Alex Lifeson, guitarist for the Canadian band who announced their return to shows in 2026, remembers what it was like to record this classic in the studio
THE Rush announced his return to the stage in 2026. Alex Lifeson said he can’t wait to play the band’s songs live again.
When reflecting on the group’s repertoire, the guitarist recalled what it was like to record “Xanadu”considered the most complicated song ever written by them. Interestingly, the track was recorded in just one take.
“Xanadu” it is 11 minutes long and is the centerpiece of the album A Farewell to Kings (1977), which marked the progressive turn of the Canadian trio — complete with Geddy Lee (vocals, bass and keyboards) and the late drummer Neil Peart.
In an interview with Guitar PlayerLifeson commented on being able to register “Xanadu” on the first attempt. He said:
“While the sound engineer was setting up the studio, we had fun until we got the sounds we wanted. Then it was time to record the song and we played it from start to finish, with all the parts in one take. And that’s the take that’s on the record.”
He adds, remembering the engineer’s astonishment at seeing them achieve such a feat:
“And the sound engineer was amazed. He couldn’t believe it. He said, ‘How do you go into the studio and record an 11-minute song in one take? It’s perfect. How do you do that?’ To be fair, we had been rehearsing for quite a while. We played at the end of the previous tour, just a few shows, but we were rehearsing and we were well prepared when we went into the studio.
Alex Lifeson concludes:
“So it wasn’t that difficult to record the whole song in one take. Everything — the solo, all the parts, me and Geddy playing double-neck guitars.”
Rush’s return
To return to the stage in 2026, Lee and Lifeson called on the German drummer Anika Nilles. She takes over from Neil Peart with the approval of the late musician’s family.
See the dates already announced for “Fifty Something Tour”:
06/07 – Los Angeles, California, USA (Kia Forum)
09/06 – Los Angeles, California, USA (Kia Forum)
06/11 – Los Angeles, California, USA (Kia Forum)
06/13 – Los Angeles, California, USA (Kia Forum)
18/06 – Mexico City, Mexico (Palacio de los Deportes)
06/24 – Fort Worth, Texas, USA (Dickies Arena)
06/26 – Fort Worth, Texas, USA (Dickies Arena)
06/28 – Fort Worth, Texas, USA (Dickies Arena)
06/30 – Fort Worth, Texas, USA (Dickies Arena)
07/16 – Chicago, Illinois, USA (United Center)
07/18 – Chicago, Illinois, USA (United Center)
07/20 – Chicago, Illinois, USA (United Center)
07/22 – Chicago, Illinois, USA (United Center)
07/28 – New York, New York, USA (Madison Square Garden)
07/30 – New York, New York, USA (Madison Square Garden)
01/08 – New York, New York, USA (Madison Square Garden)
03/08 – New York, New York, USA (Madison Square Garden)
07/08 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Scotiabank Arena)
09/08 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Scotiabank Arena)
11/08 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Scotiabank Arena)
08/13 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Scotiabank Arena)
09/17 – Cleveland, Ohio, USA (Rocket Arena)
09/19 – Cleveland, Ohio, USA (Rocket Arena)
-
alex lifeson
-
Geddy Lee
-
rush
Source: Rollingstone

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.