Everybody....It's Billy playing. He has an mp3 of this posted on his website, if you listen to part 1 there are cliche Billy Sheehan licks in it, and yes he is playing Geddy's Wal. Why on earth would he help Rush with a soundcheck using his P-bass.....they're trying to get a mix for Rush's set.
That is the unmistakable sound of a Wal bass. Sorry to whoever posted claiming that you can make any guitar sound "with effects", that may be so in the majority of cases but you can not replicate the unique Wal tone. Take it from a Wal owner and player! This jam is ace, Alex is wonderful here.
KamikazeSeatbelt - I couldnt disagree with you more... They are all excellent in their own right. I have loved Rush for may years and I think of Alex as the "flavor" of Rush. WHen they stopped playing guitar out front music (after Signals), his playing was marginalized by all the dissedent melody crap Geddy got caught up in. More recently, I hear Geddy starting to slack with his playing and singing. But that usually happens when you get older...
how have i never heard this before? this is fkn amazing. I feel like an idiot for not knowing this jam happened.... lol billy cant use Neils signatures though haha Geddy FTW.
Wow. Really hot. Some of the best jam material I've ever heard. Billy fits in like a natural with these two. He definitely plays the kind of bass they like. Very aggressive and tasty. I'm sure they all had a blast with this. Definitely a keeper. Kudos to whoever recorded/kept/released this.
If you guys have ever studied Neil's lyrics, you know where his influences in objectivism come from. I'm no disciple of anyone, but I'm running a congressional campaign that will be based on those same philosophies. I'd be much obliged if you'd all critique my video's for my campaign.
PS I also put a few of my old guitar solo's in there for you.
@terrabletruth actually, you're the only one that thinks that. Even Rush, themselves, thought Mr. Big was good enough to tour with...twice. Fact, is...Mr. Big has some of the best players around.
@terrabletruth COME ON! Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan! DUH! besides...get over your complex. if they get together and ask each other favors then who are you to say that's wrong? Duh...
Oh god, here we go again....... the great "this bass is Geddy's ______ bass on this song, I'm sure of it" debate. Every Rush song without video gets into this. And, as a longtime bass player, I'll say it again (and probably piss people off, *again*) - I can make a Rogue, a Dean, a First Act, ANYTHING sound like this with effects and tweaking. I'm NOT knocking nice basses, I still want a Rick'. But I can SERIOUSLY duplicate the actual sound of each Rush album bass character with my toys.
@joshcop608 You're right in many instances, but there still are certain tiny little nuances that certain models have that you just can't replicate with eq or fx.
makes perfect sense. drummer here and i can do most of Neil's stuff. his new R30 solo. eh that 3/4 sh^t is tough. but with technology and ability your statement is more correct than ever g. rush rules... just listen... if you smashed the Who, Zepplin and Floyd together - you just made Rush
@joshcop608 The playing sounds like Billy. That is most definitely Geddy's Wal bass. According to the description, it was likely that Billy was there and just using Geddy's bass, since he was running late.
@joshcop608 and how many times have you done a stadium tour of the world with your toys? and how many millions of albums have you sold with your toys and tweaking? me thinks you been tweaking the bong!
@rockerr121 My comment was 3/4 of a year ago... but as for your comment to me, I wasn't poking fun at Geddy Lee at all, if that's what you're insinuating. I was poking fun at all the geeks who so frequently claim to know which bass, which strings, and even which shoes and cologne Geddy was wearing at the time of any live recording. I run FOH sound at a large rock club several nights a month. I can make almost ANYONE sound like Geddy's *tone*, not skill level. Lastly, no bong... I'm a COP. !
@paulatreides123 actually, you're the only one that thinks that. Even Rush, themselves, thought Mr. Big was good enough to tour with...twice. Fact, is...Mr. Big has some of the best players around.
@KamikazeSeatbelt I don't "underrate" Alex but I do think he is the weakest link in Rush...Not that that matters nor is it an insult in ANY way...Being the weakest link in Rush is better than most people could ever hope to be! It's just, you talk about bass players, Geddy's name is bound to come up. You talk about drummers, Neil is sure to be mentioned. You talk about guitarists, you'll rarely hear Alex's name. Again, not a BAD thing. I believe he is the ONLY guitarist that could play for RUSH!
