Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • "She knew what she'd created": Back to Black
  • Trower's '80s supergroup
  • Music theory tricks
  • Stage Tour game
  • 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
 
 
Paul McCartney
Artists Revisiting a classic Paul McCartney interview from our archive
 
 
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
 
 
Ian Anderson in the 1970s
Artists “I gave up guitar when I heard Clapton, the way people are put off tennis when they watch Federer”
 
 
American jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery (1923-1968) performs with a Gibson L-5 semi acoustic guitar in a television studio during a recording for the television series 'Tempo' in 1965
Artists “When I heard Wes, it killed me”: Nile Rodgers’ favourite guitar track of all time
 
 
Latest in Guitarists
Brian Fallon and Brandon Flowers
Artists How Brian Fallon and Brandon Flowers teamed up to write a song with no chorus
 
 
Kevin Parker of Tame Impala
Guitarists “Please don’t be offended”: Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker says no more autographs
 
 
Brian May plays the Red Special live onstage; on the right, William Shatner holds what looks like an AI-generated Les Paul
Artists fOXX Phaser set to stun! Queen’s Brian May signs up for William Shatner’s all-star metal enterprise
 
 
Angus Young lights it up during AC/DC's 2026 Power Up Tour
Artists Does this viral video really show Angus Young 'forgetting' a guitar solo or did he actually nail it?
 
 
Troy Van Leeuwen with his new Squier Paranormal Telecaster XII in a still from the demo video.
Artists Troy Van Leeuwen on his Squier Tele XII’s origins, and when he learned it was (literally) roadworthy
 
 
Brian May
Artists “The very day when I'm supposed to record this song, I hear that Steve's passed away”: Brian May's tribute to Steve Cropper
 
 
Latest in News
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 12:  Billy Joel  attends The Music Of Billy Joel Annual Charity Concert at Carnegie Hall on March 12, 2026 in New York City.  (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage)
Artists Billy Joel confirms that he’s had surgery after being told that performing live was damaging his brain
 
 
Jill Scott, Prince, Stevie Wonder
Artists Jill Scott reveals how she had the "best night of my life" with Prince and Stevie Wonder
 
 
Lemmy in trademark mic action
Bass Guitars “Experience the gear that created their unmistakable sound”: Motorhead exhibition set to open with interactive element
 
 
Elektron Outbox 8
Audio Interfaces Outbox 8 can add multiple audio and CV outputs to your favourite Elektron groovebox – or any other class-compliant hardware
 
 
Brian Fallon and Brandon Flowers
Artists How Brian Fallon and Brandon Flowers teamed up to write a song with no chorus
 
 
A Harley Benton HSS electric guitar on a teal background
Guitars The best value guitars in the world just got even cheaper thanks to up to 60% off Harley Benton in the Thomann Guitar Days sale
 
 

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...