The Canadian band Geddy Lee said is one of the best of all time

Formed in Canada back in 1968, Rush became one of the most influential and successful power trios of all time. The bassist, singer and keyboardist Geddy Lee was certainly a fundamental part of the group and was an inspiration for countless musicians who appeared later on.

A really nice guy, who often talks to the press, Geddy talked over the decades about many other bands. He even once mentioned the Canadian group, which in his opinion is one of the greatest of all time.

The Canadian band Geddy Lee said is one of the best of all time

It was in an interview with CBC Music back in 2016 (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage), one year before Gord Downie’s death and the end of the band, that Geddy Lee said the Tragically Hip was the ultimate Canadian band. The group was formed in Kingston, Ontario, Canada in 1984 and was active until 2017.

“Calling The Hip a Canadian band or the ultimate Canadian band, however you wanna look at it, is an interesting question, because what is it that makes them uniquely Canadian? I don’t know that. I consider them uniquely Canadian, but they are certainly one of the greatest bands that we’ve ever produced in this country. Their popularity goes coast to coast and is undeniable.”

“Their catalog is deep, their sound is sort of born, to me, out of folk and blues, amplified. The voice of Gord Downie and his poetry have given it a very, very unique tone. I’ve always found it very affecting. I guess the fact that a lot of their subject matter deals with locations in this country.”

Geddy Lee continued:

“Particularly in my home province of Ontario makes them uniquely Ontarian. But they’re just a great band. Simply, just a great band. Whether they’re Canadian, whether they’re from anywhere, they would still be just as great,” Geddy Lee said.

The Tragically Hip were Rush’s opening act back in 1991 during the tour the power trio was promoting their album “Roll The Bones”. Geddy said he was really impressed with the energy and the way the lyrics of their songs fit with the music.

During their career, The Tragically Hip released 13 studio albums. Some of their most famous songs are “Bobcaygeon”, “New Orleans Is Sinking”, “Wheat Kings and “Ahead By A Century”. They received multiple Canadian music awards from 1996 to 2016. They were also the best-selling band in Canada and the fourth best-selling Canadian artist overall in Canada.

Geddy Lee’s favorite Tragically Hip song

During the same interview with CBC (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage), the legendary Rush frontman revealed that “Fifty-Mission Cap” is his favorite song by them. He also noted that it must be the most “Canadian” song of the band. It was first featured on their 1993 album “Fully Completely”.

“You know, I love ‘Fifty-Mission Cap’, to me is probably that’s probably the most Canadian Hip song there is (Laughs). You could make an argument for ‘Bobcaygeon’. But there is something about the mystery of Bill Barilko put into lyrics.”

“It just seems like such a strange and uniquely Canadian take on that whole thing. Especially Gord has a great way of personalizing whatever he’s talking about. You know, I look at this lyric writing as short story writing and he really puts you in a place, in a character’s mindset. There’s sort of nostalgia, mystery and Rock and Roll all mixed together in Fifty-Mission Cap,” Geddy Lee said.

During their 33-year career, the band reached number 1 on the Canadian charts 9 times.

He also praised “Ahead By a Century”

Lee also praised in the conversation the track “Ahead by a Century”. The track was first featured on their 1996 album “Trouble at the Henhouse”.

“I just think that ‘Ahead By a Century” is a beautifully written song. I’m not even sure what it’s about. But I get the feeling that I know what it’s about. That’s the hallmark of good poetry. You can read poetry of any kind and you get a feeling of what the poet is talking about.”

“You’ll never know exactly what was in that poet’s mind and I think that holds true with Gord’s writing. You’re never a hundred percent sure that you’ve nailed what he’s talking about. But you have a feeling you do and that feeling becomes close to you. That’s a great poet to me,” Geddy Lee said.