La Villa Strangiato - definitely one of the best solos of all time - amazing. Such taste, such feel and such power all together. It moves, it flows, it takes you to so many places. It ROCKS!
@AngelBoy0123 what do jews have anything to do with alex? other than one being his best buddy. alex was raised a christian as wall neil, but neil is now a follower of rand so an objectivist. alex is non-practising although masrried in a church. geddy is of course jewish.
@UpstairsMaid Read my comment over and you'll see I put jk (which is "just kidding") three times. I was just impersonating little dude from South Park because he says it sometimes. I was only joking. My grandmother was Jewish. And survived Hitler's oppression and subsequent Holocaust.
Rush were always sort of the anti-rockstar type rock band. One of the main reasons Geddy, Neil and even Alex didn't get the exposure like most of their peers was they went out of their way to NOT sound like every other band trying to get on the billboard charts. The critics hated them, and the media hardly knew who they were.
Music fans and musicians who think outside the box cherish them. In a sense, the obscurity of Rush makes them all the more amazing imo. At least Alex is a legend to me.
@funkster007 What can I do but agree with this? Let's hope that Rush's increased exposure doesn't tarnish the nerdniness and obscurity that made them famous in the first place (and yes, there are lots of contradictions in that sentence...try to follow along, people :-) )
They were so great back then,,that Gibson mixed with that nasty Rickenbacker growl,,my god,,I get so moved when I hear that. Unfortunately,I gave up on them around Grace Under Pressure,,just don`t like what they write since that time.
In the ZONE! Awesome example of someone at one with the guitar. But more than that... OWNING that mofo!! I totally have a new level of respect for Mr. Lifeson.
A longer version of this same solo is under "Rush - La Villa Strangiato at Pinkpop 1979". One of my all time favorites, and very close to the version on Exit Stage Left. I have learned to play parts of it over the years, but the really fast part highlighted in this shorter clip is what reminds me to keep my day job.
@TOSportsFan1990 According to a friend of mine who interviewed him in like '75, Lifeson said he was just an experienced player, but he is a gifted player.
i had been noodling around on guitar for about a year before i saw this clip. the second i watched it all i could say is YES. this 36 seconds is why i'm serious about guitar. how is this man not universally recognized the way gilmour and clapton and hendrix etc are? what an outrage. this man is incredible. also, might i add, just a good dude? a world class guitarist and a nice guy. kick ass.
@peeblesj1131 I can't understand it myself. Alex is amazing! I mean sure, Gilmour is still one of my faves by far but I just wish Alex would get more recognition. Hell I wish the whole band would get better recognition!
@Moon27 Exactly. it's not that anybody is a "better" guitar player than anyone else (among the pros that is. all these guys are CLEARLY better than me haha). Everybody knows how great the biggest names are. Alex and the rest of Rush are less widely known but are also awesome musicians, individually and as a group.
He's is along with Geddy and Peart a legend, after see him kick major ass in the Time Machine tour there was no doubt left for me he one of the greatest!
there seams to be something wrong with this video, there apears to be a dislike button and to make matters worse a few people have hit it. I would really appreciate it if you'd fix this as soon as possible.
there seams to be something wrong with this video, there apears to be a dislike button and to make matters worse a few people have hit it. I would really appreciate it if you'd fix this as soon as possible.
Couldn't agree with you guys more...although it's difficult to say "best guitarist" because it depends on what style they play...in this style, heavy rock, effects driven, he has no equal as far as I'm concerned, most of the new "super fast" guitar guys are really just playing the same run of notes over and over...Lifeson makes it cry like a distressed soul, gives it a human voice...he is one of the few players who's solo's can bring tears to my eyes...
I'm trying to study his style right now. He's the best in my opinion. His style is very quirky and that's what makes it the best. Could any of you explain his style?
There is no such thing as ''Best Guitarist'' , there is your own personal favourite, AND for this man, ''MOST UNDERRATED'', But who the fuck really cares, i like it more that those stupid people who hate alex lifeson can't enjoy rush's awesome music, too bad for them, i won't share MY RUSH!
"because he is imprecise with tempo and, in bendings, with tune"
As a 25-year student of rush guitar, I believe this quote from a previous post sums it all up about the misunderstanding of the great Lerxt. It is his very "imprecise-ness" of tempo, bends, tune, and just plain sounding like he's playing while standing on a bunch of marbles on the verge of falling over that make his solos deceptive, unpredictable and the kind to listen to for 20 years or more and still hear something new.
If anything I've picked up from him in my guitar career/life is the 3-step bends.
He is truly one of the most expressive in the art. Whether he is underrated is dependent on how accessible the music is to start with. Sure Hendrix is a legend and should be. It's really how revolutionary you are in the music-age you are born into.
There are lots of legends and living legends. I believe Alex is one of them. Pushing the envelope with no compromise.
