Alex Lifeson named the first rock song that had a “big influence” on him
Alex Lifeson was a vital component of all of the creative highs that Rush reached. A technically gifted player who always sought to innovate while staying true to the essence of his influences, his artistic reach covers everything from prog metal to indie rock, an indicator of not only his own talent but that of the Canadian trio’s, too.
It says everything regarding Lifeson’s aptitude that his highlights reel is extensive. It encompasses fan favourites such as the instrumental ‘La Villa Strangiato’ and ‘Freewill’, as well as more well-known hits such as ‘Tom Sawyer’ and the indomitable ‘The Spirit of Radio’. Just like his bandmates, Geddy Lee and Neil Peart, Lifeson always sought to push himself to new heights within the parameters of Rush, which was not only a fruitful perspective but an exemplary one.
As Lifeson has made clear, his style was informed by a patchwork of influences. Shedding light on his inner workings as an artist, he has named a range of players as his heroes in his time. However, the man he deems his “biggest influence” as a guitarist is Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. When speaking on Sirius XM’s Classic Vinyl Influences, Lifeson cited the British band’s 1969 track ‘How Many More Times’ as a galvanising force when just a budding musician.
Lifeson recalled: “Led Zeppelin were an enormous influence, and Jimmy Page particularly, for me, was probably the biggest influence on me as a budding guitarist.”
Another prominent band he cites as a defining influence are the countercultural heroes, Buffalo Springfield. Although shortlived, the group launched the careers of Stephen Stills, Neil Young and Richie Furay, and between 1966 and 1968, they captured the hippie zeitgeist with musical verve, fusing soul, psychedelia and Americana.
When speaking to Guitar World in 2020, somewhat surprisingly, Lifeson revealed the profound impact that Buffalo Springfield had on him, despite their style and his band’s being quite distinct. He even named the Californian group’s definitive effort, 1966’s ‘For What It’s Worth’, the first rock song that had a “big influence” on him.
Regarding the hit’s impact, he said: “This was the first rock song that had a big influence on me. I remember hearing it on the radio in my dad’s car when I was a kid. Buffalo Springfield were unlike the other bands of the ‘San Francisco sound’; they were more country-sounding. Stephen Stills and Neil Young trade leads on this one.”
Listen to ‘For What It’s Worth’ below.
