Rush's Geddy Lee on his obsession with the history of the bass guitar
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- Опубліковано 28 тра 2024
- "I felt ignorant of the instrument that I had held in my hands for over 40 years." Rush's Geddy Lee joins host Tom Power in the q studio to talk about his new book, Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass, which includes photos of his massive bass collection, as well as interviews with fellow bass players like John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones and U2's Adam Clayton. cbc.ca/1.4949150
#GeddyLee #Rush #BassGuitar
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"Nobody becomes the bass player willingly." At the time, I'm sure that was more true. Now, because of guys like Geddy, people are choosing the bass. He's contributed big time to the popularity of the instrument.
My son started playing bass because of Geddy.
I was absolutely sure I wanted to play bass as soon as I became familiar with Geddy and Chris Squire.
But it is true that I have seen more makeshift bass players than true bass players in my 14 years of playing.
Thanks to people like him and my other favorite bassist, Les Claypool, I was able to greatly appreciate the bass, even though I started out on guitar. I’ve never played in a band and thus was never pressured to be a bassist; I just picked it up because I liked it.
Great point.
Also there's been a trend of guitarless bands
Man, I could listen to Geddy talk for days about anything. So well spoken.
I love the way he talks, like using "cats" instead of "guys".
As Geddy says, he's a "nice Canadian boy".
Been doing just that Matt.......Nice 2 hear somebody talk about what i love and be so completely and obviously At Peace.
I could listen to virtually any musician talk on for hours (sans GG Allin).
@@michaelroecker4315 Maybe his love of THC, in all it's forms, helped? _A_Passage_to_Bangkok_ makes that clear. It was one of our anthems in HS in the 70s.
I wish that:
a) I did that interview
b) Geddy gets his bass back
c) someone buys me that damn book for Christmas
d) they did a new tour...
Costco has the book for $52... quick add it to your Wish List!
D) That the members of Rush each have a swig from the Fountain of Youth so we can enjoy another 40 years of Rush, lol.
@@ivangushkov3651 So glad you all of the sudden care about seeing Rush. Your loss but don't be selfish by asking them to play for you.
@@liams706 They are grown man and can do what they want (and I think they know it mate). I am just hoping :)
Best interview I ever saw with a member of Rush. No stupid gotcha questions and lengthy. Thank you for the great years Geddy! Your fans including me love and respect all 3 of you and wish you all the best! RUSH WILL ALWAYS RULE!
Back in the 70's I purchased a double neck 6/12 Ibanez SG thingy at Steve's in Montreal and brought it home.
I was visiting the band that opened for Rush in London at the London Arena with that double neck.
As Geddy went by the dressing room, he caught sight of it, and asked to play it.
I said "sure". He picked it up, and played the 12 string side, and did the chorus of Freddie and the Dreamer's "I'm Telling You Now" and laughed. Then he handed it back to me, saying these words: "I think we should get a couple of these."
-and sure enough, they did. Cool memories.
Great guy.
He deserves every success that came his way.
Very cool. Hope you still have it!
@@funkster007 Unfortunately no. It got traded for a P bass.
My little "John McLaughlin Jr." dog and pony show ended because of the weight of an instrument on my shoulder. whoa. LOL ouch.
True...they are a load and a half. One SG is enough for me. :D
Always a pleasure to hear such a humble person who lived an extraordinary life. The guy is THE model of a rock star.
Geddy, I'm 50 years old, I've been a Rush fan for around 37 years, I have a job, a family, and I own my own home. Nevertheless - would you adopt me and read me stories?
I'm 49, Rush fan for 37 years, job, family, home ... and ditto!
That is funny........ and I’m 57 and willing to be your big brother in that arrangement.
Christmas thoughts: How to tidy up our mind, and what does it really mean? Faith on His arrival. Or our departure and meeting Him. God stuff. It is my mind, not yours that needs cleaned, brother.
Rush should have done a Christmas album. Or did they do a winter themed one?
He should just open a home for "boys", as I too am 50 and have been a Rush fan for 37 years. As a bass player Geddy has been my biggest influence over the years, so much that I had to make a concerted effort to get my tone away from my approximation of the "Geddy sound" so I could play other genres.
