Geddy Lee’s favourite prog rock albums from the 1970s
As one of the biggest prog rock bands of all time, it’s no wonder that Rush have established such a passionate and loyal fanbase since their beginnings.
Despite being latecomers compared to the other titans of the genre, having not released their debut album until 1974, which isn’t even strictly a prog record in itself, the trio of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart would go on to push the genre to its limits and create some of the most forward-thinking prog records of the late 1970s and 1980s.
As noted, most of the rest of their peers were several albums into their careers by the time Rush emerged, but that means that Lee, Lifeson and Peart were able to glean plenty of influence from other bands when they were starting to cement their sound, and had the upper hand of being able to take the genre further in the subsequent decades when their competition began to run out of steam.
There was, however, the obvious point behind all of this is that progressive rock was going through something of a golden age in the early part of the 1970s. Considering this was when all of the other big hitters of the genre were releasing what are generally considered to be their best work, this short period saw countless classic albums arrive within mere months of each other, and Geddy Lee was certainly there to soak it all up as influence.
In a 2012 interview with The Quietus, Lee revealed his 13 favourite albums of all time, and as one might expect, there was a healthy smattering of prog rock from the 1970s within his selection. While there are unfortunately no mentions of acts like King Crimson, Gentle Giant, ELP or Wishbone Ash in his choices, there’s more than enough insightful knowledge of the truly stunning prog rock albums that the decade, specifically from a period of two years, had to offer.
In addition to making nods to other older classics like Cream’s Disraeli Gears and Jimi Hendrix’s Are You Experienced?, as well as modern classics such as Radiohead’s OK Computer, Björk’s Post and Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes, here are the four progressive rock albums from the 1970s that Geddy Lee claims to be his all-time favourites.
Geddy Lee’s favourite 1970s prog albums:
Yes – ‘The Yes Album’ (1971)
“Not so surprising, perhaps?” Lee joked when introducing the third studio album from British prog outfit Yes. As one of the greatest and most challenging groups to have ever lived, Yes are often considered to be many prog acts’ favourite prog act. With their complex song structures, incredible use of harmony and melodic bass playing, it really isn’t a surprise that Lee is such a fan of Yes, and while The Yes Album perhaps isn’t quite as good as its follow-up, Fragile, it was the first album where they really made a statement about how good they could be.
“I was turned onto this by a good friend back in the day when Yes were just breaking,” Lee said of discovering the music of Yes. “Of course I loved Chris Squire’s incredible bass, and am still a huge fan. Quite amazing. But Yes provided an incredible array of intricate arrangements and a musicality beyond belief. They are often knocked for being too complex but I don’t agree. There is a simplicity and elegance to the songs. I always found them both accessible and adventurous.”
Pink Floyd – ‘Meddle’ (1971)
While it isn’t everyone’s first choice for the best prog rock album, let alone the best Pink Floyd album, Lee holds a special place in his heart for Meddle for how it gives an early demonstration of the potential the band were about to unleash on their string of bona fide classics. In addition to this, Lee recalls witnessing the band perform the album in its entirety in his hometown of Toronto, and being blown away by the performance.
“It was really exciting because you could tell that something unique was happening. Where would they go next?”, he recalled of his otherworldly experience. “It was a great precursor to Dark Side of the Moon. There were genuine ‘echoes’ of that already in place. It remains my favourite because of that timing. That moment when a band really starts to hit its peak. I am aware of Syd Barrett’s Floyd but, in a musical sense, that was a different time, a different band.”
Genesis – ‘Nursery Cryme’ (1971)
Released only a week later than Meddle, the third Genesis album saw the then Peter Gabriel-fronted act take things much further than they had on their first two records. For some, Genesis have always been seen as the over-the-top, love-them-or-hate-them act of the classic prog era, but for Lee, hearing Nursery Cryme was a horizon-expanding experience that dramatically informed his own creative outlook.
“I was a big fan of Genesis and Peter Gabriel,” Lee opined. “That was when I first discovered the notion of a ‘concept’ and that it could be an adventurous and lively place and not dull at all. It is a very playful and compelling record. I fell in love with the sound of it. I was totally entranced by it and wanted to know how they had done it. This is part of the roots of Rush. The creation of a flexible concept. The parallels are obvious.”
Jethro Tull – ‘Thick As a Brick’ (1972)
Lee has always been open when discussing just how much Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull dragged him down the prog rock rabbit hole, and that hearing their epic concept album, Thick As a Brick, left him stunned. Presented as an epic poem written by a child prodigy, and delivered as one continuous 43-minute piece of music, the fifth album from Jethro Tull is the epitome of ambitious prog records, and it’s hardly surprising that Lee has always had a fondness for it.
“My favourite Jethro Tull album,” he asserted. “I know it is partly a send up of the idea of ‘concept’, but it is delivered to perfection. I was a massive Tull fan from very young and they are one of the bands that I saw live in Toronto. I was mesmerised by Ian Anderson. His presentation was simply magical and he delivered it with such a sense of humour and great style.”
