'A national hero': Geddy Lee, Dan Aykroyd, Steven Page reflect on Gord Downie

TORONTO — As Canadian musicians tearfully reflected on the legacy of Gord Downie on Wednesday, many used a word the late Tragically Hip frontman himself belted out onstage in his signature howl: “Courage.”

Downie’s advocacy on behalf of Indigenous Peoples, his fortitude in touring one last time, and his fundraising efforts during his fight with terminal brain cancer were incredibly brave and galvanized a nation in a way that will be felt for decades, said his peers.

“He’s a national hero,” said Rush frontman Geddy Lee. “There are lots of different ways that people handle this kind of thing and mostly, if you look at people like David Bowie, et cetera, how they handled their illnesses, they chose to handle it very quietly — and he did not.

“He wanted to go out doing what he loved to do, and trying to do as much good with the time he had left, so for me that’s a courageous act.”

In May 2016, Downie revealed his diagnosis with glioblastoma, an incurable form of cancer. He died Tuesday night “with his beloved children and family close by,” according to a statement on the Tragically Hip’s website. He was 53.

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Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass coming Fall 2018

Cooke Agency has announced that Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass is tentatively set for release this coming fall, 2018.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and RUSH bassist Geddy Lee’s Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Book of Bass is a gorgeous, fully illustrated love letter to rock ’n’ roll’s rumbly bottom end, complete with a guided tour of Lee’s extensive vintage bass collection, personal anecdotes, observations and history, from one of the world’s most revered and beloved masters of the instrument.

This lavishly illustrated book presents one facet of Lee's own personal journey. The bass guitar has been his passport, his vehicle, his fuel; this book will be his account of a life lived on the stage and a view of the world he’s seen on the road.

With contributions from arts journalist Daniel Richler and Lee’s trusted bass tech, John “Skully” McIntosh, with photography by Richard Sibbald, Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Book of Bass will have something for every reader, from RUSH fans who want to know the inside story of Lee’s relationship with the instrument that has given him so much in his life, to the most knowledgeable musicians and collectors. This will be the definitive book on the bass, from one of the most respected players in history.

Aside from the HarperDesign trade edition, there will be limited run of signed and numbered deluxe editions available as well.

Stay tuned for additional details as they emerge. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Neil Peart writes a 100th Birthday Tribute to Buddy Rich

Neil Peart has come out of retirement - in a fashion. After withdrawing from the public eye for over a year, he has come out to give his thoughts on Buddy Rich on the occasion of the drummer's 100th Birthday celebration in the October issue of Rhythm magazine. - Thanks to Ed Stenger for the headsup and to John Patuto for sharing the transcript!

Geddy Lee guest on AXS TV's The Big Interview with Dan Rather October 24th

Geddy Lee is one of many musicians who’ll be chatting with Dan Rather on the upcoming season of AXS TV’s The Big Interview.  The latest run of shows premieres Tuesday, October 10, with an episode featuring Ozzy Osbourne‘s wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne. Other stars slated to appear on new installments of The Big Interview include Rush singer/bassist Geddy Lee, ex-R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe and E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt.  The Big Interview airs  Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT from October 10th through December 5.

Geddy Lee talks about his Signature SansAmp, the GED-2112 with Tech 21

Back in January I shared how Geddy Lee had teamed up with Tech 21 to create a signature SansAmp. Tech 21 has just posted the first part of a new video interview with Geddy where he talks about the results of his collaboration, his Signature SansAmp, the GED-2112 with Andrew Barta (president, inventor of the SansAmp and designer of all things Tech 21). - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Geddy Lee Signature Model Jazz Bass guitar signed by Rush to benefit Heavy Metal Truants Auction

Heavy Metal Truants is a fund-raising collector founded by Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood and journalist Alexander Milas in association with CharityStars.com. They are currently auctioning a veritable smorgasbord of rock memorabilia and once-in-a-lifetime experiences in a massive online event.

All proceeds go to three very special charities - ChildLine, Teenage Cancer Trust and Nordoff Robins Music Therapy.

In addition to Queen, Metallica, Megadeth and Iron Maiden, other superstars from the rock and metal arenas have donated items to the auction. These include Pink Floyd, KISS, Thunder, Marillion, Steve Vai, The Who, Slayer, Joe Bonamassa and Opeth.

The auction is live now and closes today, 27 July 2017. Among the remarkable items that feature in the auction are a Barry Novis painting of the late George Harrison from The Beatles; A unique Iron Maiden collectors cymbal and drumsticks signed by all of the band; a VIP meet-and-greet with Metallica; A Caribbean cruise with KISS; The Who 50th Anniversary Royal Albert Hall microphone signed by Roger Daltrey; a Fender Stratocaster Guitar signed by the remaining members of The Who: Pete Townshend & Roger Daltrey; a Dean guitar signed by Megadeth and a Brian May (Queen) signed Red Special Guitar.

This is the second auction Charity Stars and The Heavy Metal Truants have held this year after six items including a Les Paul Guitar signed by Metallica, a Fender Geddy Lee Signature Model Jazz Bass guitar signed by Rush, and The lyrics of Bon Jovi's classic ‘Livin' On A Prayer’ personally handwritten by Jon Bon Jovi went up for sale in June.

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