@ Chris Huennekens : I'm a guitarist who went through the same thing with Alex. Learned every note he played on albums from Rush up to Power Windows, at witch time I realized I no longer had my own identity on the instrument. Sadly it was such a major thing I actually had to stop listening to Rush for a couple years, until I found my own voice again.
I often wonder if Geddy realizes that most players from my generation not only played ( chose) Bass because of him but also consider him the Absolute best of the best?!? Then when you here him speak you also realize how great of a human he is. WOW!!! 🎵🙏🎶🎸
Geezer butler is the reason i started playing.
A top bloke, class act
Such a class act and wonderful person, not to mention the bass playing and gear collection. The interview Dan Rather did was equally awesome. Geddy has always been my hero. He never disappoints.
Possibly the best interview I've ever hear with a rock story. Geddy Lee is some one very special. Dont' miss this.
I totally agree. I came down to the comment section to post exactly the same thing and I saw your post before I started. Not only does the host knows how to conduct an interview, but he is also knowledgeable about what they discuss. But what makes it such a good interview is that the host never asked the typical questions that we hear in every musician interview. We don't hear, 'when is the next tour, next album, who are your musical influences or tell me some tour stories'. The host put Geddy at ease and the discussion of his book led him to venture off into some neat stories. It was perfectly executed. I am Canadian, so I have listened to quite a bit of CBC and Q for most of my life. They do a great job with Canadian musicians..and hockey too!
“Possibly the the best interview I’ve ever hear....” So you’re a totally illiterate moron?
@@evanhansen7603 Actually I'm on of those men to whom only a Mom's basement dweller would say such a thing, but wouldn't dare to in person.
Met him last night and got my personalized copy of his BBB of B. Absolutely amazing!
Wow. That's tremendous.
@@Ed9870 Thank you. Very patient, polite, and overall a top notch gentleman. Expectations met!
Listen up kiddies...this is the man to look up to!
Exactly. Who'd have thought, a Rock star to look up to on a human level. Even when they where young.
14 years old, I've looked up to this man for 10 years
Bytor and the Snowdog made me fall in love with Geddy's playing. A very intelligent and talented musician. I so miss the days where the best bands were decided because of the musicians within.
"Centurion of evil....devil's prince!"
I'll tell ya, at 7:41 that bass run in La Villa Strangiato has got to be one of the best in that man's repertoire...I've heard it so many times, true, but it's so catchy, funky and tasty -- all in one -- every single time I hear it...never gets old. Incredible placement and playing...
THAT, Mr Montgomery, is the magical 'Ghost of the Aragon' segment in the middle of La Villa Strangiato. Listen to Neil's jazzy drumming counterpoint which so beautifully compliments Geddy's godlike bassline! Took me 25 years to truly understand it, dissect it, and play it on the drums. RUSH RULES TO THIS DAY!!!!
But that quick section, to me, was kind of a tease in regard to touching on a different, from typical rock style that as a 13yr old young drummer really got my attention that Rush was a stand out group.
7:35 actually!
The reason I picked up a bass... willingly.
Yeah I chuckled at that too. I started guitar and never really learned it, never felt it. It was the little bass bits at the end of Red Barchetta and Vital Signs that put the hook in.
I absolutely picked up the bass willingly, I've never had any real desire to learn guitar.
I started on guitar (well, piano as a kid) back in 1970, I was at a big jam session where I was easily the least experienced guitarist, the bass player left but left his gear behind. I'd always been attracted to those fat strings, so I decided to play the bass while everyone else was tossing off their Hendrix and Clapton licks. It was a revelation, it was like coming home, I could play it straight away and loved doing it, I had found my natural instrument. I've still kept on with the guitar, a bit of keyboards, learned some drumming and saxophone, but it's always the bass that I come back to.
Me as well. Bass first, all due to this guy and Chris Squire. Didn't play guitar until nearly 15 years later and then only to write.
Same brother. People like him, McCartney, Squier, have provoked a lot of young musicians choosing to play bass.
It’s a pity that Geddy couldn’t interview John Entwistle - he had a sound in his head and pushed instrument manufacturers hard in his quest for it. He’s the reason bassists play roundwound strings today: he went to a piano string maker and got them to design strings for his bass.
And Bruce, too!
