Why isn't Alex Lifeson more highly regarded as a guitarist?

[Train of Naught]

As far as my limited knowledge of Rush' music goes, the guitars are not nearly as impressive as the bass and drum parts, so I would understand if Lee and Peart got more attention than Lifeson (not sure if this is true, but it wouldn't shock me if it were) because of the lack of a 'signature' song/part.

[Elite]

^ The Spirit of Radio would like to have a word with you as far as 'signature' guitar parts go.

[King Postwhore]

Check out Rick Beato on Limelight.   You'll get insight to all 3 band members but you'll get why Alex is such a great guitarist.

https://youtu.be/4P-yUOlOC5M

[HOF]

Beato’s video on Closer to the Heart is really good too. Gave me a new appreciation for that guitar part as well.

[Volante99]

I’ll just throw this out there as one (of many) reasons; Alex doesn’t have an iconic solo.

Page has Stairway
Slash has Sweet Child
Gilmour has Comfortably Numb
Etc etc

[WildRanger]

I’ll just throw this out there as one (of many) reasons; Alex doesn’t have an iconic solo.

La Villa Strangiato? Limelight? Freewill?

[KevShmev]

I’ll just throw this out there as one (of many) reasons; Alex doesn’t have an iconic solo.

Page has Stairway
Slash has Sweet Child
Gilmour has Comfortably Numb
Etc etc

Does Eddie Van Halen have an iconic solo?  (unless we want to cheat and call Eruption a solo when it's actually the entire song)

Does Jimi Hendrix?

Let's put it this way: if we want to list the, say, 10 most iconic solos of all time (which would include both Comfortably Numb and Stairway, but not Sweet Child O' Mine), sure, Alex wouldn't have one on there, but many other all-time guitarists wouldn't either.

[Adami]

There are different reasons different guitarists have become iconic. Not one reason for all of them.

People here seem to be arguing that Alex is a great guitarist. He is. But that wasn't the question, the question was why he wasn't more highly regarded, specifically by non-huge Rush fans.

That question has been answered multiple times, and the responses....again...focus on why he's a great guitarist. Two different topics.

He has MAYBE one iconic riff, and how iconic it is is very debatable. He has no iconic solos. His playing more blends in than stands out. Etc. etc.

For big Rush fans, he has plenty of iconic riffs, iconic solos, and signature style playing. But that wasn't the question. He's already highly regarded among huge Rush fans.

If I ask random rock fans (not big Rush ones) to sing a single Rush riff, they might...MIGHT be able to remember the opening to Limelight, but that'd be it.

[King Postwhore]

Soon, with our age the iconic riff will go out of style with popular music focusing on singers. 

TV shows I'm talking about.

[HOF]

It doesn’t help that Rush’s most iconic song, Tom Sawyer, has a more prominent synth lead than guitar lead probably.

[KevShmev]

That leads to a completely different topic: most iconic intros in rock history.  I will fight anyone who tells me that Tom Sawyer is not on that list. 

[Adami]

That leads to a completely different topic: most iconic intros in rock history.  I will fight anyone who tells me that Tom Sawyer is not on that list. 

It totally is. And while obviously the drums do the heavy lifting, that initial synth bass note also really makes it great.

[King Postwhore]

There are certain albums that sound ahead of it's time. Moving Pictures & Yes 90125 are 2 that come to mind.

[max_security]

Alex Lifeson is just such a  " multi - dimensional " player , his parts are often supporting the song ( like a bass player in many other rock bands ). His note selections on many classic Rush tunes are nothing less than perfect. The instrumental ( solo ) section in " The Trees " , he gets stuck holding the song together and then pulls off a short solo that is is just perfect for the mood. So I guess that he is not more " highly regarded " because whoever is making that judgement is not considering everything that he is playing . He is a big part of why Rush comes out as a three piece band and sounding like so much more.

[TAC]

Also, the "public" usually flocks to the lowest common denominator. Flashy guitar. You're just not going to get that with Rush. Alex used his instrument to support the songs. Not the other way around.


Also, he doesn't have a signature sound or technique. He simply does everything really good. That makes it tougher for the Average Joe to latch onto.

