Rush’s Geddy Lee Donates Autographed Bass To Charity Auction
There's a catch -- you'll have to be at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on June 20 -- but you stand to be richly rewarded for your travels, as that's where Lee's one-of-a-kind Signature Fender Jazz bass will be auctioned off to help raise funds for Camp Oki and the Lonny's Smile charity foundation.
Founded in 2010 in honor of the memory of Lonny Brent Doerksen, a five-year-old who passed away in 1971 after undergoing surgery to correct a congenital heart defect, the Lonny's Smile initiative works to "provide a sense of normalcy to children whose lives are challenged by medical conditions" by "[Empowering] these children so that they can experience the wonders of childhood such as a sense of play, friendship, laughter and adventure." Camp Oki, located in Muskoka, Ontario, offers a free weeklong camp for local children who who suffer from heart defects and require implanted pacemakers or defibrillators. It's an indisputably noble cause, which is why Lee is just one of many Canadian artists who have donated items to the auction.
For Rush fans, this means the chance to win a unique instrument that's been outfitted with a few custom touches, including a pearlized pick guard that's been painted with the Oki logo by artist James Hogg, as well as a set of "live Rush performance-played strings." Pre-set by Lee's bass tech to his personal performance specs, the bass will be autographed for the winner with a personalized message of their choice.
Tickets for the event, which cost $20, can be pre-ordered here.