Most people have thought about what song they’d want played at their funeral, a moment that serves as a reflection of their life and legacy. For musicians, this decision can be even more profound, as their lives are often intertwined with music. But for Geddy Lee of Rush, that question hasn’t really crossed his mind—at least, not until he was asked directly.
Geddy Lee’s Practical Take
Unlike many who meticulously plan every aspect of their send-off, Lee approaches the subject with a more pragmatic, if slightly morbid, attitude. He doesn’t see the point in worrying about what music will be played at his funeral since, in his words, he won’t be around to care.
In a 2015 interview with Classic Rock titled The Soundtrack of My Life, Lee humorously dodged the typical thoughtful reflection on a farewell song, offering instead a more lighthearted and unexpected answer.
His Musical Heroes
Though Geddy Lee isn’t interested in choosing his own funeral song, he did open up about some of the musical influences that have shaped his life and career.
Jack Bruce of Cream was a huge inspiration for Lee’s bass playing, and he fondly recalled seeing Cream live in 1969 at Toronto’s Massey Hall. “That show was magical,” he said, reflecting on how Bruce’s ability to fill space in a three-piece band influenced his own playing style with Rush.
Lee’s list of favorite musicians includes legends like Cream, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin, but when it came time to choose the final song for his own service, he didn’t go with any of his heroes.
An Unexpected Funeral Soundtrack
When Classic Rock asked Lee to choose a song for his own funeral, his response was anything but typical. He dismissed the question with a laugh, saying, “Why would I give a shit about that? They can play whatever the hell they want!” But then, he took it one step further, suggesting that perhaps a comedy sketch would be a more fitting tribute.
Lee mentioned that if he had to pick something, he might go with a track from Derek and Clive, the notoriously foul-mouthed 1970s comedy duo created by British comedians Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. Known for their crude, off-the-cuff humor, Derek and Clive aren’t exactly what one would expect at a funeral.
But for Geddy Lee, the idea of shocking his mourners with something so unexpected was deeply appealing. “The shock and horror of it would be fantastic,” he said with a grin.
Who Were Derek and Clive?
For those unfamiliar, Derek and Clive started as a private joke between Cook and Moore while they were working together on Broadway. What began as off-mic improvisations eventually turned into a cult phenomenon. Their albums featured wild, unscripted banter, loaded with expletives and absurd humor.
Over time, their sketches became known for pushing boundaries and courting controversy, which made them a bizarre, yet oddly fitting choice for someone like Geddy Lee to consider as a send-off.
A Fitting Tribute
While it may not be the emotional, reflective tune most people choose for their final farewell, Derek and Clive’s chaotic humor is a choice that captures Lee’s unique personality.
Rather than a somber or sentimental moment, Lee would prefer to leave the world with laughter and surprise. It’s a move that breaks with tradition, much like Lee’s career with Rush, where pushing boundaries and defying expectations became the norm.