That story is a bit questionable. Only the lowest register of the piano uses wound strings. Also, pianos use what we call music wire, which is tempered high-carbon steel that is also used to make springs. Another thing is that pretty much every single music wire you see on pianos comes from maybe 6 places, as the amount of companies that fabricate spring steel (another name for music wire) is quite small and there's no "dedicated" piano wire manufacturer. That history is also questionable because...There's no mention of it anywhere and it goes with similar myths, like Kurt Cobain using piano strings on his guitars as well. What is known is that John always used Rotosound strings before switching to handmade Maxima Gold strings due to Rotosound ignoring him when he requested a string set that could tune lower, but giving Billy Sheehan one that could do such thing instead.
Very interesting; thanks.
Yes the Ox is the master and was Geddy's hero.
The story is that John loved the strings that Danelectro put on their basses, but he would always break them, so he went to Rotosound to make him similar 'wire-wound' strings; apparently, he already liked their strings, but felt that they just needed some work. One day at the factory later, the Rotosound Swing Bass 66 string set that we know and love today was born.
I can't imagine how many people GEDDY inspired ,I think most bassist love him ,I sure do !
Most guitarists (I sure always have) and certainly most drummers do as well.
Geddy Lee is my all time favorite! He has inspired me from the first time I heard Rush. I've been to thier concerts 6 times, and wish I could've seen more.
Geddy Lee, what a truly wonderful and inspiring human being.
When I heard my first Rush song I fell in love with the band immediately!
The extremely powerful lyrics,( God Bless you Neil, I miss you like a brother) the fantastic melodies and of course the genius on the bass, Geddy Lee.
You made me want to learn the bass and I'm truly grateful for you for that.
As anyone who really truly knows Geddy, the truly remarkable story is that of how his parents met.
They met and fell in love in Auschwitz during the second world war. Thank God they survived and brought such a wonderful person into the world!
Geddy, there not enough words to describe how truly amazing you are.
Keep playing, FOREVER, your truly grateful, ever listening fan,
Mick Raisbeck.
It blows my mind that 3 people so unique to their instruments ended up in a band together
Was it inherent talent, or dedication? What factors contribute to success? I can think of some examples: talent/genius, desire/dedication, curiosity too, I missed something(s) I know it. Probably something to do with goodness of the heart/spirit.
@@GeorgeAPadilla Well isn't it obvious? all bands back in the 70s were of quality. Yes, Floyd, the local band down the road. The standards were higher then bro. Don't give Geddy all the credit. Times make the man, not the other way around
Kinda like how five people who were so unique to their instruments ended up in Deep Purple together...
Most big bands are like that.
@@GeorgeAPadilla Both. Alex only had about 1 year of lessons from a fellow HS student. Watch some of his "how to play..." type vids. He says things like "I don't know what chord this is" so, IMO, he's more of a talent first guy. And he played with arthritis. I wonder if that affected his technique.
An interview with Geddy talks about picking up piano by listening to her sister practice her lessons, and got better. He could easily pick out songs. I have no idea of if he ever studied music.
Neil is of course, a question Mark.
Regardless, they certainly practiced *often*. In an interview with Geddy (very late career) he says they begin practicing months before a tour before they even begin rehearsing.
I love this man! RUSH is the best band ever. Thank you for 40 years of music and thought provocing lyrics
2012
Amanda Arteno yes,exactly,they made us think about things while listening..😶..kepped us putting things together.....right...land o' lakes,WI.usa...farewell...
I loved them precisely because they didn't sing about girls and cars and drugs (don't get me wrong, I love all three!) after the 1st album of course, and we all know why.
Hello Amanda
how are you doing?
Thanks for your love, support and for being an amazing fan! ❤️
It's nice meeting you here
Living legend like no other. A pleasure to listen to. I will enjoy the book.
Even though i never saw them in concert they are still my favorite rock band
what a freakin shame
@@danielalspach2630 only been to one concert which was metallica and avenged sevenfold and local h
Ha ha, most of my favorite bands I've never seen in concert.
Same here. I didn’t discover them until after 2015. I was born in 2000, so it’s not that weird.
Dante Escalante - It's sad that you never had a chance to see them in concert (I was lucky enough to see them twice), but don't despair: one of the great things about Rush is that the guys have left dozens of brilliant live gig recordings for us to enjoy. Rush in Rio should be in every fan's collection! Watching it's as good as having been there - better, probably, because no sneaky dude will try to lift The Big Money outta your back pocket while you're jumping up and down... ;-)
The two of you seem so comfortable sitting and talking.