@iunnox666 As I said...didn't mean that as an insult to Alex. Without him, Rush wouldn't be Rush! But if you're fortunate enough to be playing with Geddy & Neil, chances are, you're the weakest link! BUT if they keep you around for over 30 years, being the weakest link isn't such a bad thing...you must be doing something right! See what I'm sayin?
@bluesruley2k i think this only shows just how good he really is. jamming / freeform playing off the cuff. i really don't think you have heard too many Rush songs dood. Alex is a guitar virtuoso who feels the music. he plays the same way as Zappa and Jimmy Page. by instinct. can't teach what Alex does with the guitar.
@KamikazeSeatbelt I too like Alex very much though never knew him to be underrated. Having seen Rush as an opening band and making the climb to headliner status I can definitely say that Alex's guitar work had a lot to do with their ascent. He was never one to shred aimlessly at the expense of the music so some of the flashier players got more press - but the cognoscenti has always had Alex highly ranked since day one.
i had a dream a few times where i went down to my drum room and i won (somehow) neil's kit from the Power Windows (red) or the Hold Your Fire kit (white)... it always changes... love the post!
totally amazing, it was very refreshing to hear alex and neil play with another great bass player. i would love to hear geddy, alex and dave weckl do a sound check!!! great find!!!
F'in' siiiiick. I'd really love to hear more improvisation from all the guys in Rush. Super impressed with Sheehan here. Alex sounds totally dialed too. Man, I love that sound...
He was in a brawl on New Years Eve a few years back, down in Florida. He was pissed up with his son and were a bit on the ornery side. He was sentenced to a year probation and forced to pay court fees, but that was it.
He was on the stage at the banquet hall where the party was. The rent-a-cops/security/actual cops asked him to get off the stage and microphone and he was boisterous. When they grabbed the kid to remove him, Alex joined in
everyone seems to be leaving out the part where the cops were over agressive, got alex to the ground and repeatedly tazered him. There was a lawsuit filed against the local police force due to it as far as I remember.
Billy's a pretty versatile guy. As a fan of Geddy himself (I met Billy outside the Brendan Byrne, NJ theatre back in about 1994 (Counterparts tour), during Rush's encore, and he played air bass to La Villa!), he is likely paying homage to Geddy's playing, and Rush's sound in general, by playing in this manner.
Billy Sheehan does not use a Bridge pickup at all, and does not have this sound. This is a 2 finger player and Billy uses 3 at all times. This is not Billy at all.
You're right and I'm sure why people don't get their facts straight before misleading others, cause that's definately not Billy Sheehan, that has to be Geddy Lee.
Just so you know, that is not Billy Sheehan, that is Geddy Lee. Not sure why the poster wants to lie like that so he can get more hits, but that's not Billy at all. I know is sound, his techniques, and his style, and that is Geddy Lee. Billy Sheehan is not in this recording.
You just made a fool of yourself. This was downloaded from Billy's own website. Are you accusing Sheehan of lying. If you don't believe me go to billysheehan you know what and check it out. I now expect an admission you are wrong or are you too embarrassed?
Yes, I'm man enough to admit I was wrong, and yes I am embarassed. I was a jerk and I admit it. You have to admit anyone can be fooled because I'm used to hearing Billy's sound, and when I heard him using the WAL bass, it sounded nothing like him.
When you're as good as Sheehan you're not restricted to one style or way of playing. One thing I've learned over the years is never to be too sure of yourself about anything. I've been wrong too many times.
Another thing to consider is this is a sound check for Rush so he would have to be using Geddy Lee's equipment to do it right. Here you have one great Bass player filling in for another. Generally this might be done by a roadie but I guess Sheehan just happened to be there.
Yeah you are right. What threw me off was the WAL Bass sound, that bridge pickup. I guess I've been so accustomed to hearing Billy's sound and loving it so much that I just couldn't hear him sound any other way. The other thing was that there are so many jerks that try to post stuff that isn't true, it took me for a spin that someone could actually be honest and nice on the internet.
"there are so many jerks that try to post stuff that isn't true, it took me for a spin that someone could actually be honest and nice on the internet."
