Best Rush Member?

d8g3jdh · #1 11-16-2005, 08:05 PM

Since Rush is one of the few bands where I consider all the musicians to be playing an equal part in the music, and I see that their are many rush fans on this site, I'm interested to see what the opinions are on which is the most talented. I personally think it's neil, hes something all right, and the live YYZ is proof.

I hope the results don't get skewed by Geddy being the bassist, not to knock him i just think it's dumb too vote for him because he plays bass. Just try to be objective and vote based on talent only

whamonkey · #2 11-16-2005, 08:12 PM

I voted for Geddy although without either of the three, RUSH would not work (IMO). Geddy does so much live, I mean he sings, plays bass, keys and taurus pedals, sometimes all at once. His bass lines are incredibly complex for all the lyrics he has to sing(and remember!). That being said, if you watch all of them live, it's a sight.

Figjam · #3 11-16-2005, 08:19 PM

i like peart

CBAnaesthesia · #4 11-16-2005, 08:26 PM

I think it's Geddy. . . not (only) because he's THE bassist, but because a. his basslines are all original, often ridiculous, sometimes damn near impossible, b. he can play them all (clearly

), c. he can play them all while singing, and d. he can play them all while singing pretty well. Also, I'd say he contributes the most to the band; bass, vocals, some guitar stuff with his doubleneck ricky, keyboards, and synths. Plus he's probably influenced the most musicians (not that that has much to do with it.) Neil is pretty amazing too though. . . but some of his set is just crazy. I mean, the man has CHIMES on his drum set!! Chimes! what're you ever gonna need chimes for!?

Alex is very, very good too, but in my opinion he's not quite on the same level as the others. . . maybe, say, John Petrucci would be, because he's also amazing. . . but yeah, I'd say it's Geddy. I love Rush times a million. . . plus, they're Canadian, and are affiliated with the Mackenzie Brothers!!

Jonki · #5 11-16-2005, 08:31 PM

all of them, but i voted Geddy, thats because we both are bassplayers

SlavaF · #6 11-16-2005, 08:37 PM

Neil is IMO the greatest drummer of all time. Geddy does the most for the band, and Alex is the perfect guitarist for Rush. I'd say Neil is the most skilled member of the band.

Headroom · #7 11-16-2005, 09:22 PM

John Rutsey-his shoes were never completely filled...

SlavaF · #8 11-16-2005, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headroom

John Rutsey-his shoes were never completely filled...

are you sayin that Rutsey is better than Neil Peart?

because if you are...

d8g3jdh · #9 11-16-2005, 09:44 PM

i suppose a thread like this is inherently doomed to fail, since this is a bass site. im not knocking geddy, but because we all play bass we have a better understanding of his skill. If we were all drummers neil would probably be ahead, and likewise with guitarists. Meh, lets see how it plays out

Snarf · #10 11-16-2005, 09:47 PM

I could never, ever pick a "best" member of Rush. Each one of them is unique, no one else plays or writes like them. Neil of course, brilliant rock drummer, had so many great licks, and a genius lyricist. Geddy, obviously an amazing bass player, singer, and does keyboards and pedals on top of that . . . most musically ambidextrous musician I've ever seen. And Alex . . . he gets overlooked waaay too often. He plays everything with impeccable taste, especially from 1980-1991. He fills out so much space with perfect use of effects and technique.

Rush = jesus.

Folmeister · #11 11-16-2005, 10:48 PM

Skip Gildersleeve - Rush would be nowhere with out the magical qualities of their stage-left technician! What?. . . . . He's in the liner notes, I swear!

blipndub · #12 11-17-2005, 12:11 AM

Liefson is an amazing guitarist, his touch on some early rush is just amazing and inspiring. The solo on Limelight is one of the best ever IMHO.

I think he is the the most musical member of the group, but noone has been more influential to my playing than Geddy of course.

MJ5150 · #13 11-17-2005, 12:39 AM

Neil...anyone can play the bass. Just one string at a time.

-Mike

Thurisarz · #14 11-17-2005, 01:00 AM

You need all three ingredients to make a good Rush!

keb · #15 11-17-2005, 04:53 AM

I can't pick one; they're all skilled, individualistic players on their instruments. Alex just always gets overlooked because there are like 6 billion shredder d00d guitarists in the world. But if you pick apart his style and listen to what he does, he's just awesome.

Gard · #16 11-17-2005, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt Berglund

I can't pick one; they're all skilled, individualistic players on their instruments. Alex just always gets overlooked because there are like 6 billion shredder d00d guitarists in the world. But if you pick apart his style and listen to what he does, he's just awesome.

Yup.

Speaking as a reformed guitarists of over 13 years, having sat and picked apart Alex's stuff that entire time, I can tell you as rock guitarists go, NO ONE is more tasteful and musical in a rock band. NO ONE. He's got chops that would challenge almost any other guitarist out there, but never over-indulges them like most of the infantile yahoos do, only uses them in service of the SONG.

There is no "best" member of the band, they are literally three legs of a tripod. The tripod does not stand without all three doing the job that they do equally.

That said, Geddy is the man for rock bass!

Baryonyx · #17 11-17-2005, 08:44 AM

I voted or Geddy, but I love them all, they are all equal. Thats what makes Rush work.

Knavery · #18 11-17-2005, 08:57 AM

The question could have been more specific. I think it is a bit to general. They are all an intregal part of the band, and I don't think a poll such as this is fair.

I think that for multi-tasking, it'd be Geddy hands down. But the best musician on his instrument would be Neil. And Alex for his originality in his guitar composition. He's got some of the most outlandish, arabic sounding solos on the earlier albums. None of them should be ignored or ruled out.

McHack · #19 11-17-2005, 11:04 AM

I went Alex Lifeson, because he's the most overlooked... and his solo work on La Villa Strangiato.

SomecallmeTim · #20 11-17-2005, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

It's doomed to fail only because of your choice of words; "best" never works in these cases.

I find "favorite" to be a good sub, but you might also have wanted to use "most integral" or some such phrase...

This is good advice. I picked Geddy out of his sheer ability to multi-task, but it's rather unfair (and perhaps impossible) to try to tease out the "best" member of Rush - picking a favorite is more appropriate.