Rush singer Geddy Lee revealed that his favorite “bad bass” guitar was actually a bass inspired by famous french painter, Marcel Duchamp sitting on the toilet. This Rush member recently reveals who forced bandmate to quit. The toilet imagery is so strong with this infamous bass that the bass is actually hollowed out to look like an actual toilet. He made the remarks in an NPR interview, as transcribed by Alternative Nation. This Rush singer recently revealed a disturbing Metallica secret
Interviewer: What is your favorite ‘bad bass’ guitar?
Geddy Lee: My favorite bad bass guitar? [laughs] well that’s a good question. Because in the search of all these instruments during the midst of my obsession I came across all kinds of instruments that I knew very little about but looked very, super, super cool. One of these was a group of instruments produced in Italy in the late fifties, early sixties by a gentleman named Wandre. He was sort of a legend and I didn’t know much about him until a fellow brought one of these basses to me at a gig. I think it was in 2013 maybe. These are incredible pieces of art.
[The interviewer points to them]
Interviewer: These guys right?
Lee: Yeah those guys.
Interviewer: That’s incredible, I mean it is utterly incredible
Lee: They are absolutely incredible looking.
Interviewer: This one on the right looks like a piece of art. You said it was inspired by [Marchel] Duchamp?
Lee: Yeah, apparently he was in the bathroom doing his business, looking in the toilet bowl and came up with this idea.
Interviewer: For those who can’t see this, it looks like this particular bass has been hollowed out to look like a toilet seat.
Lee: Yeah, it’s very Picasso-like.
Fans took to Rush’s official Facebook page to give their thoughts on Geddy Lee’s new book, which can be bought here.
James said: ” I was able to get my copy a couple months ago and on my birthday no less. Although it only lasted a minute, it was an unreal experience to have met my inspiration to play bass these past 6 (almost 7) years. To top it all off he even gave me a fist bump and wished me happy birthday.”
Tom replied: ” I received this book as a gift. I didn’t have it yet but would have eventually bought it as I am a huge Rush fan and a bass player myself. The book is a pleasure to browse thru for the photos alone. I did this first then went back and took it section by section. Very interesting, informative and beautifully put together. Great product!”
Colin put: “Geddy inspired me to want to play bass when I purchased my first; a 1979 jet glo 4001. Best Rush show I ever saw was 1978? at Varsity Stadium outside. I still remember some of it. Long hair, long gowns lots of fun. Thanks guys for the lifetime of music and memories. Hold the red star proudly high in hand!”. A Rush icon just called out this awful Jimmy Page ripoff not too long ago.
