Now THAT is an interview. Finally, someone who asks penetrating questions about the actual music, chords, techniques, intents. Definitely do please post your other interview. Thank you.

Of all of the " underrated guitarists " in the world today ( especially from guitar magazines SAYING it for over 30 years ), I'm convinced Alex is the most underrated. Despite his awards and recognition within musician circles, Alex has proven to be the most essential guitarist in terms of 1.) team playing, 2.) phrasing and 3.) legacy building. His lead work fits sonically in every track, no matter the album. And, his work with Rush is some of the most amazing music created in the last 100 years. Lastly, his sense of " tone " is mainly focused on the songwriting process as opposed to being seen as a " soloist. " Thanks for the interview, Jas!! What a gem!

@lastdaysguitar

7 ай бұрын

You have a funny definition of "underrated". Gibson & Epiphone signature models for years, "Best Rock Talent" by Guitar for the Practicing Musician in 1983; "Best Rock Guitarist" by Guitar Player Magazine in 1984 and May 2008; Runner-up for "Best Rock Guitarist" in Guitar Player in 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986; Inducted into the Guitar for the Practicing Musician Hall of Fame, 1991; 1996 - Officer of the Order of Canada, along with bandmates Geddy Lee and Neil Peart '2007 - Main belt asteroid "(19155) Lifeson" named after Alex Lifeson[60] "Best Article" for "Different Strings" in Guitar Player (September 2007 issue); Most Ferociously Brilliant Guitar Album (Snakes & Arrows) - Guitar Player Magazine, May 2008 2013 - With Rush, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee[61]

@Jedizen07

7 ай бұрын

@@lastdaysguitar And yet, even Alex ( in Jas’ interview ) speaks of Edward Van Halen ( my personal favorite ) who gets more praise than Alex. As far as I’m concerned, if John Petrucci says Alex should be mentioned more in ALL musician circles, then why not?

@tomcarl8021

7 ай бұрын

Underrated? I just saw a guitar teacher on KZread credit Jimi Hendrix with things Steve Cropper pioneered. How's that for being "underrated".?? So, stop with your bullshit, because it's an insult to truly underrated guitarists.

@Michael420-mh7dd

7 ай бұрын

The term underrated is so over used

@lastdaysguitar

7 ай бұрын

Irrelevant, the reality is once again, someone is using the word "underrated" with no basis in fact. Alex even made it 58th onto the Rolling Stone Greatest Guitarist list and MANY great guitarists (Like YES ASIA maestro Steve Howe) did not even get on the list, so get out of here with that underrated talk. @@Jedizen07

Grace is such a lost masterpiece.

@XHuntinatorX

7 ай бұрын

I always thought GUP was the pinnacle of their songwriting. Just really great and tight compositions on that LP. Also, some of Alex’s best solo work… imho.

@harryburnett7086

7 ай бұрын

a lost one , it is not

Grace under pressure is too me one of their top 3 records

Epic interview! It exemplifies how intelligent Alex really is-professionally and personally. Undoubtedly one of music's most underrated guitarists. Many thanks for posting Jas.

@alexanderbrown4250

7 ай бұрын

Underrated is the most misused word on the Internet. Who underrates Lerxst?

@justimprovising

7 ай бұрын

@@alexanderbrown4250 From Geddy's book, on Alex's talent: "I know I'm biased, but I do think he's the most underrated guitarist in the rock pantheon. Rush fans appreciate him, naturally, but I don't believe he's gotten his due from the mainstream or critical rock world."

Alex is so integral to this band… it’s not only his writing.. it’s his tone and sculpting of sounds that sets him apart.

That was a wonderful listen. Thank you! And now I know my favourite guitarist and I share eczema :). People didn’t talk about health issues much back then, especially publicly, I am so glad Alex had the confidence to do so. He seems to be such a lovely chap.

Wow, you really got Lifeson to spill the beans as far as getting into tech details. Intricate details. Great info.

