Geddy Lee on My Effin’ Life, Rush, and the story of Neil Peart’s audition 

Same.

I cried too!

The friendship these guys had are so amazing and admirable and enviable that you cannot help but connect with them on such an amazing level that one cannot help be affected by all of this. Really, i get teary eyed every time as well.

Strangely, I love this band and these guys so much, just reading your comment, triggered an emotional reaction.

@@CL_Audio_Tuning Exactly. It's one thing to simply love their music, but their endurance as a band, friends and truly nice guys set them apart from any other band and make them feel like brothers to fans themselves. It is very rare and refreshing in this age of prima donna entertainers.

Amen

Especially for former professional drummers like me who at first idolized him then in some senses became him

I met Geddy at his Big Bass Book signing in May 2019.I waited in line for two hours thinking of something to say or ask him when it came time for him to sign my book. All's I came up with was "The end is near" referring to the shortening line behind me rather than Neil's situation, which of course, was unknown to the public. Graciously, Geddy responded with"Thanks for coming out man"

Indeed we are.

Amen... I cried at least twice watching this, trying to hide it from my wife who has no idea what was going on... if she saw me all teary eyed she'd have been a bit concerned, but I feel like she wouldn't have understood I am still mourning the loss of someone that had such a huge impact on my own life.

I couldn't either...

Tom did a fantastic job at giving Geddy the space to share in a heartfelt way.

Yea, I've never seen this Tom guy before, but he was a deeply considerate interviewer althroughout, not just with the difficult subjects. Really impressed. Too many interviewers are too enthusiastic or even "make the show about me" and talk too much.@@ChuckWortman

Geddy is so awesome. One of the greats as well. He’s always had this outlook that what he was doing was not anything special or above others. The way he talks about forming a band, like “running off to join the circus.” He’s always just seen himself as an entertainer, he doesn’t view it in a pretentious or grandiose way. Always gracious with fans and appreciative of where he’s ended up.

That's a lovely phrase, thxvm for sharing it...

“Grief is love with nowhere to go.” Absolutely love that…thank you so much for that.

Blessings to us all

@@reallymysterious4520yeah, even now; the lyrics replicate all to close to what I think he (and Alex) were going through when Neil passed.

I know, right. It's super tough getting over the death of someone you've never met.

Neil spoke to US ALL through his Rhythms and his Prose....RIP Perfesser Pratt!!😢😢😢😢😢

@petern I feel the same I miss the professor and RUSH

I know! I heard that while tidying up and it stopped me in my tracks. Damn he nailed it.

Me too

absolutely did the same. Immediately. I just wanted to give Ged a hug right then and there. We're all feeling the loss so much still

Likewise. Also when he chose "Headlong Flight" as the closing song. To me both lyrically and musically it is such an incredible encapsulation of my personal experience as a Rush fan; would that I could live all of the amazing times I've had in my life with Rush as the soundtrack to it, and also the incredible musicianship displayed in such a complex piece. While I enjoy all of Clockwork Angels, that to me is my personal favorite track. It just captures the essence of "Rushness" with it's upbeat tempo, complicated parts, and thoughtful lyrics. Thank you Geddy, Alex, and Neil for enriching (and often narrating) my life with your music.

@@bradcrosier1332 Headlong Flight is like the middle jam segment of By-Tor and the Snow Dog from EXIT… STAGE LEFT at a different tempo, but also reminds me of something else, but I can’t think of which song it is exactly. That’s going to drive me crazy until I figure it out Whichever one, Headlong Flight really embodies the mold of a classic RUSH song. Especially with the drum solo in the middle and the way Geddy is playing the bass using that open E string in conjunction with the A at the 7th fret, which is E one octave higher than the open E… it’s how he works back and forth between the two strings using the octave string as an accent much like how Neil accents on the snare drum. That would have all really sounded good had Geddy used the Rickenbacker on it

This interview was very cathartic for me. Tom Power is an exceptionally talented host.

Wish more people could see life this way.. but like comparing oneself to others, most never will

Preach it brotha!

I agree! Headlong Flight was a great choice to follow up the interview. One of their best songs and it really fits with the discussion.

"Don't ask where I'm going, but listen when I'm gone."

I was wondering whether he would choose Afterimage. I was pleased he chose Headlong Flight, as it seems (at least in my inner monologue) that he is indeed moving forward again.

1976 a friend gave me Caress of Steel. He didn't like it. I was spellbound 😊

​@@David-ng7crOne of the greatest "underrated" albums ever! The fact it was criticized and "didn't fit the plan" (Temples of Syrinx reference), makes it even more great!

A friend of mine was playing in a garage band and they played Tom Sawyer that was my ticket to discovery of greatness My friend made me a Rush tape and since 1985 RUSH is my number one band I still listen to them everyday Thanks Geddy, Alex,Neil

Childhood memory to share with everyone, bearing in mind that it does mock the fact that I'm french-canadian and not yet bilingual when we had the album that we used to call (here it comes:) "Careless of Steel"! 😹😹😹😇☺️😏

I’ve watched that concert video at least a dozen times, not because it’s the greatest show Rush ever did (though it is great!) but because of you guys/that audience. Easily the most enthusiastic fans I’ve ever seen. Makes me want to move to Brazil.

