Thank you Getty for sharing your and you’re families experience Truly an inspiration. So grateful for their strong ethic for perseverance; there for the Grace of God go you and all of us as Rush fans!
I am from Poland and this is amazing. I am a long-life fan - I was born 1991 but RUSH is my favorite band - and it will always be - it shaped me as a human being... My alcoholic father introduced me to them. It is amazing that Geddy talk about Poland. I am a nurse and is living some shitty life out of my low salary, but whatever - when I drive my 1997 Citroen Saxo and listening to Red Barchetta I feel like a king :3 Greeting from Poland to all the listeners! All the health for you !
Billy Joel's family story is also heartbreaking. They were very successful Jews from Nuremberg who were made an example of by the Nazis. His father eventually made it to the US and joined Patton's Army and his battalion liberated Dachau not knowing his relatives had been killed in Auschwitz. The current owners of the Joel's company are the descendants of the people who bought the company at a fifth of its value when the Nazis forced the Joels to sell.
My Grandfather was part of the British 11th Armoured Brigade that helped liberate Bergen-Belsen. What he experienced haunted him and he rarely spoke about the war, certainly not about the camps. I didn’t find out that he was there until after he passed away so I find it amazing that Geddy Lee’s mother had the strength of character to tell her children her story. We must never forget.
@JediNxf7 Great respect to your grandfather. My Finnish grandfathers fought against the Russians in the Winter War. God must weep when he sees his children killing each other.
My Friend Ed was a shot down RCAF gunner. He was arrested called a spy. They were sent to Bergin Belson to be executed. Goering saved them from being executed. Bergin Belson was not classified as a death camp even though people were executed or starved to death. The Canadian Gov did not recognise that he was a survivor of the holocaust but France gave him the legion of honour havi g helped with the resistance when the were shot down. Ed passed last year but when he described the camp and what he saw he said that the people were like walking dead he said they were so thin all you could see was skin and bones.
I am thankful for the service of grandfather and those like him. My great uncle served in the U.S. 103rd division. He was KIA November of 1944 in Southern France.
I agree. I've heard of Rush, and I've listened to a few of their songs over the years. But I didn't really listen to them in earnest until after Neil Peart passed away.
Another little aspect of his story with his Mom. His given first name was Gary, but she couldn't pronounce it correctly, coming out with "Geddy", instead. Then somewhere along the line he decided to join her in it and went to court and had his first name officially and legally changed from Gary to Geddy. Cool thing to do for his Mom.......... ;-)
Not exactly. It wasn't a MiSPRONOUNCEMENT per se, she was saying GARY but her thick accent made it SOUND like Geddy - and for the record, it was a friend of Geddy's who was the first one who started calling Gary "Geddy" - because the FRIEND mishead Geddy's Mom and THOUGHT she was saying "Geddy". YOu cannot defeatme on RUSH trivia. I could crush you any day.
@@sarahwentforalemonwedgeand8991 Back in the day in Canada, I remember reading that to change your name legally, you just had to start using your chosen name. I imagine it's more complicated now, but he could have fairly easily have changed his name to Geddy, legally and for all time.
What a powerful interview. I'm even impressed with the interviewer. I had no idea that someone at a classic rock radio station could conduct such a thoughtful interview.
You really don't get out much do you. Big (successful) rock stations can't survive without talent like her. You have the wrong notions about things. Preconceived is no different/better than "assuming."
@@ajgrant6172 I've watched a LOT of interviews like this one and MOST of them are awful and cringeworthy. I'm glad Geddy finally got to speak to one interviewer with some grace and intelligence, esp considering the subject matter.
Wow. Serious fan for 35 years. Never heard his family story before. This could not have been an easy interview for either of them. I am grateful for this insight.
My grandfather was a WWII disabled veteran. He saw a lot, North Africa, Sicily, Italy and after he was wounded returned to be a witness at a death camp. He never spoke about it until near his death. He said you could smell death from miles away and that once they arrived he said it was the most horrible thing he ever saw. After his passing I received a copy of his Army records and it is documented that he went there and I can't help but feel so angry when I hear people deny the Holocaust or see Nazis marching south of the border. Keep Rocking Geddy!
My mother's uncle also was in north Africa and I believe Italy as well. He also was in Germany. After the war, he could not stand the smell of a outdoor barbecue. It reminded him too much of the stench of the burned bodies in Germany.
It always baffles me how they document my dad's unit but do not give your grandfather's plight the recognition they deserve. Those guys saw Hell too!!!
Geddy Lee brought up a very important issue. That is that many Survivors did not speak of their trials, and how they survived. Growing up, in the 60's, in a town in Bergen County NJ that use to be a big Bund stronghold, I was fortunate to have known many survivors, and who spoke about their experiences. One thing that Mr. Lee does not mention is that today, 2019, most survivors have died. It is people like Geddy Lee who have to continue to tell his parents story to educate the next generation. Not just Jewish, but as was very well said, everyone.
All 3 members of Rush are/were incredibly humble, humorous and eloquent in whatever media they chose to express themselves in. If they hadn't met, my life would be somewhat emptier. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
My Polish father didn’t openly talk about the war until I became curious as a teenager, and then I constantly asked him questions as he told me more and more of his stories. I live a comfortable Canadian life but his stories have certainly shaped me and made me not take for granted everything I have.
My parents were from Lodz and Lublin but studied in Warszawa, and eventually came to Australia where i was born.....Such a sorry life story from Poland. Im so glad Geddys parents survived and we were blessed to have Rush...... The band of my life. My parents were lucky to survive, although not Jewish as far as i know, they fled ahead of the nazzi lines and evaded being captured. Many stories of death and struggles. My memories still abound with their miraculous escapes.
Geddy, I am 75 years old and have been a Rush fan for many years and “Grace” was my first album. I thought Red Sector A was a post apocaliptic song. Your recent interview about the holocaust left me in tears. My opinion of you has taken a quantem leap. Thank you for enriching my musical experience. Mike, Goa, India
What a warm and wonderful comment! I have also been a long time Rush fan. I especially love Signals and Grace...and Red Sector A is phenomenal! Best regards.
