Geddy Lee, the legendary frontman and bassist of Rush, has always been known for his powerful voice, complex bass lines, and incredible musicianship. But even great musicians like him had their heroes — and two bands, in particular, helped shape his musical style and outlook: Cream and The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Rush was formed as a trio, which meant each member had to shine while keeping perfect balance with the others. With Geddy Lee on bass and vocals, Alex Lifeson on guitar, and Neil Peart on drums, Rush became one of the most influential rock bands in history. But their sound didn’t come from nowhere. Lee was deeply inspired by the trios who came before them, especially during the late 1960s — a golden age of rock experimentation.
One of the biggest influences on Lee was the psychedelic supergroup Cream, made up of Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton, and Ginger Baker. Even though Cream existed for only two years (from 1966 to 1968), they changed the face of rock music forever. Geddy Lee once shared that seeing Cream perform live in Toronto was a life-changing experience for him. In an interview with SiriusXM in 2013, he recalled,
“Cream sort of changed my life. They blew my mind, and I remember they were coming to Toronto… They were such an important band to me. Jack Bruce’s bass playing was just out of this world. Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker — they were the ultimate trio.”
That concert showed Geddy what was possible in a three-piece band — how each musician could push boundaries and still create a complete, powerful sound. He admired how Cream blended blues, rock, and improvisation, something that later became a huge part of Rush’s music too.
Another band that had a lasting influence on Geddy Lee was The Jimi Hendrix Experience, the trio that introduced the world to guitar genius Jimi Hendrix, along with Noel Redding on bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums. Their 1967 debut album Are You Experienced was revolutionary. Geddy Lee has often mentioned how much this record impressed him when he first heard it. In an interview with The Quietus in 2012, he said,
“I had never heard anything like this before or since. There have been many imitators, but nothing gets close.”
What amazed Lee the most was how The Jimi Hendrix Experience could create such a massive sound with only three members. To him, they proved that a trio could be just as powerful and expressive as any larger band. He admired how the group mixed rock, blues, and jazz influences, constantly surprising listeners with their creativity.
Both Cream and The Jimi Hendrix Experience showed Geddy Lee that a trio could do more than anyone expected — and Rush carried that lesson throughout their career. The energy, balance, and musical freedom that Lee witnessed in those bands became a core part of Rush’s identity.
Today, when fans listen to Rush classics like “Tom Sawyer,” “YYZ,” or “La Villa Strangiato,” they can still hear the echoes of those early influences — the spirit of Cream’s power and Hendrix’s fearless innovation — woven into Geddy Lee’s bass lines and vocals.