Yeah I know, I've seen so many people exploiting and posting things, impersonating others, so I assumed this was the same thing. It was refreshing to know I was wrong, and that it was in fact a hot gem from Billy with a great band like Rush.
to add to what kamakazi seatbelt put so elequintly alexs' chords are incredible highly intelligent
twil626 2 weeks ago
Everybody....It's Billy playing. He has an mp3 of this posted on his website, if you listen to part 1 there are cliche Billy Sheehan licks in it, and yes he is playing Geddy's Wal. Why on earth would he help Rush with a soundcheck using his P-bass.....they're trying to get a mix for Rush's set.
DantePierotti29 4 months ago
Some very wise and intelligent comments here. Nice to see.
timrs2001 5 months ago
That is the unmistakable sound of a Wal bass. Sorry to whoever posted claiming that you can make any guitar sound "with effects", that may be so in the majority of cases but you can not replicate the unique Wal tone. Take it from a Wal owner and player! This jam is ace, Alex is wonderful here.
AprilMaybeMay 1 year ago
KamikazeSeatbelt - I couldnt disagree with you more... They are all excellent in their own right. I have loved Rush for may years and I think of Alex as the "flavor" of Rush. WHen they stopped playing guitar out front music (after Signals), his playing was marginalized by all the dissedent melody crap Geddy got caught up in. More recently, I hear Geddy starting to slack with his playing and singing. But that usually happens when you get older...
wcb2591 1 year ago
sickest vid on youtube
franksinbeans 1 year ago
how have i never heard this before? this is fkn amazing. I feel like an idiot for not knowing this jam happened.... lol billy cant use Neils signatures though haha Geddy FTW.
yah420 1 year ago
how have i never heard this before? this is fkn amazing. I feel like an idiot for not knowing this jam happened.
yah420 1 year ago
Wow. Really hot. Some of the best jam material I've ever heard. Billy fits in like a natural with these two. He definitely plays the kind of bass they like. Very aggressive and tasty. I'm sure they all had a blast with this. Definitely a keeper. Kudos to whoever recorded/kept/released this.
jrneumiller 1 year ago
whooooaaa, what happened to alex? at 4:30? as they say in england..he's a "blaaa-eee mess".
goofygoat2009 1 year ago
I'd pay 20 quid just to see them play the bit from 0:55 to 2:15. Lifeson just makes so little sound so big. Bam!
taffboyslim 1 year ago
I'd pay 20 quid to see them play the bit from 1:30 to 1:20
taffboyslim 1 year ago
@taffboyslim backwards? Fuck...
thehornypuppy 1 year ago
@thehornypuppy ..haha! it took a while to realise what you were commenting on. I'd had a beer ;-)
taffboyslim 1 year ago
@taffboyslim I've had none ;__; I gotta fix that...a BIG KAGUAMA...or two...and Rush all night.
thehornypuppy 1 year ago
Awesome
musicisfusionable 1 year ago
just awsome . that is all.
MCGETRICK2 1 year ago
this is geddy leee ?!? wtf billy ?? lolll
rushman819 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
If you guys have ever studied Neil's lyrics, you know where his influences in objectivism come from. I'm no disciple of anyone, but I'm running a congressional campaign that will be based on those same philosophies. I'd be much obliged if you'd all critique my video's for my campaign.
PS I also put a few of my old guitar solo's in there for you.
Thanks
Patrick Thompson
pthompson2010 2 years ago
Mr Big shouldn't even be in the same building as RUSH
terrabletruth 2 years ago
@terrabletruth actually, you're the only one that thinks that. Even Rush, themselves, thought Mr. Big was good enough to tour with...twice. Fact, is...Mr. Big has some of the best players around.
yngvaigilbsteen 2 years ago
@terrabletruth COME ON! Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan! DUH! besides...get over your complex. if they get together and ask each other favors then who are you to say that's wrong? Duh...
thehornypuppy 1 year ago
I still can't figure why there is blood or something on his shirt at 2:19
TheSubdivisions 2 years ago
that is from when he got busted for pushing a female cop down some stairs on New Years a few years ago.
bigvdogg1 2 years ago
Really? But how did he have blood on his shirt?
