John Rutsey
July 23, 1952 – May 11, 2008
Rush's founding drummer — the hard-rock heartbeat on the band's 1974 debut album, forced out by diabetes just as the rocket was leaving the pad.
The Story
John Rutsey was born in Toronto on July 23, 1952, the son of Toronto Telegram crime reporter Howard Rutsey. At St. Patrick's school he fell in with two friends, Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee, and in 1968 the teenagers formed Rush — Rutsey behind the drums, the young band's driving force and much of its on-stage voice.
Rutsey played on Rush's self-titled debut album in 1974. But he lived with diabetes, touring put his health at risk, and that summer he left the band; Neil Peart took the drum stool and the classic era began. Rutsey largely left music behind. He died in Toronto on May 11, 2008, aged 55. The debut album's drums are his — the first beat of everything Rush became.
Rutsey played on Rush's self-titled debut album in 1974. But he lived with diabetes, touring put his health at risk, and that summer he left the band; Neil Peart took the drum stool and the classic era began. Rutsey largely left music behind. He died in Toronto on May 11, 2008, aged 55. The debut album's drums are his — the first beat of everything Rush became.
- Buried
- Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto