John Rutsey

John Howard Rutsey (July 23, 1952 – May 11, 2008) was a Canadian drummer, most recognized for being a co-founding member of Rush along with Alex Lifeson and Jeff Jones, and performing on the band's debut album. John Rutsey left the band in 1974, due to musical differences and health problems with type 1 diabetes, and was replaced by Neil Peart. Rutsey's type 1 diabetes was believed to be a complicating factor in his death from a heart attack in 2008. Tape-recorded comments from Rutsey are heard in the 2010 documentary Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage, and the DVD release includes two performances with him on drums.

Biography

Personal life

Rutsey had two brothers, an older one, Bill, and baseball writer Mike. His father, Howard Rutsey, was a crime reporter for the old Toronto Telegram and died of a heart attack. John lived at home with his mother, Eva, and was a student at St. Paschals School. Unlike Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, who were more into bands such as Pink Floyd and Genesis, Rutsey was more into bands like Bad Company.