Rush do their own thing, whether you love them or hate them. What's never been in doubt is the trio's musicianship. Geddy Lee (bass/vocals) and Neil Peart (drums/lyrics) are regularly voted "best ever" rock players in their field, and understandably so.

But does Alex Lifeson get the props he deserves? Maybe not so much. So as it's his birthday, here's a salute to Alex Lifeson of Rush. Lifeson is one of rock's premier players who are instantly recognizable and unique.

His many fans even talk about "the Alex chord." It can vary depending on which fan you ask, but it's usually a moveable sus2 or sus4, often with open higher (B and E) strings. F#7sus4 is a favorite "Alex chord." It features a lot in "Hemispheres" and "Xanadu." Suspended powerchords also feature large in "Tom Sawyer." Lifeson's chords and his counterpoint to Geddy Lee's bass are key to Rush's sound.