Welcome to Canada. Notice how the host actually knows what he is talking about...and never asks the typical questions that we hear in every musician interview? ..It definitely was not an Eddy Trunk style interview.
Geddy rules, this is scientific fact.
Back up by his chops.
Fact. Simples, really. ✌🏻❤️🥂
Christmas came early this year 🤘
Would be cool to see Geddy rock a stand-up bass.
Sid Dokis I agree.
Love to see Geddy and Alex do a little jazz combo, Al on a nice hollowbody ala Wes Montgomery or Chet Atkins.
Have a jazz drummer like Dave Weckl or someone sit in on a small jazz kit and just do some lovely jazz standards together.
Nothing earth shattering but just to take them in an entirely different musical direction.
Ged could still sing or maybe bring Rod Stewart in to sing since he has experience.
Michael Buble. Whoever.
I remember listening to fellow Canadian hard rock band Triumph's Just A Game album when it first came out, on vinyl of course, and I remember getting to the last song "Suitcase Blues" and it was as though this huge monolithic juggernaut of hard rock suddenly just transformed into this little jazz combo, playing in a dark smoky jazz club somewhere.
Rik Emmett, the guitar player and lead singer, had switched over to this gorgeous hollow body electric with the most pristine tone, immediately brought Wes Montgomery to mind. I don't really know if bassist Mike Levine was playing a stand up bass on the track but it sounded like he might have been.
And Gil Moore was just lightly playing brushes on a small club sized kit and that song and the lyrics to it have just stuck with me forever.
And back then I thought how cool it would be for them to do a whole album like that.
Just slow easy jazz and leave the power chords and bombast of Triumph behind for a minute and just do a totally different back to the roots kinda thing.
Maybe not every Triumph fan would love it but the die hard dedicated ones who love the music and love when our favorite bands tip their hats to their influences?
They would totally get it.
And I think if Rush were to do something similar, it might even bring them a whole new audience of fans who might never even have listened to them before but now they're doing these pretty, old jazz standards and there's a whole new contingent of fans following them who previously never had.
And maybe do a little jazz club tour and maybe have Triumph join them after the same fashion.
I think Rik Emmett is still the only member of Triumph still out there playing live and touring.
But maybe Mike and Gil would jump at the chance to regroup and just do a whole different non-Triumph thing.
Much like Ged and Al would be doing a whole non-Rush thing.
Be really cool.
Maybe even see if Colin James would come along on the tour doing the whole small jazz trio/jazz standards thing, too.
I’d like to see Geddy attempt some of the great double bass concertos from the classical music realm such as Dittersdorf, Kousevitzky, Dragonetti etc.
I miss Rush so much but this is a great early holiday gift....
I hope to see them continue performing in some capacity. They’ve already proven themselves with their amazingly diverse discography, so it’s okay if they’re less consistent or doing very different things.
Unfortunately, from what I’ve found, I probably won’t hear Neil do anymore drumming. There’s no way to tell for certain, but he’s definitely embraced retirement. Meanwhile, Geddy’s doing things like this, and Alex teased featuring on other people’s tracks, though I haven’t found out if he’s actually arranged anything yet.
The player adds the soul to the instrument before that it is only an empty shell. Once filled the essence remains. @23:30
WOW! A phenomenal interview with one of the greatest of all time. The interviewer is truly a master of his craft. Asking deep, obscure, yet still relevant questions and letting Geddy speak without interruption. Such a great insight into the way he views music. I could watch the uncut 10 hour version of this any day.
Geddy is a musical visionary and along with his amazing brothers in Rush have brought wonderful music to the world.
He is a Doctor of Bassology! Stay well Geddy! 🙏
Love me some Geddy Lee!! Total class act
I’m not a super-fan, but it comes as no surprise that Geddy is well-spoken, likable and seem like a great person.
Rush rocks! Long live Rush!
Hello Christine
how are you doing?
Thanks for your love, support and for being an amazing fan! ❤️
It's nice meeting you here
I hope Geddy remembers that the first Ricky he ever tried out was my 4001, #368, at De La Salle Collegiate after my gig with The Paupers. We used to go see Rush at The Generator on Yonge Street, when they were starting out.
