How the Holocaust rocked Rush front man Geddy Lee

The Jewish News ^ | 7-8-04 | scott r. benarde

[MarkL]

1/2 of the Rush fanbase are pseudo-metalheads who also liked Led Zep, and then perhaps got into the Metallicas of the world, but still liked Rush, but it's the "lightest" stuff they listen to.

This fits my brother to a T...

The other 1/2 of the Rush fanbase aren't quite metalheads, but like progressive music (Yes, Gabriel, Early Genesis, Floyd, King Crimson, etc.) and tend to be exceedingly intelligent, but slightly, nerdy engineers and such.

OK, this is me, but I also love Led Zep... As well as most blues and electric blues (which is where Led Zep fits in for me... Favorite song is "The Rain Song.").

Then at Yes concerts 1/2 the fanbase will be the general progressive rock/nerdy engineer guys, and the other 1/2 will be flower children tripping on acid.

That would be my sister! lol

Mark

[MarkL]

I also liked it better when Geddy belted out songs in his ultra-high falsetto, but he probably can't hit the upper register like he used to...oh well, the years take their toll on us all.

Many years ago, I heard a radio interview with Rush, and a caller asked Geddy "how he was able to sing such high notes." I seem to recall Neil replying, "Clothes pins. Show him, Geddy!"

Mark

[MarkL]

Did you check out the two Easter Eggs on there?

I'm Jewish... I don't celebrate Easter...

Just kidding... I didn't know that there were any on the DVD. Do you have to watch on a computer to get them, or can you get to them on a DVD player? What are they?

Mark

[MarkL]

If Geddy Lee is Jewish, how come his songs are so anti-God?

In the article, Geddy professed himself to be a "cultural Jew," which is similar to "lapsed Catholic," someone who still identifies with the group, but does not practice the religion, although appreciates the cultural aspects.

I wasn't aware that Rush's songs were "anti-G-d," but then I haven't really kept up with Rush since Moving Pictures. On the other hand, Neil has done nearly all their lyrics since he joined the band, and he's heavily influenced by Ayn Rand. And given his personal experiences, I could understand his loss of faith. For some people, personal tragedy can strengthen faith. For others, it can cause a loss of faith.

Mark

[catfish1957]

Have to brag a bit. Bought my first Rush album in 1974, when they were almost unknown. Think the Lp was Fly By Night. My age? 47. Only saw them once, during the 1981 Moving Pictures Tour. Still maybe the best concert I'd seen.

<><

[God bless Texas]

46 trips around the sun and still rocking - to my wife's chagrin.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Easter Eggs here:

http://www.cheathappens.com/show_cht.asp?ID=14253

[miloklancy]

Clarification: Neil Peart writes the lyrics. Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson actually write most of the music. Kudos to Rush, Yes, Gabriel/Hackett Era Genesis, Frank Zappa, King Crimson, and Gentle Giant. Ironically quite a few years back the British Rock journalist Miles accused Rush of being anti-semitic.

[CygnusXI]

I'm glad you brought up their first (RUSH) album!

The song "Here Again" is soooo freaking awesome. I get chills every time I here it.
The Guitar with it's semi-bluesy drawn out sound, and the inflections that Geddy uses are very over the top.

------
And I-- Oh I, I've seen your face before.
Is it ever gonna-- ever gonna change again?
....and I, oh I I've been in one Place too long.
Is ever gonna ever gonna change again.
------

[wku man]

Those were the days, but from what some FRiends have been telling me, he's hitting the heights again on this tour. Maybe he's been doing some new voice exercises or something. They're coming to Tampa, but as I'm getting ready to move to Idaho, I guess I'm gonna miss 'em. Too bad. I hope you get a chance to see 'em on their new tour. I'll expect a full report!

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[Frank_Discussion]

Hey, I'm a big "R" republican who leans to Libertarianism. Rush works for me.

I'm a RepubLican, I guess...

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Love Steely Dan too...

"Gonna rev up the motor-scooters...when Josie comes home..."

They were up this way at Foxwoods Casino not too long ago, unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to see them. I spent my "concert fund" on Moody Blues tickets.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Rush and Yes fan over here. I even own some vinyl.

Now, a FEMALE Rush and Yes fan...that's an even larger rarity!

I'm guessing by your profile page that you like GWB? :-)

[spodefly]

You do realize that the guitar solo on "Awaken" is a 12 string, right?

Yepper, the initial solo is anyway. The second solo and closing licks are Telecaster. You need to get the remeastered GFTO released last year. The audio quality is noticably improved from the original masters, and there are some bonus tracks.

[lawgirl]

AND Cary Grant, in case you hadn't noticed. hehehe

[ItsOurTimeNow]

lol...yeah, you mentioned it briefly...

[Semaphore Heathcliffe]

I only saw Rush once, for the Signals tour back in the early 80s. To confirm how long ago it was, Golden Earring was the opening band (“Twilight Zone”, indeed).

I saw that tour. My first concert.

[The Libertarian Dude]

That's odd... I'm a big-L libertarian who occasionally wastes his vote on Republicans.

[Salo]

They are liberals and Neil Peart is a high school dropout.