John Rutsey won’t be a name that most of you had heard of, but he was Rush’s first drummer.

He played on their first album, Rush and then quit because he couldn’t tour due to his diabetes (allegedly he became a bodybuilder after his rock’n roll days).

Anyway, John passed on from complications from the diabetes (I guess this is their website) and that’s where his parents want any donations to go.

My personal anecdote to share is this:

One Sunday morning at my parents’ house in Toronto when I was in high school I was listening to Rory O’Shae (I guess that’s how you spell it) on Q107. He asked the following trivia question:

“Name the original lineup of Rush.”

Now, for anyone who knows me, answering this was the easiest question in the world. I sauntered over to the phone, dialed in the number and the producer asked me if I knew the answer. I just said “John Rutsey” and then I was put on the air.

I got tickets (one I gave to James King) to see some horrible buddy-cop-with-a-dog movie that had Chuck Norris in it and passes to see some band play at the old Barracuda club in the city. As well as some other random trinkets.

Rest in Peace, John.

Categories: Music
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