A little tribute to John Rutsey

[MrsRat2U]

I wish I could do that. I have no talent in the music department.

[villain68]

Yes, may he rest in peace!!! He wasn't as good as peart but he wasn't a bad drummer either!!!

[yabbazabba1234]

Can you imagine being John Rutsey and being told your out of the band because of health reasons!!! .... .... ...DUDE THEY WOULD HAVE HAD TO PRY MY DRUM THRONE FROM MY G.I.JOE KUNG-FU DEATH GRIP!!!!!!! SERIOUSLY! I WOULD HAVE SAID SIMPLY "I GUESS I'M DYING ON THE ROAD!!" ...MAN... ...TO HAVE IT TAKEN AWAY LIKE THAT!... ... .. fuck. Oh! Yeah i'm sorry you kicked ass on the drums! : )

[lonnywalker]

@manofgod30

thats a true drummer

[huthicle]

Was there a quarter century of torment for him, having abandoned Rush (Alex and Geddy), as much as told them he could get nowhere with them and left!!! He must have been bitter about the meteoric rise Rush had upon adding Neil. I'd second-guess every decision I ever made after that one.

[pbyker]

@huthicle John Rutsey remained friendly with the boys, in fact, he was Alex's workout buddy well into the 1990's!

Big ups, Paulie! You're an incredible drummer, and a cool dude!

[malcolmX213]

@huthicle I'm pretty sure that's not at all how it happened.

[MrLizardKing96]

@huthicle John Rutsey was let go from Rush because he was not exactly the healthiest person in the world and wasn't taking care of himself at the time. The tour manager discussed it with Geddy and Alex and said they needed to replace John or they were sending him home in a box, he was heart-broken but he understood. There is no saying he wasn't doing his job and it was not for his ability to frum that he was let go, it was for health reasons.

[MrLizardKing96]

@MrLizardKing96 Oh and yes, that whole comment was basically ripped off from the Rush documentary, "Beyond The Lighted Stage" but oh well, it does tell the story and that is all that matters.

[MrLizardKing96]

@MrLizardKing96 *drum

[Necrophax]

VERY nice "highlights reel" of the debut "white" album!

[dtoliaferro]

Dude, it wasn't even cheesy when you drank that beer with Working Man. It just kicked ass.

[kfsfkakf]

@dtoliaferro Thanks to Paulie, I do that when i play Working Man. I think the live version from All the World's a Stage is wayy better than the studio IMHO

[myway43]

Great job. Do you play out? Loading out that kit would be a bear.

[bufumofo223]

yeah...Love the beer break. What are you hitting, there?

[patsredsox1210]

1:05 beer break haha

[blowmyroot]

PAULIE THAT WAS AWESOME AND WELL SAID!!! RIP!! JOHN WOULD BE PROUD X

[georgesorosisgay]

the toms right in key

[Johnnywr]

Have you tried playing The Gates of Delirium by Yes (Alan White), also from 1974?

[jkrocks2112]

thank you thank you 

[ashenhooves]

Nice cold beer to you too, F'n Sweet!!!

Fitting tribute, Thank you.

R.I.P. John Rutsey.

[edborden123]

An excellent tribute.. you friggin rock

[x2112charlie]

That was very very good!! I'm a huge Rush fan, and although John was a big part of Rush's beginnings, and a very good percussionist, I also am very glad Neil replaced him. We may not have 2112, Xanadu and countless other songs??

[wheresthejam]

Nice.I think you've proved to the nay-sayers that Rutsey was a really good drummer.

He had a good feel for the songs-Here Again always has me listening to the drums(and i play bass).

Cheers,John.

[bluesman71]

Cool .. What kind of beer do you play? 

[Dahgrostabphri]

cool vid man.  and RIP John, you were great and you helped give birth to on of the greatest bands ever!

[MrTeslasRevenge]

Why not take a friend ? Thats a classic !

[drummerb0y117]

what kind of mic r u usin on ur bass drum it is great

[yachn]

nice sound.

[adenunzio2000]

you are the man!!

[doedoe1]

People think Neil was the original Drummer, but John was the man behind Working Man, Before and After, Finding My Way and the other songs on RUSH's debut album.... RIP John...

[princeofales1]

Perfect. Loved the beer salute!