He was at the top of his game in the 80's. I don't care what anyone says about the synth era. They had a 4 album run no other band could touch.

@stevemills1593

7 ай бұрын

😊hi

Thank you for sharing all these Jas, you are a very generous person and we appreciate your efforts

I read and read and reread this interview when it was in print. Really cool to hear it and get the voice inflections and delivery on all those great quotes I've carried with me over the years. I always wanted a red Strat with a mirror pickguard. Such a cool looking guitar!

This is great you released this! GUP is the record that stands out in the entire catalog and intrigues me the most. I always said, if I had dinner with Alex, this would be the record I'd ask the most questions about. Now If I have dinner with Alex, we can just eat drink, and merry! :)

@ctfair

7 ай бұрын

I’ve always thought the same about “Power Windows” which is my favorite Rush album.

This is pure gold. Just got done reading Geddy Lee's book, and this is the perfect counterpoint to it. Makes you realize how deeply involved Alex was with the sound and compositions. And pure focus on the music, no personal stuff.

@Vigilant_Guardian

7 ай бұрын

exactly me too, !!!well timed find for a seeker like myself.. { perfect timing is a NEP staple must be his doing??,} us finding these, on days like these..

I saw two of those shows at the Cow Palace! There was no other band like Rush at that point, they were pretty much unparalleled. I remember Alex's broad, sweeping chords, and textural solos, like Red Sector A, the way they filled the place. He was a leaner, different animal compared to most guitarists of the time.

Great insightful interview for any massive fan of Alex Lifeson, and to getting to know how he got his sounds and wrote his solo's, a guitarists dream to hear this.

Rush each member are amazing musicians. Combined made great music. Thank you Rush.

This is exceptional! One of my favorite guitarist of all time talking about my favorite album by Rush. Thank you so much for this!

My favorite Rush album. A lot of fans seem unsettled with it but it ends up in my cd player more than any others. The only Rush album I've learned on bass from front to finish. Unique stuff from an Unique band

I really enjoyed this interview. Thank you for releasing it.✌🏼

This is the best interview with Alex in existence. Excellent questions & follow ups! I wonder which Dimarzios he had in white Strat.

Wow - this was only a week after I saw Rush for the first time, and 5 days before my 18th birthday.

Excellent player, with very aware gear knowledge, articulate interview. Thank you!

OH THIS IS GREAT, JAS! WHAT A GIFT FOR THIS THANKSGIVING WEEKEND. Excited to hear Alex about his rig since off the heals of Signals fame. Thanks again, Jas

Thanks for uploading this, much appreciated

I really, REALLY enjoyed this interview today! I'm a keyboardist, but I've always thought the world of Alex's playing (favorite solos Tom Sawyer and Afterimage) and loved what he said about being mindful of performing his solos live as they are on the album...along with everything else you guys chatted about. Thanks for this!

Grace Under Pressure was my first "new" Rush album after hearing 2112, Fly By Night and Moving Pictures.

@MrMrdlegend

7 ай бұрын

Me too. I can remember buying the cassette at the mall

@chrisware6324

7 ай бұрын

Me too! Bought it in downtown Lowell the day it came out!

First tour I saw RUSH. GUP '84 at the Capital Center outside of D.C. Saw every tour up to R40 2015.

Thank you so much for sharing these interviews. This album and Power Windows were huge influences in my evolving search of guitar tones.

Awesome!!!!! Thanks for sharing this...Alex is a phenomenal unique player... I've been a Rush fan since 99-2000 around 15 years old. Rush, Tool and Zeppelin are my Favorite groups... I wish Alex was mentioned more than what he is in the world, but a lot of player hold Alex in high praise..

@chazstone6744

7 ай бұрын

Dude, I have said for years that my favorite band is Rush, Zeppelin, and Tool.

