John Rutsey, Rush?s founding drummer, dead at 55

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John Rutsey, Rush?s founding drummer, dead at 55

Post by by-tor »

John Rutsey, Rush?s founding drummer, dead at 55
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John Rutsey, a founding member of Toronto rock band Rush, passed away this weekend according to Rush management company Anthem Entertainment. He was 55.

Rutsey was famous for playing on Rush?s 1974 debut album, including the song ?In The Mood,? before deciding to leave the group due to health concerns. Rutsey suffered from diabetes and was unable to go on extended tours with the group.

Rutsey was replaced by dummer Neil Peart, which marked a turning point in the band?s sound towards progressive rock.

Rush formed in 1968 in Toronto and was originally composed of guitarist Alex Lifeson, bassist Jeff Jones (who shortly thereafter was replaced by Geddy Lee) and Rutsey.

According to a 1989 interview with Alex Lifeson on the Rockline Radio program quoted by Wikipedia.org, Rutsey, ?gave up playing (drums) shortly after he left the band and went into bodybuilding. He competed on an amateur level for a while, doing that for a few years.?

As of Monday afternoon, no official statement has been released on a cause of death, nor plans for a memorial service.
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Post by Soup4Rush »

RIP John.. :(
Happy 2015!
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Post by Walkinghairball »

That sucks.

RIP Mr. Rutsey
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Post by Soup4Rush »

*plays Here Again as a tribute*
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Post by Walkinghairball »

I won't skip the first album tunes on the Rush radio today.
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Post by Big Blue Owl »

Seemingly young at 55, but diabetes can get you from many angles (still no confirmation on cause of death, but...)

R.I.P. dude.

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Post by Kares4Rush »

Oh, man that stinks. :( RIP Mr. Rutsey.

It's odd his name came up from a kid caller on the Rockline interview recently. The guys were very "clipped" about him, almost hostile. Maybe they were just sick of the questions.

Anyway, Ugh. :(
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Post by Soup4Rush »

Ya know.. Here Again just plain ole rocks.. I really love the debut album.. I know a lot don't, but I find myself listening to it quite a bit.
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Post by Walkinghairball »

Like I said I won't skip thru the 1st album today............but I will skip any and all from feedback. :-D


A few weeks ago we went to Seattle for Marn's cousins funeral. He was the same age as marn's mom, (almost 60), and marn's dad and he were like brothers. He suffered with Diabetes for the last 10 years.
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Post by Soup4Rush »

you are such a hata :-D :-D

*drags Hairball off to the fight thread for a good ole fashioned beat down*
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YYZ30
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Post by YYZ30 »

RIP Drummer man.


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Post by awip2062 »

Bogus! Fifty-five is too young. :(

Yuck, yuck, yuck.
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Post by ElfDude »

He's probably having a great time though at that big jam session on the other side with Hendrix, Lennon, Harrison, Orbisson, and all the others. :)
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Post by Middle Kingdom »

RIP John.

Too young indeed.
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Post by YYZ30 »

ElfDude wrote:He's probably having a great time though at that big jam session on the other side with Hendrix, Lennon, Harrison, Orbisson, and all the others. :)
You forgot Entwistle. 8)
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