Respect from Canada to Brazil. Best Rush audience I’ve ever seen

Saw the concert and wow Im impressed by people in Brazil

Rush in Rio is their best concert video

Yes I think we can all say. The reaction to YYZ during Rush in Rio was historic. Would've loved to have been there.

Almost same story with me! 1981, my best friend brings home MP, and we play it non stop all weekend. Changed how we felt about our then favorite bands. Had heard and loved 2112, but MP made me look even deeper. So thankful to have been alive during their majority touring days. Always wonderful to meet a fellow RUSH fan……we are a different breed…lol.

Ah ha ! In May 1979,my school year group from Penglais school went in a mini-bus (Penrhyncoch) to see Rush at the Birmingham Odeon (Hemispheres tour).Epic night !

Before watching this interview, I had just picked out the ticket stub to that very gig then saw your comment. Great times and memories 👍

Another one that’s even rougher is Angus Young at his brother Malcolm’s funeral. Especially the part where they’re loading Malcolm up and you see Angus following behind with Malcolm’s son while carrying Malcolm’s 1963 Gretsch jet inside its case… That one was rough to watch. Angus is always so happy and the kind of dude who the moment he walks into a place, everything and all of life becomes a big joke

Indeed. And credit to the interviewer for asking the right questions, and with empathy.

I think they all kept each other that way.

​@@ElrohirGuitarI know of another band that is like that and it's also a trio

I met them at an after-show party back in the 80's. As I walk in, Geddy and a women were over at the bar, and Geddy is clearly very angry and upset at this woman, saying "What part of 'No' don't you understand? I'm MARRIED!" So cool. They say never meet your heros, they'll have feet of clay, well Geddy has feet of 24-carat gold! Wonderful person, really genuinely nice guy.

Right! 👍 let's not forget his lyrics too 🙏 💛

see above "Neil was the best drummer in the world and also a brilliant lyricist xxx"@@marie-claudedupuis2366

Here here!

Amen, brother. Amen. 🕯️

I am not going to listen. It’s too hard. I’d buy the new record or tape right after it’s release. Just like you I can still remember thru sound. I knew in the 70s it had to be my soundtrack. Then I got killed, it was bad. Trying to learn to walk some again after a life destroying accident and near death experience. Positive but afraid for my future I hear my boys got back in the studio for Vapor Trails. I learned about Neil, felt like him prolly. Then I hear Ghost Rider, Shadows on the road behind shadows on the road ahead. See, something like that destroys your formerly happy view of the past. And man, what insight he had to have gained when he wrote that. So suddenly an album who’s lyrics are now talking to me about me. End of R-40, I’m in the seats, I am weak but I am up. End of show, I knew it, The Garden was the perfect end. But I struggle. So I’m reliving the later stuff. Damn, Counterparts, one of their best. I personally don’t want RUSH back because you can replace just about any musician, but total lyricist? No. It can never be.

Likewise . Good pure past times

Similar to what happened with Steely Dan - except there were only two! (And of course a host of the finest musicians around at the time).

The best thing is that they all stayed good friends after they became famous and didn't let egos take over and split them up like what has happened to a lot of bands.

I feel bad for Geddy that while signing books one day prior to Neil’s death… back when only he and a select few knew what was going on… that a male fan was flirting with him like hardcore while waiting in line (eeeek!!!) But Geddy’s response to the guys claim that Geddy was smiling and looking into his eyes as he was in the front row in front of Geddy… (makes me need to take multiple showers picturing him telling Geddy this) I think was the best part was how Geddy handled it. He told the guy “well… you are a handsome fellow… maybe I WAS that night…) 😂 That seems like a response he’s used before which suggests to me that that happens from time to time and that he has to be prepared for that just in case. Because obviously Geddy doesn’t want to make anyone feel bad by saying something like “ahhhh that’s gross man… you’re freaking me out”. So yeah… times like THAT it must really suck being Geddy Lee Apparently, the guy felt this intense feeling of elation for a brief moment as Geddy handed him his book… but was soon snatched up by two juicers they had on standby, then used his head as a battering ram to open the exit door 😆

So very true and very well said sir

@@theodosios2615 nope.

An excellent role model.

You have good taste, lol. I started liking Rush when I was 14, back in the mid-'80s. You'll definitely have fun going through their '70s and '80s music, lol.

Don’t sing like Geddy. Sing like you

Agreed 100%

Awesome you saw the tour! I listen to the album often

@@two3D Working Man was the 1st Rush song I learned how to play on guitar.

@@rb343 Nice! Fly by Night was one of mine

@@two3D Another good one!

I sent my wife and nephew, (all of us big Rush fans) to see Geddy in DC for his book tour. They are in heaven, both have a book... but this interview was for me! I am so grateful for it, as a 42 year long Rush fan, now 56 yo, it answered so many questions for me and gave me a sense of closure. We loved the R40 movie, but miss Rush dearly every day! RIP Neil and thank you Geddy and Tom for this interview.❤

Sending a hug