[HOF]

While we’re on the topic of Alex Lifeson, I wonder if a recording exists with whatever he was about to launch into when Different Strings abruptly fades out (just as he sounds like he’s getting going).

[wolfking]

Also, the "public" usually flocks to the lowest common denominator. Flashy guitar. You're just not going to get that with Rush. Alex used his instrument to support the songs. Not the other way around.


Also, he doesn't have a signature sound or technique. He simply does everything really good. That makes it tougher for the Average Joe to latch onto.

His lead playing is quite distinctive with his whammy bar technique.  But yeah, he's very important to the overall sound and while not technically up there on the instrumental like the other two, he is incredible at the sounscapes he creates.

He kind of reminds me of Andy Summers or even Mike from Incubus.  Just brilliant at creating an overall sound with the instrument without needing to be fast and flashy.

[Architeuthis]

Alex can be fast and technically proficient. The solos in Freewill, Cut to the Chase, and La-villa are good examples.  Also, Analog Kid and Natural Science come to mind, and even Working Man especially live.
 He is the master at soundscapes and tones, and uses a lot of open chord phrasing to make it sound like there's more than one guitar. His rhythm playing is also spot on. Lerxst Rocks! 
 

[Elite]

That leads to a completely different topic: most iconic intros in rock history.  I will fight anyone who tells me that Tom Sawyer is not on that list. 

Good luck finding such a list with Tom Sawyer actually on it.

[WildRanger]

Alex can be fast and technically proficient. The solos in Freewill, Cut to the Chase, and La-villa are good examples.  Also, Analog Kid and Natural Science come to mind, and even Working Man especially live.

His solo in Freewill can rival any solo by Eddie Van Halen.

[Adami]

Alex can be fast and technically proficient. The solos in Freewill, Cut to the Chase, and La-villa are good examples.  Also, Analog Kid and Natural Science come to mind, and even Working Man especially live.

His solo in Freewill can rival any solo by Eddie Van Halen.

No.




Edit: and I say this as a semi big Rush fan and barely a Van Halen.

[Architeuthis]

One thing that can be said about Alex Lifeson and Eddie VH, is that both are amongst the most innovative rock guitarists of all time.

[Lowdz]

Back in the very early 80s I had him up there with the best guitarists in rock and metal but the explosion of technique was about to happen and Alex stayed out of it, for the better. It never once occurred to me that he wasn’t one of the greats.

[wolfking]

Alex can be fast and technically proficient. The solos in Freewill, Cut to the Chase, and La-villa are good examples.  Also, Analog Kid and Natural Science come to mind, and even Working Man especially live.

His solo in Freewill can rival any solo by Eddie Van Halen.

Absolutely not.

[jammindude]

Alex can be fast and technically proficient. The solos in Freewill, Cut to the Chase, and La-villa are good examples.  Also, Analog Kid and Natural Science come to mind, and even Working Man especially live.

His solo in Freewill can rival any solo by Eddie Van Halen.

Dammit WR, I really try to be fair and defend your stances most of the time....but then you go and say stuff like this.   

[King Postwhore]

Solos don't make a guitarist though.

[Indiscipline]

WR, we all seem to agree Alex Lifeson is one of the greats, and deserving to be recognised as such. Returning to your original question, and trying to focus on facts rather than tastes, a bunch of considerations spring to mind (gathering the wise words written by others above and grossly simplifying):

He didn't die young (thank God and may he live a hundred years more), and thus leonised in myth ala Hendrix
He wasn't a folk hero at the beginning of the electric revolution ala Clapton
He never put an immortal signature solo inside a world smashing radio hit ala Page
He never put an immortal riff inside a world smashing radio hit ala Blackmore
He did not create a genre ala Iommi
His band's sound is not HIS sound ala Knopfler
He was no part of a technical revolution ala Eddie / Randy
He was no part of the guitar hero generation ala Vai / Satriani / Becker, or the revival ala Nuno / Gabriel
He was never highly fashionable or publicised ala Slash
He was never the best ala JP
And so on

Or better, anyone can hear speed or see bells and whistles; fewer recognise great music and ideas

[Volante99]

I’ll just throw this out there as one (of many) reasons; Alex doesn’t have an iconic solo.

