In the world of rock music, few bassists have left a mark as indelible as Geddy Lee. But even the greatest artists have their idols, and for Lee, one performance stands out as a pivotal influence on his career. Prepare to dive into the story of a musical revelation that shaped the trajectory of a legend.
The year was 1970, and The Who, already renowned for their live performances, sought to capture the raw energy of their shows on a live album. However, their journey to this iconic release was not without its twists and turns. Initially, they planned to compile recordings from their US concerts, but guitarist Pete Townshend had other ideas. He rejected the notion, unwilling to sift through countless recordings to select the best ones. In a moment of impulsive frustration, he even asked their sound engineer to destroy the tapes, a decision he would later regret.
But here's where the story takes an unexpected turn. The band scheduled two shows, determined to record their live album. However, technical difficulties at their Hull performance led them to choose the Leeds show instead. And this is where Geddy Lee's world collided with the legendary John Entwistle.
Lee, a bass virtuoso himself, was captivated by Entwistle's performance on 'My Generation' at the University of Leeds Refectory. In his own words, Entwistle's playing was 'unsurpassable', and it left an indelible mark on the young musician. The Who's rendition of 'My Generation' on that fateful night was a 15-minute masterpiece, filled with improvisations and a medley of songs, including 'See Me, Feel Me' and 'Sparks' from their iconic rock opera, Tommy.
But the influence didn't stop there. The Who's unique rearrangement of 'Summertime Blues', an Eddie Cochran classic, also resonated with Lee. The power chords, key changes, and Entwistle's deep-bass vocals added a new dimension to the song, and Lee couldn't help but be inspired. This influence would later manifest in Rush's cover of the same song.
And this is the part most people miss: Lee's admiration for The Who went beyond their musical prowess. He revered the band's ability to balance heavy and melodic elements, a skill he attributed to Townshend's songwriting. Even decades later, Lee still holds 'Live at Leeds' in high regard, describing it as a raw and authentic piece of rock history, capturing the band's attitude and energy.
But was Lee's praise for Entwistle's performance at Leeds a mere exaggeration, or did it truly represent a pinnacle of bass playing? Some might argue that the influence Lee attributes to this performance is overstated, while others may believe it was a pivotal moment in his musical development. What do you think? Is there a performance that has had a similar impact on your favorite musician? Share your thoughts and keep the conversation going!
