Rush members discuss musical admiration for Steely Dan

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, members of the band Rush discussed their admiration for Steely Dan, noting the technical complexity and intellectual lyrical themes shared by both groups.

Geddy Lee described himself as a “huge fan of Steely Dan,” revealing that he nearly named his daughter Aja after their album. He praised the band for their ability to remain commercially successful while maintaining a level of musical complexity and jazz-influenced interest that made them an exception to the rule.

Guitarist Alex Lifeson also expressed respect for Steely Dan collaborators, specifically highlighting the versatility and intelligence of guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter. While Rush focused on progressive structures and time signatures, the members noted that Steely Dan excelled at integrating complex jazz chords into pop song formats.