I very like Rush, I remember I worn-out A Show of Hands, the first of their album I listened to. However, what I've always condemned were the Lifeson solos. I like his ideas and his rythm, but he is imprecise, even when he do not technical solos, because he is imprecise with tempo and, in bendings, with tune. Just listen to Ghost of a chance studio version, the second part of the solo is terrible such as the final phrases. Not bad as ideas but very bad as execution. Sorry for my opinion.
honestly, he didn't pull it off that cleanly. and i really really like alex lifeson. i just dont think he played this solo that well. still a great guitarist though.
See, this is what i would like Alex Lifeson to insert into Rush´s music, this great technique that he (in my opinion) has been hiding from Rush albums. The only Rush guitar solo that has really blown my mind has been "Freewill" and maybe there´s another one that i dont remember but if Alex would incorporate this into Rush music, i´d think way better about him, and most people would do that too!
Zeppelin is great but, Zeppelin were only great as Zeppelin. Their solo careers suck. Rush has their ups and downs, but I can always find a song on a Rush album that I like. Any solo albums by Zeppelin members I cannot bare to even listen to. RUSH WINS!!!! Although Zeppelin also have some awesome material....
this was 6 june 1979, pinkpop festival in the Netherlands, this was super, i was there , a legendary festival, with rush, the police, dire straits,etc. but the performance that stood out the most for me was la villa strangiato from rush
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.
@edthehead83 Quality over quantity, my friend. And Page's personal production finesse and dedication do speak for themselves when characterized against Lifeson.
Yes and that is where opinion comes into play. You clearly like Page more and I obviously like Lifeson more; why not just leave it at that? No need saying he's puts out higher quality stuff. And what evidence are you basing your "dedication to production" argument on? That is something that is not so subjective... The facts: Page did a shit load of drugs, Lerxst kept (and keeps) clean. Lifeson toughed it out with Rush through a personal & professional depression while Page screwed groupies.
@edthehead83 Rush's style compared to Zeppelin's is very limited and they didn't do nearly as much exploring as Zeppelin did. And what do drugs have to do with him making the albums sound awesome behind the soundboard as well as in front of the mic?
This is getting old. Listen. You clearly like LZ more. Whatever. But to say that Rush is "limited" is far fetched. Never have I heard anybody use that word to describe Rush. Yngwie Malmsteen, yes. Rush, no. Rush in 74: rock. Post 74: progggg. Early 80s: hot hot shit. Late 80s: synth. I really don't have time to go through the rest of the phases through the 90s and current Rush. If they are so limited as you say they are, I could.
lifeson is awesome, but he sounds very sloppy here (well, I guess he was playing with a bad finger here, if you notice the black finger on his left hand)
i first discovered rush in 1975 ( i was ten ) just a young kid not knowing what i really liked musically... i had a lot to choose from ( from my big brothers allman brothers,skynyrd,hendrix... you know, the good stuff at that time... ) then Rush came into my life and that was it for me... AND they were CANADIAN !!! What more could a kid from Alberta need ...
I think I saw sawdust flyin off the fretboard and the strings glowin bright orange..and the guy is always hitting those Lifeson signature nasty notes clean and in control.all in all Rush as a band always pushed the envelope somewhere whether you liked it or not
Fuuuck... I sometimes forget this dude can just rip. I mean, I love his playing to death and I'll forever be a big Rush nerd, but most of the time when I think "Alex Lifeson", I think of the rhythm style he developed... I love that. Like, that chord voicing he uses in the beginning of Natural Science. What's it called... a sus chord with the 5 on the bottom( that works... I think)... or something... I always think of that as the "alex lifeson chord".
@NukeCulear Absolutely underatted....... Neil Peart is, without question, the greatest drummer in rock history. It's a shame that Alex Lifeson kinda gets overlooked when comes to the discussion of great axemen. The typical list of names always pop up, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, but IMO Lifeson should be included in that list.
@gimme2utah1 Yeah he is THE most underrated guitarist of all time. I don't see what's so great about Hendrix though... Just my opinion. I think Randy Rhoads is much better than Hendrix. I mean, he's ambidextrous and he can't strum some stuff with his teeth... That's cool and all but I don't see how that makes him so great.
@Ryu12543 I agree. I like a few of his songs but I'm not a big fan of Hendrix myself. Nor am I a big fan of Joe Satriani. I just listed them cause those names are usually mentioned and unfortunately Alex Lifeson usually is not.
@gimme2utah1 Neil is a great drummer,,but to say the greatest in rock history? You have to at least break down styles,to even attempt to call someone the greatest. I don`t want to get into who`s the best thing,but in the progressive area,Bill Bruford is just as great as Neil if not better.Lifeson...one of the greatest for sure.
@NasalObstruction agreed, bruford has a comletely different jazzy style but I like him more than Neil. but get this- wikipedia says that bruford acutally influenced peart.
