The influential bass player Geddy Lee called “heroic”
The pantheon of great bass players is far less populated than that of its six-stringed counterpart. Standing out on the bass is challenging due to its rhythmic nature and the reality that its melodic scope is more limited than the guitar. However, when players excel in either aspect—or, in some cases, both—they not only stand out within their group but also make their mark on the history of the instrument. This is something Geddy Lee is acutely aware of.
Rush frontman and bassist Geddy Lee is one of the greatest in the instrument’s history and is known for his distinctive style. Like all who earn a place at the round table of four-string greats, Lee’s approach is unique, drawing on funk, hard rock, and prog. His technical, driving style blends the constant riffing of Paul McCartney with the cool vibes of Motown pioneer James Jamerson, creating a dynamic sound. Additionally, the explosive technicality of The Who’s John Entwistle courses through his work, adding ample energy to tracks like ‘The Spirit of Radio’.
He supplied the rhythmic foil for drummer Neil Peart and a melodic ballast for guitarist Alex Lifeson, stretching the breadth of the instrument for a new crop of players.
Lee is also a philosophically grounded player and a technically gifted one. This means that in addition to being a natural, the way he views the bass holistically and cherry-picks from his favourites is undoubtedly one of his greatest triumphs, alongside the many classic moments he produced with Rush and the fact he manages to do it all while singing.
While Lee has mentioned several key bass players for his approach forming, one instituted the lineage in which he finds himself a key part of: Chris Squire. A true virtuoso, his work on prog highlights such as ‘Roundabout’ and their earlier effort ‘No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed’ had a galvanising impact on the young Lee.
They opened his mind to the possibilities that the bass offered and that it could be front and centre of a rock band’s music and not sit in the pocket of the drums, resting on boring root notes. The Rush frontman is in no doubt that the former song, one of Squire’s finest moments, is one of the greatest bass parts ever.
Speaking to The Guardian in 2023, Lee revealed just how important Squire was for him when developing his sound. He described him as a “heroic” force on the bass and expressed regret at never having the chance to get to know him before his 2015 death, despite them crossing paths.
Lee explained: “I never got a chance to sit down with [Yes’s bassist] Chris Squire and talk to him. He was such an important, heroic bass player to me. He did come to one Rush gig in London, many years ago, but it was so crazy backstage. I would love to find out more about him, his influences and how he developed his style.”
While he never got to meet Squire, his influence is surely enough for Lee. As the Rush innovator has outlined elsewhere, the first time he heard Squire’s work on 1969’s ‘No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed’, his life on the instrument truly began. It was bold, blistering, and a little bit classical, and from that moment, he knew exactly what he needed to do to rise to the same heights as Squire, McCartney, Jamerson, and the other bass forces who inspired him.
