In a revealing excerpt from his new memoir, Geddy Lee, the bassist and frontman of Rush, recounts the untold story of how the band nearly disbanded. In his book My Effin’ Life, Lee delves into the early days of Rush, describing how in 1969, the band—then consisting of Alex Lifeson, Lindy Young, John Rutsey, and himself—almost parted ways when Lee was unceremoniously dropped.

Lee recalls how Zeppelin’s influence made their own music feel “wimpy” by comparison, leading to tensions and a desire to toughen their sound. The group brought in manager Ray Danniels, who eventually pushed for Lee’s removal. Lee narrates how he learned of the band’s supposed breakup through Lindy Young, only to discover later that they had reformed without him. This deceitful act was driven by Rutsey, who wanted a “hipper” image for the band.

Despite the shock and hurt, Lee resolved to forge ahead, starting his own band. He reflects on how this painful experience ultimately strengthened his resolve and instilled a healthy skepticism that would serve him well in the music industry.

Lee’s memoir also touches on other moments from this period, including his brief encounter with LSD before a gig, the challenges of maintaining a band, and the eventual reunion with Rush later that year. This early setback, while difficult, became a formative experience, making Lee more confident and helping shape the band’s future direction.