Song of the Day 10/23: Rush, “The Spirit of the Radio”
Guest post by Nathan Arizona
Geddy Lee has spent more than 50 years behind a microphone and bass guitar with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Rush, pride of Canada. But he’s also logged many hours in a seat behind home plate at Toronto Blue Jays baseball games, where he’s a season ticket holder.
A photo has been going around that shows him at the Jays’ playoff clincher Monday night. Fans now hope to see him toss the ceremonial first pitch at the Series opener Friday night against the Dodgers. But that honor will probably go to former Blue Jay Joe Carter, who tormented the Phillies in the 1993 World Series.
Some are pulling for Toronto resident Drake to get the nod (and some are not). But he’s more into the NBA Raptors anyway. The Weeknd is another Toronto guy.
Lee’s interest in baseball doesn’t go away when he walks through the former SkyDome exit. He owns a large and valuable collection of baseball memorabilia, including a uniform worn by Babe Ruth, a bat used by Micky Mantle and a baseball signed by Shoeless Joe Jackson. Christie’s sold part of it at auction two years ago for almost $7 million.
If he gets tired of rummaging through the history of baseball he might cast his eye at all the awards given to Rush – maybe the seven Grammys the band has earned – or whatever he got for being an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Rush will kick off an extensive “Fifty Something Tour” next year. Lee will co-headline with guitarist Alex Lifeson, a founding member. Longtime drummer Neil Peart died in 2020. A big announcement story about the tour ran on AARP.com! But then so did a story about Taylor Swift.
As popular as Rush has been with record buyers, it hasn’t always been a hit with critics. Some find Lee’s skyscraper vocals annoying, or disdain the band’s blend of prog and metal, or think their frequently sci-fi-ish vocals are a little wifty.
I don’t imagine Geddy Lee worries about any of that. Especially not if he’s watching Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stroll up to the plate.
“The Spirit of the Radio” was one of Rush’s biggest hits. They warmly recall the liberating early days of listening to the radio and decry what radio has become. Of course, what radio had become is what helped make Rush the superstar group it was.