I did too Mike, and I had the same experience as yourself. More especially as I heard Grace Under Pressure when it first came out at the height of the Cold War. Realising that this was about the Nazi murder camps independently, then hearing Geddy describe his parent's story makes it all the more moving all over again. We are all so incredibly lucky to have him on the planet with us.
When he said that they were standing there at the place where she had been a prisoner with her children, and at that moment she KNEW that she had won...And she did win.
Geddy. You are a blessing. I was never a RUSH fan. I was too snobby with my nose up and listening to jazz and fusion until someone gave me tickets to the Vapor Trails tour. You were nothing short of amazing in concert. Three guys came out and destroyed the stage. Now, watching this, I am even more impressed. You are a true hero now.
@wide awake : That actually has never been proven. But it is as cold and as hard a fact as anything possibly could be that racist nazis are evil. There simply is no reasonable or even unreasonable doubt. To claim otherwise, is to claim outright insanity.
@@somynamesrobbieparker1413 I am part Jew. I am offended by your insinuations. It just goes to show: religion is the ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE. Replace organized religion with spiritual practices and Unconditional Love, and watch this planet turn into a Heaven on Earth.
They actually have a song about how facing great difficulty, injustice, violence, etc doesn't make one a hero. It's the actions one takes that make a hero. Song's called "Nobody's Hero"
@@youthmanrecords420 sadly youthman very few understand or even have the mentality to comprehend what you are talking about. People are addicted to their TV's and think the media and history are factual truth.
Alien Paragon You’re absolutely right my friend I told my wife numerous times how I have to keep most of my conversations very basic , surface and dumbed down because your average person knows nothing beyond MTV and a high school social studies book
When that came out on " Grace under pressure," even at 12, I " felt " the lyrics...viscerally. Even that young, and knowing Geddy was the child of Holocaust survivor's, I knew he must have told Neil all about it, and Neil wrote in such a moving way, almost like he did a mind meld on Geddy's mom!
RIP Neil, he really captured it. so greatful to the grandma that protected his parents, thanks to her and the other rescuers we had Rush. What you do in life matters , love courage charity always.
Thank you for sharing. My Grandmother was a survivor too, she didn't talk about it much until much later in life. I'm so grateful she shared before passing. Mr. Peart's memory is a blessing.
Geddy is the 'Morgan Freeman' of rock and roll legends in an interview. He's smooth and calm, totally honest and genuine; you can easily see yourself having a really insightful, deep conversation with the man.
Extraordinary story. I took a funeral for the wife of a British soldier who was in the first wave of troops to discover Belsen. He shared many stories about what he saw. I asked him how many people he had shared the horrors he saw with and he answered "no-one". And how many days had passed since then had he not thought about these things, and he said "none".
Geddy (Gary) is my hero. Not afraid to be labeled a Liberal. Stands against intolerance, racism. What a good person. And a pretty damn good bass player.
I'm 52 yrs old and could not imagine growing up without RUSH. In 1980, I heard the Spirit of Radio on the radio, 102.5 WDVE in Pittsburgh. They really meant that much to me.
Geddy is my god. Along with those other 2 guys, they have given me so many years filled with awesome music. I could never thank them enough. They will always be the best band in the world to me. ❤️
My best friend's grandpa came to Canada from Germany at a very young age. He told us he once saw German troops lined up on the street pulling people out of their homes, and once they saw his parents packing up they shot out their windows. How they made it to Canada is beyond me but he married, had a couple of successful businesses and has a rather large, loving, and welcoming family in the town I come from. RIP Willy.
This was a very touching interview. I’m a huge Rush fan and Geddy is so awesome and cool. I knew from the Rush documentary that Geddy’s parents were holocaust survivors but now I know much more in-depth information about that. Rush rules and R.I.P. Neil Peart.
Knew "some" of this Story from years ago as Geddy wasn't into delving into personal items of his Family from the past. But as the years have rolled over he has allowed The Fans to learn more about him as a person. I'm glad he became comfortable enough to share what has to be very emotional parts of his past! RUSH STILL RULES.....The Rest Can Only Drool
As both a Christian and a Rush fan (they are actually my favorite band), his words toward the end were heart-breaking to me as well although, not surprising. How else could he sing Neil's lyrics with such conviction. Unfortunately, Geddy takes the evil that men do in a fallen world as proof there is no God, yet doesn't see his very existence as the child of not just one, but two holocaust survivors as a miracle of God. He has sang of "Freewill", perhaps without completely connecting the dots to the consequences of people having a free will. It's not always lollipops and rainbows. Free will allows some people to make bad choices that hurt other people. But, it also allows people to sincerely show love to God as well as other people. God didn't intend to create a bunch of robots. And with all due respect to Neil Peart as a musician, his lyrics to "Freewill" get it wrong in this respect: Free will gives us the ability to make a choice, it is not the choice itself. That said, he did get this part right: "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice". All of that said, I applaud Geddy for telling his family's story. It is important that it not be forgotten the evil men our capable of and the enabling circumstances that allow it to take place.
@Shallex Really? According to me? That's how you comprehended my last statement? Or are you simply attempting to twist it to suit your argument? Yes I do know what happens when this life is over and it is not according to me, it is according to the Holy Bible that I believe is the inspired word of God. Not simply by blind faith, but by a faith reinforced by fulfilled prophecy and the evidence I have seen around me in my life. By the way, the mere existence of modern day Israel, despite having been surrounded by enemies on all sides, is an absolute miracle of God. You have the free will to either choose to believe or not. And by the way in the end, "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice".
I almost weep with joy when any Rush members spend time candidly with the audience, but this interview especially strikes a chord of empathy, and a sense of history both happy and sad.
Thank you, Geddy. You're an icon and a hero in so many ways. "I'm a cultural Jew. I'm not a religious person; I'm not believer in god.... I don't practise the faith."
hwmbo727 My friend, I hear ya. Consider going to synagogue on Shabbat. Learn what it means to keep Shabbat because it was created for you! After that, look into Passover. Shalom to you and all the best!
