John Rutsey Co-founder and first drummer for RUSH

Legends I Discovered on My Walks: John Rutsey

While walking through the cremation gardens at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto, I came across the final resting place of John Howard Rutsey—a founding member of the legendary Canadian rock band, Rush.

Alongside Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, John helped form Rush in its earliest days and was the drummer on their self-titled debut album, released in 1974. That first record, a raw and energetic entry into the world of hard rock, has become a prized collector’s item—original pressings today can fetch up to $3,500 from die-hard fans.

Due to ongoing health issues, John had to step away from the band not long after the debut. He was replaced by Neil Peart, who would go on to become one of rock’s most revered drummers. But the foundation John laid, and his role in shaping the band’s early sound, can’t be overstated.

Reflecting on those early years, Geddy Lee once said:

“Those years spent in our teens dreaming of one day doing what we continue to do decades later are special, and John’s wonderful sense of humour and impeccable timing were all part of us—and we will never forget him.”

John Rutsey passed away in Toronto in May 2008. He was only 55.

1952-2008