Chris Squire vs Geddy Lee

[Musiclogic]

Originally Posted by SquireMan4001

Absurd, but fun to read people's responses. I remember these questions being asked back in the mid to late 70's in various magazines. FWIW, back then it was Squire...no contest. Geddy was seen as the young pup, unproven.

On a related note, I saw Lee mentioned Yes when asked about his recent RRHOF induction. He said something like "It's bittersweet, because you have bands like Yes which were hugely influential that are still not in and deserve to be." I have no doubt he'll give another shout out to Squire and Yes at the actual ceremony. The guys in Rush are good like that.

I am not sure how this can be, as I remember the divide being about 50/50 back then also. The funniest thing about this quote is that Rush came out 4 years after Yes was first out, and Yes' initial offerings were not viewed by many as more than prog meandeerings in 69-75....Rush and Yes essentially became popular at the same time thus Squire was no influence on Geddy. But they were a huge influnce on Rock n Roll....The hall of shame is a ridiculous travesty of the ill informed and trendy blind PC morons like David Fricke. There are 50 hugely influential rock bands not in there, but somehow BS flash in the pans like Run DMC are....it's a place that is all about pandering to trend and rarely about Rock n roll.

[4001]

It's best to re-read what one types and decide whether to post the comment before clicking on "post quick reply". Messageboards are full of knee-jerk opinions that tarnish reputations of people that never had a bad reputation to begin with.

I'm not singling anyone out because I've been guilty of harsh quick responses too but after time we all learn....

[BigEarl]

My $.02? Chris Squire hands down.

Don't get me wrong, I am also in amazement of Geddy (since my high school dayz listen to 2112 over and over) but for my money Squire redefined the instrument, a redefinition that Geddy obviously took from and moves it forward even to this day. Squire may not have invented aggressive melodic bass structures (McCartney did) or piledriving power (Entwistle and Bruce there) but he put them together in a way that, in my opinion, eclipsed the others. And then took it one step further by developing a overall sound that 40 years later grown men are still trying to emulate.

I really believe that we would not have the Geddy we have today were it not for Squire.

Like I said, just my $.02

[SquireMan4001]

Originally Posted by mjac28

I deleted my own posts not the mods my behavior was uncalled for and I apologized for it. I had to catch myself in the middle of the argument and wonder what in the world am I fighting for? it was silly on my part to even start.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I didn't even realize we could delete our own posts.

[SquireMan4001]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

I am not sure how this can be, as I remember the divide being about 50/50 back then also. The funniest thing about this quote is that Rush came out 4 years after Yes was first out, and Yes' initial offerings were not viewed by many as more than prog meandeerings in 69-75....Rush and Yes essentially became popular at the same time thus Squire was no influence on Geddy. But they were a huge influnce on Rock n Roll....The hall of shame is a ridiculous travesty of the ill informed and trendy blind PC morons like David Fricke. There are 50 hugely influential rock bands not in there, but somehow BS flash in the pans like Run DMC are....it's a place that is all about pandering to trend and rarely about Rock n roll.

I have to disagree here. I clearly remember the time (unfortunately). Yes was more established (4 years in the business already) and Rush openly cited them as influences even then. It's true they were more or less contemporary, but the guys in Yes were older and it was definitely a case of Rush being influenced by them, not vice versa, at least early on.

Here's one Youtube interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVn7fXDZBoE

Even if Squire was influenced by Lee, I don't think he'd admit it (certainly not back then).

[mjac28]

I acted like someone on one of those reality shows it was uncalled for I'm here to contribute and learn not fight you and everyone else here is entitled to their opinion.

[Rickengeezer]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

I am not sure how this can be, as I remember the divide being about 50/50 back then also. The funniest thing about this quote is that Rush came out 4 years after Yes was first out, and Yes' initial offerings were not viewed by many as more than prog meandeerings in 69-75....Rush and Yes essentially became popular at the same time thus Squire was no influence on Geddy.

Yes's _Fragile_ was released in the UK in 1971; it reached #4 in the Billboard charts in the US in 1972. I'm not certain when to pinpoint Rush getting "popular", but I don't think they were headlining large venues until 1975 at the earliest. I think the "4 years" sounds pretty accurate to me.

[SquireMan4001]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

The hall of shame is a ridiculous travesty of the ill informed and trendy blind PC morons like David Fricke. There are 50 hugely influential rock bands not in there, but somehow BS flash in the pans like Run DMC are....it's a place that is all about pandering to trend and rarely about Rock n roll.

I missed this in my earlier reply. The RRHOF is a joke. That it took Rush since 1998 to get inducted, while no-talent punk hacks (with 3-4 years of longevity, mind you) says an awful lot. And Yes are still waiting.

Back in the day, "progressive" music was the single most hated art form by critics. It is 100% true. If you just picked up a bass the week before, had a heroin addiction, and could almost get through "Mary Had A Little Lamb" you were praised...like Sid Vicious. But if you actually had a desire to TECHNICALLY raise the bar of your instrument, and to stretch out in style from one record to the next...you were the devil.

