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“It’s so beautiful, especially when I listen to it now. The combination of nostalgia and pure sonic beauty is pretty moving”: The song that makes Rush’s Geddy Lee cry (and it’s not by Rush)
Rush bassist and singer Geddy Lee gave Prog magazine a candid rundown of the music that has shaped his life, speaking in 2020 while he was adjusting to life after Rush ended touring. The piece touches on his earliest musical memories, his live debut, and the records that mean the most to him, offering a personal glimpse into the tastes of one of rock's most respected musicians.
Lee recalled first hearing Motown hits such as The Temptations' "My Girl" on the radio during his teenage years working at his parents' shop north of Toronto, and remembered performing live for the first time aged 14, singing the Rolling Stones' version of "As Tears Go By" at a high-school band audition. He also named The Who's Who's Next as the greatest album of all time, praising it as embodying the best qualities of rock, though the article (and the accompanying claim about a Yes song moving him to tears) is only partially detailed in the available text.
In short
- Geddy Lee shared personal music memories in a 2020 Prog interview
- First song heard was The Temptations' "My Girl" on the radio
- He named The Who's "Who's Next" his greatest album of all time
Explained simply
Geddy Lee is the bassist and vocalist of Rush, one of rock's most influential bands. In 2020, he gave an interview to Prog magazine about the music that shaped his life and career, speaking at a time when Rush had just concluded its touring operations. This provided a personal insight into the musical tastes and formative experiences of someone who has been central to rock music for decades.
The interview covered Lee's journey from his teenage years in the Toronto area, where he first heard Motown records like The Temptations' "My Girl" on the radio whilst working in his parents' shop. He also discussed his first live performance at age 14, when he sang the Rolling Stones' cover of "As Tears Go By" at a school band audition, as well as the albums and artists that have remained important to him throughout his career. Through these recollections, the piece explores how his wide-ranging musical influences—from soul and rock to the progressive rock that defines Rush's sound—have shaped his career as a musician.