TheSubdivisions 2 years ago
Its from when he got arrested at the Ritz Carlton.
Codackussell 2 years ago
They busted his nose.
Codackussell 2 years ago
you're great billy, but alex slayed you(hack) lol
crose19692008 2 years ago
I've heard this before, I never noticed but it sounds like Billy was using Geddy's Wal bass and not his own bass.
I saw Rush three times on that tour and didn't really like Mr. Big at all. Not long after that they had Primus open for them which was pretty cool.
wrinkleneckbass 2 years ago
Oh god, here we go again....... the great "this bass is Geddy's ______ bass on this song, I'm sure of it" debate. Every Rush song without video gets into this. And, as a longtime bass player, I'll say it again (and probably piss people off, *again*) - I can make a Rogue, a Dean, a First Act, ANYTHING sound like this with effects and tweaking. I'm NOT knocking nice basses, I still want a Rick'. But I can SERIOUSLY duplicate the actual sound of each Rush album bass character with my toys.
joshcop608 2 years ago
@joshcop608 You're right in many instances, but there still are certain tiny little nuances that certain models have that you just can't replicate with eq or fx.
yngvaigilbsteen 2 years ago
makes perfect sense. drummer here and i can do most of Neil's stuff. his new R30 solo. eh that 3/4 sh^t is tough. but with technology and ability your statement is more correct than ever g. rush rules... just listen... if you smashed the Who, Zepplin and Floyd together - you just made Rush
humbledrumah 2 years ago
@joshcop608 The playing sounds like Billy. That is most definitely Geddy's Wal bass. According to the description, it was likely that Billy was there and just using Geddy's bass, since he was running late.
alexlifschitz 2 years ago
@joshcop608 and how many times have you done a stadium tour of the world with your toys? and how many millions of albums have you sold with your toys and tweaking? me thinks you been tweaking the bong!
rockerr121 1 year ago
@rockerr121 My comment was 3/4 of a year ago... but as for your comment to me, I wasn't poking fun at Geddy Lee at all, if that's what you're insinuating. I was poking fun at all the geeks who so frequently claim to know which bass, which strings, and even which shoes and cologne Geddy was wearing at the time of any live recording. I run FOH sound at a large rock club several nights a month. I can make almost ANYONE sound like Geddy's *tone*, not skill level. Lastly, no bong... I'm a COP. !
joshcop608 1 year ago
Im guessing this was when Mr.Big opened for them.
believer06 2 years ago
Billy Sheehan - winner of every annual Least Musical Bassist Award for over two decades.
robbmatrix 2 years ago
least musicial? really?
myspacceer 2 years ago
I agree.
paulatreides123 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@paulatreides123 actually, you're the only one that thinks that. Even Rush, themselves, thought Mr. Big was good enough to tour with...twice. Fact, is...Mr. Big has some of the best players around.
yngvaigilbsteen 2 years ago
I dream about jamming like this...Awesome video!
AustralLord 2 years ago 2
it's billy sheehan - 1990 soundcheck.
jt7string 2 years ago
Where did you get the info that this is Billy jamming with them? It sounds like Geddy to me not Billy.
kesx 2 years ago
Same guitar and set up
AustralLord 2 years ago
Thats Billy.. Geddy doesn't play like that.
DenPay 2 years ago
Comment removed
kesx 2 years ago
Its Billy!! Are your ears that closed? Like I said, "Geddy doesn't play like that!!" Your ears are closed..
DenPay 2 years ago 2
Your the DUMMIE! Dumb-Ass. Open your ears!! Prick!
DenPay 2 years ago
when was this???
cciemail 2 years ago
Just awesome....Alex is so underrated...just a great player...with his own distinct sound...
