(Toronto) Geddy Lee surprised a room of Rush fans Thursday night by bringing out his old friend and longtime bandmate, Alex Lifeson, to help him address decades of shared memories.
It was a rare opportunity to see the progressive rock legends in a semi-casual setting, without guitars, but armed with plenty of good jokes, as the bassist closed out the North American leg of his book tour My Effing Life at Massey Hall in Toronto.
“Don’t make me cry before you start,” he pleaded with Lifeson shortly after the Rush guitarist was revealed as the other guest for the two-hour conversation.
As it turns out, the evening was mostly devoid of tears, but filled with laughter and the occasional light-hearted dig at one of his closest friends.
Thousands of diehard Rush fans were in attendance, many of whom took with them the copy of Lee’s memoir that came with their ticket. Some didn’t waste a moment before unleashing their adoration for their heroes.
“I love you guys,” one shouted from the balcony, prompting the others to echo the sentiment in a growing chorus of rowdy compliments.
“Excuse me, I’m talking,” Lee replied humorously, as the room started to get too unruly.
But Rush fans could not be silenced.
The cheering and heckling continued throughout the show, but at more appropriate times. It allowed Lee and Lifeson to showcase what it could be like to spend time with them at home, a tradition they’ve kept alive over the years.
The duo joked that they were rarely together without a bottle of wine on hand. The musicians of Fly By Night recently returned from their first vacation together, Lee said, without revealing the destination.
Their more or less structured conversation began with stories about the foundations of their friendship which lasted almost a lifetime, predating the creation of the group.
Lee and Lifeson were 13-year-old classmates when they met. Today, both aged 70, they recognize how quickly old age has invaded them.
“And yet you still look so well preserved,” Lee joked to Lifeson.
They told stories about the formation of Rush and the first time they met drummer Neil Peart, who died of brain cancer in 2020. He was a late addition to the band after their drummer left origin.
When Peart showed up with his drums in trash bags to the audition, they were confused. Once his musical talents were demonstrated, they said there was no doubt he would be in the group.
Host George Stroumboulopoulos joined the conversation to lead a question and answer period with the audience later in the evening. During this moment, Lee got emotional talking about the creation of Rush’s latest album, Clockwork Angelswhich he said marked a high point for the group.
“I’m proud of this album for many reasons,” he said.
The book tour My Effin Life by Lee debuted last month in New York and has traveled to other major cities with a surprise guest each night.
Actors Paul Rudd and Jack Black, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic and Canadian singer Jann Arden were among those who joined Lee on stage in select cities.