OT-Original Rush drummer John Rutsey dead

by **Angiekay** » Wed May 14, 2008 1:08 pm

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 drummer 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.

by **Michigan Girl** » Wed May 14, 2008 1:09 pm

They're getting younger!!! SO SAD!! :cry:

by **weatherman90** » Wed May 14, 2008 1:12 pm

Very sad...there's talk of Rush performing a song off the debut as a tribute.

I'm heading to see them in St. Paul next week.

by **conversationpc** » Wed May 14, 2008 1:20 pm

Bummer.

by **conversationpc** » Wed May 14, 2008 1:21 pm

weatherman90 wrote:Very sad...there's talk of Rush performing a song off the debut as a tribute.

I'm heading to see them in St. Paul next week.

They usually do "Working Man" anyway.

by **AlteredDNA** » Wed May 14, 2008 1:34 pm

Sad to hear...One of my all time favorite bands...

by **Angiekay** » Wed May 14, 2008 2:16 pm

conversationpc wrote:
weatherman90 wrote:Very sad...there's talk of Rush performing a song off the debut as a tribute.

I'm heading to see them in St. Paul next week.

They usually do "Working Man" anyway.

I've only seen them do "Working Man" once. They don't dig it out that often

by **ProgRocker53** » Fri May 16, 2008 5:24 am

Sad to hear, may he rest in peace.

Rutsey wasn't a slouch behind the skins either. While Peart certainly changed Rush for the better and became immortal, Rutsey was solid and could've had plenty of work in the music biz had he decided to keep at it. Shame.

MR

OT-Original Rush drummer John Rutsey dead

OT-Original Rush drummer John Rutsey dead

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