Author:Geddy Lee
The Rush vocalist and bass player gives the reader an in depth look at his life both in and out of the band in this fascinating lengthy autobiography. Initially we learn of his parents’ traumatic experiences as teenagers in World War Two and the murder of his grandfather in The Holocaust. Against this background, he describes a loving childhood environment and the introduction to music that eventually led to him dropping out of High School. However, it’s the time with Rush that most fans will want to turn to, going from their earliest days through the classic late seventies/early eighties albums and on to the very end of their long career with the vastly underrated Clockwork Angels album, one of their very finest efforts that for some reason often gets overlooked when assessing their music. The most interesting part of the book though is his close relationship with his two co-members in the group – they really were a band of brothers, as evidenced most in terrible times such as when Neil Peart tragically lost his daughter and then wife, and ultimately when he himself became terminally ill. Even now, it’s obvious Lee is still deeply affected by the passing of his friend and colleague. There’s an atmosphere of loss and poignancy at work here, but this is lightened by the author’s ongoing honesty and indefatigable humour, both of which pervade the pages in equal measure. I’ve waited a long time to read his life story, and this powerful memoir certainly doesn’t disappoint. Illustrated with a generous helping of previously unpublished photographs, this is a very enjoyable read, and would be a welcome inclusion in the Christmas stocking of the Rush fan in your life – I just wish they had come up with a better title.
Length of Read:Long
Might appeal to people who enjoyed…
The music of Rush, Neil Peart’s own books, some of which cover the same ground from a different perspective.
One thing you’ve learned
A short speaking tour is scheduled in December.
Bargepole says
Twang says
There was a documentary about Rush on Netflix which was really good. He came across well in it, as did the others.
Hawkfall says
There are two good Rush documentaries. the first one, “Beyond the Lighted Stage” was a general career doc, and ended memorably with the three of them getting mildly drunk in a restaurant and enjoying each other’s company. I think it changed a lot of non-fans ideas of them, showing them to take themselves a lot less seriously than they may have thought.
The second one, Time Stand Still covered their last tour in 2016 and was really more of a doc about fandom than the band. You saw how a lot of Rush fans would meet up at their concerts and had their tours as part of their plans for the year.
Both documentaries are very good at showing how lives and careers are built around music. And you don’t need to like the band’s music to enjoy them.
Freddy Steady says
Thanks @hawkfall
I’ve seen the first and enjoyed it very much. Wasn’t aware of the second, so ta.
Twang says
I guess the Netflix doc was the first one? Starts with them as school kids, finding Neil, going to America etc etc. Very watchable (but no longer available).
Hawkfall says
Yup, the first one is the one with the scene that TrypF posted below.
Lando Cakes says
I certainly hope it appears in this Rush fan’s Christmas stocking. And you’re right about Clockwork Angels – they went out on a high.
TrypF says
I’ll be getting it (though waiting for the paperback) on the back of his previous book, Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Book of Bass. As well as being a gorgeous coffee table-sized slab of bass porn, the captions and short essays are hilarious and self-deprecating about his collecting addiction – his personality really comes across.
Now let’s all stand for the national anthem, eh.
TrypF says
Here are Rush having that boozy dinner. A wonderful tribute to that close friendship.
niallb says
I play this video whenever I feel low. I’ve lost my two oldest and closest friends in the past five years so this wonderful film takes me back to similar dinners with them.
Steve Walsh says
I’m going to see him at the Barbican next month. The book (which was included in the not insubstantial ticket price) arrived yesterday. It’s a hefty tome. I need to get my skates on and finish the KLF book I’m currently reading to make sure I finish Geddy’s before I see him talk about it.