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tkitna

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Original RUSH drummer John Rutsey passes away

« on: May 13, 2008, 06:56 PM »

How ironic that we were just talking about him about a month ago.

John Rutsey, Rush�s founding drummer, dead at 55.
Posted 5/12/2008 5:00:00 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.

Very sad indeed. RIP John.


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Drum4JC

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Re: Original RUSH drummer John Rutsey passes away

« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2008, 07:31 PM »

Blessings to him and his family.

I often wondered why we'd never heard from him afterwards. Maybe more details on his life after Rush will be published.


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Bart Elliott

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Re: Original RUSH drummer John Rutsey passes away

« Reply #2 on: May 13, 2008, 08:11 PM »

John had diabetes, which is one of the reasons he left the band to begin with. I don't know if his diabetes played a role in his death or not.

R.I.P. John.


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Chip71

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Re: Original RUSH drummer John Rutsey passes away

« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2008, 08:37 PM »

That's very sad news. I have played many of their songs over my musical journey. Sad


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boomerweps

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Re: Original RUSH drummer John Rutsey passes away

« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2008, 03:01 PM »

Very sad, their first album is still my favorite. I thought they were the "new zep".

RIP John.

Boomerweps


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George

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Re: Original RUSH drummer John Rutsey passes away

« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2008, 05:30 PM »

It's so sad and shocking when a guy of our age passes away...
When will it be our turn to go? Sad


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Danno

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Re: Original RUSH drummer John Rutsey passes away

« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2008, 02:03 AM »

Quote from: boomerweps on May 14, 2008, 03:01 PM

Very sad, their first album is still my favorite.

Same here.


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smoggrocks

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Re: Original RUSH drummer John Rutsey passes away

« Reply #7 on: May 15, 2008, 04:27 PM »

wow, so young. that is sobering.

seems he somewhat stayed in touch with the band through the years, which is nice. so many bands wind up doing the animosity thing.

rip to a cool drummer.