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TheRocinanteKid View Drop Down
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Points: 80 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: R.I.P. John Rutsey (original Rush Drummer)
    Posted: May 13 2008 at 09:04

http://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 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.

Damn this sucks I love Rush's debut album and always thought it was really unfortunate that John never got the appreciation he deserved after Neil took over. Rest In Peace man. Awesome drummer. Cry
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Padraic View Drop Down
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Points: 31169 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 09:24
First I've heard of this...sad news.  
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Points: 1589 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 10:12
 
This is really sad. Whenever I hear John Rutsey's name it instantly transports me back to buying Rush 'Archives' on vinyl back in the day. 55 is far too young. RIP Mr. Rutsey.
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Points: 16130 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 10:28
That is sad news indeed. RIP John. You were part of something great, and neither Rush fans, or the band will ever forget you.

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Points: 80 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 10:33
As I've said on a Rush forum I visit I hope Geddy will acknowledge Rutsey on stage for the remaining dates of the tour.
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Points: 2601 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 10:45
Without Rutsey the band would've never had that rock-solid foundation from the beginning...sad news, RIP John Rutsey.
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Points: 16130 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 10:54
Originally posted by TheRocinanteKid TheRocinanteKid wrote:

As I've said on a Rush forum I visit I hope Geddy will acknowledge Rutsey on stage for the remaining dates of the tour.


I like to think so too. I'm sure he will.
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Points: 20194 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 12:59
Jason Ward of Q107 Classic Rock reports that 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.

Read more at Q107 Classic Rock.
 
 
Rest in Peace, John....Cry
Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
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Points: 11979 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 13:17
I've merged threads and placed the original thread in the correct forum.

This is sad news indeed. Although John hadnt been part of the band since 1974, he was with them from the start in 1969. That means he played a big part in keeping the band going in their formative years and, of course, contributed to the debut album which is still a certifiable heavy rock classic.

I hope the band do right by him and play Working Man or Finding My Way in his honour.
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Points: 65523 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 13:23
another prog drumming veteran gone, Davison and now Rutsey..  it's the Spinal Tap syndrome

RIP
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Points: 24429 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 13:26
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 JohnCry...
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Points: 3659 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 13:53
Very sad news Cry
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Points: 112 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 14:31

I don't know if anyone posted on this topic yet, but unfortunately he was found dead on May 11th of unknown causes.  He was only 55.  That's rather depressing!
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Points: 1155 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 14:35
Wow, I hadn't heard. Thank you for posting, as much as this is news I'd rather not hear, it is best that I do. I wasn't the biggest fan of their first album, but that sort of thing tends to be cast aside in these times. What overlooks that is that he is a human being and he died at an age considered young for death in our society. Hopefully all goes well for his friends and relations.
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Points: 20194 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 14:37
Originally posted by pelican pelican wrote:

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

 
oh, the irony... if the subject matter wasn't to sad...
Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 14:49
r.i.p John.
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Points: 4312 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 18:31
Sadly, it seems this not a good period for drummers from the 70s.....too many of them leaving one after each other
Cozy Powell, Ian Wallace, B.Davison, Pip Pyle, P. Moerlen..and moreCry
 
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Points: 16111 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 19:13
RIP John, this is sad news indeed.
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Points: 46838 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 19:15
Originally posted by Ghost Rider 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 JohnCry...



well said...
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Points: 4888 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 20:45
Thank you John for the music you gave us all Rush fans: tha tfirs talbum was powerful and really important to stablish the initial definition of one of the most relevant careers in rock history.
 
Rest in peace!!
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