Wow, thats so cool! Both the Rick thing and the Generator experience.
Neat story. Wish I'd been there.
Do you still have the Ric?
Wow! I always thought Geddy was at his best when playing the Ric. That is really cool Mel. What you did was actually an historic thing. Thank You.
Del used to have great dance's.. All the best.
Always have loved Rush- this guy is the main reason 😍
I know I've been playing bass for 35 years, but I sometimes see a young musician play rings around my abilities. The nice thing about this interview is Geddy Lee makes me feel like an accomplished musician. Thanks for posting.
We love you,Geddy.
He only got turned on to vintage guitars yesterday---2012 was only yesterday isn’t it, I’ve been a Rush fan since the very late 70s these guys are rock monsters. Rush is one of my favourite bands rip
Neil Peart❤️👍👍👍
In my opinion, this is one of the best interviewers, at least of Geddy Lee, that I've seen. This guy just sits down and hangs out with his guest, and I love that.
Geddy Lee, you rock!
Man, Gaddy seems like such an awesome dude to hang out with. He's so knowledgeable, humble and cool.
Great interview ,nice to Geddy smiling and relaxed thanks for everything cheers to you both Liverpool UK
Geddy Lee is one of my heroes,when it comes down to music! I have always been fascinated with RUSH,and got plenty of their tapes,to show for it! Thank you Geddy Lee for your great work!
I just noticed I had a smile in my face throughout the whole interview. He is soo smart and humble, this was an excellent conversation. In my generation (I am 30), if you have success you cannot avoid to be self-aware. Geddy Lee is is the guy to look up to.
Not only is he an incredible bass player but he looks so cool playing it.
I chose the bass willingly! As a teenager I figured that since it had two less strings then I would be a rock star faster. I never became a rock star, but I still sure love that bass.
Geddy Lee and Flea. Two favourite bass players 🤙
My hero! Can't wait to get my Ultra BBB😊
Geddy is such a great guy.
He gets so emotional when speaking about the history of each instrument: first, there is this phantasy of playing a desired instrument, thinking of one day owning that piece. But there is also the aftermath of a beloved guitar or even piece of equipment, meaning the journey that each gear had to go through to reach its final destinations. That happened to me with a particular part of my collection, since I've always been reluctant to use them: that is tube bass amps, now completely obsessed with them.
This guys never ceases to amaze, and not just from his musicianship, but his humility. How do you get to that level, knowing that your career is done because of one of your best friends is dying, and keep it inside so well that no one in the public eye can tell? Granted, he has enough financial comfort for distractions/possibilities out the wazoo, but a situation like Neil's was/is always with you. MAD props to Geddy (and Alex) for having the strength and grace to accept what life throws at you, while specifically respecting Neil's usual wish of privacy, especially then. There will only ever be one Professor, and there will only ever be one Rush. Those are two legacies that will never be duplicated, possibly because of such an honest friendship in place, always before the music. This is how you do it, people.
Players like Geddy, Bruce, Entwistle, Harris, JPJ, and Geezer all definitely had me choose bass over guitar. Love how these guys revolutionized the role the bass plays in shaping music. It’s addicting and a passion.
Will forever be a Geddy Lee fan. 🎸⚘
Great interview and interviewer. It was nice to relate to Geddy and hear his wonderful stories. I also really want the damn book.
It’s worth every penny & more!! 😃
I saw Rush in 1982 when I was 15. Rory Gallagher opened! What a show!
Brock Landers Where was that? Did Rory play any acoustic or was it full on electric? I love the way he could play just about anything with strings except violin.
It was his electric trio.
Geddy is 1 of my top 5 favorite bassists in my personal favorites. I got into playing bass because my friend who owned multiple guitars wouldn't teach me any guitar but talked me into playing bass. My dad got me a Mexican jazz pawn shop special and out 200 down on a peavey tnt115bw, i had been working at pizza gut and took me 2 months to pay it off, but I started really enjoying and falling in love with the bass. My dad told me if you want to get good pay attention to Paul McCartney, Gene Simmons, john Paul Jones and Geddy Lee. My old asst manager at Pizza hut gave me Rush Retrospective 1 and 2 and i remember listening to them on repeat until the main manager told me that i couldn't have the radio no more. 22 years later i atill love bass, i still suck on the bass but i enjoy playing, and i still love Rush through and through!!!!
