Behind The Vinyl - "Limelight" with Alex Lifeson from Rush 

At the end of the solo that note that keeps on ringing out is genius.

Alex is a breath of fresh air... not a bit of 'rockstar' personality to him... humble and genuine!

Alex's solo has been taking my spirit to a whole other place for almost 40 years now. Limelight is timeless.

One of Alex's best solos for sure. Great tune.

When he looks up in the camera while he's listening to the song, the nostalgia in his eyes so heavy in them it's crazy.

MOST Underrated guitarist in music history lurks is a God

That whole album is perfection.

Picked up moving pictures - Feb 1981 from Cloverdale Mall - Sam the Record Man in Etobicoke. Walked home in the snow and put it on the stereo. No one home - cranked.. Totally blew me away.. Of course - an analog LP on a vintage stereo 100watts with 15" woofers. -- Killer sound

I love his sense of humour. His rock n roll hall of fame speech is hilarious.

What a great idea to post videos of the artist reflecting on the songs as they play. Great channel!

What a Masterpiece. RUSH truly are one of the greatest Rock n Roll bands of all time, and Limelight is one of the best songs that has ever been played on the daily rotation of the airwaves. The time signatures, the chords, the riff, the underlying beat and bass, it's got it all. Truly talented musicians.

That solo makes me nostalgic for a time I wasn’t even alive for.

I'm a black American and I can't see past rush what an amazing group the 80s was the best

Alex, it was 38 years ago. I remember because it was the last new song my cover band learned and played in 1981. We were a 3-piece and were going nowhere, so the guitarist and myself (drummer) decided to move on to a more established band and the bassist didn’t know it was our last gig. Anyway, we saved Limelight for the last tune at this tiny club on a hill in Worcester, MA. We were getting blank stares from the slack-jawed crowd of about 50 and I just couldn’t wait to finish and go home because, obviously we weren’t doing the song justice. We go into the ending and I manage not to fuck up the machine gun drum outro, and then…silence. I started to chuckle to myself but was then interrupted but what sounded like a waterfall. Everyone was on their feet, roaring and cheering and clapping! I didn’t know 50 people could make that much noise! So I guess we sounded pretty good. It was a great way to end my cover band career.

I love AL. I could listen to him all day. You can obviously tell he really is nostalgic about his time recording RUSH songs with Geddy and Neil. RIP the late great Neil Peart.

I joined the RUSH mob with Moving Pictures in High School on the border of Ontario and Quebec in the 1980s, this is one of my favorites then bought all the albums that came before. Thanks Alex and RUSH for all the positive influences in my life. You are the best!

Watching Alex speak always makes me feel calm and peaceful and of course captivated.

That solo is pure genius. It’s absolutely 100% perfect.

One of my favorite guitar solos of all time. Haunting. Lonely. Sad. Incredible.

Oh man this takes me back to a special time in my life, graduating from high school, getting first real job, lots of money and a 45 minute drive to work this was my soundtrack to drive!

A historic guitar solo from a heroic man. Rush Rules!

Alex say you play this live in Montreal 1981!!! Such a beautiful guitar solo, love how it blends in on the end!!! Soooo cool!!! Montreal March 81 bud!!! I was there with my senior classmates from CVU highschool in VERMONT!!!!BEST CONCERT EVER!!!!! THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!!!!

Best Rush song ever - by far.

So kind guy, Alex you're so human and so great while so humble...

that solo isn't just Rush's greatest, it's in the running for all time greatest ever

Pretty much without question, Limelight stands as a true eternal masterpiece, not just from the Rush repertoire, but in music in general. In just 4mins and 20 seconds, we have insightful, brilliantly piercing lyrics combined with a pulsing, multi-layered sonic landscape that only Rush can really achieve. 40+ years of listening to music from nearly all genres and to me, Alex's solo in Limelight still remains one of the most incredibly sublime, liquid and emotionally resonant 40 seconds of guitar work I have ever heard. THAT was music. Do take note, all of you youngsters. :) cheers!

Fantastic album,. Came out just after i graduated from high school, I played the bass, my little brother on drums and out best friend on guitar, we had a little Rush cover band. SOOOOO much fun! Playing all those songs over those summers out in my brother's barn. Amazing times. Amazing songs. Playing those songs are not like playing bluesy jams or most every other song you know. When you're "inside" a Rush songs, playing it, it's so tight, so well constructed, so tightly arranged, that it's like you're being "pulled" along, like being inside a whirlwind. Every note you play is wound with another player, every triplet is tagged to Neil's ever changing fills, each one precise and needed as the time stamps are unforgiving and coming at you so fast. If you love Rush, try learning some of their songs!

