Alex Lifeson Interview 

the world truely was a better place because of Rush.

Alex sounds like a twenty year old, his voice doesn't age.

I never thought i would miss these guys so much, getting old is a pisser.

Alex looks like his heart was heavy, knowing his dear friend was battling cancer.

That was a long minute. Heh. Loved it. Alex is my favorite guitarist, and has been for decades. Such a class act, too.

I just read that Jimmy Johnson - Alex’s long time guitar tech passed away while out on the road with Styx (in late July)--Jimmy was there with Alex from the beginning through the 90s -he needed work when Rush took a long hiatus in the late 90s and wound up on other tours including Styx. Jimmy is from my area of Northern Ky near Cincinnati- RIP Jimmy!

Alex looks like he's talking to his own reflection.

whenever you feel low or miserable, load up the exit stage left live performance of Xanadu, the best medicine ever

I'll never forget the day my best friend brought his Walkman on a trip and handed me the headphones and said "listen to this." Tom Sawyer at full volume and my life was never the same. Thanks Alex.

Thanks Alex for all of the memories you gave the fans along with Geddy and Neil!!!

My childhood guitar hero. The fact that Alex doesn’t know the differences between power tubes after 50+ years of playing tells you a lot; not about his ignorance, but rather his instinctive priorities as an artist. Of the three members of Rush, Alex’s arrangements and approach always felt the most ‘from the heart’. In a crowded landscape of classic rock heroes, Alex has more than earned his place in the “Name That Player In One Note Club”, alongside Hendrix, Santana and Gilmour. A class act and warm human being. ❤️

Soundtrack of my life from around the age of 15....I’m 53 now. Born in Toronto & lived in Willowdale. Rush is basically a part of my DNA at this point. Alex has created & recorded an amazing amount of iconic guitar parts. Rush is a once in a lifetime magical miracle band🤘

God, I miss the thrill of buying a new Rush album.

Alex Lifeson reminds me of Harrison Ford if he wasn't grumpy all the time

must have been hard for Alex knowing when this interview was recorded his band mate Neil had cancer

It's great to keep up with the ongoing journey of Alex's hair.

Listen to Alex's solo in the song "Chemistry" off the album "Signals". Quick, concise, and to the point….one of my all time favourite solos. It's great. Rock on Alex…..You're the best !

lifeson rocks, and is such a gentleman, starting listening to rush in 76, and im still listening, rock on rush fans

My favorite guitarist of all time is a class act. Funny, charming, insightful, and humble. Thanks for a great interview.

I remember seeing Alex as a surly teenager arguing with his dad about wanting to be a guitar player. Glad dad lost that one.

One of the best Alex Lifeson interviews I’ve seen in a while. The info about the monitor mixes was great inside info I’ve never heard discussed. Sweetwater, please get Alex in to do one of your recording workshops!

Great interview! You know you've finally arrived when you're watching your bearded, silver-haired guitar hero being interviewed by a bearded, silver haired guy and it dawns on you: you look exactly the same as them... but could care less ... Much love and thanks to you, Alex! Rock on. 🤘

Mr. Lifeson..you are one of the finest human beings God has made..thank you so much for helping me find my way..

Alex is the most under rated guitar player, one of the best ever!!

Impossible not to love Alex Lifeson. So unpretentious. Will miss that trio.

35 minute video and you couldn’t be arsed to have Al play through the amp?

Boy -- these guys look like they could be brothers...great interview. Here's to middle-aged, black-dressed, white-haired, silver-goateed guitar dudes!

I know you all know this, but I have to say it. Alex Lifeson is one of the all time, mind blowingly GREATEST, world class rock guitarists to ever grace this galaxy!!!

Alex-Wan Kenobi: guitarist/producer by day, jedi master at night.

Just love this guy. Thxs for so much great music,Alex! 🎸✌️❤️

Alex Lifeson. Legendary guitar god and down to earth nicest guy ever in one package.