Man, this guy is so nice, so easy to listen to and find out what is in his head. All of Rush is like that, they are just great guys.
Perhaps he should narrate Thomas the Train like Ringo Star did
The 'era of guitar' also included Jack Bruce, John Entwistle, Chris Squire, Jack Casady, Tim Bogert....even Paul McCartney, dominating many tracks with their bass-playing.
I love that Geddy see's the story of these instruments. I remember vividly looking at Eddie's guitar when I was a kid, and trying to unravel some of his playing style by the wear marks on his guitar, especially his note choices in particular by the wear on the fretboard.
A great interview! His book, Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Book of Bass, is incredible. You will never regret buying it, it will give you hours and hours of enjoyment whether you are a bass player or not. I purchased my first bass 2 weeks after getting the book and I’ve never looked back.
Thank you Mr. Lee for all you’ve done for the music industry, we love you.
q on cbc: Thank you for this. Pure joy.
Thank God I was “appointed” the position of bass player. Something I never initially set out to do. Now it’s a passion. I love to play bass.
Same thing happened to me
Such a humble and great guy! I was living in Kansas City, MO, when he donated his Black League Baseball card collection to the museum there. My Canadian heart skipped a few beats to see that in the local newspaper.
I preordered his Geddy's bass book and I got so much more than I paid for! Great interview. What a true bass-man and an inspiration to all musicians:)
Fascinating guy - God bless you Geddy Lee - the world is so much better for you having been in it ❤️❤️
Great to hear Geddy talk, that is when Tom isn't talking about himself.
Seeing Geddy perform with Yes was epic.
Geddy is not only a bass player hero of mine who I can envision in bell bottoms playing the double-neck bass or the Rick in 77’ when I first saw the band, but the fact that we share the bond of being amateur baseball historians as well. I feel a bond with him he has no idea about, or who I am. That’s ok though because it’s about common passion and a knowing of some of the things we could chat about if we ever hung out. A true gentlemen and an amazing talent. ✌️
My first bass was a Rick 4001 because Geddy had one... I felt so rejected when he switched to some other ones and then crushed when he landed long term on the ugliest bass ever made.
Huge respect for Mr. Lee and his skills. I could listen to his interviews forever- such an engaging person.
If you 're referring to the loathsome black pbass w/white pickguard, I whole heartedly agree
Despite being a fan of Mr Lee, I completely agree with you.
Mr Lee could talk about the history of butter and it would be interesting!
Paul K I'm confident that butter has a rich and creamy history 🤣
This is by far the best interview I've seen with Geddy about this book. Not your typical morning show 6 minute segment. Well done.
Interviewer is among the best I've seen.........well done. Helps me validate my old "Marshall Amp" obsesion. lol.
What a humble and talented musician! I am purchasing this for my son. He is learning the bass. One of the greatest bass players ever.
Hello Tammie
how are you doing?
Thanks for your love, support and for being an amazing fan! ❤️
It's nice meeting you here
He is SOOOO Canadian!! And that's just GREAT!!
Please Geddy don't stop recording
I'm 48. First picked up a bass at age around 11 or 12 (wasn't mine, a friend of my older brothers older brother) cos they played music and loved playing. I bought my first bass at age 17. I've played and owned several basses ever since and basically all down to one man really. I've learned to love other bass players (I listen to all genres of music, if it's good, it's good right?) but Geddy was the first, when listening to my brothers music as he was playing LP's with his friends, I asked "What's that sound thing going on - I know there's only 3 in that band and I can hear the guitar and drumming and a singer - is that someone else?". The rest is history - I was told it was a "bass" (kind of guitar) and I'd heard one before on lots of things (examples given by my brother and friends) but not like that. I've had a passion for it since because I was encouraged and spurned on by siblings, my friends and people who saw me play that didn't even know me !!. Geddy is responsible for that, and for that I'm extremely thankful. Not because of playing bass per se - but it gives me, later on in life, the knowledge to know that if someone likes something (ballet, art, music, acting, bricklaying, cycling, baking, nursing, advertising - doesn't really matter) and shows a real enthusiasm for it then nurturing that and encouraging that is the most important thing.
Love Geddy, he's a legend as a man, not just as musician.
