Geddy Lee’s opinion on Les Claypool and Primus

Formed in Canada back in 1968, Rush started as a Hard Rock band, even being compared to groups like Led Zeppelin but with the addition of the drummer Neil Peart the other members Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee started to also add Progressive Rock influences to their sound.

They certainly became one of the most influential bands that mixed Hard Rock with Progressive Rock, becoming an inspiration for countless groups from future generations.

In the music business since the late 60s, the bassist, singer and keyboardist Geddy Lee had the chance to see many incredible groups. He talked about many of them, including Primus and their vocalist/bassist Les Claypool.

What is Geddy Lee’s opinion on Les Claypool and Primus

Geddy Lee and Les Claypool are known for being two incredible bass players and over the years they really became great friends. The American band, which like Rush, is also a power trio, was formed in El Sobrante, California back in 1984.

But they only had the chance to release their debut album “Frizzle Fry” in 1990. One year later, the group released the praised “Sailing the Seas of Cheese” (1991). That helped them to become Rush’s opening act in 1992.

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine back in 2020, Geddy Lee recalled that he discovered the band shortly before they became Rush’s opening act. Also revealed that he loves them and praised Les Claypool’s bass playing.

“I didn’t really know much about them until just before they started touring with us. Somebody had sent me their records and we listened to them, and [asked] about them coming out on tour with us. I loved how wacky they were. It wasn’t until we toured together that I really got to know his playing. (I) saw how creative and adventurous a player he was. Very, very, very different from anything I’ve seen.”

“There’s no one like him (Les Claypool). Nobody plays like Les. He was a big Rush fan. So he’d be always talking about Rush songs, and, ‘How did [you] play this?’ ‘How did [you] play that?’ I was equally interested in how he was playing. (Also) how he got that rhythmic style,” Geddy Lee said.

Geddy Lee said Les Claypool’s bass playing influenced him

Curiously, in the same conversation Geddy Lee revealed that Claypool’s bass playing actually influenced him. After hearing the American musician, Geddy felt like he needed to push the boundaries of his technique. Even after decades being one of the most praised bass players in the world.

“He (Les) actually influenced me as a player to try to push the boundaries of my rhythmic abilities. I would say that tour I did with Primus was transformational for me. So as much I appreciated that, as a kid, he would come to Rush shows and want to do that. Me, listening to him playing before us every night on that tour made me want to be a better player in a different way.”

“So there was a wonderful exchange of respect going on there. And to this day, he’s a dear friend. I love his playing. I love his attitude, and I just think he’s one of the most creative people in rock,” Geddy Lee said.

Claypool is a huge Rush fan too and from 2021 to 2022, Primus even launched a tour called “A Tribute to Kings” (From 2021 – 2022). During thoses shows they played Rush’s album “A Farewell to Kings” in its entirety. Geddy gave his blessing to their tour. Then after seeing them he said it was an impressive performance and real tribute.