In a recent interview with The World Cafe, Geddy Lee discussed his experience of being ousted from Rush and confronting Alex Lifeson about this years and years later.
Rush’s early days saw frequent changes in the lineup, including the addition of Lindy Young and Mitch Bossi at different stages. During this period of flux, Ray Danniels, a Toronto agent, took over as Rush’s manager. Danniels’ influence led to a brief shakeup when Lee was removed from the band and replaced by Joe Perna.
However, this was short-lived due to an unsuccessful gig, leading to Lee’s reinstatement at Rutsey’s invitation.
Lee recounted how he was surprised about the decision to kick him out of the band:
“It’s interesting the way it all went down. You know, we were kids. We were really kids. So, that day, I was informed by our fourth member (Lindy Young) at that time, who ended up becoming my brother-in-law eventually, he told me that, ‘The band had broken up good, we broke up.’ I was like, ‘What?’ I was kind of reeling from that.”
Recalling how he felt vindicated when John Rutsey invited him back to the band, he continued:
“But a few months later, when John called me and asked me to rejoin the band because the band that they had turned Rush into was a disaster, I wasn’t unhappy to hear about that. I felt sort of vindicated when John called and said, ‘Look, why don’t you come back?’ Al was my best friend still, in a weird way, and I wanted to play with them again. So I went back happily, and we just went at it. I never really put them on the hot seat as to what really occurred. So, it was really nice to do that finally.”
Lifeson Told Lee He Went Along With His Absence
In his new memoir ‘My Effin’ Life,’ Lee talks about his conversation with Lifeson about this tumultuous time. Lee, in his typical humor-filled manner, questioned Lifeson at his home about who was the driving force behind his temporary ousting:
“I asked Al to come over to my house because I wanted to interview him for my book. [Laughs] So, we’re having our usual laughs, kidding each other, and I just put it to him. I said, ‘So, Al, when I got kicked out of the band, who really was the motivating factor? Who was it? Was it the new manager Ray, or was it John? Where did you stand on all of this? Did you defend me?'”
Lifeson’s response was a confession about his then-passive nature:
“He was looking at the ground a little bit, and he was saying, ‘Well, you know me back then, Ged, I was just a guy who went along with things, and John was such a dominant personality,’ which he was, he was a very strong personality. I just think that Al just went with the flow, and he didn’t really have an excuse or a strong reason.”
Through this story, Lee later reflected on how emotional responses can color one’s recollection of events.
Geddy Lee is Promoting His New Memoir
Looking towards the future, Lee expressed in a November 2023 interview that he remains open to performing with Lifeson, either as a continuation of Rush or in a new project. Although the possibility of Rush’s return with a new drummer has been discussed, Lee maintained that there are no definitive plans.
His new memoir ‘My Effin’ Life‘ not only offers a look into Lee’s personal and professional life but also provides an insider’s view of the early struggles and evolution of Rush. The book is now being promoted across the UK and North America with a 19-date tour. There are only five dates left, and you can grab your tickets here.
You can watch the rest of the interview below.