Insightful interview. I'm not Jewish but am so amazed at the strength of the survivors that chose to be open about their experiences. Geddy also gets to make his own decision about religion.
I had the honor of working 3 Rush concerts as a stage tech,and every time Getty would always visit with me and I can say he’s is just so real and genuine.
Thank you for sharing your story. I did not know that your father was a survivor as well. I knew that your mother was a survivor! Incredible story. grateful that you create beautiful music. Shalom Aleichem! Baruch Hashem for you, your siblings, and parents!
Love you Geddy, I'm a Polish born (1982) Canadian citizen living in Willowdale, North York. Saw you and Alex at the park dedication. Kocham was! Cheers
My heart is broken about Neil. I don't think anyone understands that. I was a boy when I first heard them and have been to countless concerts by them. No more.
My father was from Poland. He didn't make it out till he escaped communism but my grams on my mother's side, her mother, father and brother were murdered by Nazi's. They were Bohemian. Gypsies, living in what is now the Czech Rep. Her and her sister were sent out to America but were separated when the got here and they never saw each other again. My grams was poor and sad and married an Italian immigrant who beat her and humiliated her etc. She had 5 kids and became an America the hard way. #StandWithIsrael against Nazism, Socialism, communism, Islamo Fascism, Authoritarianism, identity politics and globalism. They are all the same with the same players trying to gain power over people they have no rights to.
Thanks for sharing, Laura. Most people know about the Jewish victims in the concentration camps, but the Nazis killed many others as well. I think the sad reason most people don't know about the Romani victims from the former Czechoslovakia (around 800,000) is because the Nazis pretty much finished the job in that country. There were simply no survivors left in their particular case (or certainly no where near as many). The Nazis also killed about 1.5 million Polish Catholics.
I actually cried at a couple of places in this interview. I survived a war myself, and I can tell you that it's such a life changing experience, nothing is ever the same, it's like your life is suddenly on a different timeline. It never heals.
As a Canadian I never knew his family’s story. I’m in tears. Thank you Mr. Lee for sharing this hauntingly horrible and uplifting story. Blessings to you and yours.
My father was a WW2 combat veteran (Royal Canadian Navy). I feel an immense sense of gratitude that I am a descendant of a member of the generation that terminated that vile regime.
Sadly Germany is now locking up old people for saying 'idiot' and letting extremists wipe out Christmas parades. Hate to say it but your father's fight may end up being in vain as a new style of evil has taken over Germany.
Cool, same as me, just shifted one year older. I was 12 when I heard Permanent Waves played in its entirety on the radio on 1/1/1980. I saw that tour and every tour up until the end. I am 52 and Rush covers much of the soundtrack of most of my life.
When I was a kid back in the mid 80's I discovered Rush. The song Freewill is what got me hooked. In fact, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures and Signals were my first Rush albums. My parents, however, started going through my music and reading the lyrics in the album covers. They came across Witch Hunt and decided that Rush was Satanic and destroyed the albums. This was during the Satanic panic in the US. If you grew up in the 80's in an evangelical home you know what I'm talking about. The irony being they were doing what the song Witch Hunt was describing. But, my love for Rush never diminished. I own all of their music, in one form or another. I learned more about humanity, humanism and love through Rush than I ever did in church. Thanks Rush. Thanks Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart (RIP).
I fortunately had the opposite experience. Outside the church on the sidewalk I was showing a kid from my church my Rush song book (sheet music and lyrics from their 1st album through to Signals. I'd learn it all on piano). The other kid was showing me his Motley Crue song book. The pastor walked up to us, "What ya got there?" The pastor skimmed through some Rush lyrics and said, "I see nothing wrong with that." He handed it back to me and then looked through the Motley Crue book. He was appalled and called the kid's parents. Lol That experience made realize Rush is one the few bands you can introduce to your kids (not that I have kids) without worry. I've been to 5 Rush concerts, the last being R40. It was beautiful to see grandpas, fathers, and sons all at the same concert.
I am so amazed on what Geddy told here...and as a German I am and will be forever be sad about all the extremely bad, horrible pain we ( only 2 generations before me) brought to all over the world. It's unforgivable! Thank you for another story about this truth!
I am a big fan of Rush. My father was a translator during the war. My great uncle, who was a German Protester, died in Mauthausen in 1943. Another distant relative died in Flossenbürg in 1944. My grandmother moved from Tuszów Naradowy in 1913 to the USA. Her family survived the war because they had a German surname. My father never talked about it. He told me he had to tell the soldiers not to feed them, most soldiers had candy bars because people were so dehydrated. I know it seriously affected him. The only thing he said as a result of this six-month post-war experience was: "I will never complain about anything." Dziękuję za podzielenie się swoimi doświadczeniami.
@@MikeSadlerAU if you learned anything from his 'story' and you know the news, you should be concerned for Lee himself. Jews are fleeing Europe. France has said they cannot protect them. You should be ashamed of your 😶
What a nice humble man. What a story. To say that he is wiser because of his family history instead of being scarred by it is quite thought provoking. Thank goodness his parents both survived, for we may never have had such an awesome trio of rock musicians.
TEARS almost from the start!-.. damn it... btw, my 82 year old mum loves you guys ever since I had to explain the lies that got me into Rupp Arena back in 1984! ...then I tried to explain... these guys are not the typical rock bands you haven't wanted me to see..........etc. "but these guys are different.." They didn't believe me at the time, but we all know now.
Geddy Lee jesteś de beściakiem totalnym. Ubóstwiam Ciebie jako człowieka i rockendrolowca. Koncert w Berlinie był moim koncertem marzeń. Udało się, byłam tam i poczułam się cudownie.
I have loved Poland for a long time... I knew something of Geddy (Garry) Lee's background but I just learned His Parents were from Poland. What an amaing story, Thank you for Sharing this. Now I have another reason to love Poland more!