A true guitar legend and gentleman! Ironically, Alex mentions Page and Gilmour, my two other all time favorite rock guitarists! Zep, Floyd, and Rush forever! Thanks for the great music and memories, Alex!

When you refer to 50-watt amps as “lower wattage” amps. Ha!

I borrowed 2112 from a friend in 1978, since then RUSH has been my favourite band(seen them live 4 times in Sweden) and Alex my favourite guitar player.

Alex is one in a million. Great interview Mitch. Good questions about his fabulous tone, the EL6’s. ;)

I know what you mean rastadarrin I feel the same way love Rush for decades now I'm 54. In my book Rush was the greatest band there ever was or ever will be.

12:18 agree with alex on recording with effects. Capture the sound you want.

So glad to see Alex is doing well. Want nothing but the best for all of them :)

Enjoy your retirement, Lerxst. You earned it. Thanks for all of the great guitar. jvb

"The Necromaner! And all those crazy songs." I don't know why, but that made me chuckle.....

Fantastic interview. Used to play in a Rush tribute band and at one point we had almost 5 hours worth or material together. Think of that, writing all that stuff, getting it recorded... just a mind boggling amount of work. They've brought a lot of joy to a ton of people over generations.

I love that Lifeson says "Mojotones" after working with them for however long, and after Mitch saying "Mojotone" 70 times. If I was Mojotone, I'd add the "s." Hey, if Lifeson says it, it should be so.

If there’s one word I can use to describe Rush, it’s “pure”. Pure artistry, pure musicianship. Technically demanding music that never sounded self indulgent, and that cut straight through to the heart every time. Alex’s style was all at once thoughtful, frenetic, and soulful. He is the undisputed master of the whammy bar, and my favorite work of his was performed on the Hentor Sportscaster.

LIVING. LEGEND. He is a living legend this man. What a great time to be alive to go back 40 years to hear his mastery on the 6 string.

This is the best interview with Alex I've seen in years. Maybe ever. Well done!

Each Lerxst comes with a cutout of a white Gibson double neck and a satin robe. Perm kit optional.

All those AMPS and no demo... that sucks !😟

I still get a little weepie when i hear any of the guys talking about them retiring.

wait he said he has been playing heavy metal? i would like to hear that asap

Fun? How could you not have fun working with Bubbles? Who's got yer belly Alex.

Mitch is a skilled interviewer, if you know about that stuff

My favorite guitar player, thanks Sweetwater!!

Absolutely Miss Lerxst, Dirk, and the Professor as All RUSH FANS Do.....but really love what The Boys are doing after they left The Stage......We Fans will always be interested in their "Projects"!!

Wish Mitch would have just said "F' This...Alex, lay into 'La Villa..' "

Which one is Alex? It's like looking in a mirror.

Yup Alex and Eric Johnson are friends, Eric opened for RUSH on one of the tours in the early 90's

He is really in his element when discussing the technical side of music. Geddy and Neil were always better at those personal type interview questions, but Alex can go on forever about his trade.

One of the 3 travelers from Willowdale. Alex is a top bloke.

Rush rules!!!!!

I don’t know if it was before or after he did the interview but I did Sweetwater’s Rock camp the week he was there. He kindly came in and spoke to us for a good half hour or so. Alex has always been a huge influence and hero to me and the fact that he took the time to speak with us spoke volumes about his character to me. Will never forget it! Thank you Alex and Sweetwater that moment will stick with me for the rest of my life.

Such a great and thoughtful interview, well done Mitch! I love hearing Alex go into such detail on his sound, crazy to think that he must have known Neil’s health was failing and his time was short at the time this was recorded. RIP Professor.

Great interview I think players and listeners both can enjoy this

This guy always puts a smile on my face.

I want to hear the projects that Alex has been working on. Especially the heavy metal project he mentioned.

The “In Ears” conversation was amazing, I loved the insight of each members mix was enlightening

He is so honest and unpretentious its amazing.

