Alex Lifeson

Alex Lifeson

Known for
Acting
Born
August 27, 1953 (age 73)
Birthplace
Fernie, British Columbia, Canada

Biography

Best known as the broadly-skilled guitarist for the rock group Rush, which also features drummer Neil Peart and bassist Geddy Lee. Rush is the most successful Canadian music group in history, and is the third most prolific seller of consecutive (American) Gold and Platinum Records and videos, behind only the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Lifeson's ability to pull double-duty as both a melodic rhythm-guitar player and a searing soloist has earned him a reputation similar to that of his bandmates. All three share the distinction of being among the most highly influential virtuosos in their crafts. Alex has a passion for studio production, and is the only member of Rush to compose and produce a television theme (Andromeda (2000)). But his live performances are where his spontaneous side really shows. During live performances, Alex deftly switches from rhythm guitar to soloing, while simultaneously triggering his own pre-recorded accompaniments. Being the soul of spontaneity in the band, Alex is the member of Rush who most frequently contributes comedy to the show. This side of Alex can be seen during the performances of "La Villa Strangiato" on two of Rush's concert videos, Rush in Rio (2003) and Rush: A Show of Hands (1989), and to an even greater degree on the documentary "The Boys In Brazil" (2003), part of the bonus material included with Rush in Rio (2003). Alex's prowess can be heard on a few non-Rush recordings, primarily his solo album, entitled simply "Victor" (1996), and the soundtrack album for South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999). After their longest break from recording and touring, a highly successful 2002 tour brought Rush back to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, to the great anticipation of fans. Rush ended their 2002 tour with their first-ever shows in Brazil, where they played to 125,000 fans in three nights. The final performance of the 2002 tour was captured on DVD as Rush in Rio (2003), which was certified double-platinum within weeks of its release. Alex has fostered several younger groups, such as The Dexters, who he often guests with during their live performances at The Orbit Room, a Toronto club that Alex owns in part.

Known For

Filmography

—
Rush: Live at the Capitol Theatre, 1976 poster

Rush: Live at the Capitol Theatre, 1976

Movie · as Himself

—
Pinkpop - The Vintage Years (1975-1979) poster

Pinkpop - The Vintage Years (1975-1979)

Movie · as Himself

2026
Rush: Grace Under Pressure (Super Deluxe Edition) poster

Rush: Grace Under Pressure (Super Deluxe Edition)

Movie

2026
Neil Peart: No One's Disciple poster

Neil Peart: No One's Disciple

Movie

2023
Rush: Signals (40th Anniversary Edition) poster

Rush: Signals (40th Anniversary Edition)

Movie · as 6 and 12 string guitars, Taurus pedals

2022
Behind the Stage Door poster

Behind the Stage Door

Movie · as Alex Lifeson

2022
The Breach poster

The Breach

Movie · as Alex

2022
Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert poster

Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Movie · as Self

2022
South Park: The 25th Anniversary Concert poster

South Park: The 25th Anniversary Concert

Movie · as Self (Rush)

2022
Rush: Moving Pictures (40th Anniversary Edition) poster

Rush: Moving Pictures (40th Anniversary Edition)

Movie · as 6 and 12 string guitars, Taurus pedals

2021
Rush: Cinema Strangiato - R40+ Director's Cut poster

Rush: Cinema Strangiato - R40+ Director's Cut

Movie · as Himself

2019
RUSH: Cinema Strangiato 2019 poster

RUSH: Cinema Strangiato 2019

Movie · as Himself

2018
Rush - Hemispheres (40th Anniversary Edition) poster

Rush - Hemispheres (40th Anniversary Edition)

Movie · as Himself

2018
Bachman poster

Bachman

Movie

2017
Rush: A Farewell To Kings (40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) poster

Rush: A Farewell To Kings (40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