[MEDLI123]

In the beyond the lighted stage documentary John was only let go because of his health sad Well I wonder what he thought of neil

[snapascrew]

lol drinking beer while playing nice

[TechnicalEvaluation]

Now if you can take a long swig off that beer about 2 1/2 minutes into "Tom Sawyer", I'll actually be impressed :)

PS- Your snare sounds great.

[patricktiglao]

I second that Beer too!!! Great tribute man...very touching..

Without Rutsey we might have never known about Neil.....Amazing how things work out...

[milonkill]

Man you did a good job. :-) Did you buy that set complete like that? Or was it over a course of years?

[rdgurule]

very nice, very nice!!! good job, right down to beer swig.

[yankeesman45]

love the beer!

[guitarkis49]

I had no idea he had died! He set the stage for Rush and played on some of their most rockin' songs! I loved that album....thanks for posting, great drumming man.

[rollingold1]

I remember Rush more with John then Neil Peart, in the early 70's they played Bars on Yonge St. (Larry's Hideaway/ Meet Market/ Picadelly Tube/ Yonge Station/ Gasworks) I used to talk with them between sets.

[rollingold1]

I remember Rush with John Rutsey, In the early 70's they played Bars (Meet Market/Picadelley Tube/ Yonge Station/Larry's Hideaway/ Gasworks) on Yonge St. Sad to hear about his passing, what did he die from?

[longlivebytor]

If you live near Portland, Oregon, contact me - I'd love to jam with you, dude! ;-)

[misstoyboxfan]

In my opinion Neil is better

[TheRushDrummer]

can u plz remake this in HD because ur new set up is much better. plz plz plz do

[markmoretto]

Only a slight tempo variation with the beer drink! We give and we take!

[testfoecho]

well done

[FesterDeJoux]

Right on Lad, love the ale...Mike from 2112 ON.

[FesterDeJoux]

Right Lad, love the ale bit, Cheers. Mike from 2112.

[lakefloor]

Hey nice job my friend! I used to play Rush in a band in the 80's. The first album was just so much fun to jam to.

[TadRapidly]

nicely done. Rutsey was a good drummer.

[TonySkyRush]

Thanks for the tribute that is a classic album and John Rutsey was kind of like the beatles first drummer Pete Best

Rest in Peace

 Always think about John listening to that first album

[VenumosFate]

so glad neil is there ttho.. much love to john as well

[SolarTiger]

"Johnny, we hardly knew ye..." Pauliewanna has done a superb job of capturing the essence of the first

album...any negative comments are from Rush haters in general..to be ignored...

[krakebass66]

an ice cold beer

[oldschoolchik5]

your good!!

[10pauin]

1:04 xD

[conkareno]

im glad neil became the drummer

[CSXer]

@conkareno Correct. But let us not knock John. He helped write and played on some of Rush's best songs when they were starting out.

They both have they're place in the legacey that is RUSH!!!!!

[Dahgrostabphri]

@conkareno I am gald Neil became the drummer for Rush too, but that really doesn't take away from Rutsy's talent and the fact that he was there when the band started is important to the life of Rush. Without John to help launch Rush who knows what band Neil might have ended up in.

[kingofallwhites]

@conkareno Yeah that's nice but is this really the place to say that you dink?

[davethecaveman]

a moment of silence is a better tribute

[MultiRushfan]

pauli  you do a great job covering the trinity material. i hope Neil respons to your open letter and favorably.

[f27dog]

Nicely Done! Nice Tribute!!

[divinedgar]

great.snare.sound.

[UndisclosedUsername]

from 4:16 to 4:17 the cymbals changed

[Pauliewanna]

The only difference I can see is that the 16" AA is now showing the SABIAN side... the simple explanation -- it's a different song, and it had rotated.

[UndisclosedUsername]

@Pauliewanna oh yeah thats wat i meant sorry if i was unclear btw great vids man

[77gitrzan]

@gitrzan77 john's style wasn't as advanced as neil's. that's not saying good or bad, just different. gotta be hard to stay in his style of playing without some neil-isms sneaking in....awesome as always, guy!

[10pauin]

3:04 loool!!!

[sedlitts]

really good dude awesome

[canericankev]

also, me being a canadian, the beer at the end was probably the best tribute..cheers..R.I.P RUTS! he was one of the best!!

