It’s hard to overstate the impact of the synthesizer on modern music. And while many might associate synths more with pop and dance music, they actually found their first champions in pioneering rockers of the late ‘60s and ‘70s. Building off of the legacy of the Beatles’ Abbey Road and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, the next generation of rockers wanted to push their sounds—to progress, if you will—into the future. And thus the Prog Rock movement was born.
Geddy Lee of the seminal Prog band Rush was one such young upstart of the era. And there was no synth more suitable to his needs than the Moog Minimoog Model D, the first portable synthesizer.
In a time way before desktop computers, early synthesizers were cumbersome and difficult for ordinary musicians to use. Owning and using one required a lot of space, and no small amount of training—not exactly ideal for touring rockers. So when Moog introduced the Minimoog in 1970, Prog was off to the races—with Geddy Lee and Rush soon taking their place at the fore.
“Who knew I would spend the next 20 years messing about with keyboards?” asks Lee in Reverb’s promotional launch video (below).
Introducing the Geddy Lee Minimoog Model D
Now Moog is teaming up with Lee to release the Geddy Lee Minimoog Model D (available exclusively at Reverb) to honor this legacy.
"It’s a thrill to see the Minimoog Model D in that stunning red, so representative of one of the most fertile periods in Rush’s creative history”, said Lee in regard to the model’s release. “I’ve always been mad for custom color instruments, many inspired by automotive hues, and I’m thrilled with how it turned out—it’s just so beautiful.
Lee credits the Minimoog with allowing him to lead Rush as they transitioned from a classic hard rock band into their role as progenitors of Prog: “The Minimoog Model D was the first synth that made dreaming big accessible to a schlub like me. Its intuitive design lets you learn waveforms, blend sounds, and experiment with the modulation wheel. That’s its legacy: a fat, sophisticated sound in a package that’s not daunting to get your hands on."
Moog is equally enthused about the collab, with Moog’s Director of Product Development Erik Norlander saying, “Collaborating with Ged on this model is a tribute to his profound impact on progressive rock with Rush and a celebration of the Minimoog’s enduring legacy. The Geddy Lee Minimoog Model D combines the iconic sound and intuitive functionality of the original with exclusive features that honor both its history and its future—offering musicians and collectors an extraordinary connection to the maverick innovation of the great Bob Moog.”
Specs and Features
The Geddy Lee Minimoog Model D is very much a classic Minimoog—with a few tweaks, both outside and in.
First, there’s the custom Satin Red metal-flake finish, matching Lee’s iconic Grace Under Pressure-era keyboard rig, which—as Lee states in the video—was made to match Rush drummer Neil Peart’s drum kit. “It was definitely our Red period,” says Lee with a chuckle. “One of the most fertile periods in Rush’s creative history.”
To top that off, the Geddy Lee Minimoog is emblazoned with a custom badge of Rush’s “Starman” logo, making it a must-have for collectors.
But the updates don’t end there—Lee’s Model D also includes an updated VCA circuit that’s hot-rodded for a smoother and richer sound. Add to that full modern MIDI integration—something Lee himself surely wishes he could have had during Rush’s Red Period. “We were trying to invent MIDI, before there was MIDI,” he jokes in the video, in regard to a failed attempt at a custom megasynth that would go on to be supplanted by a Model D.
Plus, you get an exclusive translucent red 10” vinyl record featuring beloved Rush tracks Xanadu and Jacob’s Ladder, as well as a certificate of authenticity hand-signed by Lee himself.
The Geddy Lee Moog Minimoog Model D is exclusively available at Reverb in the USA. Head to Reverb now to secure your own before they’re all gone.
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