Forum Home Forum Home > Progressive Music Lounges > Prog News, Press Releases
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - R.I.P. John Rutsey (original Rush Drummer)
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedR.I.P. John Rutsey (original Rush Drummer)
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
TheRocinanteKid View Drop Down
Forum Groupie
Forum Groupie


Joined: April 28 2008
Location: Sheffield
Status: Offline
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
Back to Top
Padraic View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: February 16 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Status: Offline
Points: 31165 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 09:24
First I've heard of this...sad news.  
Back to Top
Yukorin View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member


Joined: November 21 2005
Location: Japan
Status: Offline
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.
Back to Top
Blacksword View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: June 22 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
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.

Back to Top
TheRocinanteKid View Drop Down
Forum Groupie
Forum Groupie


Joined: April 28 2008
Location: Sheffield
Status: Offline
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.
Back to Top
jimmy_row View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member


Joined: July 11 2007
Location: Hibernation
Status: Offline
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.
Signature Writers Guild on strike
Back to Top
Blacksword View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: June 22 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
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.
Back to Top
Jared View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 06 2005
Location: Hereford, UK
Status: Offline
Points: 17534 		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
Back to Top
Tony R View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

Joined: July 16 2004
Location: UK
Status: Offline
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.
Back to Top
Atavachron View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: September 30 2006
Location: Pearland
Status: Offline
Points: 64352 		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
Back to Top
Raff View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: July 29 2005
Location: None
Status: Offline
Points: 24391 		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...
Back to Top
Nightfly View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: August 01 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 3659 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 13:53
Very sad news Cry
Back to Top
pelican View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member


Joined: September 18 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
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!
Back to Top
sean View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: April 02 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
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.
Back to Top
Jared View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 06 2005
Location: Hereford, UK
Status: Offline
Points: 17534 		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
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Forum Guest Group
Forum Guest Group
Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 14:49
r.i.p John.
Back to Top
febus View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam

Joined: January 23 2007
Location: Orlando-Usa
Status: Offline
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
 
Back to Top
Queen By-Tor View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: September 13 2006
Location: Xanadu
Status: Offline
Points: 16111 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 13 2008 at 19:13
RIP John, this is sad news indeed.
Back to Top
micky View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: October 02 2005
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 46828 		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...
The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
Back to Top
Cesar Inca View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator

Honorary Collaborator

Joined: May 19 2004
Location: Peru
Status: Offline
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!!
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.168 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.