@NasalObstruction I respect your opinion. I'm a big fan of the early works of YES, but I still think Peart's better than Bruford. JMO. Non rock you'd have to say Buddy Rich...IIRC, Peart lists Rich as a his biggest influence.
@JDrockerDUDE No, I didn't forget Slash, I just listed a few of the norms.. I also didn't include Les Paul, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Page, Steve Howe, Pete Townsend, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck, Robin Trower, Angus Young, George Harrison, Joe Perry, Ritchie Blackmore..Etc. etc.
As far as Hendrix, I like a few of his songs but I'm not a big fan. My fav. bands INPO were Led Zep, Floyd, YES, Aerosmith, Kansas, Jethro Tull, Deep Purple, The Who and of course RUSH.
jimi hendrix played absolutely raw and unorganized and too me sounded like shit /: lol alot of people are gonna chew me out for saying that. but its the truth.
Ya know!!! Lifeson is on fuckin' FIRE here!!! He's doing pick slides, rippin through scales, running up and down the neck, etc...
What happened!!?? Why did he stop all of this?!? I know The impetus of Rush is to change and progress as musicians, but Lifeson fuckin' wails and he seemed to turn his back on that...in fact, I once heard him in an interview say that he Never considered himself as a solo guitar player, but more as a rhythm guitarist.
Woah woah my friend, Rush can still shred. I think he mastered the style and just had to go somewhere. I mean they certainly still play this. Listen to the newer cd's, go on.
YES ALEX RULES, but..If you want to see another up, and Coming Guitar Genius , you have to check out GUTHRIE GOVAN. Look at all of his YOUTUBE vids.You will be amazed at how fluid, toneful, andtasty his chops are. The Guy amazes everyone on youtube. RUSH Forever!!
Alex Lifeson is AMAZING. He is the main reason I picked up an axe and started playing. Good job Alex, keep on rocking. And to who ever posted this, good choice.
My dad was a rush fan, and i was born into this world a rush fan. They are by far the most underrated band ever. Alex Lifeson is one of the most artistic and interesting guitar player in my view. Rush is the greatest band ever and I am glad to say my father named me after Alex Lifeson. Rush for life and "Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation, We have assumed control, we have assumed control."
Pink Pop Festival in Holland, 1979. If you look closely, you will see the black fingernail on his injured ring finger that cancelled 3 shows the week prior to this show.
He's the reason I settled down & paid attention to tone, open-chords, enhancing tone w/ an effect vice relying on an effect, etc. Made me the guitarist I am today...I think I can hold my own & Alex Lifeson is a big part of that. I even started w/ Bill Lawrence L500 in an Ibanez AS200 (close as I could get). Now back to the 498Ts but his influence remains.
Alex Lifeson is second to NO ONE!! I could care less what they say about his ability. He guitar playing is original, thought provoking, frenzied, emotional and best of all it speaks to alot of people. And the people who talk shit about his chops don't know any better. My teen years revolved around Rush and Black Sabbath. Two ends of the spectrum but oh so good.
wow he can fuckin whale on that thing
ty2569 3 months ago
@ESPxTele my favourite rush song, but i think rush themselves have better solos
fuckamericanidiot 4 months ago
he really didn't need to put some time in the 70's, we just need to look at their hair.
HoaxEL1TE 5 months ago
La Villa Strangiato - definitely one of the best solos of all time - amazing. Such taste, such feel and such power all together. It moves, it flows, it takes you to so many places. It ROCKS!
ktcolo1 5 months ago
VERY POSSIBLY ONE OF THE GREATEST GUITAR SOLOS EVER PRESENTED FOR THE PUBLIC
souljour2000 6 months ago
Anybody know which song this was from?
Lallen785 6 months ago
@Lallen785 la villa strangiato
sergiopage24 3 months ago
Damn look at those fingers and hands move. Alex Lifeson is one of the most underrated guitarists ever! Fuckin Jews. lol jk jk jk
AngelBoy0123 7 months ago
@AngelBoy0123 what do jews have anything to do with alex? other than one being his best buddy. alex was raised a christian as wall neil, but neil is now a follower of rand so an objectivist. alex is non-practising although masrried in a church. geddy is of course jewish.
UpstairsMaid 2 days ago
@UpstairsMaid Read my comment over and you'll see I put jk (which is "just kidding") three times. I was just impersonating little dude from South Park because he says it sometimes. I was only joking. My grandmother was Jewish. And survived Hitler's oppression and subsequent Holocaust.
Just don't take me too seriously sometimes.
AngelBoy0123 5 hours ago
Rush were always sort of the anti-rockstar type rock band. One of the main reasons Geddy, Neil and even Alex didn't get the exposure like most of their peers was they went out of their way to NOT sound like every other band trying to get on the billboard charts. The critics hated them, and the media hardly knew who they were.
