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

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 6:57 am
by by-tor
John Rutsey, Rush?s founding drummer, dead at 55
By <a href="http://www.q107.com/DJsandShows/JasonWard.aspx" target="_new">Jason Ward</a> - <a href="http://www.q107.com/index.aspx" target="_new">Q107 Classic Rock</a>
Original Article - <a href="http://www.q107.com/Blogs/TheQ107RockRe ... D=10000007" target="_new">Click Here</a>
Posted From - <a href="http://www.q107.com/index.aspx" target="_new">Q107 Classic Rock<a>

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.

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:06 am
by Soup4Rush
RIP John.. :(

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:32 am
by Walkinghairball
That sucks.

RIP Mr. Rutsey

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:34 am
by Soup4Rush
*plays Here Again as a tribute*

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:36 am
by Walkinghairball
I won't skip the first album tunes on the Rush radio today.

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:04 am
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.

Image

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:27 am
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. :(

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:37 am
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.

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:55 am
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.

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:08 am
by Soup4Rush
you are such a hata :-D :-D

*drags Hairball off to the fight thread for a good ole fashioned beat down*

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 10:16 am
by YYZ30
RIP Drummer man.


*dope slaps Soupie as he walks by*

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 11:31 am
by awip2062
Bogus! Fifty-five is too young. :(

Yuck, yuck, yuck.

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 11:35 am
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. :)

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 5:09 pm
by Middle Kingdom
RIP John.

Too young indeed.

Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 6:37 am
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)