@petertromp8786

7 ай бұрын

I became a Rush fan around the same time, very likely late 98, or early to mid 99, when I was 18 or 19. That means we’ve been Rush fans for almost a quarter century - more than half of our lives. At the time my music consumption consisted primarily of a diet of 90s alternative rock, with the likes of The Smashing Pumpkins, R.E.M. and Soundgarden in main rotation. Rush busted my horizons wide open, and I started listening to more off the cuff music. Congrats on your 25 year anniversary coming up; I hope you’re in a good place. I can say without hesitation that Rush’s music has made me a better person: more understanding; more attuned to nuance and less likely to jump to conclusions; more empathetic and compassionate; and more meta cognitive and multi-dimensional in my thinking. My favourite bands by the way are unquestionably Rush number 1, with the likes of Radiohead, Soundgarden, The New Pornographers, The Beatles and more modernly Queens of the Stone Age in the second tier (I’m fundamentally drawn to very melodic bands, irrespective of genre or sub genre).

I love Lifeson's guitar work and playing. He's an influence on me as a guitarist for sure. Super creative and energetic in both rhythm and lead guitar. Thanks for sharing the interview :)

Holy smokes what a gold mine of information. Loved how he talks about his chorus pedal set up and equipment ar around the 9:00 mark. Thanks for sharing!!

@johnsmith7140

7 ай бұрын

Interesting that he used an amp's chorus rather than a pedal an Kings

@Joe-mz6dc

7 ай бұрын

I used to own a JC-120 head in the late 70s and I bought an ES-335 in 82 (influenced by Alex, of course) I used 2 cabs with a 1x12 in each and spread them out and angled them towards me to catch the sweet spot. The best chorus I've ever heard. I captured those FTK tones perfectly. And it was also sick playing Wurm by Yes. These days I use a Strymon Ola and it comes close but nothing can give you that massive, loud, Godly sound that you get from an old made in Japan JC.

@andrachambers4234

7 ай бұрын

How about the use of a Carvin amp?! That was the first amp that I really longed for, but at the time was way too poor to be able to afford, could only just dream. A. J. C., III 7 Dec 23

Great interview Jas! Not sure I would agree with Alex's assessment of Eddie Van Halen in terms of melody and feel, but in 1984 the "age of the shredder" hadn't quite happened, so I get the playing over the top reference. This was a fantastic Rush record and to me it was Neil Peart's "bigger" drum sound that was noticeable difference from previous records.

Like Alex's playing wery mutch.A Favorite,never get tired of Rush.

OK I just bought my first Telecaster (USA Pro ii). Anyway it was great hearing Alex say that he used a Telecaster, for the first time in his life, on Enemy Within and Kid Gloves. Such a great interview on your part. You asked so many incredible questions I don't know I would have thought of if I had the man in front of me. And yes there is immense interest in hearing your other Alex interview. This made my day. Thanks again.

I really enjoy Alex's playing. Yes he is underrated.

Another Rush masterpiece. Alex's solos are soaring compositions of the heart, mini universe's of delight. He is by far and wide my favourite guitar player. No guitar player captures emotional journeys like him. In a single word to describe him I go for 'depth.'

Rig rundown before it was a thing! I don't recall ever hearing such a technical interview with Alex which is nuts given he's such a technical pioneer. Thanks for sharing!