All four of my grandparent were jewish poles. They had to run from there tp save their life. No jewish pole thinks of poland as home nor think of thenselves as poles. The polish were awful to jews
Thanks Geddy for doing such an interview and sharing a great deal of your family history. It's important to listen to such sensitive stories from the past and and never forget one's roots and heritage. It obvious how Geddy has been shaped into the person he has become over time. Thanks Q1043 New York for sharing!
"she felt like she won the war". that's an amazing conclusion to her experience. she did win. thank you.
[
I welled up hearing Geddy say that.
@@canadude6401 yes. Thanks for replying.
Thank you Getty for sharing your and you’re families experience
Truly an inspiration.
So grateful for their strong ethic for perseverance; there for the Grace of God go you and all of us as Rush fans!
yes - that IS the statement.
His mother came to my grandmothers funeral, they were close friends. She was so sweet. Geddy was a neighbor of my family growing up. Great guy.
Wouldn't Geddy be a potential pal of yours as well now then ?
@bmardon2112 sadly I've never met him but I've been to two concerts
What an incredible story. Thank for sharing this account, Geddy. My condolences to you in the loss of your dear friend, Mr. Peart.
@N Your ignorance knows no bounds.
@N a brick upside your head 👍
@N - holy fuck man, what the fuck is wrong with you?? you really are a disturbed individual.
@N russian bot piece of shit.
@N short for Nazi
I am from Poland and this is amazing. I am a long-life fan - I was born 1991 but RUSH is my favorite band - and it will always be - it shaped me as a human being... My alcoholic father introduced me to them. It is amazing that Geddy talk about Poland. I am a nurse and is living some shitty life out of my low salary, but whatever - when I drive my 1997 Citroen Saxo and listening to Red Barchetta I feel like a king :3 Greeting from Poland to all the listeners! All the health for you !
Nic tylko polać!
Pozdrawiam serdecznie. 😻
All the best to you, Tomek!
ja też uwielbiam Rush. a mieszkam niedaleko Starachowic a więc miasta w którym mieszkała matka Geddyego
❤️🙏
I love how Geddy Lee is an honest person in his interviews and says how he feels and not what people want to hear.
YES!
@@ShawnJonesHellion stop hating
@Mr. Opinionated like you know. You are entitled to an opinion, just like I am entitled to ignore it.
@Mr. Opinionated typical garden variety Trump trash.
Unlike the complete and utter ASS who considers himself as a "President!!"
Getty Lee and his sense of family is probably one of the reasons for Rush not exploding in ego like other groups
He seems like a class act, very humble and real.
You are so right about your assessment .... the three of them were, are, class-acts!
Three best friends from Toronto playing music... that’s what it’s all about.
Alex's family is from Yugoslavia so probably saw some horrors as well, it's most likely a bonding feature between the two
I think it's a Canadian thing..
I admire Geedy Lee's courage to talk about such horrific time in history, especially done to his family. We're *VERY* lucky to have a talent like him.
Billy Joel's family story is also heartbreaking. They were very successful Jews from Nuremberg who were made an example of by the Nazis. His father eventually made it to the US and joined Patton's Army and his battalion liberated Dachau not knowing his relatives had been killed in Auschwitz. The current owners of the Joel's company are the descendants of the people who bought the company at a fifth of its value when the Nazis forced the Joels to sell.
My Grandfather was part of the British 11th Armoured Brigade that helped liberate Bergen-Belsen. What he experienced haunted him and he rarely spoke about the war, certainly not about the camps. I didn’t find out that he was there until after he passed away so I find it amazing that Geddy Lee’s mother had the strength of character to tell her children her story. We must never forget.
@JediNxf7 Great respect to your grandfather. My Finnish grandfathers fought against the Russians in the Winter War. God must weep when he sees his children killing each other.
Please list the reasons why you believe this? I would like to know how Jewish People started the second world war
My Friend Ed was a shot down RCAF gunner. He was arrested called a spy. They were sent to Bergin Belson to be executed. Goering saved them from being executed. Bergin Belson was not classified as a death camp even though people were executed or starved to death. The Canadian Gov did not recognise that he was a survivor of the holocaust but France gave him the legion of honour havi g helped with the resistance when the were shot down. Ed passed last year but when he described the camp and what he saw he said that the people were like walking dead he said they were so thin all you could see was skin and bones.
I am thankful for the service of grandfather and those like him. My great uncle served in the U.S. 103rd division. He was KIA November of 1944 in Southern France.
I always liked Rush, and Geddy Lee. But after this interview, my esteem for him, and especially his mother, has risen leaps and bounds.
@Iansain the great Fuck you.
I agree. I've heard of Rush, and I've listened to a few of their songs over the years. But I didn't really listen to them in earnest until after Neil Peart passed away.
I hope this interview gets a much wider audience than just Rush fans. This story need to be heard!
Music aside, yes it DOES need to be heard. I love how he can keep himself composed talking about this subject matter.
Thank you sir for your courage. The truth is the truth.
@N Honestly, your "opinion piece" embarrasses me. I pity your abject ignorance. The Holocaust isn't " just a story". Shame on you.
@@bearknuckles100 totally agree with youQ!
@88Gibson LesPaul no " Gibson Les Paul "...Rush Limbaugh is your daddy...don't ever forget it ...
Another little aspect of his story with his Mom. His given first name was Gary, but she couldn't pronounce it correctly, coming out with "Geddy", instead. Then somewhere along the line he decided to join her in it and went to court and had his first name officially and legally changed from Gary to Geddy. Cool thing to do for his Mom.......... ;-)
Not exactly. It wasn't a MiSPRONOUNCEMENT per se, she was saying GARY but her thick accent made it SOUND like Geddy - and for the record, it was a friend of Geddy's who was the first one who started calling Gary "Geddy" - because the FRIEND mishead Geddy's Mom and THOUGHT she was saying "Geddy".
YOu cannot defeatme on RUSH trivia. I could crush you any day.
