done together like putting out a Rush beer and a Rush beer mustard. The commercials for these are hilarious! The guys in Rush were a true brotherhood. Very humble down to earth guys had/have a great bond. To see this bond please react to Dinner with Rush It is a "business meeting " where the jokes and the wine were flowing Cheers

[@imacmanx8562]

All three members of the band got along great, and were great friends. Alex & Geddy grew up together......and they always had fun on stage. If you want to hear another amazing instrumental, time to listen to the original studio version of "La Villa Strangiato" (the version that shows the album cover from "Hemisphere's"). It's Alex's interpretation of dreams & nightmares he had when he was younger. It's nine minutes, has 12 parts, and was subtitled "An exercise in self-indulgence". You'll love it.

[@blairphifer1554]

Through out the 40+ years Neil was with the band, they jokingly referred to him as ‘the new guy.’

[@kennethhickey8241]

might as well do Hemisphere from start to finish. But i would prefer you listen to Cygnus part 1 on Farewell to Kings and then the whole of Hemispheres

[@Matty0923]

There were 40,000 people at this concert. The night before they played in front of 60,000.

[@Kotic1959]

First tour of Brazil crowd was insane. They waited years to see them.

[@cityhonors1]

🙋🏿‍♀️ May I suggest La Villa Strangiato (Exit Stage Left) 🥰🐰

[@mikedown3219]

That was 40,000 Brazilians going nuts in Rio. Apparently, at their Sao Paolo show there were 60,000. The washing machines are a joke. Geddy started plugging his base straight into the PA system so had no amps behind him. As a joke they started to put all sorts of stuff behind him to fill the space. In other videos you will see chicken rotisseries. They actually run the washer and dryer during the set, they are filled with Rush t-shirts that are then thrown into the audience at the end of the show. Apparently, with the chicken rotisseries, the crew used to eat them after the show.

[@KingGreatnessKG]

Wow! 😂 Thanks for the info Mike!

[@norwegianblue2017]

The night before they played in Sao Paulo with a crowd of 60,000.

[@leddygee1896]

Geddy and Neil were working in the studio and Alex wasn’t there when they came up with the Bass & Drums part of the Song. When Alex returned, He put his guitar part down and YYZ Was born…

[@debbierussell8695]

That was the 3rd night in Rio, 90,000 ppl that night. They hadn't ever played there before and didn't realize the level of fandom that was there. Rio crowds are well known for their exuberance 😂 but they were particularly revved up for Rush.

[@Mookeedo]

Geddy Lee started using his bass and keyboards running through a computer feed eliminating his amplifier usage. To fill up the space on stage they used appliances. Not sure but believe that is the story.

[@blairphifer1554]

It’s more the fact that for the bass they used the sound system of the facility (theater, stadium, etc). This is because bass isn’t as much left/right. Because of this, he didn’t need to have amps onstage. He wanted to have things behind him, so they had things like the washers and dryers, chicken rotisseries, and other ‘silly’ stuff. Look at live video post 2000, and you will see him with different items behind him onstage.

[@revdmcspumcsb]

Yes, Geddy started going through the house rather than have the amp stacks behind him, but Alex wanted to continue to use his Marshall amp attacks. As a joke, the stage crew started putting washers and dryers, Rotisserie Chicken Ovens, popcorn machines etc on the stage behind Geddy to balance the stage. Rush had a great road crew that was very loyal to them and they allowed the crew to have fun on the stage. You'll see road crew members in costumes behind them doing laundry, cooking chickens etc...

[@brentscott5359]

Then there's "The Real History of Rush". They were all goofs, and I love it. Thanks for filling a couple of blanks.

[@clab5864]

Perfectionists!!!

[@ZIG4ZAG20]

The best there is, the best there was, the best there will ever be!🤘🖖✌️🎸🥁🎹🎤

[@Efferri]

Definitely no underlying competition. They are (were) all so humble and love each other so much. Literally, best friends for their entire lives.

[@douglasg.9271]

To me, the most impressive thing in this video is that the crowd sang the melody in unison.