Great interview… love all the details… good job sir. A. J. C., III 7 Dec 23

I think Geddy wrote the lyrics before Neil took the helm actually…I remember him writing ‘Best I Can’ lyrics on Fly by Night…Alex’s stuff was very classically influenced …I loved the intro for A Farewell to Kings and Closer to the Heart which is just a beautiful song. Obviously Alex was very influenced by Jimmy Page but with Neils time signature complexity he became much more intricate than Zep…I remember seeing Rush on the tour of the Hemispheres in the spring of 1979 at Hammersmith Odeon in London and I always remember he and Geddy BOTH playing double necks. A WHITE Gibson EDS and a double Rickenbacker (which were unheard of) I remember it was about the time Alex switched from Marshall to Hiwatt amps and cabs and seeing the different guitars he would play was intriguing…I seem to remember him playing a Gibson 335…Max Webster were the support…Alex composed some such tuneful beautiful chord sequences which I loved to play…..In the End, Lessons, Making Memories,,,No one at the Bridge,,,,Closer to the Heart, The Trees, Broons Bane,,,,,Xanadu (no,,,NOT Olivia Newton John , peter 🙄…lol)…Someone who Alex really appreciated being a player himself was ALLAN HOLDSWORTH….Geddy loved Jeff Berlin too….Alex’s riffs on the Big Money influenced some of my music writing in 2020 to be honest…Alex was so sensitively articulate with individual notes and open harmonics with the volume pedal actually…So nuanced….Alex is a good bloke…Nice Guy without an ego…Funny too …lol

Thanks!, I always wished someone would do a Rush equipment and recording guide for every album. Lots of amazing information for the GP album here… wow, so cool…GP was my first Rush tour I saw live.

Fantastic time capsule with a criminally underrated subject, Alex! I'm holding out for some Zappa interviews, Jas!!

FABULOUS INTERVIEW. WOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS. FANTASTIC QUESTIONS. THIS IS AN INTERVIEW MEANT FOR MUSICIANS WHO LOVE RUSH. PLEASE POST THE OTHER INTERVIEW!! THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!

one of the greatest discoveries I have made... today i found your channel, and this interview or shall I say inner view.. this is one of the most complex records I had ever heard when it was released, it surprised me to be surprised!!!.. complex technical analysis , and such great fine playing nuances of tone volume sustain, it Rocks.. THANK YOU FOR POSTING AND WOULD BE PROUD TO LISTEN TO ANY MORE INFORMATION ALEX HAS SUCH GREAT DEPTH.. from your new friend in Hampton Virginia.. {home of the Coliseum-with the Elvis door..!!/another great story on the demands of Elvis to have a door to go from outside backstage straight to the main dressing room!!! should look into the story.. he stayed in a house trailer in a old trailer park while in town instead of the Hilton !! } THANKS AGAIN...Robert ps../ the telecaster stayed for the duration ever since the time of this interview.. for writing and recording.

Great interview. Thanks for posting.

Thank you SO much Jas, this is awesome!!

The first producer Alex is talking about that didn't work out was Steve Lillywhite. He had worked with U2 and Big Country. Geddy said that they liked his work on Big Country's debut album The Crossing. He was given the job but bailed out at the last minute to produce a Simple Minds album. That left the band having to scramble to find somebody else. There were a lot of hard feelings understandably. I heard Lillywhite say once in an interview that "Rush hates me."

@yrmthr

3 ай бұрын

The album he did with SM was Sparkle In The Rain. Brilliant record. I'm not sure if Rush worked with Steve, the results would have been as good as GUP

That interview was awesome. I definitely want to hear the next one.

Saw them at the Cow Palace in 80 with 38 Special opening, tossing beers to the audience!

Thanks for posting, first concert I went to, all three shows at the Cow Palace. Recently played at the Cow Palace parking lot with my family band Electricfiers, no concerts there for years, but it was really special to be there looking up and seeing the Cow Palace, telling my kids about these three shows.

Great album. Very unique. I wore it out in '84.

This is where his solos really got interesting and unique. Take Afterimage, it’s almost all chords and rhythm. Ver cool.

When this album came out out I had mixed feelings was this my new Rush sound over the years it has become one of my favourite album

Thank you!, very interesting interview!

Now that's a good interview. I wish there was one like that for each album that came after P/G.

Yes -Please post the other interview from 2 years later. Alex is always good to listen to. Words and music.

GOLD

@chrisware6324

7 ай бұрын

Correct

Great interview, thank you for sharing it. I have your Guitar Player article, but it was nice to hear the full conversation. Would love to hear the Power Windows interview!