Music fans and musicians who think outside the box cherish them. In a sense, the obscurity of Rush makes them all the more amazing imo. At least Alex is a legend to me.
funkster007 7 months ago
@funkster007 What can I do but agree with this? Let's hope that Rush's increased exposure doesn't tarnish the nerdniness and obscurity that made them famous in the first place (and yes, there are lots of contradictions in that sentence...try to follow along, people :-) )
gordbarentsen 7 months ago
Comment removed
funkster007 7 months ago
man this guy can shred #1 all the way
just saw them a few day back they were awesome of coarse its Rush
the best fom Canda and "the Galaxy"
Nicholsable 8 months ago
Oh man, I think this is the one where he was playing with the blackened nail on his left ring finger too.
The fact he can solo like that with a finger injury is... mindblowing, to say the least.
Kazinsal 8 months ago
They were so great back then,,that Gibson mixed with that nasty Rickenbacker growl,,my god,,I get so moved when I hear that. Unfortunately,I gave up on them around Grace Under Pressure,,just don`t like what they write since that time.
NasalObstruction 9 months ago
This is from Pinkpop in 1979
riff5fki 10 months ago
In the ZONE! Awesome example of someone at one with the guitar. But more than that... OWNING that mofo!! I totally have a new level of respect for Mr. Lifeson.
NTOTHF 11 months ago
A longer version of this same solo is under "Rush - La Villa Strangiato at Pinkpop 1979". One of my all time favorites, and very close to the version on Exit Stage Left. I have learned to play parts of it over the years, but the really fast part highlighted in this shorter clip is what reminds me to keep my day job.
30YearRushFan 11 months ago
@30YearRushFan "a long version of this same solo" You mean the whole song?
riff5fki 10 months ago
Now this is how a Gibson Es-335 should be treated
Nikkodemis 11 months ago
wow
CCWShredders 11 months ago
@darkaramon La Villa Strangiato, from the Hemispheres album
TOSportsFan1990 1 year ago
Not only one of the greatest guitarists, also one of the nicest celebrities ever. He thinks of himself as just another dude when he's anything but.
TOSportsFan1990 1 year ago
@TOSportsFan1990 According to a friend of mine who interviewed him in like '75, Lifeson said he was just an experienced player, but he is a gifted player.
riff5fki 10 months ago
HES MY IDOL
And 2 People clicked the dislike button because they thought it meant "Dis I Like!"
MW2SEALtmCLAN 1 year ago
I sense Page influence...Oh yes the force is strong with this one :O
MontesdeGibson 1 year ago
i had been noodling around on guitar for about a year before i saw this clip. the second i watched it all i could say is YES. this 36 seconds is why i'm serious about guitar. how is this man not universally recognized the way gilmour and clapton and hendrix etc are? what an outrage. this man is incredible. also, might i add, just a good dude? a world class guitarist and a nice guy. kick ass.
peeblesj1131 1 year ago 4
@peeblesj1131 I can't understand it myself. Alex is amazing! I mean sure, Gilmour is still one of my faves by far but I just wish Alex would get more recognition. Hell I wish the whole band would get better recognition!
Moon27 1 year ago
@Moon27 Exactly. it's not that anybody is a "better" guitar player than anyone else (among the pros that is. all these guys are CLEARLY better than me haha). Everybody knows how great the biggest names are. Alex and the rest of Rush are less widely known but are also awesome musicians, individually and as a group.
peeblesj1131 1 year ago
@peeblesj1131 Couldn't have said it any better :)
Moon27 1 year ago
He's is along with Geddy and Peart a legend, after see him kick major ass in the Time Machine tour there was no doubt left for me he one of the greatest!
Rush= Alex Geddy Peart! The Legends!
ewq14 1 year ago
What is than, an ES-335? How unfitting :P Alex Lifeson is a boss.
bladerunner12 1 year ago
This was from 1979 at the Pinkpop, and it was their last concert of the European Hemispheres tour.
ozonatedman 1 year ago
DAMN!!! He kicks ass... alot of ass!
undeadhand 1 year ago
dear youtube,
there seams to be something wrong with this video, there apears to be a dislike button and to make matters worse a few people have hit it. I would really appreciate it if you'd fix this as soon as possible.
sincerely, guitarsbikesandpie
guitarsbikesandpie 1 year ago 49
@guitarsbikesandpie Damn straight.
