Geddy Lee’s Musical Insights
Geddy Lee, the iconic bassist and vocalist of Rush, has always been recognized for his ability to analyze rock music beyond the surface level. He is not only esteemed as a musician but also as someone who is attuned to the cultural context that shaped an entire generation of music. Lee’s contributions to the world of music have led him to be regarded as one of the greatest innovators of the bass guitar. However, he has frequently remarked that in the early years of rock music, very few aspired to take on this role.
Early Career Reflections
Reflecting on his career beginnings, Lee shared his observation that many bassists ended up with the instrument more due to “a lack of options” than out of a true calling. “In my time, no one chose to be the bassist,” he stated. “You were always a guitarist, and someone would say, ‘Well, we need a bassist,’ so there would be a vote, and you became the bassist. That’s how I became a bassist: I was elected.”
According to Lee, the expectation was for most young musicians to idolize the great guitar heroes, such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page, while the bass guitar remained in the background, even though it was a vital component of the music. Regardless of this lingering sentiment, Lee has consistently identified himself first and foremost as a fan of music.
Influences on Musical Taste
His musical tastes range from classics like Led Zeppelin to modern artists such as Björk and Radiohead. However, few bands have shaped his development as profoundly as Cream. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2020, he expressed that the trio consisting of Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton, and Ginger Baker was his favorite band during his youth: “They were, hands down, my favorite band when I was old enough to truly appreciate rock music.”
The influence of Cream was so significant that it played a critical role in the initial steps of Rush’s formation. “Cream was a massive influence on the early days of Rush and on me as a bassist,” Lee explained. “We would perform our own version of ‘Spoonful.’ We played in cafés, school dances… We tried very hard to emulate Cream in the early days of Rush.”
Highlighting an Unmatched Guitarist
When discussing the subject of guitar playing, Lee highlights one guitarist above all others: Jeff Beck. In an interview with Guitar World in 2009, he stated definitively, “If I had to choose my favorite guitarist of all time, it would probably be Jeff Beck. I mean, has there ever been a better guitar sound than that?”
Influence of Jeff Beck
Lee recounted how Beck’s rendition of “I Ain’t Superstitious,” originally by Willie Dixon, influenced the sound of Rush. “I think this was Jeff Beck’s first great ‘moment.’ The first time you heard something and knew it could be no one but him,” he said.
“He was an incredible pioneer. A phenomenal stylist. The notes he produced from that instrument with a vibrato bar, a volume control knob, and his fingers were simply astounding,” concluded the Rush legend.
The information is sourced from the Society of Rock.