Movie · as Himself

2016
Rush: Time Stand Still poster

Rush: Time Stand Still

Movie · as Himself

2016
Rush: 2112 40th Anniversary Edition poster

Rush: 2112 40th Anniversary Edition

Movie · as Himself

2016
Rush - Live from the Rabbit Hole 1990 poster

Rush - Live from the Rabbit Hole 1990

Movie · as Himself

2015
Rush: R40 Live poster

Rush: R40 Live

Movie · as Himself on Guitars

2014
Rush: The Rise of Kings 1968-1981 poster

Rush: The Rise of Kings 1968-1981

Movie · as Himself / Musician

2014
Rush - Live at The Molson Amphitheater 1997 poster

Rush - Live at The Molson Amphitheater 1997

Movie · as Himself

2014
Rush: R40 poster

Rush: R40

Movie · as Himself

2014
Rush: R40 Completist DVD (Blu-Ray Edition) poster

Rush: R40 Completist DVD (Blu-Ray Edition)

Movie · as Himself

2013
Rush - Clockwork Angels Tour poster

Rush - Clockwork Angels Tour

Movie · as Himself

2012
Rush: 2112 poster

Rush: 2112

Movie · as Himself

2012
Inner Rush poster

Inner Rush

Movie · as Self

2012
Chicago Fire poster

Chicago Fire

TV · as Alex Lifeson · 1 ep

2011
RUSH: Time Machine poster

RUSH: Time Machine

Movie · as Self

2011
Ecstasy poster

Ecstasy

Movie · as Dr. Figg

2011
Jason Segel & Paul Rudd Meet Rush poster

Jason Segel & Paul Rudd Meet Rush

Movie · as Himself

2011
The Drunk and On Drugs Happy Fun Time Hour

The Drunk and On Drugs Happy Fun Time Hour

TV · 6 eps

2010
Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage poster

Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage

Movie · as Self

2010
Classic Albums: Rush - 2112 & Moving Pictures poster

Classic Albums: Rush - 2112 & Moving Pictures

Movie · as Himself

2009
I Love You, Man poster

I Love You, Man

Movie · as Alex Lifeson - Rush

2009
Suck poster

Suck

Movie · as Border Guard

2009
Rush : Working Men poster

Rush : Working Men

Movie · as Himself

2009
Rush: Retrospective 3 Video Collection poster

Rush: Retrospective 3 Video Collection

Movie · as Self

2008
Rush - Snakes & Arrows Live poster

Rush - Snakes & Arrows Live

Movie · as Himself - Guitars

2008
That Metal Show poster

That Metal Show

TV · as Self - Guest · 1 ep

2007
Rush: The Game Of Snakes & Arrows poster

Rush: The Game Of Snakes & Arrows

Movie · as Himself

2006
Trailer Park Boys: The Movie poster

Trailer Park Boys: The Movie

Movie · as Cop 2

2005
Rush: R30 poster

Rush: R30

Movie · as Himself - Guitars

2003
Toronto Rocks poster

Toronto Rocks

Movie · as Self

2003
Rush in Rio poster

Rush in Rio

Movie · as Self - Electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals

2003
The Boys in Brazil poster

The Boys in Brazil

Movie

2001
Trailer Park Boys poster

Trailer Park Boys

TV · as Alex Lifeson · 1 ep

1998
Rush: Different Stages - Live poster

Rush: Different Stages - Live

Movie · as 6 and 12 string guitars, Taurus pedals

1998
Primus - Horrible Swill poster

Primus - Horrible Swill

Movie

1997
Classic Albums poster

Classic Albums

TV · as Self · 1 ep

1994
Rush: A View From The Palace poster

Rush: A View From The Palace

Movie · as Himself

1990
Rush: Chronicles poster

Rush: Chronicles

Movie · as Himself - Guitars

1989
Rush: A Show of Hands poster

Rush: A Show of Hands

Movie · as Himself - Guitars

1986
Rush: Grace Under Pressure Tour poster

Rush: Grace Under Pressure Tour

Movie · as Himself - Guitars

1985
Rush: Through the Camera Eye poster

Rush: Through the Camera Eye

Movie · as Himself

1985
Through the Camera Eye poster

Through the Camera Eye

Movie

1982
Rush: Exit... Stage Left poster

Rush: Exit... Stage Left

Movie · as Himself - Guitars

1973
Come On Children poster

Come On Children

Movie · as Himself