Geedy Lee's mom had a heavy Jewish/Polish accent.
I think it was actually his grandmother, not his mother.
I changed my name to Rumple Forskin.
People still call me Dan.
@@sarahwentforalemonwedgeand8991 Back in the day in Canada, I remember reading that to change your name legally, you just had to start using your chosen name. I imagine it's more complicated now, but he could have fairly easily have changed his name to Geddy, legally and for all time.
What a powerful interview. I'm even impressed with the interviewer. I had no idea that someone at a classic rock radio station could conduct such a thoughtful interview.
You really don't get out much do you. Big (successful) rock stations can't survive without talent like her. You have the wrong notions about things. Preconceived is no different/better than "assuming."
@@ajgrant6172 I've watched a LOT of interviews like this one and MOST of them are awful and cringeworthy. I'm glad Geddy finally got to speak to one interviewer with some grace and intelligence, esp considering the subject matter.
She is Jewish heritage as well most likely lost family.
@@ajgrant6172 It's radio. The whole point is not to have to go anywhere.
Wow. Serious fan for 35 years. Never heard his family story before. This could not have been an easy interview for either of them. I am grateful for this insight.
That's basically what "Red Sector A" was about if you didn't know.
Same here: fan since 1983... didn't know this!
Hmmm! I still remember buying Moving Pictures from Star Records. Been a fan since I started listening to music. Especially after acquiring my bass.
@@legallyresistingtyranny5901 If it weren't for the Nazi holocaust, we wouldn't be having these problems in Israel and Palestine.
@@popev3887 Jesus was a practicing Jew.
My grandfather was a WWII disabled veteran. He saw a lot, North Africa, Sicily, Italy and after he was wounded returned to be a witness at a death camp. He never spoke about it until near his death. He said you could smell death from miles away and that once they arrived he said it was the most horrible thing he ever saw. After his passing I received a copy of his Army records and it is documented that he went there and I can't help but feel so angry when I hear people deny the Holocaust or see Nazis marching south of the border. Keep Rocking Geddy!
My mother's uncle also was in north Africa and I believe Italy as well. He also was in Germany. After the war, he could not stand the smell of a outdoor barbecue. It reminded him too much of the stench of the burned bodies in Germany.
It always baffles me how they document my dad's unit but do not give your grandfather's plight the recognition they deserve. Those guys saw Hell too!!!
Geddy Lee brought up a very important issue. That is that many Survivors did not speak of their trials, and how they survived. Growing up, in the 60's, in a town in Bergen County NJ that use to be a big Bund stronghold, I was fortunate to have known many survivors, and who spoke about their experiences. One thing that Mr. Lee does not mention is that today, 2019, most survivors have died. It is people like Geddy Lee who have to continue to tell his parents story to educate the next generation. Not just Jewish, but as was very well said, everyone.
@MishuTaste You guest it. What gave it away?
hahaha i was born in Hackensack :)
"I hate NJ nazis!" th-cam.com/video/ulCw7RJ5eE8/w-d-xo.html
You knew alot of LIARS nothing more nothing less
@Redrum - I can bet you're a denier because you had relatives that ran one of the camps.
Geddy is a national treasure.
correction, rush is a national treasure, they are all equal
A world Treasure
All 3 members of Rush are/were incredibly humble, humorous and eloquent in whatever media they chose to express themselves in. If they hadn't met, my life would be somewhat emptier. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Geddy Lee is awesome. God bless his mom.
My Polish father didn’t openly talk about the war until I became curious as a teenager, and then I constantly asked him questions as he told me more and more of his stories. I live a comfortable Canadian life but his stories have certainly shaped me and made me not take for granted everything I have.
My parents were from Lodz and Lublin but studied in Warszawa, and eventually came to Australia where i was born.....Such a sorry life story from Poland. Im so glad Geddys parents survived and we were blessed to have Rush...... The band of my life. My parents were lucky to survive, although not Jewish as far as i know, they fled ahead of the nazzi lines and evaded being captured. Many stories of death and struggles. My memories still abound with their miraculous escapes.
What a shame Rush never played in Poland...
Geddy, I am 75 years old and have been a Rush fan for many years and “Grace” was my first album. I thought Red Sector A was a post apocaliptic song. Your recent interview about the holocaust left me in tears. My opinion of you has taken a quantem leap.
Thank you for enriching my musical experience.
Mike, Goa, India
What a warm and wonderful comment! I have also been a long time Rush fan. I especially love Signals and Grace...and Red Sector A is phenomenal! Best regards.
I did too Mike, and I had the same experience as yourself. More especially as I heard Grace Under Pressure when it first came out at the height of the Cold War. Realising that this was about the Nazi murder camps independently, then hearing Geddy describe his parent's story makes it all the more moving all over again. We are all so incredibly lucky to have him on the planet with us.
I thought that too as a kid - it's a post-apocalypse story. Learning what it was actually about was a bit of a mindfuck.
When he said that they were standing there at the place where she had been a prisoner with her children, and at that moment she KNEW that she had won...And she did win.
Humanity won too.
An amazing and painful story. I'm not Jewish, but I can't help but feel overwhelmed by the way things must have been.
Mr. Intensity I think a lot of people are overwhelmed by the way things were.
Yeah they kind of count on you thinking that
All four of my grandparents were polish jews. Im a rush fan
Thank you for sharing
Geddy. You are a blessing. I was never a RUSH fan. I was too snobby with my nose up and listening to jazz and fusion until someone gave me tickets to the Vapor Trails tour. You were nothing short of amazing in concert. Three guys came out and destroyed the stage. Now, watching this, I am even more impressed. You are a true hero now.
The Inquisition, let's begin
The Inquisition, look out sin
We have a mission to convert the Jews (Jew ja Jew ja Jew ja Jews)
@wide awake : That actually has never been proven. But it is as cold and as hard a fact as anything possibly could be that racist nazis are evil. There simply is no reasonable or even unreasonable doubt. To claim otherwise, is to claim outright insanity.
