 Geddy Lee in concert with Rush. Milan, Italy (September 21, 2004) Gary Lee Weinrib (b. July 29, 1953, Toronto, Ontario), Canadian musician, is best known as Geddy Lee, the vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the rock group Rush. An award-winning musician, Lee's style and technique on the bass guitar have proven very influential in the rock and heavy metal genres, inspiring (by their own accounts) such players as Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, John Myung of Dream Theater, Les Claypool of Primus, and countless others.
The son of Polish parents who were survivors of the Nazi concentration camps, the origin of Lee's stage name (and later legal name) "Geddy" was inspired by the heavily-accented pronunciation of his given first name "Gary" by his mother. His solo effort, My Favorite Headache, was released in 2000. In addition to his composing, arranging, and performing duties for Rush, Lee has produced albums for various other bands, including Rocket Science, and recorded a short rendition of "O Canada" with Lifeson included on the South Park soundtrack. Geddy Lee is also heard singing "Take Off" on the McKenzie Brothers (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) comedy album of the early 1980s. (Bob & Doug McKenzie: Great White North
Released 1981, Anthem Records LP(ANR 1-1036)
Features Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis)
Geddy is also a devoted baseball fan who once sang "Oh Canada" at an M.L.B. All-Star game. (Geddy sang O' Canada at the 1993 Baseball All-Star game on July 13th)
Along with his colleagues Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart, Lee was made an Officer of the Order of Canada on May 9, 1996. The trio were the first rock musicians so honoured.
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