Mr. Gallagher seems nervous interviewing Alex. Who can blame him? I would be nervous sitting across from my childhood guitar hero too, especially since he's so nice and down to earth!

Cheers to my fellow Serbian Alexandar Živojinović.

Glad you're well Mr. Živojinović

One of the most underrated guitarists. His tone and unique phrasing was/is so damn good! RIP Neil, you are missed.

Thirty-eight minutes and the doubleneck never came off the stand. You're killing me, Alex.

Sorry but... just to address the elephant in the room. how different is this from the silver jubilee? besides being almost 2000 dollars more.

Toured with tube amps for 40 years , just learned about El84s vs 6l6 sound. You never know.

After the passing of Neil I was reflecting on all the great music these guys made over the years and how it touched soooo many lives. Every corner of the earth. And to be totally honest I never got the chance to see them live. My big regret but I am still happy that I have their music to listen to. Every morning now since Neil died I have Rush playing getting my mind into a good space. And I have realized that it is the whole of the band that made these guys great..Each one had a mastery of their instrument and each one was unique at what they did. Their personalities drove the uniqueness that much further. They weren't just another band. They seemed each to strive to be better with each record. That is something I don't think a lot of bands do. Too many get complacent.. Don't believe Rush ever did...

A real class act! I like what he said about service the song. A prime example would be what he did on the Smoke of the Water session. He didn't try soloing like everyone else, instead he added a rhythmic sequence that sounds amazing :)

Straight from the great white North! Lifeson! love that he's Canadian,,,Awesome Interview Thank you!

Mitch sounds more excited than usual because he’s talking to one of the BEST guitarists and songwriters ever from the greatest band RUSH ( these guys look like brothers)

As awesome as Alex is, Mitch Gallagher is a class act interviewer. He made Alex's interview even better. Hats off to both Alex and Mitch!

Alex, i know this was months ago but you're the reason i picked up a guitar. Thank you so much for every tune, concert and speech youve ever done. You're a legend

Fascinating to listen to him speak about the different mixes each band member had in their ears. Great stuff!

Good he's keeping busy. I'd love to hear his industrial music.

King Lerxst in the house. thanks for the music . Soundtrack to my life.🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎛️🎛️🎛️🎛️🎛️

it's time to make mitch gallagher do a interview with alex lifeson

impressive how articulate and intelligent all the members are

I love how humble Alex always is, you wouldn't guess he's such a legend just by talking to him

Very enjoyable, I only wish that Alex would have played through the amp with that double neck.......

Alex Lifeson gets interviewed by Alex Lifeson with a deeper voice

The best part of being a Rush fan is that Alex , Geddy and , Neil were always very humble, gracious, down to earth, absolutely wonderful role models

A real Canadian legend. Not only is he a incredible musician but a great human being. If we had more people like this the world would be a better place

I'm always impressed by Alex's knowledge about the electric guitar. Great player and can't wait to hear his new music...👍🎸🎵🎶

The upside of now being an old guy. Got to see Rush several times in their prime. Amazing what a 3 person band can make. Just awesome.

It's amazing when such a successful musician is so grounded, honest, and open. A class act

Lifeson on heavy metal? I would love to see what he comes up with. Lifeson inspired me to play guitar.

I like buying from Sweetwater. Great sales personnel.

Not out of disrespect, but if you put a hooded robe on Alex, he would look like Obi-Wan. I saw Rush on tour with Eric Johnson. RTB/AVM. Excellent show.

EL6's! Alex has both covered, lol.

Love how Lifeson asks the difference between 6L6 and EL34s. That's because he spent his time on making music instead of being a gear nerd.

Alex Lifeson is great. Mojotone is great. Nuff said!

Great, great Questions! Since learning to play Working Man at age 13, I've enjoyed 40+ years of Alex's technique, theory and compositions; more than any other guitarist. Thanks to Sweetwater for making this insight possible! Now where's my Sweetwater credit card?

Mr Lifeson.....I thank you for all your contribution....Major influence