Yes , Alex...that solo is perfection.. it moves me deeply EVERY TIME i hear it. It still has the same effect on my emotions as the first time I heard it...It is for me, one the all time great solos ever recorded in rock....so moving...it just all came together in every aspect....it's one of those solos that if you covered it in a band, you would HAVE TO PLAY IT NOTE FOR NOTE, or at least try....if not you would be committing musical heresy....a criminal offense in my book.!

Long live Rush!!!

I have lived Rush all my life. Everyone in Winnipeg knows my absolute devotion to the music of Rush. The music of Rush will never end, in concluding my post I thank the members for their dedication and saving us Portuguese kids growing up in the the working end of North Winnipeg.

Alex is a brilliant guitar player.... one of the all time best in terms of fluidity, technicality, and emotiveness... absolute PERFECTION! He didn't just play guitar... he painted pictures and sonic soundscapes! A maestro!

One of the greatest guitar solos in rock.

This guitar solo, as with so many of Alex’s solos, truly has a life of its own. It’s such an emotional expression. I really love the bit towards the end as he’s working up the scale...the tone he has along with the chunk as his pick strikes the string is mind blowing. So many great solos from such a humble person.

🤣🤣🤣🤣 he is hysterical. He's always cracking everybody up.

Probably THE best Lifeson solo. Runner-ups: Between the Wheels and La Villa...

The most unique guitarist I've ever heard. How he can come up with those magic riffs are beyond me, musical perfection.

‘I’m really proud of this solo’ As you damn well should be. It’s one of your finest and a classic that completely and totally fits the theme and mood of this epic. Not to mention the incredible opening riff. Alex, if you ever read this...sincere thanks.

This is one of my fav songs too.

This solo is transcendent! And it's difficult to replicate

Saw them in Saskatoon open with Limelight, blew my mind!!! Loved them since my first show in ‘76!!! 🤘🏻🔊🤘🏻

This ends one of the best sides of music ever recorded (original vinyl) Wonderful band, and Alex a genius guitarist and a very funny guy Keep it 2️⃣1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣

35 years Alex.. Now 40 years as of today :) I was born in July that year. Sad what happened with Le Studio in Quebec. Much history that studio had since many great artist recorded there. Almost a year after this video was made, someone set fire to the building.

"LImelight" is Rush's greatest song. Alex Lifeson reminds of another Canadian icon, Bobby Orr. I love how Alex explain the solo and the good vibe to record the song. I must subconsciously pick that positive vibe when I hear this song every time. Thanks for sharing your story, Alex.

Moving pictures and permanent waves are so epic !!!

I once read some years ago that "Limelight" & "Chemistry" are Alex's all time favorite solos..

First you make the music then you do the comedy then you become one of the most underrated guitar players to ever play the instrument. Thanks to all three for there musical chemistry. Limelight, Red Barchetta, two of my favorite songs on this album. It's a privilege to have seen them and listened to their music live. What a RUSH.......

The best thing about Limelight for me is the fact that Rush takes a complex and challenging piece of music, combine it with thought provoking poetry, and produce a catchy and melodic piece of pop rock that sounds exciting and timeless, all without sounding pretentious. It not only appeals to your average Johnny Timeclock, but to Rock Snobs and Guitar Geeks as well. And they make it look easy.

That is one of the GREATEST riffs I've ever heard.

If this song came out in 1980, then as of this year 2019, 39 years old wow God I'm old too lol I'm Peter from Hamilton Ontario Canada I'm 47 years old

Gotta love Alex, funny, nice and of course a brilliant guitar player 👍

Alex is truly a living guitarist legend. We are privileged to be in time to see this gifted musician play. Music will forever be referenced by his playing and unbelievable playing abilities.

Alex is super man,guitarist..i love you Rush

I saw the Rush concert in Austin, Texas in 1987. Alex played this solo and the guy next to me asked what I thought of the solo? I said " that solo was sensational." I never forgot that.

I love how Humble and Giving Lerxt is.

I'm not a big Rush fan, but I do like this one. I believe the lyrics are about being in the spotlight and famous, and all the publicity one gets, hence the title.

Couldn't agree more about the solo.

Not only a great guitar solo, but THE best outro to any rock song ever!!!

Alex really should be proud of the solo like he states at 2:50 The Limelight solo is beautiful, timeless and absolute perfection. Can you imagine asking someone to lay down a solo and this is what they produce? This whole album is brilliant.

This is my favorite song EVER.

RUSH became my favorite band since 1975...I saw every tour until they retired.