MrLegitGuitarist 1 year ago
@guitarsbikesandpie those people who dislike it just think it says dis i like :)
xRTxProductions 11 months ago
dear youtube,
there seams to be something wrong with this video, there apears to be a dislike button and to make matters worse a few people have hit it. I would really appreciate it if you'd fix this as soon as possible.
sincerely, guitarsbikesandpie
guitarsbikesandpie 1 year ago
Comment removed
guitarsbikesandpie 1 year ago
Couldn't agree with you guys more...although it's difficult to say "best guitarist" because it depends on what style they play...in this style, heavy rock, effects driven, he has no equal as far as I'm concerned, most of the new "super fast" guitar guys are really just playing the same run of notes over and over...Lifeson makes it cry like a distressed soul, gives it a human voice...he is one of the few players who's solo's can bring tears to my eyes...
wooddragon45 1 year ago
holy shit.
peeblesj1131 1 year ago
why people say that alex lifeson is a metal guitarist ??
algrand90 1 year ago
Happy Birthday Alex!
heckfarr 1 year ago
I'm trying to study his style right now. He's the best in my opinion. His style is very quirky and that's what makes it the best. Could any of you explain his style?
zigzaghookie 1 year ago
@zigzaghookie He's got his own style thats different, and better than anyone else's
burl0721 1 year ago
His la Villa Strangiato solo in "A Show of Hands" is even more bad ass. Such an underrated guitar player.
bassmachine666 1 year ago
Classico
The12Child 1 year ago
And he did this with a broken finger.. look at the left ring fingernail at 0:20 he got it jammed in a door.
billydreed 1 year ago
@billydreed Actually, I read some where that he pinched it between a mattress and bed while having a rather erm....fun night with his wife..
Moon27 1 year ago
and he did this with a broken finger,, look and the fingernail on his left hand, black spot from getting it jammed in a door.
billydreed 1 year ago
There is no such thing as ''Best Guitarist'' , there is your own personal favourite, AND for this man, ''MOST UNDERRATED'', But who the fuck really cares, i like it more that those stupid people who hate alex lifeson can't enjoy rush's awesome music, too bad for them, i won't share MY RUSH!
joost1795 1 year ago
"because he is imprecise with tempo and, in bendings, with tune"
As a 25-year student of rush guitar, I believe this quote from a previous post sums it all up about the misunderstanding of the great Lerxt. It is his very "imprecise-ness" of tempo, bends, tune, and just plain sounding like he's playing while standing on a bunch of marbles on the verge of falling over that make his solos deceptive, unpredictable and the kind to listen to for 20 years or more and still hear something new.
herenextyear 1 year ago
If anything I've picked up from him in my guitar career/life is the 3-step bends.
He is truly one of the most expressive in the art. Whether he is underrated is dependent on how accessible the music is to start with. Sure Hendrix is a legend and should be. It's really how revolutionary you are in the music-age you are born into.
There are lots of legends and living legends. I believe Alex is one of them. Pushing the envelope with no compromise.
anakid123 1 year ago
So excited... Getting their new movie soon and I get to see them on August 7.
Ryu12543 1 year ago
@Steelstrings80 Explain?
alexlifeson4pres 1 year ago
EAPWK BEASTING!!!
countflaming 1 year ago
this was at the Pinkpop festival in 1979
SirGod85 1 year ago
rush is definitely a super group
guitarshredda2 1 year ago
I very like Rush, I remember I worn-out A Show of Hands, the first of their album I listened to. However, what I've always condemned were the Lifeson solos. I like his ideas and his rythm, but he is imprecise, even when he do not technical solos, because he is imprecise with tempo and, in bendings, with tune. Just listen to Ghost of a chance studio version, the second part of the solo is terrible such as the final phrases. Not bad as ideas but very bad as execution. Sorry for my opinion.
Steelstrings80 1 year ago
honestly, he didn't pull it off that cleanly. and i really really like alex lifeson. i just dont think he played this solo that well. still a great guitarist though.
ShredFever92 1 year ago
lifeson rules the planet !
lifeson241 1 year ago
he's so nasty
REDSOXNYG 1 year ago
watch?v=V--v5Ba_cx8&NR=1
ePhilosopher9 1 year ago
best guitarist ever, yep its true
MCGETRICK2 1 year ago 3
speed demon
simpletones1 1 year ago
See, this is what i would like Alex Lifeson to insert into Rush´s music, this great technique that he (in my opinion) has been hiding from Rush albums. The only Rush guitar solo that has really blown my mind has been "Freewill" and maybe there´s another one that i dont remember but if Alex would incorporate this into Rush music, i´d think way better about him, and most people would do that too!
HiImJerry8 1 year ago
is he anchoring\planting his pinky and ring finger on the guitar?
emmanuelrodulfo 1 year ago
kickass!
DrummerInTheCity1091 1 year ago
0:13 - 0:15 , I heard me some By-Tor.
wmpr88 1 year ago
kinda... it's more specifically the Thrash section in Part II - "Under The Shadow" of The Necromancer. (Caress of Steel)
BUT ...since The Necromancer is THE succession of By-Tor...You're RIGHT ON!!
