A rare Rush clip featuring the late John Rutsey on drums. Filmed in the spring of 1974. Rutsey was forced to leave the group later that year due to health reasons. His replacement was Neil Peart.
But he was, when they were given the Rock hall honors they left out John, but even though he only played on the one album, he still deserved to be recognized , and correct me,if, I'm wrong, but not a one of them mentioned his name? and I love ,respect Neil as much as everyone does, but a quick mention would have been so cool!
Two thoughts:1. Geddy looked older than he was then, and looks younger than he is now.2. Alex is and always will be a fucking guitar god, and this video proves it.
YA SURE DUDE HE WAS ONLY 19 WHEN THIS VIDEO WAS SHOT, GET YOUR EYES CHECKED, AND WHY YOU LOOKIN AT ANOTHER MANS HAIR LIKE THAT, AND HIS ROOTS? CMON DUDE.....
The audience is completely stunned.... none of them realize what they had just seen. Of all the footage that has come out of the documentary, this is among the most fascinating to me.... seeing this ultra legendary band performing in such a bizarre and subdued abode. It's almost like Marty McFly after finishing Johnny Be Goode and saying "I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet".
@@caligulapontifex5759 A while before in-ear click tracks. I saw them live around 76 or 77 with Peart. They seemed flawless. As a drummer, I was amazed at their impeccable polish. However, best I recall I had indulged a doobie. :)
@Mopar1971 Hilarious that you think there is a best ever. Best ever at what? Technical prowess? Solid time keeping? Tricks? Speed? Accuracy? Feel? If you think one person can be the best at all aspects of drumming, that is hilarious.
Both Geddy and Alex released statements following John's passing, speaking very fondly of him and their wonderful memories of those early days. Unlike some band members (I.e. Pete Best of The Beatles), John has an importance in RUSH history. Their debut album ranks high among fans and not a harsh word has ever been said about him by his former band mates. His life just went off in another direction. Still, he is forever immortalised on their exciting debut.
@@jayanxiety Hardly "off in another direction". They had to turn him loose because he had diabetes and they he wasn't very health conscious. When they got signed with Mercury Records they knew the touring would have killed him. He also differed a little on the direction to take. He was more into strait ahead rock like Bad Company.
Peart took Rush into the prog arena that they may not ventured into with Rutsey, but Rutsey did a really solid job. I'm glad that we are lucky enough to have heard them both. Oh, the stories that Neil and John must be sharing now. God bless both of them and may they rest in peace.
This performance truly is incredible! Anyone bad mouthing Rutsey is absolutely misguided. They PLANNED and practiced for a long time to play this fast, and they are following Rutsey. The fact they can play this hard and maintain that rhythm throughout the song is a testament to their dedication. This intensity is brilliant and adequately describes what an instrument can do when properly captured. I applaud everyone listening to this regardless of your age, era, or musical preference. My God what a jam!
Rutsey was damn good drummer in his own right... Having said that though, I think it's safe to say that Rush would never have achieved the success they did had Peart not replaced him and completed the trio...
They would probably would have achieved minor success and would have ranked along side contemporaries such as April Wine, Max Webster and Red Rider...but not on the cultural icon status their legacy now enjoys.
I’m impressed by how great a guitarist Alex is, even at this young and skinny phase of his career. John was a solid drummer, but I’m glad that Neil came along. It’s good to see this performance is preserved in the Rush archives. Rest In Peace John. Rest In Peace Neil. You are gone but your music and words live on.
as much as i love how yyz guitar parts sound in their songs, i gotta say that on this live he was awful. listen to what he’s playing from around 5:15 to 6:00, it sounds incredibly bad. i really don’t understand how he manages to play that good in studio and that bad on live. like it’s not the only live where plays that bad
Yes Alex was an impressive guitar player considering his youth at the time. I’ve been listing to the audio book of Geddy Lee’s, My effing Life and he mentions this video here on RU-vid so I had to come and watch it.
68pointbreak 50 here, and was in the 9th grade when I and my best friend at the time discovered all these old Rush greats, including this all-time classic jam!! 🤘
Rutsey was no slouch. Not Peart, but still really good. More of a straight-ahead rock drummer, and had a much smaller drumset. Still, I'm not sad he was replaced.
Rutsey was replaced. Heroin addict. And diabetic. Try getting across the border after getting a US record deal, and all the upcoming touring. Rush Management pulled the plug on Rutsey to avoid any issues and controversy, with crossing the border and his health. I got this information from his nephew
johnnymegabyte okay that makes sense. The various interviews with him mentioned, it seems they were hiding something about John. They were his friend, before his band members. So, much respect for Geddy and Alex!
