Xanadu

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with some cosmic trivia about Xanadu by Rush from their 1977 album A Farewell to Kings, spinning now on THE ZOO! This 11-minute epic, inspired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem Kubla Khan, begins with a five-minute instrumental journey before diving into Neil Peart’s lyrics about a quest for immortality in a mythical Xanadu. What’s wild? The band nailed this complex track in a single, uninterrupted take at Rockfield Studios in Wales. Guitarist Alex Lifeson recalled In a Reddit post, a user shared how Rick Beato, a music YouTuber, passionately argued Xanadu might be Rush’s finest track, praising its intricate structure and iconic double-neck guitar riffs. Lifeson recalled, “We ran it down for the engineer one time to get levels, then played it a second time from top to bottom—that’s what you hear on the album. Pat [Moran, the engineer] was shocked we did an 11-minute song in one take!” The song’s intro, with chirping birds and knocking sounds, was recorded in the courtyard of Rockfield, capturing the natural ambiance, as Geddy Lee noted while tapping an oak table for effect.

Xanadu marked Rush’s first deep dive into synthesizers, blending guitar and synth effects for a prog-rock masterpiece. Each member—Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart—wielded an array of instruments, from Moog Taurus bass pedals to 12-string guitars, showcasing their technical prowess. Fans on Reddit rave about its “technical mastery” and “arty lyrics,” with one user, Knut_Knoblauch, proudly using the callsign “CYG-XG1” in MS Flight Simulator as a nod to the album’s sci-fi closer, Cygnus X-1. In a Louder interview, Lifeson said the double-neck guitar “opened doors to our sound,” becoming an iconic Rush image.

Rush formed in 1968 in Toronto, Canada, when high school friends Alex Lifeson (guitar) and John Rutsey (drums) started jamming in basements, soon joined by Geddy Lee (bass, vocals). As told on Rush’s official website, they honed their craft playing covers in local bars before Neil Peart replaced Rutsey in 1974, bringing lyrical depth and drumming virtuosity. Their self-titled debut in 1974 leaned hard rock, but albums like 2112 and A Farewell to Kings pushed them into progressive rock, earning a cult following. By the late ’70s, they were filling arenas, with Xanadu ranking #6 in a Rolling Stone readers’ poll of top Rush songs. Rush’s evolution continued through the ’80s and ’90s, blending new wave and pop-rock while staying true to their prog roots, cementing their legacy as Canada’s rock titans.

Connect with Rush and their fans online! Check out their official website, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Join fan communities like the Rush Fans Facebook group or explore Rush Wiki and Cygnus-X1.net for deep dives into their discography and lore. Keep rocking, Zoo Freaks!