KamikazeSeatbelt 2 years ago 28
hes alittle like david guilmore in that way
rushpython100 2 years ago
it's david gilmour, dumbass!
floydian1987 2 years ago
@KamikazeSeatbelt I don't "underrate" Alex but I do think he is the weakest link in Rush...Not that that matters nor is it an insult in ANY way...Being the weakest link in Rush is better than most people could ever hope to be! It's just, you talk about bass players, Geddy's name is bound to come up. You talk about drummers, Neil is sure to be mentioned. You talk about guitarists, you'll rarely hear Alex's name. Again, not a BAD thing. I believe he is the ONLY guitarist that could play for RUSH!
bluesruley2k 1 year ago
@bluesruley2k How is he the weakest link? Because he isn't out in front all time and plays with dynamics?
iunnox666 1 year ago
@iunnox666 As I said...didn't mean that as an insult to Alex. Without him, Rush wouldn't be Rush! But if you're fortunate enough to be playing with Geddy & Neil, chances are, you're the weakest link! BUT if they keep you around for over 30 years, being the weakest link isn't such a bad thing...you must be doing something right! See what I'm sayin?
bluesruley2k 1 year ago
@bluesruley2k No, I don't.
iunnox666 1 year ago
@bluesruley2k i think this only shows just how good he really is. jamming / freeform playing off the cuff. i really don't think you have heard too many Rush songs dood. Alex is a guitar virtuoso who feels the music. he plays the same way as Zappa and Jimmy Page. by instinct. can't teach what Alex does with the guitar.
hawkzeyes 8 months ago
@KamikazeSeatbelt Lifeson isnt under rated, hes been in all the top polls
BAJARACER43X 3 months ago
@KamikazeSeatbelt I too like Alex very much though never knew him to be underrated. Having seen Rush as an opening band and making the climb to headliner status I can definitely say that Alex's guitar work had a lot to do with their ascent. He was never one to shred aimlessly at the expense of the music so some of the flashier players got more press - but the cognoscenti has always had Alex highly ranked since day one.
bowiemott 1 month ago
Lerxst fans - please checkout my instramental tribute video to Alex!
"Flamethrower"
lastdaysguitar 2 years ago
i had a dream a few times where i went down to my drum room and i won (somehow) neil's kit from the Power Windows (red) or the Hold Your Fire kit (white)... it always changes... love the post!
humbledrumah 2 years ago
i've had two dreams where i've jammed with Rush at a concert...wierd....maybe :\
jedibassman100 2 years ago
its ok it happens once in every mans life
ADDtwins 2 years ago
rush fucking rules
MattWhite900 2 years ago 22
word to the wise,my ears never heard sloppy billy!! thats geddy playing w/a sore everything!
Rhendrickson86 2 years ago 2
Really cool slide show. Tune is great too. Thnx for the post.
jimdandygo 2 years ago
man oh man. thank you for sharing this.
ezernut9mm 3 years ago
Holy crap! how did you get this! Phenomenal!!!!
pjtxxx 3 years ago
totally amazing, it was very refreshing to hear alex and neil play with another great bass player. i would love to hear geddy, alex and dave weckl do a sound check!!! great find!!!
billpeart 3 years ago
F'in' siiiiick. I'd really love to hear more improvisation from all the guys in Rush. Super impressed with Sheehan here. Alex sounds totally dialed too. Man, I love that sound...
tpreagan 3 years ago
this clip is a real treat ... thanks for sharing
paragshah2112 3 years ago
:48 wow!
tubedudeT2000 3 years ago
Hey, what happened to Alex in that photo where his shirt's all bloody???
austxdan 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
He was in a brawl on New Years Eve a few years back, down in Florida. He was pissed up with his son and were a bit on the ornery side. He was sentenced to a year probation and forced to pay court fees, but that was it.
spudpotatohead 3 years ago
I thought his son was on stage and a police officer did something or other.
burningxdimx 3 years ago
He was on the stage at the banquet hall where the party was. The rent-a-cops/security/actual cops asked him to get off the stage and microphone and he was boisterous. When they grabbed the kid to remove him, Alex joined in
spudpotatohead 3 years ago
everyone seems to be leaving out the part where the cops were over agressive, got alex to the ground and repeatedly tazered him. There was a lawsuit filed against the local police force due to it as far as I remember.
