Canadian singer-songwriter, visual artist and activist Mendelson Joe passed away earlier this week at the age of 78. Mendelson Joe was a longtime friend of Rush, and opened a few Canadian shows for the band back in the mid '70s. Geddy Lee also convinced Rush's label Anthem Records to release his 1988 album Born To Cuddle because he thought it was great, and his 1991 follow-up Addicted was also released on Anthem (thanks RushFanForever). Geddy posted a tribute to his late friend via Instagram yesterday:
I just found out the sad, sad news that Mendelson Joe has left the planet. He was an out-spoken big thinking human, truly a giant that represented many things to me.
Friend, Artist, Songwriter, Guitarist, Activist, Letter-Writer, Mentor, and fellow Jew from Mars... (his words)
He is already missed. RIP my friend. 💔