[canericankev]

John will never be out of the band, we hear him all the time on radio, and in our cd players, or for me on the old plastic circle thing that spins, and has an arm that picks up frequencies :-)

[curlys8up]

Nice work! XLNT Tribute. I enjoyed your talent! *****5 of 'em*****

[aBigWhiteBear]

Excellent work, excellent tribute.

[lordofthestrngs]

i lold at 3:00

[rogerfogliatto]

hey, man... you surprised me .. I thought it was just a poor and weak video! Congratulations! 5/5 stars

[SuperHapDog]

I should have mentioned John Rutsey before. Overshadowed by Peart, but also an excellent drummer.

[SuperHapDog]

Man! I was a drummer up until about 20 years ago. If I went to a Rush concert and Neil Peart couldn't make it, I would be happy to see you fill in.

Very tight, excellent time keeping!

[MattDylan420]

wow, thats some sick drummin my man. I mean great drumming, you have some serious talent and i also like your style in playing the first Rush album. Nice call man, you rock!

[BuzzyFredrick]

nice rig.

[jisa39]

Good tribute, even with the beer in the middle of the performance.

Cheers.

[Rushworshiper92]

wow you sound very tight! Just awsome dude, I love it!

[alexkenworthy]

Excellent, better than that, you have a real talent dude. Nice tribute.

[mik1641]

That nice cold beer was a nice touch! Well done.

[helterskelter1178]

RIP JOHN

LONG LIVE RUSH!

[michaelmunselle2009]

may john rutsey rest in peace - although he was only with Rush for one album, it was still great work that he did as a drummer and percussionist.

[Koolkitties]

Rutsey actually did soem good fills though in Working Man.

[zephead2002]

Nice Rockin' Bro', Every once in a while I pull out this LP and rock along with it,... Its good for the single stroke chops,... Rock on, Rick

[TECHPaintBall3rCUBER]

Sabian awesome love your sound great job

[transformer01234567]

that was really fucking good

[tacomadc]

As simple as Jon's playing was, he had a nice loose feel on the high hats and snare! He made it rock AND roll - something many hotshot drummers suck at.

[tacomadc]

I STILL love that first Rush album - it is a true hard rock classic, and Jon was a part of it. rock on man!

[blackhawktim05]

gvallerangel,,,dont hold back,,,tell us how you really feal,,,,,LOL

[sheamylove]

...fucking killer!

[gvallerangel]

Come on man! Don't fuck around when you play Rush... who do you think you are? Improvising?!? Do you really think you can make it better? This is trash...

[micthetic]

gvallerangel...

1. you're taking this far tooo seriously

2.you're completely missing the point

This a great drummer doing a heartfelt tribute to an old classic album,a doffing of the cap to John Rutseys' passing, he's not trying to re-write history.

Great job Paulie, got me a bit watery eyed.

Mike

[RandyWayneFricke]

Indeed lest we forget. No Rutsey. No Peart. No RUSH. Rest well John. Say "hey" to Jimi and Janis for us...

[indi626]

And Jim (Morrison).

[petmycatwiththose]

Right on dude, YOU'VE got the beat, wish i could do that. AWESOME..........

[OneSillyTrucker]

Damn, I had no idea John Rutsey died. I did a search on him years ago, I think he was teaching or had become a teacher after Rush....nice job man

[Rago2112]

so funny when u drank the beer....and wow john rutsey was really an amazing drummer....no comparison to Peart, but still really good

[jamieroxe]

i love rush!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KcuFeM2]

Nice kit nice sound nice room cold beer them new sticks? Hay cut your hair. Cant see them earbuds. I,m play'n you smoked it and handed me a broken (empty) pipe. And I'm still happy. Rock on Rusty you have alot of people with you to jam with. Thanks Paulie....Just wanted to know what you listen too at this time? Or I should go see if you have other vids. The pipes not broken now LOL good job thanks again

[gokartjoe]

Rock on Buddy,,,,,5 stars! Huge Rush fan here, and John kicked ass on the white album!!!

[fishinman2009]

@gokartjoe Hey Bud, The White album was the Beatles-----------Just kidding, I so agree with ya man.

I heard the first album was pink before it was white--- just to give ya a little cool info.

I am a huge Rush fan as well and my first time I was turned on to them was about 77 and was blown away by 2112.

