Geddy Lee reveals the incredible story behind YYZ, one of Rush's greatest instrumental classics

Of all the songs that helped transform Rush into one of the most respected bands in progressive rock history, few have achieved the legendary status of "YYZ." Decades after its release, the track continues to be considered one of the most important instrumental compositions of the genre, admired by musicians and fans around the world. Now, Geddy Lee has returned to talk about how the song was born and revealed fascinating details about the creative process that gave rise to the classic. According to the bassist and vocalist, the inspiration came during a band trip, when the members noticed a very peculiar sound pattern transmitted in Morse code via the communications system at Pearson International Airport, in Toronto. The code used by the airport corresponded precisely to the letters "YYZ", the official identification of the Canadian air terminal. The repetitive sound caught the attention of the musicians, who saw that rhythm as a perfect basis for a new composition. From that simple sound sequence, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart began to develop a song that would become a true demonstration of technique, creativity and musical harmony. The result was an instrumental track full of rhythmic changes, complex passages and moments that became a reference for generations of musicians. Originally released on the 1981 album "Moving Pictures", "YYZ" quickly won over the public and became one of the most anticipated performances at Rush shows. Even without lyrics, the song managed to convey all the band's energy and became one of the most recognized works in the group's catalog. Geddy Lee highlighted that the composition came about quite naturally and perfectly represents the chemistry between the three members. The music allowed each member to fully explore their individual abilities without losing the unity that characterized Rush. Over the years, "YYZ" has received countless honors, appeared on lists of the best instrumental songs in history and continues to be studied by bassists, guitarists and drummers seeking to understand the technical complexity of the Canadian trio. More than four decades after its release, the track remains a symbol of Rush's creativity and proof that great ideas can emerge from the most unexpected places - even a simple airport ID code.