R.I.P. John Rutsey (original Rush Drummer)

You can tell this site is aimed at the America's. more people send their condolences to Rush's former drummer, than to Brian Davison who was in possibly the first prog rock group ever. Death is never happy, or should be argued over, but lets get real musicians in order.

RIP to john rutsey,..

John Rutsey, a founding member of the seminal Canadian rock band Rush, has died, his family announced. He was 55.

Rutsey played drums with Rush from 1968 to 1974, as well as on the band's eponymous debut album, but departed soon afterwards, apparently due to a lifelong illness stemming from diabetes.

In an obituary published in the Toronto Star, his family said his May 11 death was caused by "complications from his lifelong affliction with diabetes." Some news reports said Rutsey died from a heart attack in his sleep.

According to Rush's official biography, Rutsey was supposed to write the lyrics for the band's first album, but grew dissatisfied with his attempts and never completed them. He was replaced by Neil Peart, who remains as the band's drummer and lyricist.

Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson said Rutsey became a fitness fanatic after leaving the band and continued with have contact with Lifeson until the early 1990s.

Funeral arrangements are being kept private at the family's request.

Sad news.

I just took a look at John's picture in the inner cover of their debut album.He's in the middle smiling away,while Geddy and Alex are looking serious on either side of him.He will always live on in the music of that first record. Sad news.

ORIGINAL RUSH DRUMMER DIES:
More sad news for rock n roll fans - this time John Rutsey, Rush's founding drummer has passed away at age just 55. From: www.q107.com/Blogs/TheQ107RockRepor...ntryID=10000007.
"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."
R.I.P. John.

Sad news indeed.

The first Rush album honestly is one of the few from their  back catalog that still gets pulled out once in a while.

John was unfortunately overshadowed by being a good, solid drummer who was replaced by one of the all time greats.

Anyway, R.I.P. John, and my heart goes out to friends and family...55 is too young.

Ghost Rider wrote: A really unlucky guy... Gone too soon, after missing out on success with the band he helped found. Rush's debut is really a great hard rock album, much better than it is usually credited for. RIP John...

well said...

Sadly, it seems this not a good period for drummers from the 70s.....too many of them leaving one after each other

pelican wrote: I don't know if anyone posted on this topic yet, but