Imagine a guitar sound so iconic, so revolutionary, that even a legend like Geddy Lee declares it unbeatable. But here’s where it gets controversial: it’s not Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, or even Jimi Hendrix who holds this title in Lee’s eyes. Instead, it’s the lesser-celebrated but equally groundbreaking Jeff Beck. And this is the part most people miss: while Geddy Lee is celebrated as one of the greatest bassists of all time, his admiration for the guitar—and its masters—runs just as deep. Let’s dive into why.
Geddy Lee, the iconic bassist of Rush, has never been shy about his thoughts on the world of bass guitars. He’s often pointed out that while the bass is essential to any rock band, it’s rarely the instrument that steals the spotlight. In a candid moment, Lee shared, ‘Back in my day, nobody chose to be the bass player. You were always a guitarist, and then someone would say, ‘We need a bass player,’ and you’d get voted in.’ That’s exactly how Lee found himself holding a bass—not out of love at first, but out of necessity. ‘It was pretty common back then,’ he recalls. ‘Everyone wanted to be Hendrix, Clapton, or Page.’
But Lee’s journey as a bassist didn’t stop him from becoming a true guitar enthusiast. His musical tastes are as diverse as they come, spanning from classic rock titans like Cream and Led Zeppelin to modern innovators like Björk and Radiohead. In a 2020 interview with Rolling Stone, Lee revealed that Cream—the English psychedelic trio of Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton, and Ginger Baker—was his ‘favorite’ band during his formative years. ‘They were far and away my favorite when I started appreciating rock music,’ he said. ‘We even covered their song ‘Spoonful’ in the early days of Rush, trying to emulate their sound. Jack Bruce’s bass playing had a huge impact on me.’
Yet, when it comes to guitarists, Lee’s heart belongs to Jeff Beck. During a 2009 interview with Guitar World, Lee was asked to name the tracks that shaped Rush’s sound. Among them was Beck’s electrifying cover of Willie Dixon’s ‘I Ain’t Superstitious.’ Lee gushed, ‘If I had to pick a favorite guitarist of all time, it would probably be Jeff Beck. Was there ever a better guitar sound?’ He went on to praise Beck’s pioneering style, saying, ‘The way he squeezes those notes out of the guitar with a whammy bar, volume knob, and his fingers—it’s simply incredible.’
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Lee highlights Beck’s work on The Yardbirds’ 1966 hit ‘Over Under Sideways Down,’ a song credited to the entire band but undeniably shaped by Beck’s genius. ‘That guitar line is one of the most unique ever,’ Lee noted. ‘It’s not just imitative of Eastern music—it captures something essential from it while staying original. And it’s the hook of a pop song, back when pop was a platform for experimentation.’
Lee’s admiration for Beck extends beyond technical skill. He credits Beck, along with Page, Clapton, and other British guitarists, with electrifying the blues and creating a ‘profound way for guitarists to speak through music.’ But here’s the question: Is Jeff Beck truly the unbeatable guitarist, or is Lee’s opinion a product of his unique musical perspective? Let’s spark some debate—do you agree with Geddy Lee, or do you think another guitarist deserves the crown? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
