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Past, Present, Future
Jeff's Corner
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.”
a note from ggg
a long time ago circa 1974/75 i had the pleasure
of booking rush for our end of the year high school bash..RUSH was still playing on yonge st in toronto at various clubs like the now defunct
"the tube" and the gasworks etc..
when we booked the band they had just released the 1st RUSH lp called simply RUSH..
a great straight ahead rock lp with a raw sound.
i was expecting john & the boys to arrive for soundcheck and to my surprise john was not there but a very different drummer NEIL PEART.
THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING!! john had decided to depart and neil was being considered for the job.he blew everybody away that night
and changed my view on drumming like BILL BRUFORD a few years earlier,but i missed john that night because i had seen them a few times in toronto and had chatted with him and found him to be a most likeable human being.a few years ago i ran into his nephew and we discussed the leaving of the band just as that
1st lp was being released.john had some medical issues and did not want to continue.it was a very difficult decision for him.of course the band went on to be true superstars later on that year and be the rush most kids know now.
but least we forget john rutsey the drummer who rocked that first great album and boy did it rock.
have and listen to it if u have a chance and think of john.
another player that has left us to jam with jesus!!
all the best to HIS FAMILY& RUSH at this time.
GGG
RIP JOHN RUTSEY
That first LP was a great debut by the band, and John's playing on it is fantastic!
1ST LP
YA ST GEORGE
your right, JOHN did do what was required on that
1st lp ,it wasnt neil or the prog stuff they became later, but it was a well rounded rock lp of that era,i was fortunate to see them so many times at that point in their career and they never disappointed.
you left the club nearly deaf but full of energy thats for sure
ggg
PLAY TILL YOU CANT PLAY NO MORE!!!
John Rutsey
How sad....way back in 1974 diabetics didn't have the technology to control their blood sugars like they do now. They would pee on a stick to see if their urine had "ketones". NOT very accurate. I don't know how long John had the disease, but without good control over blood sugars, there can be severe vascular and kidney damage.
Thanks for letting us know. Very sad.
HOW LONG??
YA JEANNE
well as i said in my reply to CLOUD
JOHN had these med issues way back when and could not forsee doing the touring and all that,and also was not sure they would do well either..wow millions and millions of albums sold..it kinda freaked him out after that..
all the best
ggg
PLAY TILL YOU CANT PLAY NO MORE!!!
Jeanne: Diabetics and bg control
My Mom found out about 10 years ago that she was Type II.
That whole Byetta thing has saved her butt over the past several years. Polymyalgia is a problem, and if she hurts from THAT, the sugar skyrockets. (380 isn't uncommon).
She watches what she eats and tries to stay active.
Emily keeps her busy---takes her mind off the Type II, but at almost 58, she has no choice but to check things every morning. RARE is it that she will use insulin for anything.
The Byetta stuff is a derived from lizard/Gila Monster saliva. Lizard Spit!
Something in the protein from that, helps control the bg levels.
Ketones?
I almost lost a boss and very good friend to elevated Ketonin levels in his system. Scared the crap outta me.
Hate to hear Rush has lost one of their own. That sucks. Sad to see John leave us at 55.
T
diabetics
YA CLOUD
i know of what u speak 1st hand .i was told a year ago,i have lost 40lbs and eat reasonable now.
you always are aware of your situation though.
i feel great these days.
thanks for your post.
it was a major factor in JOHN not going on that 1st TOUR with the release of that 1st lp.
the rest is history...
all the best CLOUD
GOD BLESS
GGG
PLAY TILL YOU CANT PLAY NO MORE!!!
...speaking about first hand
...speaking about first hand knowledge, I have Diabetes Type 1 myself, for almost 14 years now (I was 8 back then...).
With all the available equipment these days it is possible to be pretty close to a fully functional person. Of course you have to take the medication with you wherever you go, and check the blood sugar now and then....but compared to just 25-30 years ago, the situation today is very good.
It's sad to hear about people getting serious injuries, and some even dying, because of they didn't have the same opportunities as I have today.
Eirik
your welcum duck
ya duckman
it was very sad news for me indeed.but he;s gone on to that big band up there now for some cameo's
he was what he was..
all the best
ggg
PLAY TILL YOU CANT PLAY NO MORE!!!
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