It’s hard to imagine any band ever taking the place of Rush. The Canadian trio — Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart — changed rock music forever with their complex songs, amazing skills, and unique sound. Each member was a master at what they did, and together they created something that was both strange and brilliant.
But Geddy Lee believes that the spirit of Rush didn’t end when the band stopped playing. In an interview, he mentioned that if any band could carry on their legacy, it might just be Primus.
“Perhaps Primus,” Geddy said. “There’s a weirdness there that I detect was maybe partly inspired by the weirdness of our music.”
The Spirit of Prog Rock Lives On
Many people thought progressive rock (or prog rock) faded away when punk and grunge took over. But Geddy Lee knew that there were still musicians out there who loved to experiment and challenge themselves. Prog rock didn’t die — it just evolved.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, bands like Dream Theater and Primus started to gain attention. These groups weren’t afraid of unusual rhythms, long songs, or odd sounds — just like Rush.
Dream Theater’s drummer Mike Portnoy has even said that he studied Neil Peart’s drum fills carefully, showing just how much Rush influenced the next generation of musicians.
Enter Primus: The Weird but Wonderful Band
When the 1990s arrived, the world was full of flannel shirts and grunge rock. But Primus, led by Les Claypool, stood out from the crowd. Their songs — like “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” and “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver” — were funky, funny, and technically complex. Claypool’s bass playing was out of this world, full of strange rhythms and sounds no one had heard before.
Even though Primus didn’t sound like Rush, they shared the same adventurous spirit. They made music that was smart, unusual, and fun — exactly what Geddy Lee admired.
Similar Souls in Different Eras
Rush had their moments of musical craziness too. Albums like Hemispheres showed how far they could push rock music into new territories. Similarly, Primus albums like Sailing the Seas of Cheese explored strange ideas and time signatures, mixing humor and technical skill.
Both bands loved to experiment. They didn’t just follow trends — they created their own paths. That’s why Geddy saw Primus as a kind of musical heir. They weren’t copying Rush, but they carried the same fearless energy.
Moving Forward
Primus eventually took breaks and explored other projects, much like Rush did over the years. But the connection between the two bands remains clear: both believed in creativity over popularity.
Geddy Lee’s respect for Primus reminds us that rock is always evolving. Bands come and go, but the passion to explore new sounds never disappears. Rush may never be replaced — but thanks to artists like Les Claypool and Primus, their adventurous spirit is still alive in music today.