Geddy Lee

Gary Lee Weinrib OC (b. July 29, 1953, in Toronto, Ontario), best known as Geddy Lee, is a Canadian musician who is the vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the progressive rock group Rush.

Related Topics:
OC - July 29 - 1953 - Toronto - Ontario - Canadian - Vocalist - Bassist - Keyboardist - Progressive rock - Rush

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Weinrib grew up as the son of Polish parents who were both survivors of Nazi concentration camps, Dachau and Bergen-Belsen. Lee's stage name (and later legal name) "Geddy" was inspired by the heavily-accented pronunciation of his given first name "Gary" by his grandmother.

Related Topics:
Polish - Nazi - Concentration camps - Dachau - Bergen-Belsen - Stage name

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In 2004, Canadian Jewish News would feature Lee's reflections upon his mother's experiences and his own Jewish heritage. http://www.cjnews.com/viewarticle.asp?id=4075

Related Topics:
Canadian Jewish News - Jewish

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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, Cliff Burton of Metallica, and countless others. Lee's vocal style, while less influential, is nonetheless distinctive; one Rolling Stone critic (perhaps affectionately) labelled it a cross between Robert Plant and Daffy Duck.

Related Topics:
Bass guitar - Heavy metal - Steve Harris - Iron Maiden - John Myung - Dream Theater - Les Claypool - Primus - Cliff Burton - Metallica - Rolling Stone - Robert Plant - Daffy Duck

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Lee's first 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 the minor hit "Take Off" on the McKenzie Brothers (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) 1981 comedy album The Great White North: Bob and Doug McKenzie.

Related Topics:
My Favorite Headache - 2000 - Rocket Science - O Canada - South Park - McKenzie Brothers - Rick Moranis - Dave Thomas

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Geddy is also a devoted baseball fan who performed "O Canada" at the 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and took batting practice with the then-California Angels (circa 1992).

Related Topics:
Baseball - Major League Baseball All-Star Game - California Angels

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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.

Related Topics:
Alex Lifeson - Neil Peart - Order of Canada - May 9 - 1996

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