At only 21 or so, man you can see the raw energy and talent they have. The crowd looks clueless to what they've just seen, or the greatness that those young men would achieve.
That is so true they have no idea that’s these three guys will be forever rock gods and achieve greatness in rock music...I did notice a few did have that deer in headlights look..music greatness was forming that night..
I hate when people say “The crowd was clueless,” or “Why isn’t the crowd into this historical moment?” What is ANY crowd supposed to do? Riot, throw things, swing from the chandeliers, attack the musicians, break-dance, do the moonwalk, pee on themselves? What will suffice?
What would you have done?? Normal reaction to a band ...that's all! We all see Rush as one of the greatest but at that point, they were just another band.
it literally makes me so sad that teenagers my age have no idea who they are. I was just blessed with bomb ass parents that forced me to listen to them everyday and then I grew to love them for myself
Lol funny story, my 2 friends and I performed Limelight at the school talent show. Days later, we heard a TON of people humming or singing the tune in class or in the hallway , keep in mind we are 14. I believe we just need to INTRODUCE this kind of music. That's what my band tries to achieve, we're in the process of recording an album to sell to friends in school. (Not trying to advertise or anything, I just regained my faith in my generation)
+Ryan5259 that's really cool dude, yeah I completely agree with you. I think our generation would like this kind of music if everyone wasn't trying to "fit it" which I find is bullshit because everyone has their own unique taste in music and you can't find that if you're just listening to the same music everyone else listens to or what the media describes as good music
HAHA thats funny, cuz my dad doesn't know who ANYONE is let alone RUSH. It seems strange for him to be so oblivious to a culture of such massive proportion...
I can imagine the look a casual fan would get after meeting Neil Peart and telling him, "Im a HUGE fans of yours! I just LOVED your drumming on "Working Man"!
I liked Rutsey’s drumming on the record, but was not as impressed here. Tempo is all over the place, it’s clear that Geddy and Alex had it locked down much tighter than did Rutsey. But still, he was there for them when the banded needed him. Thank you John Rutsey.
It isn’t the how many Drums and cymbals John Rutsy was playing, it is the fact that he has what it takes to play with musicians like Ged and Alex. Unfortunately it was john Rutsy’s health issues that sidelined him. Type 2 diabetes and other health related issues. No dis respect to Neil. Long Live the original RUSH Drummer John Rutsy 💔
Man I feel sorry for anyone who missed the concerts of the 70s. The fun we had back then was unreal and we didnt have all this over regulation BS. I cant say what I did or I'll be accused of bragging.. Lol
I know. He never seems to get name dropped like the others like Page and Van Halen and others. The guy played a lot of chords you didn't often hear in rock and had quite the sound all his own. But that's okay because WE recognize that.
Other guitarists knew... Someone once asked Eddie Van Halen what it was like being the best guitarist in the world, and he answered something along the lines of "I don't know, ask Alex Lifeson"
Alex (and Rush in general) may have been underrated by the music industry, press and radio stations, but they were never underrated by fans or musicians! The only people who matter!! No one gives a shit what Rolling Stone or Billboard has/had to say!
For all you John Rutsey haters out there, EAT IT! He rocks this song! If it wasn't for the 3 of them forming and recording, Peart would be nowhere! Yeah, he stepped down/got fired,,, WHATEVER, he was the drummer for this song,THE SONG THAT PUT RUSH ON THE FUCKING MAP!!!!
Don't know shit? Couldnt care less about what you think of me! Was defending the man from another trolls dumbass comment, if you really needed to know. I happened to like his drumming. Bandwagon, I'm not sure how old you are, and really don't care, do a bit of reading before posting, like I said, and made perfectly clear in my comment, I am defending his place in rock music history from some ass that said he was a shitty drummer. Neil Peart is a great drummer and all, but Rutsey is the drummer for this song, most likely if it wasn't for this song and Rutseys health issues Peart would be flipping burgers!
Hey don’t forget....Rutsey preceded the best drummer in the world 🌎 That’s why he even got any attention....not bad for one album. I think he’s really beating that small kit to death!
RUSH~ The second concert I ever went to in the summer of 1976. I was 16 years old, had my first car, a bag of weed and a ticket to Rush. Does life get any better?
I'm late to the party here, but just came across this video. Couldn't agree with you more. Tempo spins in weird ways, which aren't awesome. It takes discipline to keep tempo, especially when you're rocking hard.
I hear several points where Ged is rushing. Most bands played faster live. I've been a semi-professional drummer for 30 years and I find this to be quite a tight performance and very musical.