My very very favorite Rush song of all time! Kudos Alex for giving insights to this great song!!!

We LOVED Rush in Ohio. They blessed us many times, and I saw them 6 times myself. The first cost me $6.50. That was most of my money then. "Exit Stage Left" is one of the best records of all time. Even when Rush was a little bit down we always backed them in Ohio. Terribly sad we'll never see them again.

@2:11 “So many great memories. Of course I can’t remember any of them right now.” 😂

Alex is the greatest, a top notch guitarist and a hell of a guy...the best!!

Did he ever get his clothes and dope back from Ricky?

This got me through a lot of cold winters... God Speed!

Da bassline is probably one of my Gedd´s favs....I wish he´d make a video like this on that song.......good for Alex being so connected with RUSH....

So much snow, that December outside LeStudio... and lots of snow inside, too, and to great effect. The perfect combination of talent and toot...

How does this man be so great and so humble as well, thats real greatness, his guitar is among my favorite music ever.

I always liked how they could use the effect of an instrument to convey a mood with in a song. That's what high-lighs Rush's Sounds across the board.

Heard 2112 when I was 8 years old, cranked on my Dad’s killer stereo. Was a fan immediately. Went to the local used record store with my older brother and used my paper route money to pick up their first 3 albums at once and a lifetime Rush fan was off and running.

What a superb few minutes with alex.... awesome alex !!!!❤🙏

What a great song in every way. And what a nice bloke Alex is!

Pure goosebumps, one of Rush's best songs. I discovered them 11 years ago when I was 15 (no..my dad did not show me this band) and I have now seen them on every tour, own every album, and have a Rush tattoo. No regrats, probably the greatest progressive rock band of all time (more consistent than Floyd without a doubt). I just want one more album...

I had always hoped the boys would have bought LeStudio

Limelight was a masterpiece, especially with all the time changes. A must play every day 🙌

Thank you Alex!! My life and love of all things musical could not have been more complete without this solo. Also, RIP Professor!

I keep coming back to this video to listen to how authentic and genuine Alex is. He gets me every time when he says 'that was Limelight'.

I was at the Omni in Atlanta for The Tom Sawyer concert. I saw many other shows, but Rush had the best sound and just killer, killer songs. ALL of them! Sure takes me back. Limelight is my favorite Rush song, but so many others were right up there! Everything on Moving Pictures was beautiful. I hope you feel appreciated because you so very ARE! All good wishes.

Bro , I love how humble you are ~ Your music was the soundtrack of my life

Amazing SOLO ALEX!!!!!!!!!! We love you !!! Rock on!!!

An absolute hero. The solo is just perfect.

The solo, to this day is one of the most comforting sounds in my life; especially the climax..it hits me hard every single time! Such a beautiful, melancholy expression..anyways, its like an old friend's shoulder for me..

Vastly underatted guitarist !!!

That is definitely one of his most brilliant solos, of which there are many. Such a great song.

Moving Pictures is my favorite Rush album and in my opinion the best rock and roll drumming album of all time

One of my favourite ever solos

awesome !....Alex really was a Top King of Cool on guitar(quality & quantity)........such a great band.......my all-time favorite......still.

I'm a bassist,been playing since 1980, and that guitar solo has always been my favorite since then. It still blows me away

Alex always cracks me up- He should host his own talk show.

"Memories have no substance."🌹

This solo on Limelight is ABSOLUTELY " haunting as well as beautiful and mystical" at the same time. Best as I can describe it.

Alex Lifeson is so good. Lazer precision = live. Just a fantastic guitar player. His choice-of-notes, is really special & he seems-like a genuinely nice guy. Alex has certainly Influenced & Inspired me. oNe LovE from NYC.

Lost 600 albums in a basement flood about 25 years ago. Never replaced them. Still have my turntable stashed away. I really miss the anticipation of dropping the needle on the fresh vinyl of my favorite band. The 70's will always be a very special decade for me.

a great song on a fantastic album by one of the best bands in the universe 🎸🌠👍 thank you RUSH (and sorry it took me 30 years to get around to seeing you live!)

I remember a show called "Connections" where a guy explained scientific things. We were watching an episode in physics class in high school where he was explaining how a limelight worked. It was very interesting and all, but the whole time, I was thinking- Im cranking Rush in the car as soon as I get outta here !

The Limelight video was great, Live was so much better the same yet in Buffalo. What a shame that beautiful studio was abandoned, the natural surroundings were awesome as well!

From a wanna be (me) to such an exclusive musician, You are one the best out there Alex as well as your band mates

we love your stories, thank you, Alex

Love how he seems so down to earth