And it ALL Kicks Ass!!! \m/ \m/ \m/
negtype13 1 year ago
quit arguing.. all rock is great
1234gnrslash 2 years ago
Zeppelin is great but, Zeppelin were only great as Zeppelin. Their solo careers suck. Rush has their ups and downs, but I can always find a song on a Rush album that I like. Any solo albums by Zeppelin members I cannot bare to even listen to. RUSH WINS!!!! Although Zeppelin also have some awesome material....
SephynnXx 2 years ago
this was 6 june 1979, pinkpop festival in the Netherlands, this was super, i was there , a legendary festival, with rush, the police, dire straits,etc. but the performance that stood out the most for me was la villa strangiato from rush
mitsupitsu44 2 years ago
he is playing the same way as frusciante
algrand90 2 years ago
such a underrated guitarist.
JDrockerDUDE 2 years ago 3
Yeah, he is a damn great guitarist!
Zoomtail 2 years ago 2
epic
toberichmoe 2 years ago 3
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
If this is sloppy then how would you describe Jimmy Page live?
edthehead83 2 years ago 5
LOL!! Page is very sloppy also.
NationalMan 2 years ago
Also? Alex is one of the cleanest guitar players out there! Always precise, powerful, and emotive.
edthehead83 2 years ago
@edthehead83 Depends which era Page we're talking about. Besides, Page has done a lot more for music and production in general, so it evens out.
UC7media 2 years ago
@UC7media Talking about his live performances.
edthehead83 2 years ago
@edthehead83 Right, but on the studio end Page is superior. And has shined live as well.
UC7media 2 years ago 2
That's your opinion. And regarding a previous comment of yours... Rush has released about twice as many studio albums.
edthehead83 2 years ago
@edthehead83 Quality over quantity, my friend. And Page's personal production finesse and dedication do speak for themselves when characterized against Lifeson.
UC7media 2 years ago
Yes and that is where opinion comes into play. You clearly like Page more and I obviously like Lifeson more; why not just leave it at that? No need saying he's puts out higher quality stuff. And what evidence are you basing your "dedication to production" argument on? That is something that is not so subjective... The facts: Page did a shit load of drugs, Lerxst kept (and keeps) clean. Lifeson toughed it out with Rush through a personal & professional depression while Page screwed groupies.
edthehead83 2 years ago
@edthehead83 Rush's style compared to Zeppelin's is very limited and they didn't do nearly as much exploring as Zeppelin did. And what do drugs have to do with him making the albums sound awesome behind the soundboard as well as in front of the mic?
UC7media 2 years ago
This is getting old. Listen. You clearly like LZ more. Whatever. But to say that Rush is "limited" is far fetched. Never have I heard anybody use that word to describe Rush. Yngwie Malmsteen, yes. Rush, no. Rush in 74: rock. Post 74: progggg. Early 80s: hot hot shit. Late 80s: synth. I really don't have time to go through the rest of the phases through the 90s and current Rush. If they are so limited as you say they are, I could.
edthehead83 2 years ago
@edthehead83 Compared to Zeppelin, whose works varied in genre song to song, not just year to year.
UC7media 2 years ago
@UC7media Lifeson was better
Kingding6 1 year ago
sick solo'ing!
sportsportsport 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
wmpr88 2 years ago
lifeson is awesome, but he sounds very sloppy here (well, I guess he was playing with a bad finger here, if you notice the black finger on his left hand)
poshjarker 2 years ago
who cares if he sounds sloppy..i dont think it does but if it does..maybe thats why it also kinda sounds good..why does sloppy just have to be bad?
insolentMinx47 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
He sounds kind of sloppy when he solos.
NationalMan 2 years ago
Your an idiot.
Spackler80 2 years ago
It's YOU'RE not YOUR, moron! And yes, Lifeson does sound sloppy in this video.
NationalMan 2 years ago
haha owned!!!!
isl1551 2 years ago
Wow
llagask 2 years ago 2
i first discovered rush in 1975 ( i was ten ) just a young kid not knowing what i really liked musically... i had a lot to choose from ( from my big brothers allman brothers,skynyrd,hendrix... you know, the good stuff at that time... ) then Rush came into my life and that was it for me... AND they were CANADIAN !!! What more could a kid from Alberta need ...
dc040465 2 years ago
I think I saw sawdust flyin off the fretboard and the strings glowin bright orange..and the guy is always hitting those Lifeson signature nasty notes clean and in control.all in all Rush as a band always pushed the envelope somewhere whether you liked it or not
austingunsmoke 2 years ago
Fuuuck... I sometimes forget this dude can just rip. I mean, I love his playing to death and I'll forever be a big Rush nerd, but most of the time when I think "Alex Lifeson", I think of the rhythm style he developed... I love that. Like, that chord voicing he uses in the beginning of Natural Science. What's it called... a sus chord with the 5 on the bottom( that works... I think)... or something... I always think of that as the "alex lifeson chord".
But, the dude can fuckin' TEAR IT UP too!