Page has Stairway
Slash has Sweet Child
Gilmour has Comfortably Numb
Etc etc

Does Eddie Van Halen have an iconic solo?  (unless we want to cheat and call Eruption a solo when it's actually the entire song)

Does Jimi Hendrix?

Let's put it this way: if we want to list the, say, 10 most iconic solos of all time (which would include both Comfortably Numb and Stairway, but not Sweet Child O' Mine), sure, Alex wouldn't have one on there, but many other all-time guitarists wouldn't either.

Eruption is literally one of the most iconic solos ever. I hear it on the radio at least once a week and I don’t even listen to the radio.

Jimi Hendrix is an exception to the rule. But one could argue his “Star Spangled Banner” Woodstock rendition is very iconic.

Sweet Child of Mine is iconic, but fine, if you want to split hairs you could put November Rain in there.

I wasn’t implying that a lack of an iconic solo is the ONLY reason. It’s just one of many reasons why he’s not mentioned in that “elite” top category of guitarists. I think the poster Indiscipline nailed in the head.

[jammindude]

WR, we all seem to agree Alex Lifeson is one of the greats, and deserving to be recognised as such. Returning to your original question, and trying to focus on facts rather than tastes, a bunch of considerations spring to mind (gathering the wise words written by others above and grossly simplifying):

He didn't die young (thank God and may he live a hundred years more), and thus leonised in myth ala Hendrix
He wasn't a folk hero at the beginning of the electric revolution ala Clapton
He never put an immortal signature solo inside a world smashing radio hit ala Page
He never put an immortal riff inside a world smashing radio hit ala Blackmore
He did not create a genre ala Iommi
His band's sound is not HIS sound ala Knopfler
He was no part of a technical revolution ala Eddie / Randy
He was no part of the guitar hero generation ala Vai / Satriani / Becker, or the revival ala Nuno / Gabriel
He was never highly fashionable or publicised ala Slash
He was never the best ala JP
And so on

Or better, anyone can hear speed or see bells and whistles; fewer recognise great music and ideas

This actually....IMHO...is the best answer in the entire thread.

[Cool Chris]

Indiscipline's post was indeed pretty solid, and the one line that stood out the most to me was: "He was never highly fashionable or publicized"

[Lowdz]

Indiscipline's post was indeed pretty solid, and the one line that stood out the most to me was: "He was never highly fashionable or publicized"

And he seemed happy to not be.

[KevShmev]

Indiscipline's post was indeed pretty solid, and the one line that stood out the most to me was: "He was never highly fashionable or publicized"

And he seemed happy to not be.

For sure.  Remember that clip from one of the Rush's documentaries where a lady asked for Geddy for an autograph when he and Alex were sitting there eating?  She had no idea who Alex was.  And you could tell he was totally amused by it.  Some rock stars would have pouted or taken the "don't you know who I am?" stance, but not Alex. 

[Anguyen92]

Indiscipline's post was indeed pretty solid, and the one line that stood out the most to me was: "He was never highly fashionable or publicized"

And he seemed happy to not be.

For sure.  Remember that clip from one of the Rush's documentaries where a lady asked for Geddy for an autograph when he and Alex were sitting there eating?  She had no idea who Alex was.  And you could tell he was totally amused by it.  Some rock stars would have pouted or taken the "don't you know who I am?" stance, but not Alex. 

Geddy had a great response at the end of that.  Something along the lines of, "Don't you want his autograph as well?  He's the leader of the band."

[Volante99]

Indiscipline's post was indeed pretty solid, and the one line that stood out the most to me was: "He was never highly fashionable or publicized"

And he seemed happy to not be.

For sure.  Remember that clip from one of the Rush's documentaries where a lady asked for Geddy for an autograph when he and Alex were sitting there eating?  She had no idea who Alex was.  And you could tell he was totally amused by it.  Some rock stars would have pouted or taken the "don't you know who I am?" stance, but not Alex. 

When you think about it, being a millionaire rock star AND being able to retain some level of anonymity in public is probably the best combo.

[WildRanger]

Lifeson is not a technical wizard but I know he beats many "guitar gods" in diversity and creativity.
His solos in "Freewill" and "La Villa Strangiato" are vastly different. I've never heard two Eddie Van Halen's solos that are as vastly different as those two Lifeson's.