Entertainment · Music · 1 day ago
Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson Share Their Views on Steely Dan
Rush members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have shared their views on Steely Dan in a newly released interview.
Lee says he is a major fan and nearly named his daughter Aja after the band’s album.
He admires how Steely Dan made complex, jazz-influenced music that was also accessible to a wide audience.
Lifeson praises guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter for his versatility and skill.
Rush and Steely Dan both became known for technically demanding music, but Rush often used long forms and shifting time signatures, while Steely Dan brought jazz chords into pop songs.
Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen and Walter Becker had earlier criticized the way some progressive rock bands used complexity, though they did not specifically discuss Rush.
The interview offers no indication of what Steely Dan’s members thought of Rush.
Geddy Lee says he is a huge fan of Steely Dan and nearly named his daughter Aja after the band’s album.
Lee shared his views in a newly released Rolling Stone interview.
He praised Steely Dan for making music that was both commercially accessible and musically complex.
Alex Lifeson praised guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter’s versatility and intelligence.
Rush and Steely Dan both made technically demanding recordings, though their musical approaches differed.
- Who
- Geddy Lee, frontman and bassist of Rush, discussed Steely Dan.
- What
- Lee said he is a huge Steely Dan fan and praised the band’s music.
- When
- In a newly released interview published on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Rolling Stone.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Almost named my daughter Aja after that record. I love that record so much. I wore it out.
What amazed me about Steely Dan was how commercial they were
At the same time, just fucking really complex and interesting, you know?
Has there been anybody more versatile than Skunk?
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen commented on progressive rock groups in an interview with Melody Maker.
Walter Becker died.
Rolling Stone published its interview with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson about Steely Dan.
- Album
- Aja
- Outlet
- Rolling Stone
- Publication date
- October 10, 2026
- Steely Dan co-founder
- Walter Becker
- Becker’s death
- 2017
Sources
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