(Classic Rock) Geddy Lee formed a new band when Rush fired him in their early days and he was doing better than they were when he was invited to rejoin. But he believes the experience was a blessing in disguise because it set them on the road to becoming the band they are today.The bassist and singer was dismissed long before the Canadian outfit made their first recording. It happened even before they'd become a three-piece. The band's new manager, Ray Danniels, who is still with them, carried out both the firing and re-hiring.
Lee recounts the story in Classic Rock's Rush Fan Pack, which includes a copy of the band's new album Clockwork Angels and is available for pre-order now."That was pre-history really. We hadn't recorded yet and were still in our embryonic stage, and Ray came along. He had no real reputation yet as a manager or anything. He was just kind of an agent working in Toronto," He says. "So he started directing the band and he just thought I wasn't suitable, for whatever reasons he had. I don't know whether it was the way I looked, or my religious background – who the f**k knew?" more on this story