God dang, I love RUSH nerds, like myself. People my work wear rush shirts not just point at them ....and I don't have to say a damn thing. The Rush community is the best thing on the Earth
Saw them late in 74 in Pittsburgh. I believe it was Neil's first concert with them. Me and my buddy went crazy when we heard this song. They opened for Uriah Heep.
Just Awesome. This lineup and album were my introduction to Rush in the 70's and absolutely no disrepect to later work (love it) but this will always be my favourite go to album.
I saw them in 1975 at Hamilton Place, Ontario when I was 15 yrs old. Ian Thomas opened for them, but Neil Peart was on drums. I still remember the excellent drumming and acoustics in the hall.
That place ALWAYS has had GREAT acoustics! I can think of quite a few professional recordings done at the venue, though it often irks me when they refer to it as "Toronto Canada's famed Hamilton Place"....Hamiltonians don't take too kindly to That!
John Rutsey! I had a roommate in college that was a huge Rush fan and his go to rock and roll trivia question was, Who was the original drummer for Rush? Not many correctly answered the question but I always remembered! John Rutsey.....Rock and Roll!!!
I loved the early flat out rock trajectory of Rush with John Rutsey on drums. I saw them twice in Toronto in 74/75. I drifted away from their change in direction after Neil Peart arrived though.
Yes, yes we all know Peart gelled so much better with Lee and Lifeson, but Rutsey was there at the beginning and was a founding member. That first album is incredible and one of the best debuts ever. This shows they were already a force to be reckoned with. Great tune - outstanding...love that ending! That last minute is killer!
I finally got my FIRST chance,on this last tour. Thank God,I finally got my chance,after all those years.It was always a goal...cut it close,though...the first gig in town sold out in a day...they came back a few nights later...ON AN OFF DAY...and tore the joint up...THAT'S fan appreciation...bye,guys...we'll miss you.
I love watching videos of great bands in their formative years..John Rutsey was overshadowed and largely forgotten when Neil Peart came along but there's no denying the contribution he made to Rush. Love that little minimal 4-piece drum kit that John Rutsey used at the time..compare that to the gargantuan kits that Neil Peart used over the years with Rush. RIP John and Neil.
How great to see them so early. Thanks for the share, truly takes me back to school days when it was nothing but kids at their shows instead of grand parents and grand kids like now.
I remember being barely 8 years old and was with my mom at my aunt's house. My older cousin, who was around 15-16 years old, was playing his guitar in his room. I wouldn't recognize the riff for about another 5-6 years, but he was playing this song.
Nice solid ending. One of the most important things you can do in a band is have all members hard-slam that last beat/note together to make a solid ending. The drummer was paying attention and this ending proves it. You can play every part of a song perfectly but if the band messes up the ending, that bad ending is what the audience will remember.
Excellent, timeless song. I "discovered" it in my teens (long past it's creation) and always loved hearing it come on over the speakers at work. It's a guitar solo vehicle like no other!
Most of the males in my HS grad class of '74 had hair as long as Lifeson, and some as long as Lee, including me. But alas, it was to become the last year that I did, and it would be another 20 years later, until I grew it long again. Fortunately for me, there is no early pattern baldness/graying trait in the paternal side of my ancestry and I still have a full head of hair even now.
Does anyone notice how it feels awkward in the groove at the end of the long drum fills (and some short fils too) ? Thats John dropping out of the groove. That kind of drumming puts the rest of the band on edge because they are always in the tense feeling of wondering when they will have to compensate for the drumming falling off the beat. John has some serous skills, but his sense of time is not on par.
Alex and Geddy are just jamming there for a bit. John did an okay job keeping up. I'm amazed at jazz players that can just pick up the feel of a song. I saw Phil Keaggy in concert perhaps 8 years ago and he had a bunch of younger musicians. He got a request for some old song of his. He and another guy (the bass player?) knew the song - but the other, younger musicians didn't. So he and the bass player started playing, and the drummer was right in there at the beginning. Pretty soon the other 3 or 4 players were playing along and just jamming and following the music. I recall a gal started off with one instrument (a violin?) for a bit but figured out that wasn't the right sound. She picked up a flute or something and fit right in with the song which she had never heard before. It was really amazing. "That's jazz - jazz is weird!"
I started working full time at 15 and a half cuz that was the law back then in 1978 or maybe today,I don't know,so anyways,I was working my ass off at the town dump,when my boss called me over and said it's time for a break.He lite up a joint and this song came on the radio,I'll never forget that time or that day and 40 years later I'm still a working man
The biggest and obvious difference to me as a drummer myself, is the tempo went up at least 15 BPM through the course of this song. Neil would never do that.