[jettkrash]

Nice work and great drum kit dude.

[12wsatye]

john rutsey was a killer drummer!!!!! r.i.p J.R

[HomeMuvees]

Great job man. Cheers

[bulletproof47xxx]

The beer part was great!!!

[aelmo713]

Why is there only 1 photo of John Rutsey. Every time i try to google his photos they keep on showing that same one thats on the first album. Maybe i'm not looking in the right spot.

[stupidpablo1]

5 stars for playing the song with on e hand and drinking beer with the other. Other than this it was already really good!

[12wsatye]

dude, can i hump your leg???wow dabomb

[mki91]

Nice tribute ! I've just discovered their 1st album and John. Thanks

[Monshnl]

Its a tribute to the first Rush drummer

[juuson]

What excactly is the point in this? You play decently though.

[thisbag]

Good Job, a pleasure

[rotorhead58d]

i'd jam with you any day of the week dude.

[Hammerofthegods86]

love the beer part

[DantoBB]

You make the art of drumming so easy and it is extremely harder than it is portrayed in your videos. I like that because it tells me that you are comfortable. And you can only be comfortable doing something if you love doing it.

Well done man.

[sophietroll]

Wow. Will you join my band ?

[Gibson1423]

i love when u play finding my way

[INSIDELINE65]

Does anyone know why he left Rush after there first album?

[ShinigamiXV]

Diabetes.

[INSIDELINE65]

Thanks!

[groundhog713]

He didn't want to tour due his diabetes, and when Geddy and Alex wanted to bring prog-rock influences into the band, he wasn't interested in that at all. However, things work out for the best. They found a great drummmer and lyricist in Neil Peart......

[INSIDELINE65]

Thanks!

[taffboyslim]

My first Rush album - easy to get into, and opened the door to a whole new type of rock for me. Sad to hear about John Rutsey - rest in peace.

[heyazzhole]

dude you suck,,,

[scooter540360]

Dude have you even seen his other videos?It's not his fault John Rutsey wasn't a very intricate drummer.

[heyazzhole]

john rutsey was cool for what he did,, this guy is kacking john rutsey

[scooter540360]

Kacking?Dude do you even know what kacking means?If you're going to insult someone at least use proper grammar.

[ampaholics]

Good Job Paulie! The kit sounds great and so does your playing.

[GuitarManRush]

ok thanks! but seriously dont go berserk on me....... hell i was just currious

[DCF227]

Holy shit he passed away May of this year..... That sucks. One of the best Rush albums was their first. Neil is great but Rutsey had like a Black Sabbath style that kicked ass

[vanhalen021]

I think lately this is my favorite video you have. thanks for posting most people dont even know there was a drummer before neil. while neil is a great drummer no doubt there may not have even been a rush without john and for that i am eternally grateful to the man. R.I.P. John

[Tomsawyerspit]

From one veteran Rush fan and drummer to another, you kick ass.I thought it was great! As to who is the better drummer,John or Neil,I'm a hardcore Peart fan, however,had John had the same opportunity as Neil, who's to say.I also believe that without John's contribution to Rush there would be no Rush.

[GuitarManRush]

who was a better drummer john or neil?

[Pauliewanna]

Is that a serious question?

[thedrummer141414]

yeah thats like comparing eddie van halen to a toothpick, not slammin on rutsey R.I.P.

whos one of ur fav guitarist paulie(besides alex)

[jimmynorton10]

Neil redid john better.

[grouchotrilo]

did not know he passed, sorry to hear that, nice drumming.

[cfx5000]

Very nice tribute. I also take a swig of beer while in the middle of a song. I thought I was the only one that did that.

[menom7]

EXCELLENT tribute to the Great John Rutsey!! He suffered from Diabetes,just like I do! May he rest in Peace!! HEY,btw Paulie..............I'd absolutely LOVE to see the full-length drum part to "Need some Love" Off their first one!! Next to La Villa Strangiato,that is my FAVORITE Rush tune!! When can we expect that one?? Lookin forward to yer answer,Thanks.

[GAMITECH]

HAHA you win the gig man. GREAT TRIBUTE!

R.I.P. John.