MikeBsMovies 2 years ago 4
One of the most underrated guitarist of all time.
NukeCulear 2 years ago 83
EXACTLY what I was about to say. He's beyond amazing.
Ryu12543 2 years ago 2
@NukeCulear Absolutely underatted....... Neil Peart is, without question, the greatest drummer in rock history. It's a shame that Alex Lifeson kinda gets overlooked when comes to the discussion of great axemen. The typical list of names always pop up, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, but IMO Lifeson should be included in that list.
gimme2utah1 1 year ago 18
@gimme2utah1 Yeah he is THE most underrated guitarist of all time. I don't see what's so great about Hendrix though... Just my opinion. I think Randy Rhoads is much better than Hendrix. I mean, he's ambidextrous and he can't strum some stuff with his teeth... That's cool and all but I don't see how that makes him so great.
Ryu12543 1 year ago
@Ryu12543 I agree. I like a few of his songs but I'm not a big fan of Hendrix myself. Nor am I a big fan of Joe Satriani. I just listed them cause those names are usually mentioned and unfortunately Alex Lifeson usually is not.
gimme2utah1 1 year ago
@Ryu12543 I meant can strum with his teeth lol oops.
Ryu12543 1 year ago
@gimme2utah1 Neil is a great drummer,,but to say the greatest in rock history? You have to at least break down styles,to even attempt to call someone the greatest. I don`t want to get into who`s the best thing,but in the progressive area,Bill Bruford is just as great as Neil if not better.Lifeson...one of the greatest for sure.
NasalObstruction 9 months ago
@NasalObstruction agreed, bruford has a comletely different jazzy style but I like him more than Neil. but get this- wikipedia says that bruford acutally influenced peart.
Interst890 9 months ago
@NasalObstruction I respect your opinion. I'm a big fan of the early works of YES, but I still think Peart's better than Bruford. JMO. Non rock you'd have to say Buddy Rich...IIRC, Peart lists Rich as a his biggest influence.
check this out:
/hq684tmvd1A
gimme2utah1 9 months ago
@gimme2utah1 I try not to get into the who`s best thing. We should just enjoy the talent and the music they produce.
NasalObstruction 9 months ago
@gimme2utah1 you forgot fucking slash. ergh.
JDrockerDUDE 9 months ago
@JDrockerDUDE No, I didn't forget Slash, I just listed a few of the norms.. I also didn't include Les Paul, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Page, Steve Howe, Pete Townsend, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck, Robin Trower, Angus Young, George Harrison, Joe Perry, Ritchie Blackmore..Etc. etc.
As far as Hendrix, I like a few of his songs but I'm not a big fan. My fav. bands INPO were Led Zep, Floyd, YES, Aerosmith, Kansas, Jethro Tull, Deep Purple, The Who and of course RUSH.
gimme2utah1 9 months ago
jimi hendrix played absolutely raw and unorganized and too me sounded like shit /: lol alot of people are gonna chew me out for saying that. but its the truth.
JDrockerDUDE 9 months ago
That's why he is in my top three guitarists off all-time.
canucktheclown 1 year ago
@NukeCulear He IS the most underrated guitarist of all time.
deadlyduk 1 year ago
Ya know!!! Lifeson is on fuckin' FIRE here!!! He's doing pick slides, rippin through scales, running up and down the neck, etc...
What happened!!?? Why did he stop all of this?!? I know The impetus of Rush is to change and progress as musicians, but Lifeson fuckin' wails and he seemed to turn his back on that...in fact, I once heard him in an interview say that he Never considered himself as a solo guitar player, but more as a rhythm guitarist.
Well I tell ya Alex, You ARE one of the best!!
negtype13 2 years ago
Oh..and by the way..this specific solo was all done with a broken finger!
(Notice the bruise under the nail of his left ring finger!)
And STILL firing away!!! You rule Alex!!!
negtype13 2 years ago 2
Woah woah my friend, Rush can still shred. I think he mastered the style and just had to go somewhere. I mean they certainly still play this. Listen to the newer cd's, go on.
malcolmX213 2 years ago
For the amount of talent this band has, they should be 10 times as big as The Beatles, however, they're not even a quarter as big.
guitarguy93 2 years ago 3
No so true...Rush are close behind them in terms of Gold/Platinum (consecutive) records. And being from Canada...THAT says something!
negtype13 2 years ago
Best guitarist ever.
NintendolinkXX 2 years ago 6
Most underrated band for sure.
Splagl 2 years ago 3
I'll admit it Alex Lifeson and Guthrie Govan are amazing guitarists!
guitarGod734 2 years ago
He is a very underated musician as far as im concerend and this solo says it all
OcGuitarFreak 2 years ago
I wanna force all the Lifeson haters out there to watch this clip
Zeppelinfan25 2 years ago 37
Same here...open their eyes a bit
Morty2264 2 years ago
@Zeppelinfan25 there are lifeson haters???
celticsisthebestteam 1 year ago
@celticsisthebestteam surprisingly many
Zeppelinfan25 1 year ago
@Zeppelinfan25 There are people out there that hate Lifeson? well this is news to me.