[@scottlaughlin9897]

Rush is so loved in Brazil that they even changed the intro to the show McGuyver to Tom Sawyer. And if you listened close enough in this video the crowd was singing to this song in unison with the band. This was a Soccer Stadium that held over 80,000 seats. And they did 2-3 nights. Don’t remember exactly?

[@angelaolson2025]

I ❤ the reality of there life on the road, what a great band! ❤ all there music 🎶

[@Scottm-n6h]

"Trees" is a must from Rush. Geddy explained that it is a metaphor about the relationships between the USA and Canada. The USA seems to always over shadow Canada and Canada wants their respect. Hint: a symbol of the USA is the Oak tree and Canada is the Maple Leaf. Check it out Bro, its my favorite Rush tune. Canada has a tremndous amount of Rock talent and deserve respect, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Triump, Neil Young, April Wine, The Guess Who, Steppenwolf and Gordon Lighfoot all come from Canada.

[@norwegianblue2017]

Yeah, but you have to listen to it as part of the medley of Broon's Bane/The Trees/Xanadu off of 'Exit...Stage Left'.

[@lindaward5376]

Leave That Thing Alone, Toronto Molson Amphitheater, 1997 - another great instrumental that leads into an amazing drum solo. Cheers from Toronto! 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@matthewhoag2609]

I’m so glad you’re watching some of these interviews. You are picking up a lot of what really makes the band special. They are all humble and definitely no ego fight among these virtuosos. That’s what allows them to make such great compositions- they all get a chance to shine, and being a three-piece, they all have a lot of space to fill. You will eventually have to watch Beyond the Lighted Stage - it’s one of the best Rush documentaries. Give The Camera Eye or Natural Science a listen for songs that showcase all three of them.

[@toddashton9696]

Would love to see you react to : Between the Wheels Live in Germany (Stick Hits version)

[@Yyz1971]

I saw a good explanation on the dryers in the comments. They also had specially made tour shirts in there that they tossed into the crowd. They have the tour and what dryer it came out of! 🤣

[@KingGreatnessKG]

😂 💡

[@uwemertens460]

Alex did a collaboration with a group and they released an album. The group is called Envy of None with an awesome female vocalist.

[@compnnburns8831]

They are a grown up band and always have been mature well beyond their years from their start in 1968

[@tanker335]

Alex still has that 13 year kid in him.

[@brentscott5359]

YYZED are the call letters of Toronto's Pearson International Airport. Geddy plugged directly into the sound system rather than using amps. He put washers and dryers up to balance the stage. Neil heard the morse code when they were flying back home. I believe Alex was flying the private plane they were on. Neil was intrigued by the rhythm and thus the tune was born.

[@donhimmelman1736]

that was one of the things about those 3 and the fact that they were such good friends & one of the things they agreed on early that no one person would get the glory so to speak and they agreed to share all the profits, rights etc equally. egos was not a problem for them they were so focused on creating their type of music, sounds & complexity of their songs & their utmost dedication to provide their fans with their very best performances they could give.

[@joenewman2402]

Nice breakdown! - You should try Leave that thing alone - Any Live version

[@R777-RLM]

Much respect, that you were interested to know a bit about Alex. They're lucky to have a friendship that extends outside of the band. I've not heard that any of them had a big ego; in fact, Neil Peart was uncomfortable with fame; preferring not to talk about himself to regular people.

[@christianwilliamson9752]

I love how the crowd is singing to a song with no words. And the crowd wanted all the songs. Not jist waiting for this one. Lol it was the bands first time there in 40 yrs as a band

[@debilarge]

He's released music with his new project called Envy of None. Very different than Rush but very interesting. He did play with Geddy last year live three times, including at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts. I was at the Los Angeles show and he sounded great as always. He's busy but he's doing it his way and I don't anticipate him touring ever again. He also has done some acting. He has a movie on streaming right now. He's a great guy.

[@gold98gtp]

Yes some actually retire. Bill Bruford, the drummer on the first 3 or 4 Yes albums, King Crimson and several other bands, retired from performing around 2009, wrote his autobiography, got a PhD in music.

