When we think of legendary rock musicians, it’s easy to assume they all chose their instruments out of passion. But for Geddy Lee, the famous bassist and singer of Rush, things were very different. He didn’t dream of playing bass. In fact, he became a bass player because his band needed one — and the other members voted him into the role.
Lee has often said that, in his early days, no one wanted to be the bass player. Everyone wanted to be the next big guitar hero like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, or Jimmy Page. The bass wasn’t the flashy instrument. It wasn’t the one at the front of the stage. But sometimes life leads you exactly where you’re meant to be, even if you didn’t choose the path yourself.
Falling in Love With Rock Music
Even though he didn’t start as a bassist, Lee was always a huge fan of rock music. He grew up listening to bands that shaped the sound of the ’60s and ’70s. One of his biggest early influences was the psychedelic rock band Cream. The group was made up of Jack Bruce (bass), Eric Clapton (guitar), and Ginger Baker (drums).
Lee has said many times that Cream was his favourite band when he first started seriously listening to rock music. He admired how powerful and creative their music was. Cream didn’t just play simple rock songs — they played with energy, emotion, and experimentation. For a young Geddy Lee, this was life-changing.
Cream’s Impact on Early Rush
When Rush was just starting out, they played in small places like coffeehouses and school dances. They were heavily inspired by Cream, especially by bassist Jack Bruce. Lee has said that early Rush tried very hard to sound like Cream. They even performed their own version of the blues song “Spoonful.”
This influence helped shape Rush’s early sound. It also helped Lee understand what the bass could really do. Jack Bruce wasn’t just keeping rhythm — he was playing loud, expressive, creative bass lines. Lee carried that lesson with him throughout his entire career.
Geddy Lee’s Favourite Guitarist
Although Geddy Lee became famous for his incredible bass playing, he always loved guitarists just as much. And while many might expect his favourite to be Clapton from Cream, it turns out Lee admired another legend even more: Jeff Beck.
In an interview, Lee said that if he had to pick one favourite guitarist of all time, it would be Jeff Beck. He loved Beck’s tone, his style, and the unique sounds he created. To Lee, Beck wasn’t just a guitar player — he was an innovator. His playing on songs like “I Ain’t Superstitious” showed Lee how emotional and creative the guitar could be.
The Yardbirds and Their Influence
Another important musical influence for Lee was The Yardbirds, the band famous for launching the careers of Clapton, Beck, and Jimmy Page. Lee especially loved the song “Over Under Sideways Down,” which featured one of Jeff Beck’s most unique guitar lines. The song mixed rock with Eastern musical styles, something very unusual at the time.
For Lee, this song represented a moment when rock music was becoming more experimental and exciting. It showed how musicians could take risks and create new sounds — a philosophy he would later bring to Rush’s music.
A Bass Legend With Guitarist’s Heart
What makes Geddy Lee’s story so special is that he became one of the greatest bass players in rock history, even though he didn’t plan to play bass at all. His early love for guitar, his admiration for creative musicians, and his influences from bands like Cream and The Yardbirds all helped shape his unique style.
Today, Geddy Lee is celebrated not just as a bassist, but as a complete musician — someone who understands the soul of rock music from every angle. His journey shows that sometimes the unexpected path leads to greatness.