Remembering Le Studio
“What Le Studio meant to us, is really hard to put into only a few sentences. It was not only a place where we did some of our best work, but we also experienced many profound personal moments there. To say nothing of the friendships that were forged there that still endure today. Le Studio played a key role in our album recording experience at a pivotal point in our career. We were already saddened to learn of its derelict state a few years ago, but upon hearing that it has now been destroyed by fire, it truly marks the end an age for the 3 of us,” remarked Geddy Lee on behalf of the band.
“We not only worked there for months at a time, but we lived and played in the home on the property, separated only by a beautiful lake and the glorious foothills of Laurentian Mountains,” added Lee, “it was truly a part of the great Canadian landscape…and literally a home away from home for us. It will always have a special place in our hearts.”
“From 1979 into the mid-80s — Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, Signals, Grace Under Pressure — so much of our body of work was recorded at Le Studio,” said Neil Peart in an interview with George Stroumboulopoulos in 2014 after visiting the ruins of the studio at the time. “I felt lucky and grateful to have had all that,” remarked Peart. “On one hand, it’s sad that’s it’s gone, and it’s especially sad that no rock band will enjoy that retreat. What it meant artistically and personally together, to work in the studio all day then go play volleyball together at night under the lights. Those experiences were so formative, artistically and as a collaborative unit.”
The video for Rush’s “Tom Sawyer” was filmed at Le Studio.
Geddy Lee speaks to CBC about Le Studio: Listen to a clip of Geddy Lee’s interview with CBC’s q here. You can tune in to hear the full interview Monday August 14th on CBC Radio One or the same day via cbc.ca/radio/q at 10:30 AM ET.