[@correctlyrics]

All 3 guys have great sense of humors. Hence the washing machines. One tour Geddy had rotisserie chicken ovens... actually broiling chicken.

[@KingGreatnessKG]

😂

[@danwagner1702]

40,000 people singing along to an instrumental song!

[@jamesnichols7440]

Xanadu from Exit Stage Left. All 3 break out all the toys in this performance. Alex and Geddy with double necks and Neil with the full classical percussion

[@TexasVeteranPatriot]

This show had 40k, the previous show in Sao Paolo had 60k.

[@JasonTurner-uk9rk]

👍 just dropping a thumbs up to help your Al Gore rythm

[@KingGreatnessKG]

😂 I appreciate you Jason!

[@JasonTurner-uk9rk]

No problem… glad your feeling better….. also think on this progressive rock journey your on you may dig queensryche ( start with eyes of a stranger maybe) they were kind of between Rush and Tool

[@BalokLives]

I saw a more recent interview with Alex, and he is still doing well. But to follow up on his feelings about performing, it hasn't really changed.

[@melissatomlin13]

YYZ is airport code…Toronto Pearson International Airport ::I went to this (when they did Nashville)

[@blairphifer1554]

The beginning of the song (the xylophone type thing that repeats and flows into the bass) is Y Y and Z in Morse Code.

[@ChronicExcessiveManliness]

#Rush #WashingMachines *Washing machines (and later other items, vending machines etc.) have been used as stage effects in Rush shows over the past several years after a reviewer said watching their stage act was about as interesting as watching clothing tumble in a washing machine.* Their stage act *was* limited, due to the fact that they're so talented and are often playing multiple instruments at the same time, plus Geddy singing, had to stay in one spot to accomplish all that. So, the band members, not caring about that critique, mocking the person, but in their own "polite" Canadian way, started adding stuff to the stage.

[@kimbarry4674]

Y Y ZED

[@Kidge.6081]

Not competition. They loved the music they were making. There was some push pull between keys and guitar during the 80s synth era. But guitar came back to forefront within a few records.

[@andyreid6826]

Eddie Van Halen was asked by an interviewer what it was like to be the best guitarist in the world. He answered " i don't know, ask Alex Lifeson".

[@KingGreatnessKG]

🔥 ‼️

[@rroby5526]

keep in mind, late 2015 Neil Peart was going through undiagnosed illnesses. early 2016 Neil was diagnosed with a critical & aggressive Brain Tumor (cancer) . Passing away on Jan7., 2020.. RUSH collectively "retired" in 2015 from touring out of respect for Neil, each other, but also the fans. Chad Smith (R.H Chilli-Peps, Taylor Hawkins (RIP, Foo Fighters) Dave Grohl (nirvana+ Foo Fighters) and many others stepped up fpr Neil's tribute(s) Alex was once quoted as saying He had no issues with playing the "Middle Man" the "glue" as it were...

[@KingGreatnessKG]

Thanks for this significant info! ❤️

[@robertkramer41]

The band voted Geddy Most Talented.. Neil's story, the story of this tour, this very shows wild, they didn't know they had fans there, RED Barchetta played as the theme song down there bootleg to Knight Rider or Miami Vice, anyways, the largest most insane shows ever for them. Read about Neil Genius

[@neilshackleton89]

I think that the closest Rush ever came to the dreaded "creative differences" was when the synth got to be a bit too much, and the group discussed it and switched things up.

[@patriciaellis4848]

Getty and Alex have been best friends for nearly 60 years. Read the book My Effin Life by Geddy Lee...it's hilarious!!

[@unready1961]

Yes. it's a WASHING MACHINE. How else are they going to do their laundry?

[@KingGreatnessKG]

😂

[@thatsnice99]

60- 80k people

[@moto0707irssk32]

バスドラがめっちゃよく聴こえる🇯🇵

[@michaeloesch9830]

YY ZED is the proper pronounciation

[@t0dd000]

This is pretty much Geddy's, and to some extent Neal's, song.

[@mikeljones4673]

Did one of my idols Just praise vaccines? This is a very dark day for me

[@KingGreatnessKG]

😳 😂