And now these are the same guys voting for the RRHOF. It's such crap. And can anyone explain to me how Public Enemy is a rock band? No offense, I appreciate their stuff, but it's very messed up a RAP band from the 80's and 90's gets inducted the same time Rush does.

[gjbassist]

To paraphrase Amy Farrah Fowler: Geddy Lee eats Chris Squier for breakfast and defecates Roger Waters.

[SquireMan4001]

Originally Posted by Rickengeezer

Yes's _Fragile_ was released in the UK in 1971; it reached #4 in the Billboard charts in the US in 1972. I'm not certain when to pinpoint Rush getting "popular", but I don't think they were headlining large venues until 1975 at the earliest. I think the "4 years" sounds pretty accurate to me.

"Rush" their debut was 1974. Then Neil joined, and the next two albums (both released in 75) failed to stir much interest--in particular their 3rd album Caress of Steel (a personal fave, by the way).

It wasn't until 2112 in 1976 that Rush had any kind of mainstream mojo.

So, really, it's closer to 5 years. Yes certainly was known long before Rush was.

[SquireMan4001]

Originally Posted by mjac28

I acted like someone on one of those reality shows it was uncalled for I'm here to contribute and learn not fight you and everyone else here is entitled to their opinion.

I responded over harshly too. Anyways, it's no biggie. I'd prefer people give a strong opinion if that's what they really feel. Most of what I've read here is very interesting even if I disagree with it.

[plankspanker13]

Originally Posted by BigEarl

I really believe that we would not have the Geddy we have today were it not for Squire.

THIS

Now that it's been said, I can also agree with the lamentations about Squire having a peak, as opposed to Lee's gradual crescendo that still seems to increase, with time.

Of course, if we are going to talk about pioneering rock bassists who favored melodic lines, and treble-y tones, we have to start with the Ox (and indeed, many have), and also give a bit of love to the John Wetton of 1973-75. If there is an evolution from Squire to Lee, then perhaps Wetton is the proverbial missing link.

[dStar]

To me they're like Mounds and Almond Joy. They're both awesome, similar, but different, yummy goodness. Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't...

[Mousekillaz]

Squire, by the slimmest of margins. His counter melodic bass lines still just amaze me
I'd have to give Geddy the technical nod.
Splitting hairs for sure.

[vxqz]

Chris Squire by far for me. I've never been a big fan of Geddy Lee.

[Duke21]

Originally Posted by Mousekillaz

Squire, by the slimmest of margins. His counter melodic bass lines still just amaze me
I'd have to give Geddy the technical nod.
Splitting hairs for sure.

I will not say Geddy is more technical, but he do more stuff regarding playing techniques. But Chris is actually a decent finger player as well. Not so evident on YES, but he use fingers on some The Syn stuff.

Comes to Geddy, he is my favorite finger player, big time. His finger style is something not really out of the bass playing book!! I think every bass teacher will shout on his student if the student start to play in this way...
Geddy's bass line are always strong regarding drive, technical and he does lots of nice fils. His flamenco style really evolved to what it is today. His bass work on Clockwork Angels is amazing.
Geddy's tone haven't been constantly good. His 90s tone is very compressed. But his recent tone is kind of back to Moving Pictures.
One thing is a bit shame, Geddy become an old man habits, and will play only his Jazz. This words are actually not mine but his former sound engineer word. He gives a lot of info about Geddy here on TB. At least he did so.

Chris always amaze me with how he make his bass sing with all of these counter melodies bass lines. He also surprised me on The Syn 2006 tour by playing beautiful bass line with fingers.
Chris use various basses in addition to his favorite Ric. He have 4,5,6, string basses and his triple neck Wal copy for Awaken.
Regarding tone, Chris always had a great tone, the best tone in my eyes.
He also kept his voice quite well.
Listening to Yes Live from Lyon 2011, The Syn 2006 tour, Conspiracy live, telling me he still has his mojo. His tone on Fly From Here is to die for.
And his work on Squackett 2012 is solid as well.

[Vince Klortho]

Originally Posted by SquireMan4001

"Rush" their debut was 1974. Then Neil joined, and the next two albums (both released in 75) failed to stir much interest--in particular their 3rd album Caress of Steel (a personal fave, by the way).

It wasn't until 2112 in 1976 that Rush had any kind of mainstream mojo.

I first saw Rush in 1975 on tour for "Fly By Night", their second album, opening for Kiss who were also on tour for their second album, "Hotter Than Hell." I don't think Rush toured as a headliner until 2112 was released.

[Mike in Chicago]

I was thinking of who I sound like. I think Entwistle gave me the dramatic treatment to rock chords like most of Quad, Paul Mc gave me my pretty playing side, Geddy, Zappa and Genesis gave me the time signature side, Motown gave me subtle dexterity, funky from Jaco and I think if I sound like anybody...it would be John Paul Jones.

But sound? Without a doubt it's all Squire.The harmonizer stuff, the crunch, the orchestral stuff...he's so darn patient. The way he slides into stuff in almost a lazy way, using those effects always has just floored me.

The middle of Starship Trooper. Great stuff.

We've been very lucky to come up in these times.

[Duke21]

Well said Mike.

[bigsnaketex]

We're arguing about the difference in Ferarri's and Lambrogini's and I love iti!!