CharlieJoeArmstrong 1 year ago 2
@Zeppelinfan25 lurxst has haters? LOL
snapascrew 1 year ago
YES ALEX RULES, but..If you want to see another up, and Coming Guitar Genius , you have to check out GUTHRIE GOVAN. Look at all of his YOUTUBE vids.You will be amazed at how fluid, toneful, andtasty his chops are. The Guy amazes everyone on youtube. RUSH Forever!!
phallystorm 2 years ago
amazing, i beleive that Alex Lifeson is the number one guitarist as far as artistic talent
Maverick02571 2 years ago 3
Alex Lifeson is AMAZING. He is the main reason I picked up an axe and started playing. Good job Alex, keep on rocking. And to who ever posted this, good choice.
alexlifeson4pres 2 years ago
My dad was a rush fan, and i was born into this world a rush fan. They are by far the most underrated band ever. Alex Lifeson is one of the most artistic and interesting guitar player in my view. Rush is the greatest band ever and I am glad to say my father named me after Alex Lifeson. Rush for life and "Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation, We have assumed control, we have assumed control."
Coffee2die4 2 years ago 2
Same thing 4 me ;) but my dad didnt name me after a person in the band.
JCACFILMS 2 years ago
And, that's due to their material from 1975 to 1982, - that's what they're living off of.
ToolsnFire 2 years ago
Pink Pop Festival in Holland, 1979. If you look closely, you will see the black fingernail on his injured ring finger that cancelled 3 shows the week prior to this show.
Cash2112 2 years ago
all i can say is MOST UNDERRATED GUITARIST
canadianbacon93 2 years ago
Alex Lifeson is the reason i picked up guitar. This entire song inspired me.
toolatescissors 2 years ago
amazing, alex is up on my top ten favorite guitarist list, and this is one reason why.
KalebBURT1 2 years ago 2
La Villa Strangiato is an amazing instrumental, one of my favorites.
Ryu12543 2 years ago
Amazing....just amazing....
jaymanxyz2 2 years ago
He's the reason I settled down & paid attention to tone, open-chords, enhancing tone w/ an effect vice relying on an effect, etc. Made me the guitarist I am today...I think I can hold my own & Alex Lifeson is a big part of that. I even started w/ Bill Lawrence L500 in an Ibanez AS200 (close as I could get). Now back to the 498Ts but his influence remains.
supertrippfan 3 years ago
GODLY
rushpowerpratt 3 years ago
good guitarist.
egl10dix 3 years ago
Lifeson was ahead of his time
PrivateSnowballTFC 3 years ago
Alex Lifeson is second to NO ONE!! I could care less what they say about his ability. He guitar playing is original, thought provoking, frenzied, emotional and best of all it speaks to alot of people. And the people who talk shit about his chops don't know any better. My teen years revolved around Rush and Black Sabbath. Two ends of the spectrum but oh so good.
aelmo713 3 years ago 5
I believe this was at pink pop 1979
rainbowmonkey27 3 years ago 2
FUCKING LOVE ALEX LIFESON! FAVORITE GUITARIST! But why doesn't he play villa strangiato live anymore would love that
fabioproductions 3 years ago 2
my favorite guitarist of all time!
belau2112 3 years ago 2
Can't believe on the wikipedia page it says he's often thought of as an inferior musician.
Lifeson is fucking god.
HaggyWaggy 3 years ago 2
Without question, the most underrated guitar player ever!
Matty0923 3 years ago 10
jesus christ he's fuckin good
Zeppelinfan25 3 years ago 7
he could show up any body from nowadays
make all the jonas fans cry
giggidybdoto7 3 years ago 10
lil ged for the head not led gor the head.....LOL
imaballa252 3 years ago
Take that, you Zeppies.
TuxedoProductions 3 years ago 8
This comment has received too many negative votes show
jimmy could top that, but it would take his best!
nucleardude11 3 years ago
He is now in my top 3 favorite guitarest.
NukeCulear 3 years ago
Top 3???? hes the greatest EVER!!!!
imaballa252 3 years ago 6
THANKS for posting this! That is exactly the part I'm still trying to learn!
Thanks to you I'll be able to figure out how to play all of La Villa now (hopefully)!
StratMatt777 3 years ago
GREAT GUITAR PLAYER!!!! are kidding me he's like the best
SocomKing69 3 years ago 2
everyone pays attention to geddy lee and neil peart in Rush but alex lifeson is also a great guitar player
TheOracle3000 3 years ago 4
when guitar players could play. AMEN!
lizardneck 3 years ago 4