Rush's Geddy Lee: Huge Steely Dan Fan!

Geddy Lee, the bassist and frontman for Rush, has revealed himself to be a significant admirer of the band Steely Dan. In a recent interview, Lee shared that he was so passionate about Steely Dan's 1977 album 'Aja' that he nearly named his daughter after it, having listened to the record extensively. This revelation highlights an unexpected connection between two technically proficient rock bands known for their sophisticated songwriting.

Both Rush and Steely Dan are recognized for their intricate musical arrangements and intellectually stimulating lyrics, though their approaches differed. Rush's sound often featured progressive rock elements with complex time signatures, while Steely Dan integrated sophisticated jazz chords into pop music frameworks. Guitarist Alex Lifeson also expressed appreciation for Steely Dan's collaborators, like guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter.

Lee marveled at Steely Dan's success in achieving widespread commercial appeal while maintaining artistic complexity. He noted their exceptional ability to produce music that was both challenging and easily consumable, a feat he described as "amazing." This contrasted with earlier comments from Steely Dan members Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, who expressed reservations about the perceived overly complex and artificial sound of some progressive rock bands like Yes.