Geddy Lee of Rush Inspired to Pursue Music After Seeing Led Zeppelin in 1969
Toronto, ON – A formative concert experience in 1969, witnessing Led Zeppelin perform at The Rock Pile in Toronto, spurred a young Geddy Lee to dedicate himself to a career in music, ultimately leading to the formation of the iconic progressive rock band Rush.
The 16-year-old Lee, who had recently dropped out of school, attended the concert alongside future Rush bandmates Alex Lifeson and John Rutsey. He recalled the performance as a pivotal moment, stating, “They literally brought the house down because, by the end of the night, there was plaster falling from the ceiling.” This experience solidified his commitment to music, following the recent loss of his father and a desire to prove himself.
Initially, Lee and his bandmates attempted to replicate Led Zeppelin’s complex sound, but found it challenging. They managed to incorporate one song into their early setlists, “Livin’ Lovin’ Maid,” due to its relatively simpler structure in A major. “We tried a number of Zeppelin songs when we played in the bars, but we felt we couldn’t pull them off,” Lee explained. “We did have ‘Livin’ Lovin’ Maid’ in our set for a while, though.” This early struggle to emulate their heroes ultimately pushed Rush to develop their own unique and intricate musical style, a style that would come to define progressive rock. You can learn more about the history of progressive rock here.
Ironically, Jimmy Page reportedly disliked the simplicity of “Livin’ Lovin’ Maid,” the one Led Zeppelin song Rush could reliably perform. Lee once told Rolling Stone, “I felt like I had to make sure that it was worth it…I wanted to show her that I was a professional, that I was working hard, and wasn’t just a fuckin’ lunatic,” referring to his mother’s initial disapproval of his musical pursuits. Rush would go on to become one of the most influential and critically acclaimed bands in rock history.
Representatives for Rush have not commented on the anniversary of this event, but fans continue to celebrate the band’s legacy and the impact of Led Zeppelin on their formation.
