Rush at Pinkpop 1979 - 2112 with The Grand Finale

Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation! The 4th of June 1979 Rush played at Pinkpop Geleen in the Netherlands. This is a recording of 2112, beginning at the end of Part III. Discovery and ending with The Grand Finale. The recording was made by KRO-radio. Rush is Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart and Geddy Lee. Recently in an interview at Radio 1 Journal, a Dutch radio program, Jan Smeets, the organizer of Pinkpop was asked to his best festival in 40 years. His answer was 1979. 2112: I can't wait to share this new wonder The people will all see its light Let them all make their own music The Priests praise my name on this night. IV. Presentation ... "In the sudden silence as I finished playing, I looked up to a circle of grim, expressionless faces. Father Brown rose to his feet, and his somnolent voice echoed throughout the silent Temple Hall." ... ... "Instead of the grateful joy that I expected, they were words of quiet rejection! Instead of praise, sullen dismissal. I watched in shock and horror as Father Brown ground my precious instrument to splinters beneath his feet..." I know it's most unusual To come before you so But I've found an ancient miracle I thought that you should know Listen to my music And hear what it can do There's something here as strong as life I know that it will reach you. Yes, we know, it's nothing new It's just a waste of time We have no need for ancient ways Our world is doing fine Another toy will help destroy The elder race of man Forget about your silly whim It doesn't fit the plan. I can't believe you're saying These things just can't be true Our world could use this beauty Just think what we might do. Listen to my music And hear what it can do There's something here as strong as life I know that it will reach you. Don't annoy us further! We have our work to do. Just think about the average What use have they for you? Another toy will help destroy The elder race of man Forget about your silly whim It doesn't fit the Plan! V. Oracle: The Dream ... "I guess it was a dream, but even now it all seems so vivid to me. Clearly yet I see the beckoning hand of the oracle as he stood at the summit of the staircase" ... ... "I see still the incredible beauty of the sculptured cities and the pure spirit of man revealed in the lives and works of this world. I was overwhelmed by both wonder and understanding as I saw a completely different way to life, a way that had been crushed by the Federation long ago. I saw now how meaningless life had become with the loss of all these things ..." I wandered home though the silent streets And fell into a fitful sleep Escape to realms beyond the night Dream can't you show me the light? I stand atop a spiral stair An oracle confronts me there He leads me on light years away Through astral nights, galactic days I see the works of gifted hands That grace this strange and wondrous land I see the hand of man arise With hungry mind and open eyes They left the planet long ago The elder race still learn and grow Their power grows with purpose strong To claim the home where they belong Home to tear the Temples down... Home to change! VI. Soliloquy ... "I have not left this cave for days now, it has become my last refuge in my total despair. I have only the music of the waterfall to comfort me now. I can no longer live under the control of the Federation, but there is no other place to go. My last hope is that with my death I may pass into the world of my dream, and know peace at last." The sleep is still in my eyes The dream is still in my head I heave a sigh and sadly smile And lie a while in bed I wish that it might come to pass Not fade like all my dreams... Just think of what my life might be In a world like I have seen! I don't think I can carry on Carry on this cold and empty life My spirits are low in the depths of despair My lifeblood... ...spills over... VII. The Grand Finale Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation We have assumed control. We have assumed control. We have assumed control.