@@popev3887 Jesus was a nice Jewish boy, you nutter.
@@somynamesrobbieparker1413 I am part Jew. I am offended by your insinuations. It just goes to show: religion is the ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE. Replace organized religion with spiritual practices and Unconditional Love, and watch this planet turn into a Heaven on Earth.
They actually have a song about how facing great difficulty, injustice, violence, etc doesn't make one a hero. It's the actions one takes that make a hero. Song's called "Nobody's Hero"
He’s a perfect example of the enduring strength of the Jewish people. No debilitating self-pity. They just stand up again, stronger than ever.
My grandparents - Lithuanian - survived a very similar story... my girlfriend’s mom.. survived Nagasaki... how about no more wars..
Amen to that sentiment.
Round up the Ashkenaz globalist bankers and then we can begin the process
@@youthmanrecords420 sadly youthman very few understand or even have the mentality to comprehend what you are talking about. People are addicted to their TV's and think the media and history are factual truth.
Alien Paragon You’re absolutely right my friend I told my wife numerous times how I have to keep most of my conversations very basic , surface and dumbed down because your average person knows nothing beyond MTV and a high school social studies book
Study war no more.
God Bless Geddy Lee's family.........Morris & Mary Weinrib thank you for the gift of your son........
Bravo, yes indeed, thank you.
Getty Lee doesn't believe in God.
I suffer from hearing impairment .....thanks to RUSH .....👂💨👂💨
@Kevin Prima listen up homobama voter .Bite me .
@Kevin Prima then we have Pence .😀
i heard Neil wrote the words for Red Sector A after talking to Geddy's mum, i wonder how he feels about singing those lyrics?
When that came out on " Grace under pressure," even at 12, I " felt " the lyrics...viscerally. Even that young, and knowing Geddy was the child of Holocaust survivor's, I knew he must have told Neil all about it, and Neil wrote in such a moving way, almost like he did a mind meld on Geddy's mom!
I wondered that too. I was also thinking did his mom ever here Red Sector A.
Powerful.
Just. Powerful.
Who has a story this powerful is ALL OF Rock n Roll?
RIP Neil, he really captured it. so greatful to the grandma that protected his parents, thanks to her and the other rescuers we had Rush. What you do in life matters , love courage charity always.
I'm sure she has. She's still alive today.
Bless you Geddy, what an amazing and beautiful story. Deeply moved by your history... Give Mama a big hug from all of us.
Thank you for sharing. My Grandmother was a survivor too, she didn't talk about it much until much later in life. I'm so grateful she shared before passing. Mr. Peart's memory is a blessing.
Geddy is the 'Morgan Freeman' of rock and roll legends in an interview. He's smooth and calm, totally honest and genuine; you can easily see yourself having a really insightful, deep conversation with the man.
You may not have heard all the stories about Morgan Freeman.
Geddy is far more respectable and talented than Morgan.
Extraordinary story. I took a funeral for the wife of a British soldier who was in the first wave of troops to discover Belsen. He shared many stories about what he saw. I asked him how many people he had shared the horrors he saw with and he answered "no-one". And how many days had passed since then had he not thought about these things, and he said "none".
😑😑😑
My grandfather has a similar story... Thank you for sharing Geddy Lee. God bless you and your family..
Geddy (Gary) is my hero. Not afraid to be labeled a Liberal. Stands against intolerance, racism. What a good person. And a pretty damn good bass player.
Wow, what an intelligent, well spoken person and the interview lady was classy also
I had heard that he had Holocaust survivors in his family. But this goes above and beyond. A message that everyone needs to hear.
I'm 52 yrs old and could not imagine growing up without RUSH. In 1980, I heard the Spirit of Radio on the radio, 102.5 WDVE in Pittsburgh. They really meant that much to me.
Thanks Geddy. I have listened to your music my whole life. A big shout out to your mum.
This is phenomenal and thank you Geddy for sharing!!! Kudos to the interviewer for allowing him to speak and the thoughtful questions.
Never forget.
Thank you so much for posting this wonderful interview with Geddy Lee. I love him even more.
Such a smart and humble man. It's not easy to share such personal stories without becoming emotional.
Geddy, as a long-time fan, I am honored by your sharing of your family's story.
Geddy is my god. Along with those other 2 guys, they have given me so many years filled with awesome music. I could never thank them enough. They will always be the best band in the world to me. ❤️
For Geddy there is no God...
@@bazbarrett8103 But for Lisa, Geddy is her God!
@@jojowhite9296 why would anyone want a god... i mean really.?
@@jojowhite9296 well Lisa should grow up.Geddy is a fab singer and Bass player in probably my favourite band...god...please!!
@@bazbarrett8103 I didn't notice but that comment is two years old. I wonder if Lisa is still among us?
Great interview. So glad he was able to take care of his mother and ensure that she would never have to struggle or want for anything ever again.
What an incredible interview.They both complimented one another very well.And a fantastic band.RIP The Professor.
Yes, she is an excellent interviewer. Asked good and respectful questions, and didn't interrupt his answers.
I'm in tears
6:38 love the voice of his mother.
Great interview of a sincere and grounded rock star!
Thank you Ged for telling your parents story.
@Nickhead87 prove that it never happened. Go on. We'll wait.
My best friend's grandpa came to Canada from Germany at a very young age. He told us he once saw German troops lined up on the street pulling people out of their homes, and once they saw his parents packing up they shot out their windows. How they made it to Canada is beyond me but he married, had a couple of successful businesses and has a rather large, loving, and welcoming family in the town I come from. RIP Willy.
This story broke my heart and had me emotional. Thank you for sharing, Geddy. It deepens my respect for you even further. \m/\m/
There's a present-day holocaust being inflicted on the Palestinians in the illegally-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.
@Cheeky That's OK. You're entitled to your opinion, incorrect though it may be.
You're an anti-RUSH-ite! Begone !!!
@@chevken1831 To whom are you directing that statement?
What an unusual and inspiring story ! Much respect to your incredibly courageous parents, no wonder they raised such a good, nice man.
