BREAKING NEWS: FOUNDING RUSH DRUMMER JOHN RUTSEY DIES AT 55

[ABlairican Pie]

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 drummer Neil Peart, which marked a turning point in the band’s sound towards progressive rock.

Read more at Q107 Classic Rock.


:crying:

[ABlairican Pie]

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.


Posted by: Jason Ward


Interesting, because my brother's name is Jason Ward. No relation.