Skip to main content
Become a MusicRadar VIP - it's free
- Join our community
SampleRadar
Access over 90,000 royalty-free samples
The MusicRadar app
Full access and custom feeds
MusicRadar Newsletters
The latest music and gear news inboxed
Earn Member Badges
Climb the MusicRadar charts
Coming soon: VIP-only Giveaways
Win pro-grade music gear and more
Join the conversation
Connect with other musicians and fans
BECOME A MUSICRADAR VIP
For the quickest way to join, enter your email below. We’ll send a confirmation email and sign you up to MusicRadar newsletters with the latest music news, gear reviews, tutorials and exclusive offers.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
Get VIP Access Quick

Become a MusicRadar VIP for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to Become a MusicRadar VIP !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Start reading to unlock your first badge
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Hot music news

Hot music news

The latest news from the hottest artists.

Explore
Make better music

Make better music

Explore tutorials, tips and guides for creating music.

Explore

Your membership perks

Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

Explore now

Get the MusicRadar Newsletter

Get the latest music news, gear reviews, deals and tutorials delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up here

Sign Out
MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Software & Apps
  • Controllers
  • Buying Guides
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • About us
More
  • Styles' sonic secret
  • I'm Still Standing
  • Stevie Wonder’s '70s synth guru
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Artists
  2. Guitarists

Interview: Geddy Lee's 5 favourite bassists of all time

News
By Roger Newell
Published 1 January 2013

The players who've inspired him

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Interview: Geddy Lee's 5 favourite bassists of all time

Interview: Geddy Lee's 5 favourite bassists of all time

BASS EXPO We aim to please here at MusicRadar, and it doesn't get much better than sitting down with legendary Rush frontman Geddy Lee to talk bass.

In no particular order, what follows is a list of Geddy Lee's five favourite bassists of all time, and words from the man himself that explain his inclusions. Read on!

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Jack Casady

Jack Casady

"Back in the early days, Jack Casady. I thought he was probably one of the most inventive players I’d ever heard and was really the reason I fell in love with Jefferson Airplane."

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Jack Bruce

Jack Bruce

"Jack Bruce of course was my hero when I first started playing. Just him coming out with that bluesy, jazzy style on bass and he brought a kind of aggressive tone to the Cream."

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Chris Squire

Chris Squire

"Chris Squire is incredibly inventive and imaginative writer of bass melodies. He’ll always be a pinnacle of great bass players."

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Jeff Berlin

Jeff Berlin

"He's more of a jazz bass player now but he used to play kind of fusion, rock and jazz with Bill Bruford on Bill’s solo records. Bruford was a fantastic band and Jeff is still among the top bass players out there, different calibre, he’s just off the planet."

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Les Claypool

Les Claypool

"We must not forget Les Claypool from Primus. A true style-seeking venture on bass, really original, an incredible player and he’s influenced me with his attitude towards bass playing."

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
CATEGORIES
Guitars
Roger Newell
Read more
Rush andf Angine de Poitrine composite image
Bands "They're fantastic!": Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson give thumbs up to Angine De Poitrine
 
 
Geddy Lee of band Rush sings at the KIA Forum on Sunday, June 7, 2026
Gigs & Festivals “He has turned back time”: Geddy Lee on the vocal prep he had to do for Rush’s 50 Something tour
 
 
Gavin Harrison
Artists Gavin Harrison says his jam with Rush on the Neil Peart documentary was a tribute – not an audition
 
 
Paul McCartney
Artists Revisiting a classic Paul McCartney interview from our archive
 
 
Al Di Meola
Artists “Jaco was unbelievable”: Al Di Meola recalls his collaborations with Jaco Pastorius, Phil Collins and more
 
 
Anika Nilles (L) and Geddy Lee of Rush perform in concert during the Rush: Fifty Something
Drummers “I haven't really listened to Rush music”: Anika Nilles on her preparation for the 50 Something tour
 
 
Latest in Guitarists
The Allman Brothers Band
Guitarists “The energy was incredible”: The magical chemistry of The Allman Brothers Band – as witnessed by Al Di Meola
 
 
Pete Townshend and Jimmy Page
Guitarists Pete Townshend explains why he couldn’t get into Led Zeppelin when they were in their pomp
 
 
Fender Limited Edition Kim Gordon Jazzmaster
Artists Kim Gordon and Fender reinvent the Jazzmaster with a Seymour Duncan twist
 
 
Tony Iommi performs live with Black Sabbath in 2016.
Artists Tony Iommi on Black Sabbath’s accidental hit and the track that proved nothing was too far-out for them
 
 
Nikki Sixx [left] and John 5 tear it up onstage during a Mötley Crüe show
Artists John 5 on the chances of Mötley Crüe making a new album
 
 
Steve Clark [left] and Phil Collen perform live during Def Leppard's first tour of Japan in 1984.
Artists Def Leppard’s Phil Collen on the unique guitar genius of his late bandmate Steve Clark
 
 
Latest in News
Singer Stevie Nicks poses for a portrait in circa 1974.
Singles And Albums “I’m like, OK, I’m going to write a fantastic song”: Stevie Nicks talks about what inspired her to write Landslide
 
 
Casio CT-FS1
Keyboards & Pianos No practice required: This new Casiotone keyboard makes it impossible to hit a wrong note
 
 
Gary Numan
Artists Bill Nelson tells us about the struggle of making the Gary Numan album he ultimately removed his name from
 
 
American singer, songwriter, and actress, Mariah Carey, at a Chanel lunch and fashion show
Singers & Songwriters “My answer is… not yet”: Mariah Carey’s grunge album still seems no nearer to getting released
 
 
The Beatles/Mal Evans
Artists Mal Evans' lost memoir reveals the darker side of Beatlemania
 
 
Daft Punk
Artists “The tape had sat in a box for nearly 30 years”: Lost '90s Daft Punk mix unearthed by British DJ Ralph Lawson
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...