R.I.P. John Rutsey (original Rush Drummer)
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Topic: R.I.P. John Rutsey (original Rush Drummer)
Posted By: TheRocinanteKid
Subject: R.I.P. John Rutsey (original Rush Drummer)
Date Posted: May 13 2008 at 09:04
http://www.q107.com/Blogs/TheQ107RockReport/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10000007 - 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.
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Replies:
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: May 13 2008 at 09:24
First I've heard of this...sad news.
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Posted By: Yukorin
Date 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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Posted By: Blacksword
Date 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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Posted By: TheRocinanteKid
Date 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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Posted By: jimmy_row
Date 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.
------------- Signature Writers Guild on strike
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Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: May 13 2008 at 10:54
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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Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: May 13 2008 at 12:59
Jason Ward of http://www.q107.com/Blogs/TheQ107RockReport/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10000007 - 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 http://www.q107.com/Blogs/TheQ107RockReport/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10000007 - Q107 Classic Rock .
Rest in Peace, John....
------------- 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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Posted By: Tony R
Date 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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Posted By: Atavachron
Date 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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Posted By: Raff
Date 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 John...
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Posted By: Nightfly
Date Posted: May 13 2008 at 13:53
Very sad news
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Posted By: pelican
Date 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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Posted By: sean
Date 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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Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: May 13 2008 at 14:37
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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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: May 13 2008 at 14:49
Posted By: febus
Date 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 more
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Posted By: Queen By-Tor
Date Posted: May 13 2008 at 19:13
RIP John, this is sad news indeed.
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: May 13 2008 at 19:15
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...
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well said...
------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
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Posted By: Cesar Inca
Date 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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Posted By: Nipsey88
Date Posted: May 13 2008 at 22:39
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.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Nipsey88/?chartstyle=myspace02" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Paper Champion
Date Posted: May 14 2008 at 14:25
Oh...very sad news...
Rest in peace, John.
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Posted By: nordwind
Date Posted: May 14 2008 at 14:55
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: http://www.q107.com/Blogs/TheQ107RockRepor...ntryID=10000007 - 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.
------------- Jazz isn't dead.......it just smells funny.
Frank Zappa / Live in New York
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: May 14 2008 at 15:35
This is definitely sad news.
BTW, but wasn't there a false announcement or a hoax about his death some years ago. I seem to remember recently reading something about it somewhere. Kind of a "the word of my demise is a bit pre-mature" kind of thing.
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Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: May 14 2008 at 17:23
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.
------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart"
"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN
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Posted By: Bastille Dude
Date Posted: May 15 2008 at 03:43
I just found out about this from my fellow Rush friend 10 minutes ago, horribly sad to hear about John's passing.
------------- DEATH TO FALSE PROG!
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Posted By: A B Negative
Date Posted: May 15 2008 at 08:31
Sad news.
------------- "The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time."
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Posted By: Guillermo
Date Posted: May 18 2008 at 00:05
It seems that musicians die at younger ages than bad politicians. Why people who bring joy to many people with their music die younger than bad politicians?
Sad news.
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Posted By: Progfans
Date Posted: May 19 2008 at 14:21
From Billboard.com
Robert Thompson, Toronto
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.
------------- La cuisine c,est comme l,amour, il faut y croire pour que ca marche
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Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: May 19 2008 at 17:28
I know, I know, I know Oh, the feeling grows I see, I see, I see It's got to be You can take me for a little while You can take me, you can make me smile In the end
Rest in peace, John.
------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected]
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Posted By: muddoctor
Date Posted: May 19 2008 at 22:20
RIP to john rutsey,..
you always be remembered !!!
thanks for your contributions to rush !!!
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Posted By: muddoctor
Date Posted: May 19 2008 at 22:23
RIP to john rutsey,..
you always be remembered !!!
thanks for your contributions to rush !!!
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Posted By: rhinn
Date Posted: May 29 2008 at 20:01
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.
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