AnalogKidAlex 3 years ago 5
"Don't taze me, eh?!"
stratman123 3 years ago 2
That was astonishing!
uspsionic 3 years ago 2
God, this is amazing! They should put it on a record! Alex's tone is great too.
tacomadc 3 years ago 3
Billy's a pretty versatile guy. As a fan of Geddy himself (I met Billy outside the Brendan Byrne, NJ theatre back in about 1994 (Counterparts tour), during Rush's encore, and he played air bass to La Villa!), he is likely paying homage to Geddy's playing, and Rush's sound in general, by playing in this manner.
basease1 3 years ago
all that blood on his shirt woz after he got stunned by the security
bewitchedblonde 3 years ago
Me too
diamonddust22 3 years ago
what was with that picture of alex in that bloody shirt and the sign that said free alex?
bobthehobo65 3 years ago
that's just the way the shirt was made and Al got arrested because of some stupid ass cop.
edthehead83 3 years ago
Thats right, that was durring the naples incident thanks
bobthehobo65 3 years ago
yea in florida.
edthehead83 3 years ago
Billy Sheehan does not use a Bridge pickup at all, and does not have this sound. This is a 2 finger player and Billy uses 3 at all times. This is not Billy at all.
diamonddust22 3 years ago
Very true. It sounds more like Geddy than it does Billy
rlars78 3 years ago
You're right and I'm sure why people don't get their facts straight before misleading others, cause that's definately not Billy Sheehan, that has to be Geddy Lee.
diamonddust22 3 years ago
Just so you know, that is not Billy Sheehan, that is Geddy Lee. Not sure why the poster wants to lie like that so he can get more hits, but that's not Billy at all. I know is sound, his techniques, and his style, and that is Geddy Lee. Billy Sheehan is not in this recording.
diamonddust22 3 years ago
You just made a fool of yourself. This was downloaded from Billy's own website. Are you accusing Sheehan of lying. If you don't believe me go to billysheehan you know what and check it out. I now expect an admission you are wrong or are you too embarrassed?
tbcass 3 years ago
Yes, I'm man enough to admit I was wrong, and yes I am embarassed. I was a jerk and I admit it. You have to admit anyone can be fooled because I'm used to hearing Billy's sound, and when I heard him using the WAL bass, it sounded nothing like him.
diamonddust22 3 years ago
You're forgiven :-)
When you're as good as Sheehan you're not restricted to one style or way of playing. One thing I've learned over the years is never to be too sure of yourself about anything. I've been wrong too many times.
tbcass 3 years ago
Another thing to consider is this is a sound check for Rush so he would have to be using Geddy Lee's equipment to do it right. Here you have one great Bass player filling in for another. Generally this might be done by a roadie but I guess Sheehan just happened to be there.
tbcass 3 years ago
Yeah you are right. What threw me off was the WAL Bass sound, that bridge pickup. I guess I've been so accustomed to hearing Billy's sound and loving it so much that I just couldn't hear him sound any other way. The other thing was that there are so many jerks that try to post stuff that isn't true, it took me for a spin that someone could actually be honest and nice on the internet.
diamonddust22 3 years ago
"there are so many jerks that try to post stuff that isn't true, it took me for a spin that someone could actually be honest and nice on the internet."
Boy if that isn't true!!!
tbcass 3 years ago 2
Yeah I know, I've seen so many people exploiting and posting things, impersonating others, so I assumed this was the same thing. It was refreshing to know I was wrong, and that it was in fact a hot gem from Billy with a great band like Rush.
diamonddust22 3 years ago
1:00 to 1:45 gives me goose bumps! They should build a instrumental around it.
MrDi11 3 years ago 2
Fuckin mental!
Manjulla 3 years ago
That was awesome..love the guitars starting around the 1:00 mark
irocknj 3 years ago
Alex is amazing...What a sound! He covers the melody!
kennyplay 3 years ago 2
Rush is still around.
Billy? One word, scientology.
menkeechang 4 years ago
You couldn't possibly know why ones around and the other isn't. Your conclusion is bigotted.
trocker4evr 3 years ago
Billy Sheehan played for a band called Mr. Big, who opened for Rush on the "Roll the Bones" tour, and others I think...
twf1234 4 years ago
It was actually the Presto Tour
andymanscar 4 years ago
Why was Billy Sheehan there? :S
Cool Jam btw :D
B3nz1mon 4 years ago
RUSh ROX
trayzeo 4 years ago
Awesome. I have been in bands forever and this is as pointless as what I remember. Also what gold is dug from.
jimmynorton10 4 years ago