[harrybrandy]

Great tribute man!

to say you got a talent is an understatement

[jellyphish2112]

That beer shot was awesome! I said "why is he playing with one hand....?" Doubt the Master Mr. Peart ever did that (nor Rutsey for that matter!)

[STRATCAT101]

I can't believe that John Rutsey is no longer with us.I still remember the day i bought their first album with the big red Rush logo on it.After i heard it the first time i kept playing it.Ithought it was the best album ever.Istill love it,John Rutsey was perfect on that album.R.I.P. John.

[tstclebill]

nice kit!

[Shoogaman]

Awesome tribute brother! Nice job...you play them skins very well!

[MrGuit4r]

RIP John Rutsey

[ironman1055]

Oh, that was his name John Rutsey...

Haha! 1:04 to 1:06, Ice cold beer, thats funny.

Lol at 3:06.

May he rest in peace.

[Johnnywr]

Nice Bill Bruford snare sound you got going there. By the way...I really liked old Rutsey`s sound...kept it simple...a `whole, rather than a sum of it`s parts` approach. Drummers are always asked to work wonders in certain `rock` mediums...but to know when to keep it simple, keep it rolling...that`s the true sign of a great drummer.

[7111nailuj]

"Ice cold beer." Heh.  Nice one.

[eljulian]

Nice job...RIP John

[ThatOneDude88]

Turn the overhead mics down a bit and the mix will be even better! Too much cymbal and I LIKE lots of cymbals, but damn!

[jcsk8]

Man, nice tribute! I love Rush.Your drums souns nice also. Nice beer shot at 1:05, I do that often too! Lol.

Keep playing!

[Tactrol]

Thanks for the tribute, I enjoyed watching it.

I always liked Johns drumming on the self titled album. Of course Neil is better, but John will always be part of Rush because he started it all. Although he left the band in an odd sort of way.

RIP John Rutsey.

[terryorr]

I saw rush in 1974 with John Rutsey They were an awesome straight ahead power rock band at that time. John was a great drummer in the classic Rock sense. I drummed back then and loved Johns style. I still love the straight ahead power drumming of Working Man and you nailed the syncopated beats and drum rolls just like John originally did them.

[bobneub]

It wasn't sloppy; it was just right.

[Stratosteven]

sloppy.

[Pauliewanna]

Yeah! That's the point.

[BobNeubauer]

Excellent tribute. So glad someone else appreciates John's drumming on Working Man. I don't like the fancy beats Neil felt he had to add to show off. John had it just right. Not a criticism, but I would have loved to see more from my favorite first album song, Before and After. There's a great drum solo part in there. But thanks for all the song pieces you did cover here.

[SasukeUSasuke2500]

Well without John's addition to Rush i dont think Neal would really play the way he does in Rush, he is the worlds greatest drummer no one can argue with that but John had it just right to have rush, Peart just got them world famous by being the best drummer.

[davehartllc]

You are a damn good drummer and I like the little tidbits of funny stuff added in there. Awsome.... Nice tribute to John

[ccdeweese]

You are a good drummer. So was Rutsey. Thanks for helping me cope with his death.

[revup67]

nice drumming - good replciation though note ride beat change to hi-hat during the Finding My Way bridge as one example. Been playing the first Rush LP since the first month it hit the stores in 1974 - monster LP. Liked the beer interlude - that was entertaining. Killer snare sound as well. You got any windows in that room :) ? Cheers

[evilash1996]

r.i.p.

[mactac25]

Nice work! I think John would have been happy with it.

Beer was a perfect touch.

[rockabillyotis]

Ps loved the beer! LOL

[rockabillyotis]

I was born and bred on early Rush, playing in a Toronto band called Stonehenge. You really have the feel and John would agree I'm sure. John will be missed. RIP old friend. Thanks for sharing your obvious talent and skill in the name of John's memory.

5 stars to your playing - Just like John beat for beat. Love all those songs, played them all - still play 'em.

[hobo649]

rest in peace john

[malinwj]

Neil has always been, will always be my favorite rock drummer; but I thought John's playing was really good! Listening to the first record right now - Alex's leads are smoking on this album, cool to listen to it again! RIP Mr. Rutsey.

[VulgarMongoose]

Damn dats some nice sounding drums you got there.

R.I.P John

[2112Starman2112]

Thanks for sharing this fine tribute to John. Nice Job!!