“Students of their profession” “Masters of their craft”

I remember that show - was my first Rush concert of many- didn’t like the new stuff as much as before this but the show was blistering anyway.

Great interview! Saw the tour in New Haven; still have the shirt.

this interview right here. This is what has inpired me to play guitar . not fast but soulful. thats what makes Alex s good guitar player.

Cheers Jas🎸

Would love to hear the second interview, thanks.

synth, synth and more synth.. Good record, transforming to the 80's. Saw many tours and this one in 1984 at Nassau on Long Island.

I attended 2 of the 3 shows at the Cow Palace on the P/G Tour including this one on May 24, 1984.

I’d love to hear the other interview you talk about at the end.

Definitely post the next interview. If it's two years from this one, that means it was from Power Windows!

Alex is such a brilliant underrated player and GUP is an amazing album

Fantastic rare interview with Alex! Please post your other interview with Alex!!! Thank you!

That Cow palace show was my first Rush concert. Not my last!

Alex said it more gracefully (pun intended), but I thought I was the only one who thought EVH was talented, but boring after a while. 🤣 I wonderful discussion. Thanks for posting!!! 👍

I like that he addresses Eddie Van Halen. I have always known Eddie is phenomenal but felt he was a bit of a one trick pony. Sorry to say that! But Alex reinvented his style and playing and songwriting with every Rush album from the beginning. You never knew what the new Rush album would sound like. Van Halen kinda did the same album year after year. BUT it was always amazing! The Dave years, that is…

Great album,…actually the last one where I love every song……,Alex was such a monster guitarist

5:46 I know what Alex means but as a huge VH fan ( after Lifeson, Eddie VH is my next fave ) Eddie DOES have those elements in his playing because Eddie's main influence was Clapton. So there's a sensibility there of phrasing, tastefulness, etc. it's all over Fair Warning for instance. It's not just fast with no feeling. That's my opinion anyways. But I know Alex was always more into guys like Hacket and Hendrix , Page, and other players. I respect his opinion

There is interest in the 1986 interview ... I actually think Power Windows is a far superior album to Grace Under Pressure.

Interesting to hear he used a Rockman to work out the musical ideas for this album. 7:06

6:39-- 6,70 --'We do a lot of composites'' That must have been an onerous process on reel to reel tape, i'm sure DAW recording has made it much easier to 'splice solos.

Alex Lifeson

Alex is so underrated that he no longer is

Interesting. These days, I think Alex would be more animated talking about golf.😉

Rather hear an interview from the great Edward Van Halen

He was wrong about EVH though.

@dbrown6451

7 ай бұрын

What was he wrong about?

@ClaudeLavender

7 ай бұрын

EVH rules

Grace Under Pressure was the beginning of the end. Moving Pictures last great Rush album. Rush went Melodic Rock. No thanks. I'll always treasure the first 8 albums.

The old Rush is so much better. Red Lenses sucks in my opinion. Always hated that song.

@briankane6400

7 ай бұрын

Nothing more than an opinion.

@joedecker3900

7 ай бұрын

This album isn’t one of their favorites that’s for sure

this is one of Rush's worst albums... the guitar tone is terrible and the mix is awful with zero dynamics. It ranks up there with Hold Your Fire as Rush's worst. No comparison to the great sounding albums they did with Terry Brown where each instrument had space. Thank god they moved away from all these keyboard heavy songs and went back to the basic guitar bass and drums with Counterparts onwards. I know some fans like Rush's 80's stuff but they just went to far with the keyboards and these were not good sounding albums.

@joedecker3900

7 ай бұрын

The Terry Brown era rules the galaxy for me

@buzzcrushtrendkill

13 күн бұрын

This was the last Rush album I bought for a long while. I'm now glad they went this way, it's their band they can do what they want, they had to get the overly busy synth phase out of their system in order to get back to the heavier three piece focus again.