Rush - Xanadu Live - 1981

Most people know how great Rush are but it's only when watching old footage of them we see just how brilliant they were.


Almost therapeutic.

With you all the way - their / our time has come....

'and the men who hold high places...

thanks man, my mandela memory hole thinks Exit Stage Left was later htan 1981

But it don't matter, they are relevant.

I've always had a fondness for Rush. I think they're one of those bands you either get or you don't.

Love Rush. Saw them some July's back in Vancouver. Geddy started off the show by welcoming everyone to the show. He says "We're gonna go ahead and play around 900 songs" Hehehe everyone laughed.
Great show, great band. I respect Pearts requests to stay out of the "limelight". I can't imagine having the "world's best drummer" taped to your back everywhere you go.
Alex is a great and unique guitar player. He's a super kind human being.

a reply to: gortex


The coordination to play Moog organ bass with your feet while playing your own instrument is incredible! Both Alex and Geddy are doing throughout this song. That is what I like watching! They thought about getting another band member, couldn't find anybody, and figured, "Hey, why don't we just do ourselves?"

The concept grows in 90's as technology evolves. They, like all the top groups, played with click tracks like you would in the studio. They did it live which freed them up to trigger samples like the moog bass pedals from OP but using midi. This is where that all started.

I find it so amazing that 3 guys can make so much music. I really do guess it is just a question of your honesty!

My favorite part of the song is the riff that leads to the ending! And the odd time signature it is in. Fun stuff!!

a reply to: drz400

I too respect Neil's decision and yeah , he is an incredible drummer / percussionist ... but then he'd need to be to be in an incredible band.


"One likes to believe
In the freedom of music
But glittering prizes
And endless compromises
Shatter the illusion
Of integrity, yeah"

a reply to: gortex

That was awesome !!

originally posted by: TEOT
a reply to: gortex

My favorite part of the song is the riff that leads to the ending! And the odd time signature it is in. Fun stuff!!

I, sir, am an idiot!

The ending I was thinking of is Jacob’s Ladder, not Xanadu!!

I only realized that when I played the part on guitar.

Sorry for being an eejit!

Still, great song!!

a reply to: gortex
Great tune. I played in a band many years ago that played a ton of Rush songs and that was one of my favorites to play.

originally posted by: TEOTWAWKIAIFF
a reply to: gortex


The coordination to play Moog organ bass with your feet while playing your own instrument is incredible! Both Alex and Geddy are doing throughout this song. That is what I like watching! They thought about getting another band member, couldn't find anybody, and figured, "Hey, why don't we just do ourselves?"

The concept grows in 90's as technology evolves. They, like all the top groups, played with click tracks like you would in the studio. They did it live which freed them up to trigger samples like the moog bass pedals from OP but using midi. This is where that all started.

I find it so amazing that 3 guys can make so much music. I really do guess it is just a question of your honesty!

My favorite part of the song is the riff that leads to the ending! And the odd time signature it is in. Fun stuff!!

But, but....listen to Xanadu at the 4:55 mark. That ain't either of them playing that with their feet. That's gotta be MIDI, right? I know it was in its infancy at the time but how else would they do that? It seems as if you are saying they didn't use that until later. I'm not a expert but I ain't a dummy either but I will say that piece has always confused me how they pulled that off in what, 1977?