Dominic Crimmings uuû
Great interview with one of my favourite bassists. Awesome. Thanks for this!
Willowdale represent
Geddy is such a talented and humble man! A pure class act! I wish more rock gods were as down to earth at Rush!
Amazing interview. Cool, smooth, tasty, nice, enjoyable and interesting. Geddy lovely Lee!
Love this guy. I always have. Took up the instrument because of him. And he loves baseball. What's not to like?
Geddy ! Top Shelf Stuff......& its so cool that the interviewer picked that fill from La Villa, its one of Geddy's best moments imo. A Living Legend.
What a wonderful human being. As a sixty year old bass player, so much of what Geddy says resonates with me. This made my day!
I got to see RUSH in the early eighties in Casper Wyoming of all places. They were incredible. Never saw them again. They will always be my favorite band! I've spent the last year exploring the bass after playing drums and guitar for so many years. Thanks for the inspiration Geddy!
I chose to be a Bass Player (1975), because of my Dad and his 5 String Kay Double Bass Violin. Story was down in Beaumont TX my Grandfather and he worked a Jazz group and gave a contemporary at school his first paying gig at 14ish, he was keyboardist of the albino Winter twins.
I did not go Electric until 1977 in 6th Grade. Entwistle was the first of the Bass Demi-God's that I pursued, and then within a year it was Geddy Lee.
Won every talent show entered playing "LaVilla" and "YYZ" (no real singers around). As much as Pastorious beckoned in my Jazz Playing and 3 years of Improvisation Studies in High School (even 2 years Performance Studies in University), it was always Lee.
Chasing him played out that on all auditions (until I hit Hollywood) I was hired on the first song. Technique followed Entwistle, but the licks were all Lee (even though both shared Pentatonic form).
Lee and Entwistle lead my world on Rigs. Both were Bi-Amping in the multiple hundreds of watts. I wanted to follow, but who has money and a Box Truck?
I started with a Yamaha PB-1 on specs, never demoed it. (40 years later it would beat the Neve Pre, and was recognized by a Michael Jackson Sound Man, he was blown away. still have 2 of them)
I accumulated Entwisle Rig Components, some of my personal substitutions (who needs a Sub Harmonic PreAmp) by 2015, but Power Amplification and Speaker technology eclipsed the 1980's. I was very happy settling with a 3300watt Arena Rig of GenzBenz NeoX Cabinets (2x 4x12 Towers 1200w@, 3x Combos on Side Fill at 300w@).
Not since opening for Petra in 1987 with the PB-1 running directly into the Side Fill 2x Myers Towers, was it ever so perfect.
I remember being 11 and learning guitar. And then my dad brought home this old beat up K SG knockoff bass, I was like what’s this? He said a bass. And from there on I put down the guitar and fell in love with bass. Guitars players are a dime a dozen in my area. There’s only like 6 bass players so there’s always a need for us. Truly a incredible instrument that most people don’t even realize they love so much!
This is one of the best interviews of anyone that I have seen. Very well conducted and a joy to listen to.
I bought Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass - awesome book and much cheaper than collecting vintage basses
Great guy that is part of musical history the of the 🌎...
I absolutely love his down to earth, humble ways. Such a gentleman.
God bless you, Mr. Lee, and thank you for just being you.
Very nice interview.
I remember seeing Rush in Jacksonville for the Signals tour. I got there early enough to get into the front row. But as we got into the arena, Heartbreaker was playing on the PA, Led Zeppelin was my first ever concert in Landover, Maryland, and they and Rush made huge influences on my life.
This guy's been an inspiration for me since I was 11 years old and never disappointed me. On the contrary, I always become more inspired and a bigger fan when I sit and listen to him talk.
Great interview. A true legend!
Although the presence of Geddy Lee was at least half of what made this interview great, I want to elevate the thoughtfulness, research and knowledge of Tom Power that REALLY made this interview as great as it was.....great job Tom Power, you made the interview all about Geddy and Rush with your smart and well researched questions. Bravo
Nicest guy in the world right here, he’s a gift to music.
25 years in playing bass ,love this playing for pleasure and emotional release not the best but always go back to it ,and have a story for every instrument I own ✌️❤️🤘
Great stuff Geddy✌️
They mention 'Summertime Blues'...love Rush's cover of that!!... RIP Neil...