Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
This 1985 interview with guitarist extraordinaire Alex Lifeson was done on the afternoon of December 18, 1985. At the time, Rush was touring in support of their "Power Windows" album. Later that evening, they headlined the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, with the Steve Morse Band opening.
As you’ll hear, Alex and I focused a good portion of our conversation on a track-by-track breakdown of his playing approach, guitars, effects, and amps on the "Power Windows" album. In addition, Alex talks about the current tour and offers some excellent advice on how guitarists can expand their playing and make more innovative use of effects devices. I hope you enjoy this conversation!
Portions of this interview were transcribed for my April 1986 article in Guitar Player magazine, "Alex Lifeson of Rush: The Evolving Art of Rock Guitar."
For more of Alex's insights, check out our in-person "Grace Under Pressure" interview from May 1984: youtube.com/watch?v=ThLBuEosdFk&t=156s
If you enjoy this unique recording, be sure to check out the other historic, guitar-intensive interviews on the Talking Guitar YouTube channel.
To help us continue producing podcasts like this one, please hit that donate button and send some support our way: paypal.me/TalkingGuitar.
Thanks to engineer/producer Nik Hunt for filming the intro and enhancing the sound of the 38-year-old master tape. For more than 150 other guitar-intensive podcasts, interview transcripts, and articles, visit Talking Guitar magazine at jasobrecht.substack.com/. #rush #alexlifeson #geddylee #neilpeart #jasobrecht #talkingguitar #nikhunt #guitarplayermagazine
This podcast is copyright 2024 by Jas Obrecht. All rights reserved.
This 1985 interview with guitarist extraordinaire Alex Lifeson was done on the afternoon of December 18, 1985. At the time, Rush was touring in support of their "Power Windows" album. Later that evening, they headlined the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, with the Steve Morse Band opening.
As you’ll hear, Alex and I focused a good portion of our conversation on a track-by-track breakdown of his playing approach, guitars, effects, and amps on the "Power Windows" album. In addition, Alex talks about the current tour and offers some excellent advice on how guitarists can expand their playing and make more innovative use of effects devices. I hope you enjoy this conversation!
Portions of this interview were transcribed for my April 1986 article in Guitar Player magazine, "Alex Lifeson of Rush: The Evolving Art of Rock Guitar."
For more of Alex's insights, check out our in-person "Grace Under Pressure" interview from May 1984: youtube.com/watch?v=ThLBuEosdFk&t=156s
If you enjoy this unique recording, be sure to check out the other historic, guitar-intensive interviews on the Talking Guitar YouTube channel.
To help us continue producing podcasts like this one, please hit that donate button and send some support our way: paypal.me/TalkingGuitar.
Thanks to engineer/producer Nik Hunt for filming the intro and enhancing the sound of the 38-year-old master tape. For more than 150 other guitar-intensive podcasts, interview transcripts, and articles, visit Talking Guitar magazine at jasobrecht.substack.com/. #rush #alexlifeson #geddylee #neilpeart #jasobrecht #talkingguitar #nikhunt #guitarplayermagazine
This podcast is copyright 2024 by Jas Obrecht. All rights reserved.
