[Deathwatch] John Rutsey, musician"Rush", 55

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John Rutsey Rush Drummer

Original Rush Drummer John Rutsey Dies

John Rutsey, a founding member of the seminal Canadian rock band Rush,
has died, his family announced. He was 55.

Rutsey played drums with Rush from 1968 to 1974, as well as on the
band's eponymous debut album, but departed soon afterwards, apparently
due to a lifelong illness stemming from diabetes.

In an obituary published in the Toronto Star, his family said his May
11 death was caused by ?complications from his lifelong affliction with
diabetes.? Some news reports said Rutsey died from a heart attack in
his sleep.

According to Rush's official biography, Rutsey was supposed to write
the lyrics for the band's first album, but grew dissatisfied with his
attempts and never completed them. He was replaced by Neil Peart, who
remains as the band's drummer and lyricist.

Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson said Rutsey became a fitness fanatic after
leaving the band According to a 1989 interview with Alex Lifeson on the
Rockline Radio program, 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. and continued having
contact with Lifeson until the early 1990s.

Funeral arrangements are being kept private at the family's request. 

Many thanks to Deathwatch Central for posting this obituary