Loved Rush's music growing up, and had no idea of Geddy's family history. Cried a bunch watching this. Thank you.
Thank you Mr. Lee, for telling your family story.
This was a very touching interview. I’m a huge Rush fan and Geddy is so awesome and cool. I knew from the Rush documentary that Geddy’s parents were holocaust survivors but now I know much more in-depth information about that. Rush rules and R.I.P. Neil Peart.
I like how the interviewer asked questions like she was interested in what he had to say. I have loved this man for 3/4 of my life.
Knew "some" of this Story from years ago as Geddy wasn't into delving into personal items of his Family from the past. But as the years have rolled over he has allowed The Fans to learn more about him as a person. I'm glad he became comfortable enough to share what has to be very emotional parts of his past! RUSH STILL RULES.....The Rest Can Only Drool
Geddys last words in this interview are heartbreaking. "I take a different view" I'm sorry Neil is gone.
It is but, many artists are like that unfortunately.
You mean smart and buy into brainwashed dogmatic BS
As both a Christian and a Rush fan (they are actually my favorite band), his words toward the end were heart-breaking to me as well although, not surprising. How else could he sing Neil's lyrics with such conviction. Unfortunately, Geddy takes the evil that men do in a fallen world as proof there is no God, yet doesn't see his very existence as the child of not just one, but two holocaust survivors as a miracle of God. He has sang of "Freewill", perhaps without completely connecting the dots to the consequences of people having a free will. It's not always lollipops and rainbows. Free will allows some people to make bad choices that hurt other people. But, it also allows people to sincerely show love to God as well as other people. God didn't intend to create a bunch of robots. And with all due respect to Neil Peart as a musician, his lyrics to "Freewill" get it wrong in this respect: Free will gives us the ability to make a choice, it is not the choice itself. That said, he did get this part right: "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice". All of that said, I applaud Geddy for telling his family's story. It is important that it not be forgotten the evil men our capable of and the enabling circumstances that allow it to take place.
@Shallex Sadly for some, the level of "proof" they require will only be met after this life is over and then it will be too late. That is a choice.
@Shallex Really? According to me? That's how you comprehended my last statement? Or are you simply attempting to twist it to suit your argument? Yes I do know what happens when this life is over and it is not according to me, it is according to the Holy Bible that I believe is the inspired word of God. Not simply by blind faith, but by a faith reinforced by fulfilled prophecy and the evidence I have seen around me in my life. By the way, the mere existence of modern day Israel, despite having been surrounded by enemies on all sides, is an absolute miracle of God. You have the free will to either choose to believe or not. And by the way in the end, "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice".
I almost weep with joy when any Rush members spend time candidly with the audience, but this interview especially strikes a chord of empathy, and a sense of history both happy and sad.
Thank you, Geddy. You're an icon and a hero in so many ways. "I'm a cultural Jew. I'm not a religious person; I'm not believer in god.... I don't practise the faith."
hwmbo727 My friend, I hear ya.
Consider going to synagogue on Shabbat. Learn what it means to keep Shabbat because it was created for you!
After that, look into Passover.
Shalom to you and all the best!
I’m not a religious Jew either but I’m glad to be from the only remained tribe of Judea. 14 million left in the world.
I’m praying for Israel (almost) daily! Genesis 12.
Insightful interview. I'm not Jewish but am so amazed at the strength of the survivors that chose to be open about their experiences. Geddy also gets to make his own decision about religion.
What a class act Geddy Lee is
I had the honor of working 3 Rush concerts as a stage tech,and every time Getty would always visit with me and I can say he’s is just so real and genuine.
Thank you for sharing your story. I did not know that your father was a survivor as well. I knew that your mother was a survivor! Incredible story. grateful that you create beautiful music. Shalom Aleichem! Baruch Hashem for you, your siblings, and parents!
Love you Geddy, I'm a Polish born (1982) Canadian citizen living in Willowdale, North York. Saw you and Alex at the park dedication. Kocham was! Cheers
Yet they have never been to Poland, I mean Rush.
Hugo Scylla Jews hate Poland
My heart is broken about Neil. I don't think anyone understands that. I was a boy when I first heard them and have been to countless concerts by them. No more.
My father was from Poland. He didn't make it out till he escaped communism but my grams on my mother's side, her mother, father and brother were murdered by Nazi's. They were Bohemian. Gypsies, living in what is now the Czech Rep. Her and her sister were sent out to America but were separated when the got here and they never saw each other again. My grams was poor and sad and married an Italian immigrant who beat her and humiliated her etc. She had 5 kids and became an America the hard way.
#StandWithIsrael
against Nazism, Socialism, communism, Islamo Fascism, Authoritarianism, identity politics and globalism. They are all the same with the same players trying to gain power over people they have no rights to.
Thanks for sharing, Laura. Most people know about the Jewish victims in the concentration camps, but the Nazis killed many others as well. I think the sad reason most people don't know about the Romani victims from the former Czechoslovakia (around 800,000) is because the Nazis pretty much finished the job in that country. There were simply no survivors left in their particular case (or certainly no where near as many). The Nazis also killed about 1.5 million Polish Catholics.
Awesome interview. What a story. Thank you
I actually cried at a couple of places in this interview. I survived a war myself, and I can tell you that it's such a life changing experience, nothing is ever the same, it's like your life is suddenly on a different timeline. It never heals.
As a Canadian I never knew his family’s story. I’m in tears. Thank you Mr. Lee for sharing this hauntingly horrible and uplifting story. Blessings to you and yours.
I can't say I'm any crazy Rush fan but I really like Geddy Lee and his outlook on music. Monumental band. This is one grounded man.
that's amazing. I have never heard this story before and I'm thankful he shared it. I feel so bad for him and Alex right now with the loss of Neil.
This story is F-ING amazing. I had no idea of Geddy's background. Wow. What a story.
Thank you for sharing this...
