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Original Rush Drummer Dies Aged 55

posted May 13, 2008 at 4:06 PM by Diamond Oz.  (17 Comments)

John Rutsey, one of the founding members of Toronto rock legends Rush, passed away this weekend. He was fifty five years old. As of yet no information regarding the cause of death has been announced.

Rutsey played on the bands first album but departed from the group due to concerns over his health as he was diabetic and such as was unable to do long tours with the band.

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17 Comments on "Original Rush Drummer Dies Aged 55"

Kalis_wrath's avatar

Supporter

1. Kalis_wrath writes:

Not a good day for news here. My parents will be a tad on the sad side. 55 is young too.

R.I.P John Rutsey!

# May 13, 2008 @ 4:17 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
godlike's avatar

Member

2. godlike writes:

Damn thats too bad..!! That first Rush album has always been my favorite, its full of excellent tunes from beginning to end..!!

RIP

Rush - the whole first album...just because..!!

# May 13, 2008 @ 4:31 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
ZT's avatar

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3. ZT writes:

RIP dude. This sucks.......

and godlike, same here! That's always been my favorite Rush album, although I love most of them.......

# May 13, 2008 @ 7:21 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
BLACKDOG's avatar

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4. BLACKDOG writes:

DAMN !!! My condolences.Yeah that first one was the sh**.

# May 13, 2008 @ 7:23 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

5. Fuck A Name writes:

f***. I wasn't even around yet in their heyday, and this still brings me down. I was just starting to go back and listen to them again too. damn, and a Rush concert just went through here a little while ago too; I guess you just never know sometimes...

Now Playing: Rush- "Tom Sawyer" (always has been one of favorite songs since I first heard it, even with all the craziness I listen to, RIP man)

# May 13, 2008 @ 8:02 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Kalis_wrath's avatar

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6. Kalis_wrath writes:

The local classic rock station does "the noon dinner" as their request show. I think I shall call in a special reqest for him.

# May 13, 2008 @ 8:16 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

7. theBman writes:

saw Rush several times and twice with John......best rush album is their first.....straight ahead rock......R.I.P. Godspeed man.

# May 13, 2008 @ 8:53 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

8. CliffBurtonLivesOn writes:

Man, this f***in' sucks. I'm sorry this has happened to you, Mr. Rutsey, may you rest in peace.

Now Playing: Rush - Working Man (one of my favorite pre-Neil Peart tunes)

# May 13, 2008 @ 10:29 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Kalis_wrath's avatar

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9. Kalis_wrath writes:

*takes in a deep sigh* This has me rather sad. I am trying to not think about it, but you know how well that works.

# May 13, 2008 @ 11:04 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

10. FocusShift writes:

That's quite a shame, RIP John.

# May 13, 2008 @ 11:16 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

11. Jamez writes:

Well... after all, he was a rock'n'roller who lived till 55. Thats like the age 85 with 'normal' people. Rest In Peace John.

# May 14, 2008 @ 4:01 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

12. met. freak writes:

THIS SUCKS!!,though that he stayed with rush this long is a good thing but, now that hes gone *sigh* it just sucks. R.I.P. ,man.

# May 14, 2008 @ 10:46 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

13. dwayne writes:

That sucks. I remember John well we had tons of fun growing up in Willowdale. We had a band called the "projection", John, Alex, Gary (the doctor) and myself. Played a few basements we did, and saw Hendrix for the first time together at the CNE Collisium. They reformed as Rush and the rest is History. Saw John once in a crowd and always wanted to get together with him, but it never happened. Never leave undone what you can do today. Rest well my friend, see you after. We'll meet again one day. Dwayne

# May 14, 2008 @ 3:41 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

14. CrawfordTexasJingoJango writes:

I grew up with a bass player who wanted to be Geddy Lee SO bad, and he was always trying to write this weird off-time shxt that didn't even sound good half the time, so I never really gave Rush a fair chance. I'm not familiar with this drummer, or, actually, ANY Rush aside from the Greatest Hits, so, yeah.

RIP and all due respect for doing your part to blaze the trail.

# May 14, 2008 @ 5:57 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

15. Bizzz writes:

Rest in Peace Neil Peart


.....oooh....wait sec....

# May 14, 2008 @ 6:47 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
godlike's avatar

Member

16. godlike writes:

um....it seems that there is quite alot of confusion surrounding this story..!!

# May 14, 2008 @ 7:44 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

17. jeefster writes:

John was always a "Working Man". My best wishes to his family. You will be missed by many.

# May 19, 2008 @ 1:59 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

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