Rush: Moving autobiography by frontman Geddy Lee
Rock stars such as the Foo Fighters or the Smashing Pumpkins, actor and musician Jack Black and the creators of the cult cartoon series "South Park" have something in common: they are all fans of the Canadian rock band Rush. The frontman of the trio, which is famous for songs such as "Spirit Of The Radio", "Tom Sawyer" and the 20-minute progressive rock epic "2112", is Geddy Lee. The 70-year-old has now published his autobiography.
In "My Effin' Life", the singer, bassist and keyboardist from Rush not only looks back on his long career. He also deals intensively with his Jewish roots, which he denied for a time as a teenager. "It took me a long time to realize that my heritage is something I can be proud of," says the singer in an interview with the German Press Agency in London. He now appreciates Jewish culture without really being religious. "I definitely make a distinction between culture and God."
Lee was born in Toronto as the son of Polish emigrants under the name Gershon Eliezer Weinrib. The trauma of his parents, who survived the Holocaust, also shaped his life. The musician dedicates a moving chapter to their dramatic story in his book. "Because I have the feeling that we live in a time in which it seems we have forgotten what can and will happen when fascism rears its head," he writes. He also talks about a visit with his mother to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on the 50th anniversary of its liberation in 1995, which he says was healing.
Of course, "My Effin' Life" is primarily about the music. Geddy Lee tells of the beginnings in a school band that played on bar mitzvahs, through to the ceremonial induction of Rush into the "Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame" and the last concert to date a few years ago. "We felt lucky to be able to do that," he says of his heavy workload with the group. In the first ten years, Rush released an average of one album a year and were constantly on tour.
Managers driven to despair
With their complex and not exactly radio-friendly songs, the musicians, who were considered unconventional, drove many a manager and producer to despair. "They didn't understand what we were doing," jokes the singer, bassist and keyboardist. But the success of Rush eventually reassured those responsible at the record companies. "They said: 'We don't understand it, but it seems to be working. So we'll just let them do it."
Lee writes emotionally about the death of drummer Neil Peart, who died of a brain tumor in January 2020. That seemed to be the end of the Rush chapter. However, Geddy Lee and Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson performed together for two concerts in honor of the late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins last year.
Lee, who has been very close friends with Lifeson since childhood, would like to continue this. "I don't know if we'd call it Rush," he says. "I think Alex and I both very much want to write songs together again and see what happens. That would be the first step." After the emotional look back, the musician gives his fans hope with a promising outlook.
Incidentally, Lee has a positive relationship with Germany despite his family's traumatic past. "I look forward to coming to Germany every time," he says. "I've met so many great people there over the years." He and his wife Nancy, who he has been with since he was a teenager, have also discovered a new passion. The Canadian couple watch German crime thrillers - with English subtitles. Their favorite: "A series called "Tatort"," Geddy Lee enthuses. "We particularly like Borowski."
Geddy Lee, being a fan of various arts, often finds parallels between music and literature. In his autobiography, he discusses how the complex structure and themes in some rock songs, such as Rush's epic "2112", are similar to the intricate narratives found in literature.
Furthermore, Lee mentions that he enjoys listening to a wide range of music genres, including pop and rock. He particularly admires the storytelling abilities of pop songwriters, appreciating how they can convey emotions and messages through catchy tunes.
Source: www.dpa.com