Love you Geddy. Im so sorry your parents went through that living hell
Impressive!!! Not only Geddy Lee for telling this story, but also the lady who interviews him!!! This story has to be heard again and again and again.
Wow! So very important that these stories are not forgotten!!!
Such a heartbreaking story. 😢 we must never forget and make sure nothing like this never happens again. Love ya Ged!
Thank You God and thank you Geddy
My father was a WW2 combat veteran (Royal Canadian Navy). I feel an immense sense of gratitude that I am a descendant of a member of the generation that terminated that vile regime.
Sadly Germany is now locking up old people for saying 'idiot' and letting extremists wipe out Christmas parades. Hate to say it but your father's fight may end up being in vain as a new style of evil has taken over Germany.
Ive always loved rush since age 11 I’m 51 and love rush even more now
Cool, same as me, just shifted one year older.
I was 12 when I heard Permanent Waves played in its entirety on the radio on 1/1/1980.
I saw that tour and every tour up until the end. I am 52 and Rush covers much of the soundtrack of most of my life.
Such courage sharing his familys stories. Thank you Geddy
When I was a kid back in the mid 80's I discovered Rush. The song Freewill is what got me hooked. In fact, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures and Signals were my first Rush albums. My parents, however, started going through my music and reading the lyrics in the album covers. They came across Witch Hunt and decided that Rush was Satanic and destroyed the albums. This was during the Satanic panic in the US. If you grew up in the 80's in an evangelical home you know what I'm talking about. The irony being they were doing what the song Witch Hunt was describing. But, my love for Rush never diminished. I own all of their music, in one form or another. I learned more about humanity, humanism and love through Rush than I ever did in church. Thanks Rush. Thanks Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart (RIP).
How tf did they come to that conclusion, it's like listening to 2112 and saying Rush is communist
I know where you're coming from, my parents are still idiots, they love trump.
@@SammyandMonica oy
Had a similar experience with my mom and 2112. She thought they were singing we are the priests of the temple of satan lol
I fortunately had the opposite experience. Outside the church on the sidewalk I was showing a kid from my church my Rush song book (sheet music and lyrics from their 1st album through to Signals. I'd learn it all on piano). The other kid was showing me his Motley Crue song book. The pastor walked up to us, "What ya got there?" The pastor skimmed through some Rush lyrics and said, "I see nothing wrong with that." He handed it back to me and then looked through the Motley Crue book. He was appalled and called the kid's parents. Lol That experience made realize Rush is one the few bands you can introduce to your kids (not that I have kids) without worry. I've been to 5 Rush concerts, the last being R40. It was beautiful to see grandpas, fathers, and sons all at the same concert.
God bless Geddy and his family. His mom going back to her camp after 50 years 😭.
He doesn't believe in God.. listen to 'Freewill '.
I am so amazed on what Geddy told here...and as a German I am and will be forever be sad about all the extremely bad, horrible pain we ( only 2 generations before me) brought to all over the world. It's unforgivable! Thank you for another story about this truth!
Bless you Geddy. A difficult story to share about your family. Brings tears to my eyes.
Geddy Lee is so strong. Rush on!!!
I am a big fan of Rush. My father was a translator during the war. My great uncle, who was a German Protester, died in Mauthausen in 1943. Another distant relative died in Flossenbürg in 1944. My grandmother moved from Tuszów Naradowy in 1913 to the USA. Her family survived the war because they had a German surname. My father never talked about it. He told me he had to tell the soldiers not to feed them, most soldiers had candy bars because people were so dehydrated. I know it seriously affected him. The only thing he said as a result of this six-month post-war experience was: "I will never complain about anything." Dziękuję za podzielenie się swoimi doświadczeniami.
How the hell can anyone give this a thumbs down??
One out of a thousand Rush fans is a Nazi? Not bad. That band has touched and changed the world.
@@christopherkahn6522
Q: Why did Carl Jung compare Hitler to Mohammed?
A:
th-cam.com/video/BzlESr-2cZ4/w-d-xo.html
@@bonhoeffersdaughter8748 - couldn't just let the story stand, could you? Had to hijack it for your own ends. You should be ashamed.
Christopher Kahn One in 23. Check your math, again.
@@MikeSadlerAU if you learned anything from his 'story' and you know the news, you should be concerned for Lee himself. Jews are fleeing Europe. France has said they cannot protect them.
You should be ashamed of your 😶
What a nice humble man. What a story. To say that he is wiser because of his family history instead of being scarred by it is quite thought provoking. Thank goodness his parents both survived, for we may never have had such an awesome trio of rock musicians.
I'm glad I stumbled on this . Great interview !!!
TEARS almost from the start!-.. damn it... btw, my 82 year old mum loves you guys ever since I had to explain the lies that got me into Rupp Arena back in 1984! ...then I tried to explain... these guys are not the typical rock bands you haven't wanted me to see..........etc. "but these guys are different.." They didn't believe me at the time, but we all know now.
Just heard Geddy’s mom passed away. RIP Mrs. Weinrib and condolences to Geddy.
Wow! What a amazing story of his parents and family.
Great to hear his speaking voice.
Very nice interview.......as a Jew, I´m very proud of all he has shared in this studio
Geddy Lee jesteś de beściakiem totalnym. Ubóstwiam Ciebie jako człowieka i rockendrolowca. Koncert w Berlinie był moim koncertem marzeń. Udało się, byłam tam i poczułam się cudownie.
I have loved Poland for a long time... I knew something of Geddy (Garry) Lee's background but I just learned His Parents were from Poland. What an amaing story, Thank you for Sharing this. Now I have another reason to love Poland more!
All four of my grandparent were jewish poles. They had to run from there tp save their life. No jewish pole thinks of poland as home nor think of thenselves as poles. The polish were awful to jews
Great interview by Geddy and also the lady is an excellent interviewer.
Thanks Geddy for doing such an interview and sharing a great deal of your family history. It's important to listen to such sensitive stories from the past and and never forget one's roots and heritage. It obvious how Geddy has been shaped into the person he has become over time. Thanks Q1043 New York for sharing!