Geddy Lee: My Effin' Life biography Nov 14, 2023

[boilk]

^^Great write up, thanks for sharing. Like you, they were definitely my band growing up and I still love them. I may try and do something similar, and try and snag some late tickets at a (hopefully) greatly reduced price. Although, since I'm in his hometown of Toronto, that may not be so much the case. Glad that you enjoyed it!


Neil

[revelogicPA]

^^Great write up, thanks for sharing. Like you, they were definitely my band growing up and I still love them. I may try and do something similar, and try and snag some late tickets at a (hopefully) greatly reduced price. Although, since I'm in his hometown of Toronto, that may not be so much the case. Glad that you enjoyed it!


Neil

you will love it


even the powerpoint slide show before showtime was illuminating; for decades I pored over all things Rush, photos and words, and here were Ged's personal stash asitwere. those guys knew how to party


best thing for me was Geddy recognizing, admitting and having gratitude for the feedback loop between them and the audience. Rush had the Neil Young thing of being self contained and following their own muse. for any musician watching them, they really were a barometer of creative success and musical ability. he knows this and knows that he could have only made this career happen with Alex and Neil and yes, us


that must be a great thing to confront and reflect on



I hope that these next chapter moves are as honorable and successful as Rush's amazing career



I will be there

[Progatron]

My review of this book is now up:

https://www.velvetthunder.co.uk/gedd...harpercollins/

[SteveSly]

*Rik Emmett

Same. I'm reading them at the same time.

Oops......and I know better!

I am almost done with Rik's so will finish it before starting Ged's.

[Scott Bails]

I can only add to revelogicPA's review, as they summed it up pretty nicely.

As mentioned, we had Billions writer/creator Brian Koppelman as moderator/interviewer, and he struck a nice balance of knowledgeable fan and objective interviewer. While my friend and I agreed that Paul Rudd was probably more fun, Koppelman asked several questions regarding the writing process, and how the act of writing and remembering Geddy's career allowed him to see aspects of his life in a different life. It provided an interesting slant to the evening.

I also have to commend the fans who submitted questions, as several of them were very good and forced Geddy to really consider his answers.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable evening, and something I would highly recommend to any Rush fan who can afford it. It's always a pleasure to hear Geddy talk, and he touched upon some very poignant events with humility and a sense of humor.

Unfortunately, since our tickets were comped, we did not receive a book (don't really get this, but I can't complain), but I will be picking up a copy this weekend. Can't wait to read it!

[Progatron]

[ronmac]

^^ That's one great interview.

[Progatron]

[Jerjo]

Geddy clarifies a few things about him and Alex with an assist from Paul McCartney: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/m...on-1234886149/

[Nearfest2]

Oops......and I know better!

I am almost done with Rik's so will finish it before starting Ged's.

I can't put Geddy's book down, so the rest of Rik's will have to wait.

[Jerjo]

Alex joined Tool onstage in Toronto per the Rush is a Band FB page. Perhaps he is now fully recovered from his surgery.

I can't put Geddy's book down, so the rest of Rik's will have to wait.

This is a perfect encapsulation of Rush's music and Triumph's.

[Steve983]

I'm about half way through the book now. One revelation is that that there were a lot more drugs in use that we had previously thought, not such good boys after all

[Gizmotron]

My review of this book is now up:

https://www.velvetthunder.co.uk/gedd...harpercollins/

That is an excellent review, Lorne

[Progatron]

That is an excellent review, Lorne

Thank you! I enjoyed writing it and loved reading the book.

[ronmac]

Thank you! I enjoyed writing it and loved reading the book.

Yeah, great review.

Does Geddy ever discuss the reaction to his singing in the early days? That's really the only thing that, IMO, made Rush inaccessible for so many. (I think Rolling Stone labeled it as sounding like, "A guinea pig on amphetamines.") However, when you listen beyond the sound of his actual voice, what's revealed is a great vocalist with really incredible phrasing.

[mozo-pg]

Thank you! I enjoyed writing it and loved reading the book.

Makes me want to buy the book!! I was on the fence. I wear a like a badge of pride, seeing Rush during 2112 (with a relatively small audience). I'm also glad he talked opening about drug use (there is still stigma about being open about this topic). Was I a stoned 14 year old seeing Rush's 2112, you bet!

[walt]

Would someone(like me) who just never found the time or space to listen to Rush enjoy this book.?

[moecurlythanu]

One revelation is that that there were a lot more drugs in use that we had previously thought, not such good boys after all

Who thought Rush weren't doing drugs?

[gearHed289]

Who thought Rush weren't doing drugs?

That's what I was wondering!

[Rarebird]

Who thought Rush weren't doing drugs?

I suppose it is easier to count the musicians who haven't done drugs, especially in the 60s and 70s.

As far as I know Rinus Gerritsen never did drugs. He doesn't drink and doesn't smoke.

[Progatron]

Yeah, great review.

Does Geddy ever discuss the reaction to his singing in the early days? That's really the only thing that, IMO, made Rush inaccessible for so many. (I think Rolling Stone labeled it as sounding like, "A guinea pig on amphetamines.") However, when you listen beyond the sound of his actual voice, what's revealed is a great vocalist with really incredible phrasing.

Yes he does, a few times. And he offers up a few more descriptive quotes from critics like the one you referenced!

Would someone(like me) who just never found the time or space to listen to Rush enjoy this book.?

Yes and no. His life story is interesting, but naturally there is a lot about Rush, which may not be of much interest. It's hard to say objectively, as I haven't known what it's like not to be utterly obsessed about them for about 35 years now. That being said, I have read musicians' autobiographies where I haven't been much of a fan, but found them interesting all the same.

Who thought Rush weren't doing drugs?

I suspect their rather polite image led some people to believe they were clean-living as well. They weren't known for their excess the way some bands were, and I'm guessing a lot of people figured it would be impossible to be such precise musicians playing such technical music while under certain influences (or the hangovers from). It was easier to believe - or frightfully obvious - that Motley Crue, with their appearance and antics both on and off stage, were drug users.

I remember reading Neil's Ghost Rider book and at one point he says something to the effect of 'With all I've been through, would anyone blame me for resorting to self-medicating, like putting a straw up my nose?' and there was something about the way it was worded that made me think he spoke with some experience.

[ronmac]

I think it was pretty obvious that they indulged.

"A Passage to Bangkok" anyone?

[Scott Bails]

Yeah, great review.

Does Geddy ever discuss the reaction to his singing in the early days? That's really the only thing that, IMO, made Rush inaccessible for so many. (I think Rolling Stone labeled it as sounding like, "A guinea pig on amphetamines.") However, when you listen beyond the sound of his actual voice, what's revealed is a great vocalist with really incredible phrasing.

He definitely talks about this in the book (not disputing anything Lorne has said), as this was one of the parts of the book that he read aloud during his show in Philly. I imagine he's reading the same passages at each show, but I can't confirm that. But he does address it, and has some fun with it, with his typical humor.

I think it was pretty obvious that they indulged.

"A Passage to Bangkok" anyone?

He also specifically referenced this during the show, as well. "Did people really think that song was about a train?"

[Progatron]

I think it was pretty obvious that they indulged.

"A Passage to Bangkok" anyone?

Oh definitely. But that was just smoking stuff.

[walt]

Yes and no. His life story is interesting, but naturally there is a lot about Rush, which may not be of much interest. It's hard to say objectively, as I haven't known what it's like not to be utterly obsessed about them for about 35 years now. That being said, I have read musicians' autobiographies where I haven't been much of a fan, but found them interesting all the.

Thanks for the reply.